About Us

The Sunset Cycles Staff

 Roger Colwell, Owner

  Born and raised on the central Oregon coastal town of Florence, I developed my cycling skills just like most kids do--riding around the neighborhood with my buddies. Crashes were commonplace at the neighborhood "race track", but don't remember breaking anything but my bike. I have always been fascinated by the concept of two wheeled transportation. As a pre-teen I'll never forget tinkering with a bike my older brother brought home one day. The accompanying box of junk that came along with the bike was a gas powered engine...in dozens of pieces. Despite spending many months working on the engine, I never got it to run. But I did refurbish the bike!
  After many years of working as an accountant, I joined the ranks of bicycle shop owners in November, 2003, opening Sunset Cycles in the Bethany Village Shopping Centre just west of Portland and north of the Sunset Highway (Hwy. 26).
  My wife Diane and I have two grown daughters, each with families of their own. If you are around the shop enough you might hear an occasional “Grandpa can I have such and such?” Since I'm such a softy, the little ones usually get what they ask for. No wonder this business is so challenging! Although my back office duties consume a lot of my time, I also work on the sales floor, direct the store marketing, groom vendor relationships, and (rumor has it) will even lightly turn a wrench. The guys in our repair shop even occasionally let me fix a flat tire.
  In 2011, we added a second Sunset Cycles location in southwest Beaverton, further cementing our reputation as "Beaverton's Bike Shop."

Chris, Manager

  I bring almost a decade and a half of experience to Sunset Cycles. Driven by my interest in mechanics, naturally, my first job was behind a bike shop counter, building and repairing bikes in a fast-paced yet humble shop on the Puget Sound.
  When I moved to Oregon, I helped Sunset Cycles choose its initial bike and accessory lines in 2003. Now, I bounce from behind the repair counter to the sales floor, and also represent Sunset Cycles at various cycling events, where I'm happy to spread cycling knowledge and lend a hand.
 As for my own cycling, I guess you could say I retired from racing at my peak (at age 19). Occasionally, you might still see me at a SuperD course or attempting to turn a group ride into a race.
  I can usually engage you in any topic covering cycling, but find the subjects of mechanical troubleshooting, off-road suspension maintenance, or vintage VW’s particularly interesting. I also enjoy snowboarding, camping, and photography.
 

Darren, Manager

  I had a plan to be the El-ahrairah of Sunset Cycles, and I've gained that reputation, but I'm not sure if it's because they think I'm devious or smart. Or both. I enjoy a good prank or a sharp quip, and firmly believe that “There is nothing sacred to the punchline.” But I'm not afraid to show up for an honest day's work. When I started at Sunset Cycles, I commuted from Eugene to Portland to work my days off with Chris and Roger.
  I've tried my best to learn from those before me: Enjoy each of your customers. The mechanic is the steward of the bicycle community. Go the extra mile for your customer. Engage them in conversation and don't be afraid to keep it going so they don't notice you've carried their purchase to their vehicle for them. Be willing to change a flat in short notice so a rider can leave in time for the club ride.
  I firmly believe in an all-inclusive approach to cycling. I live and breathe the bicycle way of life, and enjoy fixing bikes for the neighborhood kids as much as I do for national-caliber racers.

Ashley, Purchasing

  Although I'm relatively new at Sunset Cycles, I feel bitten by the cycling bug, and I'm growing to love the sport. Since Sunset Cycles is a Specialized dealer, I've made a point of attending the SBCU (Specialized Bicycle Components University) to better familiarize myself with the industry and language of the business. Thankfully, I'm a quick learner and can pull from my varied business background to help me help Sunset's discriminating customer base.
  I'm originally from Eugene, and my love of the University of Oregon Ducks runs deep. It is especially satisfying for me to see the Ducks experience their recent successes on the football field!
  My interests outside the shop include traveling and fashion.

Joey, Mechanic

  I grew up in Beaverton and now live in the Hillsdale area of SW Portland. At a young age, I regularily participated in a variety of sports. I got my first BMX bike in elementary school and used it to commute to school and ride around the neighborhood with friends. In junior high I decided that a mountian bike was in my future, so I saved my money for an entire summer to get my first cross-country mountain bike...and quickly discovered it was my passion. Later, I bought a downhill mountain bike and raced both types of bikes off-road. Now, I commute to work on a road bike and enjoy longer road rides. 
  Besides cycling, I like snowboarding and hiking. I look forward to meeting you in the shop!

John Forbes, Fitter

  I have raced my bike for decades. Before that, beginning at 5 and continuing until age 20, I was a highly ranked competitive swimmer and rode my bike to practice. While in grad school, I was a fanatic rock climber who lived in Yosemite and taught skiing in the winter. I made the mistake of finishing my PhD, so I left that life and began my career. Luckily, I survived that transition and found myself back in the world of exercise as both a pursuit and a profession.
  I began my bike racing career just after grad school and have continued since with a few year diversions into multisport events.
  I have studied each sport closely, which in turn leads to teaching that sport. Basically, I am an over-educated jock who believes in a real understanding of how the body responds to a given demand. In addition to my bike fitting passion, I coach cyclists and triathletes.