Sandy Rachwal | Hometown Bicycles

Where to Ride in MI Potluck Clinic + Demo Day Video

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Shaun

YOU ARE INVITED!

Where to Ride in Michigan Clinic & Potluck Party!

Sunday, March 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM

Learn about the best places to ride, locally and statewide! We have an awesome lineup of speakers to share a wealth of knowledge with you — Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (MiSCA), Bike Tour Vacations, Tour de Livingston, Team Hometown & more!

Bring a dish to pass and meet fellow cycling enthusiasts at this FREE information-packed party. We are so stoked to kick off the spring cycling season with you!

REGISTER NOW!

Join Team Hometown Bicycles!

The “Where to Ride in Michigan” Clinic & Potluck on March 3rd offers up one last opportunity to join Team Hometown for the 2019 year. We are currently 70 incredible Team members and growing! Join us for rides, races, camaraderie, events, and all-around FUN.

How to Join: Download our Team Application. Drop it by the shop or bring it to the Potluck! Our Team Store is NOW OPEN, and will remain open through March 15th. Order your kits to make your membership OFFICIALLY official!

Hometown in Our Community

This past weekend, Hometown’s Leslie Cook represented our shop at the Sportsman Dinner at The Naz on Saturday and then woke up on Sunday to do it again at the Winter Sports Demo Day at Huron Meadows.

Team Hometownie Doug Lapp joined Les at Huron Meadows to talk up fat biking, Team Hometown and Hometown Bicycles! Thank you, guys, for doing us proud!

(Psst! Check out the AMAZING Demo Day video Doug made by clicking the video image above.)

The Adventures of Jacob “Speedy Sloth” Henriksen: 2019 Polar Roll

Jacob is the type of Team member who can make ANY cycling adventure FUN for all! This past weekend found him going arctic at 2019 Polar Roll:

“Going into the 2019 Polar Roll, we all knew it was going to be a tough ride. Along with recent storms, a fresh snowstorm hit the night before the race. Volunteers were out until 5 AM trying to get the trail ride-able. That being said, I am so glad that I have the mindset that any day that I’m outside and enjoying the fresh air and hanging out with friends is a good day, no matter if I make it to the finish line or not. I did not quit this race; however, I did not make it to the finish line either. I did, however, make it to my goal point!

I also made a new friend, and showed him the Hometown way of no rider left behind. I got to be out in the Beautiful UP. I took in some awesome scenery (wolves, deer, and a bald eagle). I got to take some awesome pictures, had friends and even a few strangers take care of me and my new friend while we are out on the course! The most important thing, though, is I had fun even during the hardest parts when we had to walk. That is ultimately what biking has always been for me! It is a time to hang out with my friends, be outdoors, and just have fun!”

Sponsor Feature: Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply

Meet Sandy Rachwal!

How long have you collaborated with Hometown? How did you get involved?
Beauchamp has partnered with Hometown Bicycles for the past 3 years and loved every second of it! The family feel at the store and the awesome energy is everywhere when you walk through the door! Shaun and Dawn make you feel so welcome and right at home. It’s a great feeling to see everyone smiling and willing to help you get into the right bike. I had met a previous employee at an event and told her we would be willing to donate water for rides and clinics… the rest is history!

What are some of your favorite Livingston County events and festivals?
Livingston County has so much to offer and we love so many events here! I love the Kite Festival; the Howell Melon Fest is a lot of fun; Island Lake Demo Day with Hometown; Milford Memories; Legend of Sleepy Howell;Fantasy of Lights… way too many to mention!

Tell us how Beauchamp is involved in the community.
We work with the Hartland, Howell, Brighton, South Lyon and Fenton schools, donating to their dances and runs. We partner with Meals on Wheels. We help Habitat for Humanity on builds occasionally, and donate and help at their picnic. We help with a lot of runs, such as The Melanoma Run, Run for Hunger, Alzheimer’s and Go Pink Runs. We are also members of seven different Chamber of Commerce chapters, from Hartland to The Lakes area.

How much water do YOU personally drink each day?
I start my morning with a 10 ounce bottle of water and try to drink another 6-8 bottles every day.

What sets Beauchamp apart from its competitors?
Beauchamp Water Treatment was built on integrity. I always feel, no matter how educated, rich, or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all!

Coffee or tea?
My drink of choice is a cup of freshly brewed coffee with honey and coconut milk!

NOW HIRING!

AS THE CYCLING SEASON’S GEARING UP, SO ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES…Hometown is committed to making the bike shop experience magical for the wonderful people who patronize our shop. That requires an exceptional team of “behind-the-scene”-ers. You can be a part of it!

SEEKING FULL-TIME SERVICE TECHS – MON-FRI

Connect with Shaun or Dawn for an application.

Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Event:

Tuesday, March 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM

We have introduced you to our keynote speaker, Jennifer Matras with Competitive Edge Skating… now we bring to you another fabulous female entrepreneur who will be part of our Q&A panel. Meet Samantha Brish!

Dr. Samantha Brish is a Brighton native. She graduated from Brighton High School in 2010 and went on to study Movement Science at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Sam leads a very active lifestyle. She is an avid marathon runner, weight lifter and triathlete. Chronic hip and back pain forced Dr. Sam to take a break from running in 2014, which is when she learned about chiropractic. After countless attempts at rest and traditional physical therapy, Dr. Sam had her first adjustment and knew chiropractic was what she was meant to do. Dr. Sam pursued her Doctor of Chiropractic and Masters in Sport Science & Rehabilitation degrees.

Upon graduation, Dr. Sam opened her own practice, Element Chiropractic & Wellness. Dr. Sam has a passion for helping people. She wants to keep people active and doing the things that bring them joy in life.

We warmly welcome Dr. Sam as one of our GIRL POWERpresenters!

The evening will be chock full of fun and invaluable information to help the young women in our lives explore and develop their entrepreneurial talents.

SIGN UP HERE!

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM
$5 drop-in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf |Click to learn more

Power 30 | Wednesdays 7 PM
$5 drop in – With Martha Soraruf | Click to learn more

Zumba | Mondays 6 PM & Thursdays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more

Zumba GOLD | Fridays 9:30 AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more

intenSati | Sundays 10 AM
$10 drop in – With Dawn Gaden | Click to learn more

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Mother’s Day, Demo Day, and Yoga-Bikes-Beer

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Shaun

(Possibly the world’s sweetest Mum’s Day card, available at cubecure.co.uk)

CELEBRATING THE WONDERFUL WOMEN WHO STARTED IT ALL
It takes a very special sort of someone to start you off on your journey to YOU, and in honor of the moms who set our wheels rolling, Hometown Bicycles is offering an additional 5% on your Mother’s Day Hometown Gift Certificate purchases. That makes your $500 Gift Certificate $525 and your $1,000 turns into $1,050! (Valid today 5/11 through this Sunday 5/13.)

DEMO DAY 2018 WITH HOMETOWN BICYCLES

This year’s Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day, put on by the wonderful folks of the MCMBA, attracted record crowds of over 400 riders and many, many more visitors. Gorgeous weather, eager cyclists, scads of bikes and gear – we’re talking FUN! Shaun and I always make a family affair of it, and what we saw made us extra proud to be Hometownies…

Above: Our Hometown jerseys and t-shirts were EVERYWHERE… and I’m not just talking about riders, either! Our Team stepped up with lightning speed to fill the majority of the MCMBA Demo Day volunteer spots, as well as our Team tent. Registration, food prep, bike corral – you name it, Hometown was there! Thank you, Team, for being so darn awesome!!

Above: Some Team Hometownies even managed to do crossover volunteering, like Leslie here, who represented both Team Hometown and IMBA National Mountain Bike Patrol!

Above: Even our Team Sponsors did us proud! Sandy of Beauchamp Water Treatment & Supply kept the Demo Day riders well hydrated from her table beside our tent. Yep, it was an event for building connections, strengthening ties, and advancing our sport!

Above: We want to give a special shout out to Team Hometown’s Steve Steinberg, who is not only on the board of the MCMBA, but also chairs this much-loved Demo Day event – clearly with no small measure of success. We’re proud to have such a devoted cycling advocate on our Team. Congrats on a stellar event, Steve!

At this year’s Demo Day, Hometown Bicycles grilled hot dogs and offered other complimentary refreshments to Demo-goers, while collecting donations to be funneled back into the MCMBA. Here, we’re proudly handing Steve that $188 donation to support the growth of Michigan Mountain Biking. It was a feel-good event, all the way around, and we can’t wait to do it again!

TEAM NEWS: HOMETOWN SPANS THE STATE

Boy, was our Team hopping this past weekend! They spanned the State – north, west, southwest, and southeast – with bike-bound adventures, advocacy, and races.

Eight Team members competed in Mud, Sweat & Beers Fat Tire Fest and Mountain Bike Race, with Scott Simpson nabbing a 2nd in single speed. Thanks for spreading the Hometown magic all the way up in Traverse City, Brad Allen, Paul Andres, Mike Dyer, Erik Frasier, Scooter Gates, Kevin Machuga, Jim Thompson, and Scott!

Jack Riddle and Matt Price raced 50 and 100 miles consecutively in West Michigan’s Hellkaat Hundie Gravel Road Race. Special shout out to Matt for taking 1st in the Fat Bike class and 15th overall!

Linc Wehrly represented in the Fort Custer Stampede Mountain Bike Race, known for its unique and exciting trails.

Bike Ypsi Spring Ride was 4 riders richer for the addition of Team Hometown’s Adam Baranski, Joe Ostervik, Jacob Henriksen, and Shannon McKay.

And like I mentioned above, not only was the State awash in the Hometown colors – so, too, was Spring Bike Demo Day 2018, where our Team rocked cycling advocacy with volunteer superstardom and participation!

Now, THAT’s the power of a 103-rider Team, Hometownies. Be proud!

REGISTER FOR MILFORD BIKE FEST: JUNE 2

Here’s an event you’ll want to add to your calendar – the MCMBA’s annual Milford Bike Fest & Trail Challenge!

This year, Hometown Bicycles is proud to be the primary bike shop Sponsor for this event. Our Milford connection, Hometown Service Manager Matt Fitzhorn, will be manning the Hometown tent and participating in the awards and announcements. Come hang out with him and the Hometown Team, while enjoying a beautiful blend of mountain biking, live music, delicious food, and beer!

REGISTER NOW FOR MILFORD BIKE FEST

REGISTER FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS: JUNE 23

We know there will be some hats tossed and cartwheels attempted over this latest piece of local news…

Poses, Pedals & Pints: Summer 2018 registration is now open! If you hearken back to last year’s P3 series, the event opens with beginner-friendly yoga, courtesy of Tocca Massage & Yoga, followed by a leisurely and scenic ride with Hometown, ending with a long, cool pull from the taps of Brewery Becker. Remember, this event sells out insanely fast!

REGISTER NOW FOR POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – JUNE 23, 2018

WE’RE HIRING – STOP IN AND APPLY!
Creating the magic of Hometown is no small thing, and we don’t hire lightly, but we do offer positions that are meaningful and make a real difference in the lives of customers, our community, and the cycling industry. We currently have openings for:

Part-Time Social Media Specialist
Helps market and share the Hometown culture on social media. Must be social media savvy, highly organized, an excellent writer, and skilled in photography. Graphic design skills a plus.

Part-Time Events Coordinator
Coordinates and manages on- and off-premises shop events of all types. Must be highly organized, creative, detail-oriented, an excellent communicator, sociable, and enthusiastic.

Full- and Part-Time Service Techs
Provides reliably outstanding technical bike service. Some technical knowledge preferred. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, focused, and a quick learner.

Full- and Part-Time Sales Associates
Provides reliably outstanding customer service, including sales, cashiering, and shop organization and cleanliness. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, sociable, enthusiastic, and a quick study.

Drop by our shop, introduce yourself, and pick up an application. You’ll never know unless you try!

UPCOMING SHOP RIDES

Friday Night Lights
FRIDAY, MAY 11 | 9:00PM (MEET BY 8:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
It’s a different world out there when you’re riding by bike light! We’ll ride the Island Lake trails at an INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED pace. Make sure your lights are fully charged! Mountain and Fat Bikes are encouraged. NOT a beginner ride. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Beginner Friendly Road Ride

MONDAY, MAY 14 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
This one’s for the beginner rider who wants to increase mileage and speed. We’ll ride the well-known “to-the-Green-Dumpster-and-back” loop (~12-15 miles), or more for those who are ready. A and B groups will average 10-15+ mph. Road bikes only! Please have some experience on your bike, along with basic shifting and braking skills for the safety of the group. Beyond that, we’ll share some tips to make the hills easier and the flats faster! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Advanced Skills & Drills

TUESDAY, MAY 15 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Want to learn to ride with a peloton? This ADVANCED, road warrior training is led by our Team racers! You’ll learn and practice: draft lines, hill repeats and intervals. Come ready to work hard. Bring a cadence sensor, speed sensor, and heart rate monitor. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Ladies’ Road Ride
TUESDAY, MAY 15 | 7:00PM (MEET BY 6:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, this one’s just for you! This weekly, road ride is for gals of all ability levels. We’ll ride the well-known “green dumpster” loop at Island Lake (~14 miles) at a conversational, 10mph pace. All bikes welcome, NO DROP RIDE. Afterward, relax, connect, and rehydrate with your new biking friends. BYOB! Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Gravel Grinding 101
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 | 6:30PM (MEET BY 6:15PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ride with your Hometown bike guru, CycloDan Tribble! Front and rear light required, as we end at dusk. This ride weaves through and around Island Lake, covering 13+ miles of pavement, dirt trails and gravel roads (a few hills just for fun!) at an average 12-13 mph. Expect a “puddle” or two of sand and a few face slappers on the trails this time of year. Nothing our gravel, adventure or mountain/fat bikes can’t easily handle. Skinny tire bikes will NOT work for this ride. All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

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Ladies Only Beginner Mountain Bike Ride
THURSDAY, MAY 17 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN
Ladies, come learn beginning mountain bike skills! We’ll tackle the trails in manageable bites, with the empowering support of skilled and supportive Hometown women. We’ll ride together to Island Lake Recreation Area, and focus on taking the fear and uncertainty out of riding the trails! NO DROP. Check Facebook for ride confirmation and changes!

CLICK HERE for our 2018 Spring/Summer Daily Shop Rides Schedule!

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn more

ZUMBA | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are dirt.

~ John Muir

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Beauchamp Water Treatment and Supply, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, Bike Ypsi Spring Ride, bikes, Brewery Becker, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, cycling, cyclists, donation, fitness classes, Fort Custer Stampede Mountain Bike Race, gravel road race, group rides, Happy Mother's Day, Hellkaat Hundie, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bicycles Gift Certificates, Hometownies, IMBA, Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day, Leslie Barrett, Leslie Cook, Martha Soraruf, MCMBA, Michigan, Milford Bike Festival and Trail Challenge, mountain bike race, mountain biking, Mud Sweat and Beers, National Mountain Bike Patrol, Poses Pedals and Pints, Sandy Rachwal, shop rides, Spring Bike Demo Day, Steve Steinberg, Team Hometown Bicycles, Tocca Massage and Yoga, volunteers, zumba | Leave a comment »

What Happened at Hometown the Other Night…

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Shaun

(Friendships were forged and fun was TOTALLY had at Hometown’s Ladies Night Out: Spring Edition!)

WHAT HAPPENS AT HOMETOWN, STAYS AT… OH, WAIT!
No it doesn’t! It gets shared with you right now! Ladies Night Out: Spring Edition was just too wonderful to keep to ourselves, anyway…

In our second celebration of Hometownie women, we launched the evening with a stellar, stress-melting yoga session, courtesy of Terry of Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp. Next came a few words from the girl-power advocate who runs this show (me).

Wine was a-flowing from an ambrosial selection of reds and whites, and partnered beautifully with our tableful of gal-geared goodies!

Many of our women picked up quick and simple flat tire fix tips and shifting techniques in a set of mini clinics that ran mid-event. Complimentary chair massages took place just a few steps away, generously offered by wonder-women, Jenn and Sue, of Kor Chiro Studio.

In what’s quickly become one of the largest selections of women’s cyclewear in the area, our women found an abundance of eye-popping deals and colorful fashions to suit every style. And one of the favorite additions to the evening was the playful jewelry and artwork offered and donated as door prizes by kind-to-the-core vendors/artists Peggy Kerwan, Lauren of LPbyLP, Cathy and Rita of Echo Lake Steel, and Melissa of Cool Hedge Creations.

Generous gift donations from Hamburg Fitness Center‘s chief ladies, Deb and Terry, and one of the most vibrant personalities we’ve ever met – Sandy of Beauchamp Water Treatment – cherry-topped the evening for several happy winners.

We welcomed 5 new ladies to our Hometown Team, made friends and cycling buddies, and 200% loved life with some of the most wonderful women we know. What a magical evening! Ladies, you have my personal thanks for supporting my mission to make Hometown one of the female-friendliest bike shops in the region and, of course, for being so awesome!! (Stay tuned for our next big women’s event, coming up in May!)

INVENTORY, TOOLS, FIXTURES & MORE

Moving Vincere operations to Hometown means a BIG BIKE SHOP BLOW-OUT SALE the likes of which you’ve never seen – product, fixtures, tools… anything that’s not nailed down at blow-out pricing. Start moving the seats out of your cars – sale runs THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 FROM NOON-4PM, and you’ll be needing the space! First come, first serve!!!
Meet man-of-the-hour, Matt Fitzhorn (and his little dog, too!) parked in front of Vincere Cycles of Milford.

MARCH 1ST: CLINIC POTLUCK PARTY

Hometownies, we’re wrapping up this – our 8th year of winter bike clinics – with the most epic Potluck Party to date… because, this year, there’s something extra to celebrate!

In this clinic, you’ll learn about the best parks, routes, and groups for your Michigan cycling adventures. We’ll also be welcoming back guest speaker Jim Plaunt of Bike Tour Vacations, who’s worked up a special promotion just for Hometownies!

You’ll get our 2018 Spring Shop Ride agenda (spoiler alert – it’s awesome!), and meet the cool people you’ll get to ride them with! PLUS, this March 1st party is your LAST CHANCEto sign up for our all-inclusive, all-about-making-it-fun Team Hometown Bicycles!! (We’re at 85 riders – can you help our Team get to 100??)

Exciting, right? But wait, there’s more! At this event, you’ll have a chance to finally meet the one and only Matt Fitzhorn, whom you’ve been hearing so much about – the new head honcho for your famous Hometown Service Department. You’re right. You absolutely won’t want to miss this:

Where to Ride in Michigan Potluck Party

Thur, March 1st, 7-9pm – The only fee is food!

2018 HOMETOWN WOMEN’S WINTER CLASSES

It’s the final class in our Hometown, women-only, winter class series to keep you going strong over the winter! Women’s rides are next on the agenda, beginning in April – be sure to watch our Facebook page and newsletter for the official announcement! Click the registration link for details and to sign up for the final class:2/27 WOMEN’S PILOXING BARRE with Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp
REGISTER for PILOXING | 6 – 7PM at Hamburg Fitness | $5 (no membership required!)

HOMETOWN BICYCLES SHOP RIDES

Fat Bike Friendly Ride – Intermediate/Advanced
SATURDAY, FEB 24 | 10:00AM (MEET BY 9:45AM) | FROM HOMETOWN BICYCLES
We’re headed back to Island Lake for a loop through the trails. Anticipate 10-16 miles of adventuring. Group A advanced riders will ride fast and pack in the miles. Group B intermediate riders will ride as skills determine. Come dressed for the weather. Check Facebook for Ride confirmation and changes!***Rent a Fat Bike at the shop!***

FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES

Many of you are familiar with the rockin’ beats and great cardio that take place weekly on our showroom floor. But for those who haven’t yet experienced fitness classes at Hometown, or simply want to get a high-energy start to their New Year’s resolutions, here are a few classes you’ll absolutely want to try!CARDIO DRUMMING | Wednesdays at 6:00PM
$5 drop in / $5 equipment rental – With Martha Soraruf
Click to learn moreZUMBA | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more