where to ride in michigan | Hometown Bicycles

A Bike Shop Within a Bike Shop + Young Women’s Event TUESDAY!

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Shaun

BIG News! (Drum roll, please…)
It was announced at our Where to Ride in Michigan clinic this past weekend, and now we can share our exciting news with everyone!

Hometown Bicycles has partnered with Midwest Bike & Tandem!

Pictured above is Joel Hakken, owner of Midwest Bike & Tandem, which will now be located HERE, with our fearless leader, Shaun. A bike shop within a bike shop?? This much excitement means it’s gotta be Hometown!

How our partnership with Midwest Bike & Tandem benefits YOU!

Enjoy exploring fresh new products and bicycles!
Draw from the deep expertise of industry master, Joel Hakken! Joel will be a regular addition to our shop, where you can tap his ocean of bike know-how.
We’re becoming your Midwest resource for all things tandem!
Know that YOUR BIKE SHOP is GROWING!! In an industry that’s facing weighty challenges and stiff online competition, you can be PROUD that you’re part of a bike shop that’s evolved beyond “just a business” – and has grown into a COMMUNITY.

Stay tuned for a feature on Joel in next week’s newsletter!

Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Clinic

NEXT TUESDAY (3/12) from 6-7:30PM!

Join us for an amazing guest speaker, Q&A panel, refreshments and GIRL POWER!

We are super stoked to announce our guest speaker for this event: Jennifer Matras, Owner and Head Skating Coach at Competitive Edge Skating. With over 25 years of skating and training experience, Jennifer is a highly sought after skill development instructor AND a fabulous female business owner. All attendees will receive a complimentary PDF copy of Jennifer’s book, Building an Uncommon Champion.

Guest panelists include Samantha Brish of Element Chiropractic & Wellness, Phaedra McGaffey of Sea of Myth Entertainment, and Kelly Cieslak of Keepers by Kelly Photography. These ladies, along with Jennifer, will share their journeys and answer your questions about female entrepreneurship and how to turn your dreams into reality.

Sign up HERE!

Our Female Entrepreneurship series is brought to you by your Hometown women, Dawn and Leslie, who are both business owners and big proponents of girl power!

Where to Ride in Michigan Clinic Recap!

Wow, wow and WOW! What a fantastic turnout on Sunday evening at our Potluck Party! Over 90 people attended to learn about the best trails, rides, cycling websites and organizations locally and throughout our beautiful state. We had a mouth-watering smorgasbord of tasty treats and lots of high energy crowd camaraderie.

New and returning Team Hometown Bicycles members gathered to kick off the spring season, and we couldn’t be happier to have seen all of you there.

Huge thanks to ALL of our guest speakers and participants:

Jim Plaunt with Bike Tour Vacations
Sarah Vano with MiSCA
Nick Proctor and Jacob Andrews with Tour de Livingston
Tom Hermann of Team Hometown
Team Captains Mike Dyer & Joe Ostervik
Helena Hunt with Make-a-Wish

At the event, we also handed out our official 2019 Spring/Summer Shop Rides schedule, BUT
by popular demand, there has been an addition since then:

Ladies Beginner Road Ride
Thursdays at 5:15pm, Beginning in April
This will be a comfortably-paced, fitness road ride with your fellow Hometown women. It’s about skill-building and socializing, not speed. No drop ride!

Make sure to print or pick up your Shop Ride copy!

You did WHAT?!?!
Crossing Lake Huron… by bike!!

What started out as a bucket-list item turned into a CHECK mark for two Team Hometown riders. Andrew Miller (one of our Hometown Crew!) and wife, Kristen Kendall-Miller, made the trip to the UP and rode what may be one of the most epic rides ever!

The intrepid duo loaded up their fat bikes and drove up to St. Ignace, just

across the Mackinac Bridge, where their adventure began. Andy had been watching weather data and local info about what is known as “The Ice Bridge”. This is actually a frozen portion of Lake Huron connecting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Mackinac Island.

“It’s a lot like Fight Club when it comes to getting reports on the condition of the route. Nobody will go on any kind of record as to what is happening with it other than it is being used,” Andy said.

The couple definitely got a few strange looks when they talked with the ice golfers at the edge of the Great Lake.

Then it happened; they rode the 3.8 miles across water that is usually crossed by ferries, and were treated to a standing ovation by a group of about 10 snowmobilers who were waiting to purchase their ride permits for the island.

“The ranger instructed them, and us, that we did not have to purchase these… and that the DNR should be paying US for riding over to enjoy the island on bikes,” Kristen mentioned.

After an 8.2 mile loop around the island, it was time to call it a day and get back across the ice before dark.

The ride back had the added feature of a 15-20 mph northwest breeze, which slowed the pair down but didn’t stop them from completing a unique Michigan adventure… riding The Ice Bridge!

Hometown’s Business Incubator Rental Space!

We have a major project going on in Hometown’s back room – a buildout that includes a new business incubator rental space!

What is a business incubator? Business incubators are organizations that offer startups shared operation space. In short, they offer fledgling young companies a warm, safe place to grow and prosper.

Our incubator will be ideal for:

Business meetings
Networking groups
Fitness classes
Startup churches
Kids programs
Arts/crafts programs and classes

Hometown’s business incubator will be available for hourly rentals. If you would like to learn more, contact Dawn at office@myhometownbicycles.com.

Grand Opening coming SOON!

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

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: Andrew Miller, Andy Miller, best bicycle repair, best bicycle service, best bike repair, best bike service, bicycle clinics, bicycle rentals, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike clinics, bike rentals, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, Bike Tour Vacations, bikes, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, Competitive Edge Skating, cycling, cyclists, Dawn Gaden, Element Chiropractic and Wellness, fat bikes, fat tire bikes, Female Entrepreneurship, fitness classes, group rides, Helena Hunt, Hometown Bicycles, Hometown Bikes, Hometown Business Incubator, Hometownies, intenSati, Jacob Andrews, Jennifer Matras, Jim Plaunt, joe ostervik, Joel Hakken, Keepers by Kelly Photography, Kelly Cieslak, Kristen Kendall-Miller, Lake Huron, Leslie Barrett, livingston county, Mackinac Island, Make-A-Wish Michigan, Martha Soraruf, Michigan, Midwest Bike and Tandem, mike dyer, misca, Nick Proctor, Phaedre McGaffey, Samantha Brish, Sarah Vano, Sea of Myth Entertainment, shop ride schedule, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, The Ice Bridge, Tom Hermann, Tour de Livingston, Tresa O’Rourke, where to ride in michigan, zumba, Zumba Gold | Leave a comment »

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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Daddy-Daughter + Work for Hometown

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Shaun

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 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.

Part-Time Personal Assistant
Combines administrative duties with personal and child care. Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, dependable, and excellent with children.

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!

BRIGHTON DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE

For the second year running, Hometown Bicycles had the very great pleasure of sponsoring SELCRA’s beloved Brighton Daddy-Daughter Dance… and you KNOW Shaun and I wouldn’t miss a chance to take the kids to an event that’s about family, community, and dancing!

We ran into Hometownies, like the dapper duo of Scooter and his lovely daughter, and made tons of new friends. Our table was parked alongside a favorite sponsor neighbor, Brennan Investment Services, and we enjoyed hanging out with our sure-know-how-to-throw-a-party SELCRA friends!

Congratulations to Julianna Gilbert, Selah Targosz, and dad Eric Santry who all won Hometown’s Daddy-Daughter Drawings for cool cycling prizes!

OUR POTLUCK PARTY HAS MOVED TO MARCH 15TH!
Winter storms put the kibosh on last week’s event, but that’s just given Hometownies more time to sign up – we’re up to over 50 attending, and that means an EPIC potluck selection of sloppy joes, chili, venison stroganoff, cheesy potatoes, veggie enchiladas, fruit salad, sweets, beer… if you’ve been on the fence, the food alone should sway you – come!!

At this party, you’ll learn about the best MI cycling parks and routes, and pick up your copy of the highly anticipated 2018 LMB Michigan Ride Calendar. You’ll also hear from 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 15th party (deadline extended!) is your LAST CHANCE to sign up for our all-inclusive, all-about-making-it-fun cycling Team!! (We’re currently 87 strong – CLICK HERE to see why so many riders have drunk the kool-aid!)

Also at this event, you’ll have a chance to 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. Put that mouse in action, and get clicking!:

Where to Ride in Michigan Potluck Party

MOVED TO THUR, MARCH 15TH, 6-8pm – The only fee is food!

THANKS FOR AN AWESOME GARAGE SALE!

Last Sunday’s shop Garage Sale brought in carload after carload of curious bargain hunters. Deals were struck, hands were shaken, smiles ran rampant… it was a lively and fun event, where everything from desks to derailleurs were up for grabs!

We want to thank all of you for helping us move previous-year inventory and back room clutter. You’ve played an important role in making room for 2018 product AND beginning work on a back room project that you’re going to LOVE! This has officially become an annual Hometown event!

Enjoy your treasures, Hometownies!

(Photo courtesy Roger Pelkey)

HOMETOWN BICYCLES SHOP RIDES

Fat Bike Friendly Ride – Intermediate/Advanced
SUNDAY, MAR 11 | 2:30PM (MEET BY 2:15PM) | 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!***

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Gravel Grinding 101: *** NOW ON WEDNESDAYS! ***
WEDNESDAY, MAR 14 | 6:00PM (MEET BY 5:45PM) | FROM HOMETOWN BICYCLES
In this learn-along shop ride, we’ll cover 13+ miles of pavement, dirt trails and gravel roads at a 12-13 mph average. Our route runs through the back of Island Lake, where we’ll grab a little trail, hop a guardrail, then enjoy some gravel (a few hills just for fun!). Gravel, adventure or mountain/fat bikes (no skinny road tires). All levels welcome – NO DROP RIDE. Check Facebook for Ride confirmation and changes!

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 more

ZUMBA | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
*** NOTE: NO CLASS THIS THURSDAY, 3/8 ***
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett
Click to learn more

Ah, Michigan… will it be bike shorts or bar mitts today?

~ Cyclists State-wide

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bargain hunters, bicycle repair, bicycle service, bicycle shop, bicycles, bike repair, bike rides, bike service, bike shop, bikes, Brennan Investment Services, Brighton, Cardio Drumming, community, cycling, cyclists, daddy daughter dance, Events Coordinator, fitness classes, garage sale, group rides, Hometown Bicycles, Hometownies, job openings, join our crew, Leslie Barrett, Martha Soraruf, Matt Fitzhorn, Michigan, Michigan cycling, now hiring, personal assistant, potluck, potluck party, Sale Associate, SELCRA, service tech, shop rides, Team Hometown Bicycles, where to ride in michigan, zumba | Leave a comment »

Potluck Party POSTPONED

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Shaun

With a winter weather advisory in full effect for this evening, we’re putting safety before pleasure, and moving this evening’s Where to Ride in Michigan Potluck Party & Clinic back to Thursday, March 15th from 6-8pm.

With 2 more weeks to sign up, there’s just that much more time to round up more friends, more food, and more Spring (come on, Michigan – let’s get it together!) Stay safe out there, and we’ll see you this Sunday for our big, shop Garage Sale!