New Mountain Biking Intro Clinic + Parties, Rides and Accomplishments

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Shaun

Curious About Mountain Biking?
—- WE’VE GOT A CLINIC FOR THAT! —-

JUST HOW DIFFERENT IS RIDING TRAILS TO RIDING ROADS ANYWAY?

The lure of woodsy single-track strikes just about every cyclist at some point in their life… there’s something almost primal about the need to take a path less traveled.

But mountain biking (MTB) is a very different beast from road riding – with different equipment, challenges, and skill requirements – and that can be downright intimidating.

We get it, and that’s why we’ve created the “So, You Want to Transition to Mountain Biking” Clinic. Jennifer (our Events Coordinator, MTB novice, and instigator of this clinic) and Shaun will talk about these differences, how to prep for your first trail experience, where to ride when you’re ready, and groups and classes that can help. PLUS, we’ll have a variety of demo bikes on hand for you to try what you just learned!

CLINIC RUNS TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 6:30PM
in the Hometown Bicycles Community Room

Rest assured, you will NOT have to grow facial hair and wear flannel shirts to participate…

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR THE TRANSITION TO MOUNTAIN BIKING CLINIC

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KUDOS TO CORA FOR THE SALE OF HER BIKE ART!

Just wanted to give a huge Hometown shout-out to Pinckney High School art student, Cora Kroll, for the sale of her wicked-cool graphite bike art. Way to go, Cora!

Do YOU want to support the awesome talent of these students? Their artwork is still on display (and for sale) in our Community Room. Come check it out!

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8/6: TOUR DE LIVINGSTON PARTY RIDE WITH SHAUN

Don’t forget to sign up for this FREE, biggest-ride-of-the-year, food-on-the-barbie, chill-around-the-campfire, win-a-jersey, Party Ride with your goateed bike guru to launch our annual Tour de Livingston Training Ride series (see section below)!

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR OUR SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH TDL PARTY RIDE

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TOUR DE LIVINGSTON TRAINING RIDES JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER

Following the big Party Ride (see section above), we’re turning our annual TDL Training Ride series into a tip-top training tool to maximize your Tour de Livingston experience, with skill building, stamina stretching, and many more chances to win cool TDL swag!

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TEAM NEWS: ACHIEVEMENTS THAT REALLY HIT HOME

Just when we think we can’t get any prouder, our Team serves up another dish of “oh, wow!” This time, a couple Team achievers hail right from our very own Hometown crew…

Congratulations to Hometown’s Events Coordinator, Jennifer McCauley, for blowing it out of the water at last weekend’s Sylvania, OH Women’s Only Triathlon and rocking a second place win in her age division! Jennifer designed and will be instructing our upcoming, August 9th “So, You Want to Transition to Mountain Biking” Clinic. She credits MTB cross-training for breaking her out of a plateau and shaving 3 minutes off her triathlon bike time! (see top)

(Above: Jennifer holds up her well-deserved trophy at the Tri. Image courtesy Jennifer McCauley)

A round of high fives to Hometown’s Rides Coordinator, Jean Steinberg, who was tapped byCRAMBA (Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association) to be an instructor at last weekend’s Got MTB Women’s Mountain Bike Clinic. Despite getting caught in a deluge (“I dumped running water out of my shoes twice…”), Jean did our shop and her sport proud, sharing her passion with a bevy of enthusiastic MTB newbies. (There’s another one on August 27th!)

(Above: Jean simulates proper weighting for climbing with fellow instructor Norbert. Image courtesy Jean Steinberg)

Also, we want to give a “hollah!” to Team Hometownie “DJ Joe” Ostervik, who’s been posting some great pics on Facebook of his RAGBRAI (“The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa”) adventure in the Team kit. In fact, he’s still out there, enjoying his week-long trek across Iowa. Safe travels, Joe, and thanks for sharing the adventure!

(Left: “DJ Joe” pit stops at the Jamis tent on the RAGBRAI, crossing Iowa by bicycle. Image courtesy DJ Joe Ostervik)

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VOTING CLOSES AUGUST 7 – PLEASE VOTE DAILY!

CLICK TO VOTE HOMETOWN BICYCLES “BEST BIKE SHOP 2016”

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TAKE NOTE! DOC MAY MEMORIAL MELON RIDE ON 8/20

It’s never too early to mention a Hometown favorite – the Doc May Memorial Melon Ride on Saturday, August 20th!! We’re partnering with the Howell Area Parks & Rec Authority on a simple, new route that will tour you past some of Howell’s most scenic highlights. Our Team will be cycling on course to provide basic SAG, route assistance, and all-around good vibes. Plus, Hometown’ll also be your bike valet for the event, so that you can enjoy the post-ride festivities unencumbered by your 2-wheeled steed – NO CHARGE!

What are you waiting for, Hometownies?? GET REGISTERING!!

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HOMETOWN BICYCLES’ SHOP RIDES

Here’s what’s coming up this week:

WEDNESDAY, 8:45AM – Rails-to-Trails Ride

WEDNESDAY, 6:30PM – Hammerfest Advanced Road Ride

SUNDAY, 8:00AM – The Gravel Grinder

SUNDAY, 5:00PM – Beginner Mountain Bike Ride

TUESDAY, 9:00AM – Hometown Green Gals Mountain Bike Ride

CLICK HERE for details about these Hometown shop rides!

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Tour Kick-Off Ride and The Mark of a Good Man

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Shaun

A BALLOONFEST BIKE RIDE WITH YOUR HOMETOWN CREW

You know that we are big-time Tour de Livingston fans. But did you know that we are SO into the Tour, that we ritually open the shop late for the annual Kick-Off Ride, so that all our staff can attend? It’s true!

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, WE OPEN AT NOON

Hometown will be leading this year’s free Tour teaser. If you ever wanted to hang with your Hometown crew, this is the day to do it!

Click here to learn more about the Kick-Off Ride and to register for the Tour.

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PINCKNEY STUDENT ART OPEN HOUSE JUNE 28

Art by Pinckney High Schoolers Norah Spigarelli (top) and Megan McGreachy (bottom right), and Navigator Elementary’s 4th Grade (bottom left)

Last week, we talked about the phenomenal bicycle art of Hallie Levine’s Pinckney High School and Navigator Elementary students, currently livening up our Community Room.

Now it’s time to celebrate their creativity! Next Tuesday, June 28th from 5:30-6:30pm, we are hosting a Student Art Open House to give the artists a chance to show-and-tell!

Complimentary refreshments, beautiful bike art (some of it for sale!), and a chance to feel like a rockstar for helping these young artists know how talented they are – please come!

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THE MARK OF A GOOD MAN

We want to dedicate a space here to pay tribute to a true great of the cycling industry… and the human race.

Mark Pierce, 30+-year owner/operator of multigenerational family business, Detroit Cycle Supply, was remarkable. “Vendor” and “rep” are irrelevant here – this man was like family. Mark was our mentor… a dispenser of solid and practical business advice, a trusted sounding board, and a perpetual cheerleader of the shop.

He dropped by often, and was never in a hurry when he came – always finding time to hang out and help out. And he was kind – honest, but always kind.

Mark has a permanent place on our VIP “I Believe” wall for good reason. His faith in Hometown – and in us – has been extraordinary.

Rest in peace, Mark. You are already missed.

For anyone who knew Mark and wants to pay their respects, click here.

(Photo courtesy Debbie K. via Mark’s phone)

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Balloonfest, bicycle art, bicycle ride, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike ride, bike shop, bikes, Community Room, cycling, cycling industry, cyclist, Detroit Cycle Supply, Hallie Levine, Hometown Bicycles, Howell, Howell Rotary Club, Kick-Off Ride, Mark Pierce, Navigator Elementary, Pinckney High School, student art, Tour de Livingston | Leave a comment »

Dad’s Day gotta-gets, kiddie MTB, and Pinckney draws bikes

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Shaun

UBER-COOL FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS FOR DADS WHO LOVE CYCLING

Holy smokes!! Father’s Day is this Sunday – June 19th! But before you hit the big, red panic button, know that your gift hunt need go no further than Hometown Bicycles. Seriously, check out some of the high-five-worthy gifts you can treat Dad to…

COOL BICYCLES For all dads – cruisers to racers	BIKE NUT NECKTIES A classy way to show his passion	DAD-GEARED MUGS DAD mugs and more! .
PARK TOOL GLASSES Slick, commemorative drinkware	MANLY DESK SWAG Cyclist frames and statuary .	COLORFUL T-SHIRTS Combines MI pride + bike ♥
WILD YARD SPINNERS Garden art that will turn heads	BIKE TOOLS!!! Can’t go wrong with trusty tools	BOTTLE OPENERS A favorite of beer-lovin’ dads
CYCLIST NUTRITION Delicious energy for active guys	KITCHEN GADGETRY Bicycle pizza cutters and more	EPO HOT SAUCE Hometown’s signature sauce.

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“TAKE A KID MT. BIKING DAY” TAKES THE CAKE

(Hometownies in attendance included Brian R., Brian F., Mike D., Jack R., and Olga N.)

For a family-friendly event designed to encourage the next generation of cyclists, the Poto MBA’s Take-A-Kid-Moutain-Biking Day really did top the “awesomeness” charts. Team Hometown Bicycles kept it real with bicycle safety checks, helmet fits, and general SAG support. But they also had a blast sharing their passion for pedaling with their own family.

Stellar event, Poto MBA!!

………………………PINCKNEY SCHOOLS BEAUTIFY HOMETOWN

Our Community Room is in full bloom yet again – this time with the playful bicycle art of Hallie Levine’s Pinckney High School and Navigator Elementary 4th grade students.

Their art ranges from vibrant to whimsical and – art appreciators take note! – the high school artwork IS for sale! (Remember, students keep 100% of the proceeds!)

This colorful student art display will be up for the next month, and an Artists’ Reception open house will be announced in the coming weeks. Bike by and check it out!

………………………DID YOU KNOW… ???

We’ve repaired over 12,200 bicycles since Hometown Bicycles first opened it’s doors 6 years ago.

There are so many reasons why our tune-ups and repairs are so famous – bring your bikes by, and we’ll show you first-hand!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, bicycle repair, bicycle shop, bicycle tune up, bike repair, bike shop, bike tune-up, Community Room, cycling, cyclist, Father's Day, gift ideas, gifts, Hallie Levine, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bicycles Student Art Program, kids, mountain biking, Navigator Elementary, Pinckney High School, Poto TAK, student art, Team Hometown Bicycles, tune up | Leave a comment »

Next Generation Cycling Takeover

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Shaun

(A few of Hometown’s Crew head for the hills… of Island Lake [left to right]: Rocco, Andrew, Liam & Colin)

SIGH… THEY GROW UP SO FAST…

Look what a single year can bring… a new shop, a new adventure, and a son who catapulted from newborn to “hey, Mom, I’m going mountain biking with the guys.”

We want to put out a monster-sized “THANK YOU!” to every single one of you who celebrated Liam’s birthday with us on Memorial Day weekend. You just reaffirmed that you truly are FAMILY, and we love you for it!

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SPEAKING OF PINT-SIZED CYCLISTS…

(Image © Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association)Poto MBA’s Facebook Event reads: “Join Poto MBA for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Dayon the Appleton Loop at Brighton Recreation Area on June 11, 2016 [10am-2pm].TKMBD is a celebration developed and coordinated by IMBA, which strives to encourage communities around the world to join together and ride mountain bikes with youth.“What a cool concept – getting the next generation geeked about mountain biking. So guess which family-friendly bike shop will be at the event, geeking out right alongside the kids? Us!!

Food, IMBA swag, guided rides… and Shaun’ll be there for bicycle safety checks, helmet fitting, and other educational bikery, so be sure to drop by with your kid(s) and say “hi!”

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SHOP RIDES – HAVE YOU HAD YOURS TODAY?

In the thick of some pretty freakishly awesome cycling weather, we just wanted to remind you that our shop rides are going strong, with a ride for every cyclist:

Speedster roadie? Hello, Wednesday Hammerfest!

Trail newbie? Try our Sunday Beginner Mountain Bike Ride!

Future centurion? Hook up with our Saturday Couch-to-Century Road Ride!

Leisure-geared and lovin’ it? Wednesday’s Rails-to-Trails ride includes a picnic!

And that’s only the half of it. Check out the rest, drop in for a flier, or contact ride@myhometownbicycles.com to get in on the action – whichever level and speed that may be.

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BRAGGING RIGHTS: STUDENT BIKE ART IS A HIT!

(Photo courtesy and © Zach Hoggard, South Lyon elementary art teacher, and Bartlett Elementary)Our Community Room recently housed the most amazing, kid-centric celebration of creativity ever to enliven our shop… the South Lyon Bartlett Elementary Artist Open House for the young bicycle artists of Zach Hoggard’s 5th Grade classes.Parents, siblings, grandparents, and other friends and relatives came out in droves to support the awesome talent of these kid creators. AMAZING!Their incredible art will be on display only a short while longer, so hurry in to check it out!

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GUESS WHICH HOLIDAY IS NEARLY HERE…

Dad loves cycling? You + Hometown = match made in heaven. Drop in for an early lead on the best bike stuff, or stay tuned next week for a full-blown Dad’s Day (6/19) gift guide!