1. A hand-drawn or hand-painted Hometown logo
2. The words: “I’m a Jr. Hometownie!” (Mom and Dad can help, if needed)
3. Any other bicycle-related art that your young Hometownie is inspired to create!

TEAM HOMETOWN BIKES THE BARRY

It was another Team Triumph over Ma Nature at last weekend’s Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race!

Placing 2nd overall, 14 Team Hometown riders squelched through muck and cold to a glorious podium finish – only a little over a minute shy of 1st place! Special kudos to riders Mark Lang and Jim Cleer (see above), who took 2nd and 5th consecutively in their age division. Plus a Hometown huzzah to Jack Riddle who, although too under the weather to ride, still made the drive to support his Team. WOW! Awesome job, Team!

HOMETOWN TRAIL C.P.R.

Following what we’ve dubbed The Great Wind Storm of ’17, our shop trails were littered with branches and debris. But with their usual good spirits and can-do attitude, our Team breathed new life into Hometown’s damaged single track.

Thanks, Jean Steinberg (Hometown’s Ride Coordinator), for getting this ball rolling. And Tom Hermann (who spearheaded the effort), you are a total rockstar! Plus a million thanks to the wonderful Team members who rallied to the cause. Come out and ride their handiwork!
(Ed got an early start on trail clean-up – thanks, Ed!)

SPRING SHOP RIDES – COMING SOON!

We’re just waiting for the weather to break to unleash the flood of fantastic shop ride opportunities that you’ll be enjoying this Spring!

Want to start selecting some “must-try”s for your “wanna-ride” list? Click the PDF at left for a printable preview of the awesomeness to come. Details may change – be sure to watch our newsletters and Facebook for ride updates and information. Pedal on, Hometownies, pedal on.

SHAUN EATS ELK

Shaun will be channeling his inner caveman at this weekend’s Brighton Nazarene Church Sportsman’s Banquet, hosted by their Men’s Ministry. Hometown is a proud supporter of this manly, April 1st event which, in turn, supports building projects “that promote community and family”. Two of our favorite things!

The event includes a wild game dinner, raffles, silent auction, and a world-renowned key note speaker. Gentlemen Hometownies, you can join Shaun by ordering tickets at www.thenaz.org or get further details on their Facebook events page.

(Image courtesy Bike Tour Vacations, LLC)

CRAZY HARE-BRAINED TOUR – APRIL 15TH

What a great name! Hometown is thrilled to also be supporting this Michigan cycling event. Hosted by Hometown Winter Clinic Series guest speaker, Bike Tour Vacations, LLC…

“The Crazy Hare-brained Tour is a fundraiser to help cover touring expenses for 3 Northern Michigan University students as they cycle 1,400 miles around Lake Superior in May.

Our event is up to 40 miles of 100% traffic-free trail riding for road bikes, and up to 30 miles of 100% traffic-free dirt riding for mountain bikes. All ages are welcome, 9 a.m. at Atchison Park in New Hudson.”

Winning raffle tickets will be drawn at event sponsor Draught Horse Brew Pub around 1 p.m. CLICK HERE to register for the Crazy Hare-Brained Tour!

POSES, PEDALS & PINTS – REGISTRATION FULL!!!

It sure didn’t take long for registration to fill up on this “triathlon” of a different color!

Missed your chance? Don’t worry – it’s looking increasingly likely that this won’t be the last Poses, Pedals & Pints for you to participate in this season! Stay tuned…

SPRING SNOWMAN 5K – CROSS-TRAINING THAT FEEDS YOUR SOUL

Spring Snowman 5K Run/Walk is hosted by the Eric Hartwell Foundation, a remarkable organization created by the Hartwell Family (a particularly awesome group of Hometownies) to raise money to “directly support children, diagnosed with Leukemia and other blood disorders, being treated at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.” Participants have a chance to win a Jamis bike, donated by Hometown Bicycles. Great cause. Great cross-training. Great prize.

GREAT TIME TO REGISTER, DON’T YOU THINK??

MEET YOUR CREW: JERRY CROSS

If you look up “nice guy” in the dictionary, you’ll spot a photo of skilled Service Tech Jerry. He’s frequently accompanied by his equally likable dog, who customers can’t help but love. Jerry says:

I have been riding bikes since I was five. I started working at a bike shop after I graduated. Bought my first Mountain bike and was instantly hooked. I have completed over 50 races, from 5 to 100 mile rides. Bikes have always been a big part of my life.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – ISLAND LAKE BIKE DEMO DAY

The MCMBA has put a call out for Demo Day volunteers for this wonderfully popular Spring cyclists’ event. (Hometown will be there!) Running May 6th at the ILRA Spring Mill Pond, you can volunteer for everything from setup and registration, to parking and grilling. They write:

The Island Lake Spring Bike Demo Day is now in it’s 12th year. This is the second year the event is put on free of charge by the MCMBA. It’s a great chance to talk face to face with people who live the life: building, riding, and maintaining the bikes you want to own. Take a few out for a test ride on the roads and trails at Island Lake, finding the perfect bike or bikes for you.

CLICK HERE to throw your hat into the volunteer ring!

Fat Bike Friendly Shop Ride – THIS SATURDAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST – MEET UP AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES @ 9:45 A.M.
No foolin’ around – this ride is a classic! Join us for an April Fool’s Day adventure through the Island Lakes Badlands on this relaxed pace, NO DROP shop ride. Be prepared to push your bike up a hill or two! This is a Plus/Fat Bike expedition. Not appropriate for “skinny” tires. As always, follow us on Facebook for ride confirmations and updates.

Want to try a fat bike? We rent! Call our shop:  (810) 225-2441

I just need to ride my bike.

– Emily Rooney