On the eve of Hometown’s 13th anniversary, we’ve been reflecting on what has made Hometown the shop you love – most especially, its Crew. Hometown has employed nearly 120 people since its birth in 2010. Seriously, wow.
And with so many of you having adopted Hometown as an extension of your family, we’d like to bring you a weekly spotlight on the Crew that has made 13 years of being your bike shop possible!
Past, present, and up-and-coming – let’s start things off with the first ever Crewman of Hometown Bicycles…
SHAUN BHAJAN, Owner & Founder
Shaun is originally from Trinidad & Tobago, where his love for cycling first began. Off-bike, he loves cooking nostalgic flavors from the Caribbean, and is a passionate car enthusiast, Trekkie, amateur gardener, and enjoys working with his hands.
His shop, established in 2010 and with the tagline “Go to Your Happy Place”, is best known for catering to ALL cyclists, regardless of bike, style, and skill level.
The Hometown crew pride themselves on having worked on over 35,000 bicycles and counting and, in doing so, have won many awards, including League of Michigan Bicyclists “Bike Shop of the Year” and Channel 4’s Vote 4 the Best “Best Bike Shop in Southeast Michigan”.
Shaun is a highly-respected, master bicycle mechanic, tapped on by local organizations and governing authorities for his over 20 years experience in the cycling industry. He has been deeply involved in Go Liv Co since its inception, including co-founding its locally-renowned Do It For Dan Memorial Ride.
Additionally, he is a member of the Brighton Optimist Club, and belongs to SELCRA’s board in his advisory role of Community Member at Large.
Shaun is more recently the proud founder of The H.U.B. Incubator, a business mentoring and development space, located in the Hometown complex.
Shaun is happily married with two children, Liam and Aria, who are as curious and creative as himself!
SAVE THE DATE!!
Hometown Bicycles
13th Anniversary Open House
Saturday, April 15 • 4pm-7pm
5th Annual Do It For Dan Memorial Ride
Be sure to add this ride to your cycling calendar!. Sunday, May 7th • 3PM • Green Oak Village Place
Looking for your next pedal-powered steed? Check out this seriously cool article from Bike Radar that can help educate you on different types of bikes, for when you start that bike-buying process this Spring.
Need additional help? Swing by the shop and talk to Shaun about your dream cycle! We have tons of resources, both in store and online, and can help you get virtually any bike.
SELCRA recently announced the appointment of Shaun Bhajan to its Board of Directors, as the Member-at-Large. The SELCRA Mission is to promote individual, community, and economic stewardship by providing outstanding recreation, sports and leisure programs for citizens of all ages.
“Shaun’s knowledge of the area and his experience as a business owner will be an asset to our mission of Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs!” stated SELCRA.
Congratulations, Shaun! We all know how much you love our community!
Tech Talk Clinic THIS Saturday! Our socially distanced clinics are filling up fast. Advance registration is required and masks are mandatory. Only 4 spots left for Tech Talk!
Saturday 2/27 from 5-6 PM Tech Talk: Q&A with our Master Mechanics This is YOUR opportunity to bring questions to our master mechanics, Tyler and Mason. For one hour, they will share their knowledge and provide answers to your most pressing mechanical questions. Target audience: Intermediate riders who have a decent working knowledge of their bike(s), and bicycle parts and components.
And coming up in March, everyone’s favorite clinic…
Saturday 3/13 from 5-6 PM Bike Fit Clinic with Vincent Baylerian, PT, DPT, Certified Level 2 Clinical BikeFit Pro Learn about how bike fitting can improve your cycling — become more efficient, gain power, and reduce discomfort. Vinnie will do a presentation, and there will be time for a Q&A session. You’ll also receive a coupon for a discounted Bike Fit at Pro-Motion Physical Therapy.
Stop by and take advantage of our BOGO Cookie Deal!
Buy a box of cookies, get a box on us! $5 per box. Cash only, please. Several varieties available, while supplies last!
A note from our Ride Coordinator…
Hi Folks,
Hope you are all staying safe and enjoying this actual winter we are having — well, “kind of” actual winter. That’s the reason for this note. Under normal circumstances, we would be hosting Fat Bike rides all winter, but this winter has been exceptionally challenging to have rides that are appropriate for everyone — which is what Hometown is all about — supporting rides that anyone can enjoy. The weather was too warm at the start of Fat Biking season, which resulted in ice on the trails. This is not a situation everyone is equipped for (studded tires needed), so we postponed having rides.
Then came our latest weather system which dumped a bunch of snow, but also brought super cold temps. The temps were too cold for group rides. Believe me, I tried myself and am still recovering almost 3 weeks later. Then the forecast looked like it would warm for a few days and then cool back off to safe temps and get us good packing snow, but alas it is all melting away and the trails are mush now.
The last aspect of anti-Fat Biking that occurred this winter is the lack of the Badlands, aka those big sandhills across from Spring Mill Pond at Island Lake Recreation Area. With the mining operation in full swing over there, we do not have the space to make it worthwhile to take a big group out for a ride. We will hang tight, watch the weather, and deploy for a ride if the universe decides to cooperate. Keep your eye on our newsletters and Facebook page for a pop-up Fat Bike ride if we think we can safely pull it off.
In the meantime, take a minute to complete our Ride Survey; your input helps shape the future Hometown ride offerings. And one lucky survey participant will win a $25 Hometown Gift Certificate! The winner will be chosen on March 15th so hurry up and get your survey responses in.
They invite you to join in a virtual Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Summit on Wednesday, March 24 from 1-2:30 PM. Learn about exciting advances on the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route #1. See the route HERE.
From left to right, Lisa Nelson, Dr. Tianna Rooney, and Anna Oginsky
Lisa Nelson, Owner of Hush Intimate Apparel Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, a master’s in manufacturing engineering, and spent 15 years in the automotive industry. In 2007, as a new mom, Lisa felt driven to forge a new career path where she could be in control of her future and have a positive effect on others’ lives. A visit to a women’s boutique lit her entrepreneurial fire. She launched Hush Intimate Apparel in Brighton, Michigan – a boutique designed by women for women – to help women look good and feel comfortable in their everyday lives. A passionate community advocate, Lisa sits on the Downtown Development Authority Board, and served as vice chair of the Principal Shopping District Board, plus 3 years on the Chamber of Commerce Board.
Dr. Tianna Rooney, LMFT, Owner and Executive Director of Perspectives Therapy Services Dr. Rooney earned her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2004 in the area of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her clinical training translated incredibly well to being an entrepreneur. Now, her focus has shifted from relationship health to organizational health. With a team of over 75 mental health providers, 10 administrative team members, and 5 clinic locations, Perspectives Therapy Services, LLC is one of the largest mental health practices in the state of Michigan. Dr. Rooney serves as the Executive Director with her primary role being to design an amazing experience for employees and clients alike.
Anna Oginsky, Author, Artist and Owner of Heart Connected and Founder of Brighton Light House Anna is an award-winning author, as well as a workshop and retreat facilitator through her small business, Heart Connected. Anna received her BA in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Michigan State University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Together with her husband, Dan, Anna recently opened Brighton Light House where she will serve as the director, focused on programming.
Thursday, March 11 from 6-7:30 PM Self Talk: Wiring Your Brain for Business Success A successful business begins and endsin your own head. What have you been saying to yourself lately?
If you miss the window and registration is closed, please DO STILL REACH OUT TO US: thehubwomen@gmail.com We’ll add you to our list, in case a spot opens up!
Save the Date!
3rd Annual Do It For Dan Ride Island Lake Recreation Area Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 3 PM
For updates and to support the Daniel J. Horal Family Foundation, click HERE.
Fitness Classes are BACK!
Zumba with Leslie Barrett Mondays at 6 PM
$10 drop-in; 10-class punch cards are available. Pre-registration is required. Contact michiganzumbagirl@outlook.com for more info or visit her Facebook page.
Cardio Drumming with Martha Soraruf Wednesdays at 6 PM
$5 drop-in Bring your own equipment; there is no equipment rental at this time. Pre-registration is required. Visit PURE Fitness and Nutrition for more info.
CABDA (Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association) is an association that promotes advocacy, best practices, education, and social events for Independent Bicycle Dealers. The CABDA Expo Midwest will take place on February 12-13 in Chicago and our Hometown Leadership Team will be in attendance, learning about tons of cool bicycle stuff! Those lucky dogs! Because so many key staff members will be out of town, please be aware that Hometown will be CLOSED from Tuesday, February 11th through Thursday, February 13th, and will re-open at 10 AM on Friday, February 14th.
Our Winter Clinic Series continues!
Come out to the shop to learn the ins and outs of caring for your bicycle at our informative winter clinic series. For all skill levels!
All clinics are held on Saturday mornings in Hometown’s Community Room. There is NO COST to participate. Clinics are one hour unless otherwise specified.
Bike Fitting Basics: Saturday 2/8 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM Guest speaker, Vinnie Baylerian, PT, DPT of Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, will cover bike fit that maximizes efficiency and minimizes discomfort. Learn about the mechanics of your body, and how it interacts with your bicycle. Vinnie is a certified Level 2 Clinical BikeFit Pro. Sign up HERE!
Bike Maintenance (After the Ride Care): Saturday 2/15 @11:30 AM In this second of a two-part clinic, we’ll talk about how to care for your bicycle AFTER you come back from your ride. We’ll show you what you need and how to use it. Sign up HERE!
Flat Tire Fix: Saturday 2/22 @11:30 AM This clinic covers everyone’s favorite — flat tire fixes! Bring along your wheel for some hands-on practice, or use one of ours. Sign up HERE!
Emergency Bicycle Repairs: Saturday 2/22 @11:30 AM This clinic is hands-on! We’ll cover quick, on-the-go bike fixes to help you avoid a long walk home. Sign up HERE!
Where to Ride in Michigan Potluck: Saturday 3/14 from 5:30-7:30 PM Details coming SOON!
Saturday, February 29 from 6-8 PM
Hometown’s “Winter Sucks” Soup Competition
Who’s fed up with winter? Show of hands! WE ARE! If you’re not fed up, there’s something wrong with you, and you need soup even more than the rest of us!
Whip up your favorite batch of warm-our-bellies soup and come chow down at Hometown Bicycles as we vote on THE most delicious soup in town.
Meet our new Ride Coordinator: Neal Glazebrook (Part One)!
Tell us about your role as Ride Coordinator. What are some of your goals for this year? I am excited to take on this role. Last year, I was asking many questions about rides and events, and sweeping and leading rides even in my first year on Team Hometown. With this role, I now have the direction to act on improvements and adjustments to the Team and processes. I am heavily involved in our community and am looking forward to having the Team as partner in helping our community be a safe place to bike and recreate in.
I want to build our Team and promote our rides and events in new ways. I am, with my operational and marketing backgrounds, going to bring some efficiencies and benefits, and get us set up for a successful path to the future of the Team and Hometown as a whole. I want us to have our old school Hometown feel, have a great inclusive environment, make great friendships, see our Team up on more podiums and in the news. I will work with each one of you to make that happen.
Where is your favorite place to ride? And do you have a favorite ride/race in Michigan? My love is mountain biking, although I will rock out some gravel frequently and touch the tarmac a few times a year. With that in mind, I would have to say my favorite local place to ride right now is Highland Rec. Following “Mudman 2019”, Iceman is my favorite race. I have never had that much fun on a bike!
How did you first get involved with Hometown? What made it feel like a good fit for you? My first interaction was at the Doc May ride in 2016. It was my first ever ride with a group of people and what got me to start to dive deeper into group events. I enjoyed that ride, my interactions with the Team Hometown members on the ride, and with Shaun at the bike corral that day.
I first officially met Shaun and Dawn when I applied for a Service Manager position at Hometown. I was impressed with their shop, but things did not work out for me to take the position. Over the years, we talked off and on about opportunities and they always nudged me to come ride with the shop and join the Team.
I really saw the value of the Team and the community environment they created in 2018 when I participated in Tour de Livingston for my second year. I restored a 1968 Sears & Roebuck 10-speed to ride my first ever century in loving memory of my dogs Milo and Monte who had passed away just a few short months before. Monte’s passing was the first sign that Hometown was the place for me. Out of the blue, a package showed up from Hometown. Dawn and the team had sent us a Christmas ornament that had Monte’s name with a rainbow bridge on the other side. My wife and I were beside ourselves; the compassion shown by Hometown blew us away…
… to be continued in Part Two in our next e-newsletter…
Coffee or tea? I drink TONS of coffee… tons.**
**He’ll fit right in, folks.
Team News!
On January 20th, Paul Wrona(below left) and Cooper Coatsworth(below right) attended the 2020 Tour deTroit MLK Memorial Ride in Detroit. Approximately 50 riders gathered at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center on the campus of Wayne State University to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.
The ride was a nine-mile loop that included sights of some of Detroit’s historic churches and buildings, the remnants of Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Hall (TCF Center), the amazing waterfront park, warehouse district, and the Dequindre Cut trail.
Join this gathering of like-minded warriors to activate your energy with meditation, mantras, music and movement. Bring a yoga mat, water, and journal. $20 drop-in.
First Sunday of every month from 9:30-11 AM in the Hometown Community Room.
