Shawn Gillis
Owner
Shawn Gillis started Absolute Bikes Salida in 1999 after moving from Arizona where he co-founded Absolute Bikes in Flagstaff. He is a staple both in the shop and in the community. He's a 20+ Leadville 100 Finisher - you can check out his impressive belt buckle collection in the shop! Shawn's favorite post-ride food is pizza, or a good carnitas burrito.
Dena Gillis
Buyer
Dena is the reason Shawn moved to CO from AZ to start the Salida shop. A former ski shop owner, she now gets to play with bikes. After fun adventure on wheels or skis, Dena enjoys a nice cold glass of Pinot Grigio and a gluten-free cookie. If your kid has been in AYC, they've tasted Dena's famous brownies.
Cody Wilkins
Service Manager
Cody has done the mountain town shuffle with time in Durango, Bend and Fayetteville AR. He and his family relocated to the Ark Valley to enjoy the sunshine and the many miles of bike trails. He got into biking through bikepacking and has a side hobby of making his own bags. Cody's go to post ride food is tacos, pizza, burgers... and beer.
Marcel Slootheer
Service Technician
Marcel grew up just below sea level on the other side of the world, and somehow ended up in a town surrounded by 14-ers. He helped develop a few of the local trails, and if he's not in the shop he's pretty much always on his bike and taking photos as @thethreequartermechanic. Marcel's favorite post ride food is beer. Yes, it's a food group.
Paul Hamilton
Sales Lead
Paul enjoys walking, running, riding, sliding, and touring through hill and dale. When he's not soaking in cosmic rays and untangling his wind swept hair, you'll find him in the kitchen or on the river learning to channel his inner Spicoli. Paul is not picky on his post ride food: pizza, burrito, beer, fries all hit the spot.
Spencer Herford
Customer Service
Spencer grew up in Summit County, and after bouncing around Colorado, found that Salida is the best place to live with his wife and dog, especially when you can snowboard in the morning and bike in the afternoon! In the winter Spencer is a splitboard guide and avalanche educator. After a ride (or ski), The Last Crusade from Sweeties always hits the spot!
Emily Skiles
Customer Service
Emily grew up on the west coast, has lived all over, and now feels the most at home in Colorado. She started racing bikes on the pavement about 8 years ago, lost a lot of skin but gained a wonderful community! Nowadays she spends most of the time on dirt, exploring new gravel roads, improving mtb skills, and a enjoying a fast descent! Her favorite post ride food is tailgate pb&j and a cold beer
Paul Mickelbart
Service Technician
Paul spent most of 2020 doing #vanlife in the desert with his family, and decided Salida was rad enough to "settle down." A T-Gun pizza from Moonlight is what you'll find Paul eating after a big ride - really, who wouldn't want that!
Jessica Downing
Coaching Director
Jessica landed in Salida in 2017 after "mountain town hopping" in Whitefish, MT and her hometown of Carbondale. A PMBIA-certified coach, she is the program director for Absolute Youth Cycling and coaches our women's clinics. Her favorite post ride food is chips and salsa/guac.