We have two clinics coming up before the end of the month and you’re invited!
These are socially-distanced gatherings in our Community Room where each person in attendance has his/her own table. Masks are required. We’re keeping it safe while enjoying an hour or two out of the house on Saturday evenings after shop hours. Attendance is limited to SEVEN people, so grab your spots early!
Saturday 2/20 from 5-6 PM “TRY” Clinic The theme is TRY! For those new to the idea of completing a triathlon. Not for the well-versed competitors, but for the beginner who’s maybe still sitting on their couch, wanting to work toward this bucket list goal.
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.
We hope our local restaurants are doing well since re-opening earlier this month. Help us help them.
For the month of February, we’ll be running the following promotion:
Go to a local family-owned restaurant. We’re talking about those places with owners that live in and support our local community!
Bring your restaurant receipt to the shop and pose for a photo.
Receive a $5 credit to your Hometown account.
It’s that simple!
**Limit of 4 credits for the month of February, one per week. Together we CAN make a difference.
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
$8 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.
Coming next week: Girl Scout Cookies!
Stay tuned for our special Girl Scout cookies deal for you, our Hometownies! Details in next week’s e-newsletter.
Just a quick note to remind you that Hometown’s Winter Hours are in effect starting today, November 11th. Ride safe. Ride warm. And when the weather’s just not cooperating, be sure to drop in for your daily dose of Vitamin H(ometown) – a Hometown a day keeps you pedaling away!!
Come one, come all… and invite your friends… to our fun-filled, educational bike clinics. Did we mention they are FREE?
Winter blues? Forget about it! You’ll be too busy learning cool bike stuff!
What’s happening TONIGHT?In this first of a 2-part clinic, Shaun will cover tips and tricks to prep your bikeBEFOREyou hit the roads and trails. Lots of folks are signed up for this one, but we have room for plenty more of you! Can’t make it this evening? The same clinic will repeat Saturday afternoon. SIGN UP HERE!
And here is the schedule of upcoming clinics! Early registration is appreciated. Click each registration link for the clinic(s) you’d like to attend.
Cycling Nutrition Thursday 2/14 from 7-8 PM or Saturday 2/16 from 1-2 PM
Sponsor Feature: Getting to Know Dream Kitchens!
Meet Jason Vanderhovel! (Pictured with his fiancée, Emily)
How did you partner up with Hometown? I partnered up with Hometown after spending the summer riding on various shop-sponsored events. I originally started riding back in June 2018 as a pre-wedding weight loss routine and became slightly addicted. After that, I signed up for as many statewide and Hometown rides as I could! If I could pick a ride to partner up on with Team Hometown, I think I would do the Tour de Livingston, which was one of my favorite centuries last year!
When it comes to Dream Kitchens, tell us what sets your business apart from your competitors. What makes you unique? At Dream Kitchens, we are a store, yes, but we have six talented designers that assist in the selection process as well as contribute in the architectural layout of a space. I think we excel best in our process with helping clients tackle these large projects piece by piece. We have a system in selecting what places different decisions ahead of others in order to move forward in a timely manner.
What do you personally need to make it YOUR dream kitchen? I’m all about the finishes. I think they can make or break a space.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Livingston County? Mackle’s Table & Taps in Hartland. The food is phenomenal!
Other than cycling, what are some of your favorite activities? Anything specific to Michigan? Sadly… I don’t really do anything other than work and ride!
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you or your business? While we specialize in kitchens, we actually work on most rooms in a home. We do bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, built-ins, libraries, bars, offices and movie theaters!
Fat Tire Bikes: We rent ’em, you ride ’em!
That’s right! We have a whole fleet of fat tire bikes available for YOU! Whether you want to try out one of our Saturday Fat Bike Friendly rides, rent for a day, or rent for several days, we can meet your needs… fat bikes in every size! Rental Rates: $25 for one ride $50 for one day $120 for 3 days $200 for 5 days We bike snow. We bike cold. We bike wind. We bike mild, spring-like winter days. We bike it ALL!
Check out our Facebook for info on upcoming rides!
Young Women’s Entrepreneurship Event:
Tuesday, March 12th from 6:00-7:30 PM
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. If you are a middle school or high school student, or a young woman in her late teens/early 20’s, who is interested in starting your own business (or already have!), you will not want to miss our Young Women’s Entrepreneurship event.
We are super stoked to announce our guest speaker for this GIRL POWER 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. Competitive Edge Skating is the result of Jennifer’s commitment and passion to developing a company where athletes are provided everything they need to reach their highest level of performance.
You will be blown away by her story — beginning skating lessons at age three, a 14-year figure skating career, becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Exercise Physiologist, coaching hockey, being a successful entrepreneur, publishing a book, and so much more!
Stay tuned for more details as your Hometown gals, Dawn and Leslie, plan this free event for YOU.
Meet Your Team Captains, Part One: Michael Dyer!
How did you get into riding? I was given a 1991 Huffy Stone Mountain MTB as a gift when I graduated college. I used it sparingly until a buddy of mine bought a “real MTB” somewhere around 1993 or so. He decided to give riding trails a try with another friend who lived by Island Lake Recreation Area. I tried it once and was immediately hooked. In the spring of 1994, I went to a demo event and bought a 1994 Trek 930 SHX. Since that time I have never looked back.
What are your hopes for Team Hometown this year? To get more teammates engaged in the sport and the activities that the shop hosts or supports. Mountain bikers in particular — I like to see the new riders venture out into trying all the trails that we have available to us. Experience the true adventure that the sport can bring: racing, bike-packing, road trips, night rides, etc.
Hopes for the industry? I think the industry as a whole is heading in the right direction. There is no better time than the present to get into the sport. The bikes and other gear are so good right now. In the area we live, for mountain bikers in particular, we have so many great places to ride. I would like to see the price of quality bikes start to trickle down to a more reasonable cost.
Do you have a favorite place to ride? Favorite shop ride? Favorite race in Michigan? I can’t really name a favorite place to ride. Each trail has its own unique quality. I am a big fan of Brighton Rec, Poto, DTE, Highland, Pontiac Lake and Fort Custer. Who am I kidding, I like any trail I can ride my bike! My favorite shop ride is the Friday Night Lights ride followed closely by the Fat Bike Friendly ride. My favorite race, so far, is Mud, Sweat and Beers up in Traverse City the first weekend in May.
Anything else you’d like us to know about you… random fun facts? Fact #1 — I am a drummer and a vocalist. I don’t use these talents much anymore, but they are still in there somewhere. Fact #2 — I survived a heart attack when I was 45 years old. Never saw it coming. Next up! Meet Your Team Captains, Part Two: Joe Ostervik — coming soon to a Hometown newsletter near you…
FITNESS CLASSES AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES
Cardio Drumming | Wednesdays at 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 at 6 PM & Thursdays at 9:30 AM $8 drop in or “10 classes for $60” punch card – With Leslie Barrett | Click to learn more
Zumba GOLD | Fridays at 9:30 AM $8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Tresa O’Rourke | Click to learn more
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR LIST OF WINTER EVENTS?
You know what’s fun – dropped jaws and double-takes because a Michigan bike shop parking lot is overflowing with cars throughout the winter!
We know you’re proud of how active your bike shop is – you tell us daily, and we appreciate that! But have you taken full advantage of the boredom-busting activity roster we’re rocking through the cold season (and beyond)? We’re doing this for you!
Of course, there are shop rides. But if snow cycling ain’t your thang, how about a fundraising concert? A wine-and-learn women’s night? An essential oils training? A fitness class? A bike clinic? A self defense course? Cuz they’re all happening here at Hometown, and that’s just over the next few weeks!
I challenge you to scroll down or visit our Facebook events page and PICK ONE (or more!) to attend. Maybe it peaks your interest, maybe you’ve never tried before, or maybe you simply need to get OUT – but go! We’re here to be a resource – let us be yours!!
THIS SATURDAY: ESSENTIAL OILS 101
Hometownie Jill Gautherat of Faith, Love, Oils is back at Hometown this weekend with her Young Living Essential Oils presentation. Her Community Room seminar runs Saturday, February 3rd from 1:00-2:30pm and is open to the public. It will cover what essential oils are, how to use them, and how to recognize quality. Click HERE for details!
ROLL & ROCK EVENT COMING 2/10 A ‘funk’y fundraiser for the Brighton High School Mountain Bike Team
***NOTE:We’ve had a few questions regarding whether this event is kid-friendly. So, to clarify, the Roll & Rock is geared toward adults – later hours (7-10pm), classic jazz and blues tunage, BYOB (I suspect many will bring beer) – with proceeds supporting youth cycling. Consider it a date night with good karma!
On Saturday, February 10th, we’re clearing our floor of bikes for a LIVE CONCERT AT HOMETOWN, starring our very own CycloDan Tribble’s Progressive Blues & Rhythm Band. On the agenda – crazy awesome music, dancing, BYOB, snacks, socializing… and knowing that half of your $10 cover charge goes directly toward gearing up the BHS Team for their 2018 cycling season!
Enjoy the show from 7pm-9pm, then hang with the band at the after-party. It’s laid back, funky fun that will wow your ears and tickle your tastebuds, all while supporting youth cycling. Please let us know you’re coming, so we can plan for enough refreshments!
BAND BIO: The Progressive Blues and Rhythm Band is Brian “BK Big Fish” King, drums, Doug “Bird Dog” Percha, guitar, Theo “Dr. Thee” Smith, bass and Dan Tribble aka “Shoocat Hopkins” on vocals and harmonica. All have been active members of the S.E. Michigan music scene mostly dating back to the mid 70’s. The PBR Band intends to bring you a brew of blues, rock & funky R&B for your listening and dancing enjoyment! Contact Brian at 330-806-1710 for booking info.
SAT, FEBRUARY 10 | 7PM-10PM | AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES $10 cover charge, payable at the door – cash or checks only, please.
Ladies, make it a full evening of fun, fitness, and self-betterment on February 13th! That Tuesday only, Hometown’s much-loved ZUMBA maven, Leslie Barrett, is bringing her regular Tuesday class to Hometown. Running 5:45-6:45pm, you’ll enjoy an invigorating ZUMBA session on the shop floor, before taking your stimulated mind into the Community Room for a powerful lesson in Women’s Self Defense. $8 ZUMBA drop-in – details below!
A POWERFUL, information-packed class for ALL of the women in your life – including you!Tuesday, February 13th marks the first ever Women’s Self Defense class at Hometown Bicycles, led by the highly skilled Ian Kinder, founder of Live Safe Academy. In this life changing, 2-hour session, you’ll learn “simple, life saving skills from programs designed to increase your safety after only one class! Our hands on courses teach time-tested, realistic methods that are easy to learn and remember… No previous training required.”
Valentine’s Day safety, solo bike rides, peace of mind – whatever your interest, COME! For ages 12 and up. I’ll be there – will you?
TUES, FEBRUARY 13 | 7PM-9PM | AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES $40 payable at time of registration. Minimum 15 participants required – tell your friends and family!
***NEW ADDITIONS! Joining us at this event will be Hometownie and cyclist, Cathy Nelson of Echo Lake Steel, whose eye-dazzling, bike chain bracelets have been SUCH a hot commodity here at Hometown – it’s a jewelry trunk showwith matching necklaces, earrings, and more, all at Ladies-Night-only discounts!ALSO, your eyes are in for a treat with an expanded, event-day-only art exhibition of Peggy Kerwan artwork available for purchase. Peggy epitomizes “girl power”, and her love for cycling is reflected in the beautiful monotype prints we currently feature at our shop. You’ll love her work!
…………………………………………………Welcome to ’Ladies Night Out at Hometown Bicycles – Spring Edition’ on Tuesday, February 20th from 6-9pm!! We’ll close the shop again for the last 3 hours of the day, so that we can make this evening all about you! Shake off the winter blah’s, and let’s think Spring, ladies!!!
Back by popular demand, your evening will start by easing away the stresses of your day with a 30-minute, beginner yoga session, courtesy of Terri from Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp. Stretched and centered, you’ll warm your spirits with wine and refreshments, provided by Hometown.
Next on the agenda, the mini-clinics so many of you asked for! We’ll be running 15 minute quickies on Flat Tire Fixes and Shifting Demystified. Pick one, try both, or go back for seconds – we’ll run repeats over the course of an hour. In the meantime, browse a specially ordered selection of women-specific cycling necessities – discounted at Ladies-Night-only pricing! Even more details to come – stay tuned!
TUES, FEBRUARY 20 | 6PM-9PM | AT HOMETOWN BICYCLES $40 payable at registration. Click the link below!
Folks, this is one of the most popular clinics we’ve ever run, because it’s about how to make you more comfortable, more efficient, and more injury-free when you ride. EVERYONE can benefit – from the leisure rider to the top-tier athlete. Guest speaker and Team Hometown Title Sponsor, Vinnie Baylerian, PT, DPT of Pro-Motion Physical Therapy, could save you a world of pain and improve your cycling… and it’s FREE!! ONLY Feb 8th @ 7pm: REGISTER NOW FOR BIKE FITTING BASICS!
We’ve run our Winter Clinic Series since opening in 2010… not to toot our own horn, but *toot* we’re really good at it! All clinics are FREE – click the links below for details and to register:
<< Click the image at left for a printable Clinic Series flier!
2018 HOMETOWN WOMEN’S WINTER CLASSES
Ladies, Hometown’s women-only, winter class series is going strong to KEEP you strong over the winter. Click the registration links for details and to sign up:2/6 WOMEN’S HOT YOGAwith Hamburg Fitness Center & Camp REGISTER for Hot Yoga | 6 – 7PM at Hamburg Fitness | $5 (no membership required!)
We love you, Hometownies. We want you to ride safe. And that’s why we’re now offering a complimentary emergency card for you to carry with you on all your cycling adventures. Stop in to pick one up before your next ride!
HOMETOWN BICYCLES SHOP RIDES
Fat Bike Friendly Ride – Intermediate/Advanced SUNDAY, FEB 4 | 2:30PM (MEET AT 2:00PM) | FROM BRIGHTON REC TRAILHEAD
Tackle the rolling trails of Brighton Recreation in one of two, NO-DROP groups. We’ll cover about 9 -16 miles of adventure, depending on your ability level. Come dressed for the weather. Check Facebook for Ride confirmation and changes!***Rent a Fat Bike at the shop!***
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 moreZUMBA | Mondays at 6:00PM & Thursdays at 9:30AM
$8 drop in or “10 classes for $50” punch card – With Leslie Barrett Click to learn more
