Our Guides

About the Absolute Bikes Adventure Cycling Guides

Shawn Gillis

Shawn Gillis, Owner and Head Guide

Shawn founded Absolute Bikes in Salida in 1999 after falling in love and moving here from Flagstaff, Arizona.  He found a valley of empty perfect trails and set about creating one of the best bike shops in Colorado.

Don’t let his quiet nature fool you, this man lives for cycling.  Shawn has completed the Ironman in Kona, ridden the Leadville 100 ten times and owns one of the big buckles, created and suffered through the infamous Vapor Trail 125 and finished the Ruta de Conquistadores in Costa Rica twice.  He has his eyes on the TransAndes race next, partnering with hard man Jim Gibson.

More importantly, Shawn has gone out of his way to support nearly every cycling endeavor in Salida.  This includes children’s program, cycling programs with the county, trail clean up events, creation the fabulous Salida Mountain Trails, local pump tracks for kids and much more.  He is obsessed with cycling.

As an ABA guide, Shawn’s number one concern is to create the best possible riding experience for his guests.



Nathan Ward

Nathan Ward, Worldwide Guide

Long wandering the world, ABA guide Nathan Ward recently returned to his hometown of Salida after a multiple year stint in the Himalayas and East Africa.  He has mountain biked on six continents, including a solo crossing of Bhutan, an attempt to ride down the highest volcano in South America, a ride on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal and a recent ride through the game parks of South Africa and Botswana.
His work as a photographer, writer and guide has taken him to nearly 40 countries and his work has appeared in Bike, Adventure Cyclist, Dirt Rag, Outside, Men’s Journal, Action Asia and many more.

Don’t let his international resume fool you though, Nathan has also penned the first mountain bike and road riding guidebook to Salida, Buena Vista and Leadville.  His book, Singletrack & Tarmac: Mountain Bike Trails and Road Rides is available throughout the area. www.NathanWard.com

Mike Sugaski

A career man at the local US Forest Service office, Mike knows the local trails and mountains by heart.  Recently retired, Mike has turned his focus to working on the Salida Mountain Trails project and riding as many trails as possible.  If you are interested in learning a lot about the plants and animals along the ride, Mike is your man.