“May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.” ~ The League of American Bicyclists
With the Michigan stay-at-home order changing to allow bicycle service, we’re happy that we can be there for you. Somehow, this National Bike Month feels a little more special, doesn’t it?
Do It for Dan
April 25, 2020 was the anniversary of the tragic cycling accident that took Dan Horal’s life. His memory lives on for all of us at Hometown, his family, and friends, and a tight-knit cycling community that thinks of him often. The Do It For Dan Memorial Ride that would have been scheduled for May 3, 2020 has been moved to September 27, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please like the Do It For Dan Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all of the happenings, to help us celebrate Dan, and to help honor his memory.
One Hoppin’ Service Shop
We’ve officially been open 2 days for service operations, and what a whirlwind! We’ve brought in over 200 bicycles, 130 of which are tune-ups. Every day, we’re making subtle changes to our procedures to be more efficient. Thanks for hanging with us while we figure this out.
To speed up the process, we do have a few requests:
1) FOLLOW THE SIGNS: When you come to the shop, you will see signs in the parking lot directing you where to go, depending on whether you’re here for service or retail.
2) SERVICE CUSTOMERS: Please fill out, then print THIS SERVICE REQUEST FORM prior to coming out to the shop, and bring it with you to drop-off.
3) RETAIL CUSTOMERS: Please park against the concrete wall – one of our sales crew will come out and greet you.
4) NEW BIKE CUSTOMERS: If you are interested in purchasing a bicycle, in addition to Step 3 (above), please call ahead and schedule an appointment with Andy: (810) 225-2441, Dial 1.
GoFundMe: We Still Need YOU
We’re not in the clear yet! Although the April 24th Executive Order update gives us an opportunity to generate income going forward, resources continue to be limited.
With this change, we are thankful to be able to lower our ask. But because of the ongoing uncertainty, we are still looking for your support:
We are SO excited to announce that, in partnership with awesome super-vendor QBP, you can now order bicycle parts and accessories from Hometown that will get shipped to your house in as quick as 2 days.
It’s really simple:
STEP 1: Call the shop between 10am-5pm on Monday, or Thursday through Sunday – (810) 225-2441.
STEP 2: Dial 1 to connect with Andy, our sales lead. He’ll be able to answer questions and take your order.
STEP 3: Let him know what you want, and it will be shipped directly to you.
Team Hometown helpers (above, left to right): Joe Ostervik, Suzy Graham, Keith Cowgar and Steve Wortley we’re willing extras on set. Elaine Atallah was there, too, but was being filmed when this photo was taken!
As many of you know, Hometown Bicycles has something brewing in its backroom. You may have heard the hammering and sawing in the early stages, or perhaps you have caught a glimpse of its potential recently, after months and months of slow-but-steady progress.
Above: Steven Walsh of FHL Bank of Indianapolis oversaw production set-up in the Community Room.
Lake Trust Credit Union‘s Commercial Services team had learned about this grant opportunity last year, worked with Shaun and Dawn to apply, and were instrumental in helping Hometown be one of the chosen grant recipients. We couldn’t be more grateful to Lake Trust and FHL Bank of Indianapolis for their support.
Which brings us to this week — on Monday 7/22, FHL Bank of Indianapolis sent a videographer to Hometown to spend the day capturing footage of the shop, customer interactions, shop activities and interviews.
Above: Leslie Barrett, Events Coordinator, is interviewed about teaching Zumba at Hometown.
Our Community Room served as interview central, Team acted as willing extras, and our evening Zumba class was excited to show that Hometown is more than your typical bike shop.
This video, once complete, will go out to hundreds, possibly thousands. What an honor to be chosen for this spotlight!
Upcoming Events at Hometown!
We have all sorts of good things brewing at the shop and in the community — mark your calendars for one or all of the following!
Join Team Hometown Bicycles’ Title Sponsor, Vinnie Baylerian, for a morning chock full of fun. Kick things off at Pro-Motion Physical Therapy with coffee and bagels, head out on a guided bike ride, and wind down after at Brewery Becker.
There will be two groups for the ride: An A group for faster riders and B group for everyone else! Team Hometown’s Jack Riddle will lead the A group and Vinnie Baylerian will lead the B group. CLICK HERE for more details!
Join us for a 13-mile Gravel Ride around and through Island Lake and back to the shop! We will then have a Monkey Loob Mixer — demonstration, Q&A about this amazing product, and time to socialize with Lyndsay Stiles, competitive mountain biker and inventor and owner of Monkey Loob, with fellow cyclists.
Women’s Entrepreneurship: Fitness Thursday, August 22 from 6-8 PM
Save the date! Our Women’s Entrepreneurship Series continues, this time with a focus on FITNESS. For new business owners in the fitness industry as well as those considering this career path. Spend the evening with inspirational women who will share their journeys, followed by a Q&A session. More details to come in our next newsletter!
In Team Hometown News…
Big congratulations to Lorelei Smith (above) who placed first in her category for the 15 mile race at the Traverse City Trails Fest on Saturday, July 20th. The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association, this event supports trail maintenance and advocacy efforts.
Way to go, Lorelei!
Big thanks to Tom Hermann and Doug Lapp for volunteering their time to help mountain biking newbies at Island Lake’s Intro to Mountain Biking event on Wednesday, July 14th. In conjunction with Becca, the park’s Explorer Guide, riders learned the basics of mountain biking as a recreation activity, including safety and trail etiquette. Doug created a video to show how much fun was had — watch it HERE!
He’s also been enjoying John Wayne’s hometown, Christmas in July, and Beekman’s fresh ice cream, made in the field by diesel-powered churns.
In 44 years, RAGBRAI has passed through 780 Iowa towns, spent the night in 125 different overnight towns, and has been in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. It is the longest, largest and oldest recreational bicycle touring event in the world!
Thanks, Mark, for sharing your journey with us!
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays 6 PM and Saturdays 9:45 AM$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 and 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 and Sundays 10:30 AM $8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more
Sati Yoga | Tuesdays 6:30 PM beginning August 13 $7 drop in – With Dawn Gaden, RYT | Click to learn more
Good luck to Doc Horal, Louise Horal and family, Team Hometown, and all of the riders who are taking part in this inspiring event that makes thousands of wishes come true.
(Photo courtesy Miles Janicki) There are truly no words to capture the incredible outpouring of support and love we witnessed this past Sunday. It was a breathtaking moment to realize that over 550 riders and walkers were present in body, mind and soul at Island Lake to honor fellow cyclist, Dan Horal, whose life was tragically cut short after being struck by a car mid-ride on April 25th.
We could not have asked for more… absolutely amazing weather, a beautiful tribute, and a COMMUNITY who came together in solidarity to offer condolences to Dan’s family while also raising awareness about bicycle safety. Thank you so very much.
We offer our warmest gratitude to each of you who had an impact on this Memorial Ride for a great man who touched so many lives. We would like to call out a few particular individuals and businesses that helped take this Ride from meaningful to sheer magic.
Our sincere thanks go to…
The Horal Family – For allowing us to honor Dan’s memory and celebrate his life. Our love and support are with you.
Every cyclist who attended – For helping the Horal Family and cycling community make an unforgettable statement, and for not letting Dan’s tragedy go unremarked.
Cyclists in other States – For implementing your own Do It for Dan Memorial Rides and, in doing so, spreading the message and mission of this Ride beyond Michigan!
Unit Manager Andrew Haapala and Island Lake Recreation Area – For being wonderfully supportive and helpful throughout the process of creating this Ride
The Plotners & Wheels in Motion(at right) – For dropping everything to come out and support this Ride as a family and a team
Miles Janicki, Jill Zamojcin of Jilly Bean Photography, Doug Lapp, and a host of other skilled photographers – For photographic and video documentation of the event
The Do It for Dan Memorial Ride will now become an annual event. Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 3, 2020.
With May being National Bike Month, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate. In partnership with the Horal Family, and with your support, we want to finish Dan’s ride year after year.
