Sunshine Staff, November 2010

Collectively the Sunshine bikes staff has well over 100 years of experience selling, repairing, modifying and servicing almost every bike, part or accessory ever made.

Our staff is extremely experienced and our track record of high customer satisfaction is well known. It’s our goal and responsibility to make sure that each and every bike or repair go out the door like new, or better than new, and that you are well fit to your machine, gear and accessories.

We don’t rush you, we listen, and we work with riders of every type equally, from novice through elite racer. Give us a try if you haven’t already. And let us know what you think.

~ Martin Hansen

Martin’s 30+ years working on bicycles have all been dedicated to the customers of Sunshine Bicycle Center.  He’s been owner since 2000, and was co-owner for 16 years prior.

He started working on & off at Sunshine Bicycle Center as a high school student in 1979, under the shop’s original owner, Ed Christianson.  Ed decided to sell the business in 1984 to Martin and a co-worker, Ron Blinn, ushering in a new era at Sunshine. In 2000, Martin bought his partner out to become sole owner and whip-cracker at Sunshine.

Martin’s hand-on wrenching next to the staff makes him not only unique in the bike business locally, but keeps him in touch with the latest innovations, technology and solutions.

Got a nickname?

Hey Marty (usually to answer employee questions).

Where were you raised?

Right here in Fairfax.

What was your first bike?

Schwinn stingray with two speed kick back!

Ever slept with your bike?

Well, spending some weeks at the store 11 hours a day 5 days a week, I have no energy left to sleep with bikes!

What keeps you loving it after 30+ years at Sunshine?

I wear all the hats but still love repairing bikes that come in non-stop and send them out running like new.

Got a current favorite bike you can’t get enough miles on?

My Moots road bike with SRAM Red, and my ’09 Turner Sultan 29er with SRAM XX — but let’s not forget the 1971 Ron Cooper converted to a town bike with mustache bars!

What’s your dream bike?

A 29′er geared mountain bike with 5″ travel front and rear that rides as sweet as my Turner Sultan — but is only 20 lbs.  We may almost be there, some of the new Gary Fisher’s are under 23 lbs!

What are some of your favorite rides in Marin?

Some of the 6:30am Sunday rides to the top of Mt Tam when it is crystal clear and the sun coming up.

Favorite rides away?

I’m not that well traveled but so far its Downieville.

Memorable bike wrecks?

When I was 16 and had my first quality road bike (Raleigh professional). I was going all out down Fairfax-Bolinas Road and a deer jumped into me and we both went down hard, amazingly only road rash to me and my rear triangle pushed out slightly on my bike (the deer was gone before I dragged myself up).

Favorite Non-bike getaways?

Spending time with the family camping at Doran Beach on the Sonoma coast when we get time.

Wouldn’t be caught dead doing…?

Karaoke!

Road or Mountain?

Still find the rush of mountain biking to be my favorite (but spend more time on the road bike since I live in Petaluma now).

Fixed, single speed or gears?

Gears; hey I’m 48!

Best Recent Innovations?

Near perfect suspension designs on mountain bikes; stiff, strong, light, compliant carbon road frames.

Fuel?

Caffeine (need the false urgency).

Illustrious Race Career?

As a junior on road bikes for two years, did OK in road races, sucked at Crits, got first as a junior MT Tam hill climb one year, raced the Rock Hopper MTB race the first year they had it but flatted out.

Weakness for?

Maple scones!

Of all your nicknames, which can be posted on a family friendly internet?

I’m gonna get back to you on that…

Your illustrious career in the bike biz, Sunshine and otherwise?

All in Marin.  Since 1995 at Sunshine, with another 5 years prior to that (’87-’91).  Also was with White Industries from ’93-’95), and WTB from 91-’93.  Was a very early employee at Mike’s Bikes (’82-’85), and worked with Gary Fisher in ’86-’87.

Where were you born & raised?

Fairfax!

Recall your first bike?

Of course; a Varsity Schwinn 10 speed, blue I think.  I then painted it black and made it into a one speed and commuted to San Rafael.  I was pre-hipster-storic…

And your current favorite bike is…?

My Gary Fisher Superfly ’09.. 29′er .. handles great.  And my Trek OCLV 6.9 ’08 Road Bike… comfy, light, rocketship going downhill!

Where do you like to ride?  What are your favorite rides?

Love road riding.  West Marin (Marshall Loop, Reservoir Loop).  Up in Tahoe around the lake, or Brockway Summit.

At lunchtime you are happiest with…

Peanut Butter & home-made Strawberry Jam!

Besides ‘Dr. Science’, what are some other nicknames you’ve picked up?

Tinker, Gumby…

Tell us about your career in the bike business.

Started at Mike’s Bikes in 1984, then worked for Gary Fisher Bikes from ’86-’89.  I first joined Sunshine Bikes for a year in 1991.  Did a stint at White Industries from ’92-’99 making some of the worlds best components, then rejoined Sunshine Bikes  in 2000 and am happy to be here still!

Where were you born and raised?

Born LA, but lived in San Rafael since 1 year old… now living in Kentfield.

Your first bike was…

An awesome 1976 Bicentennial Schwinn Stingray…  Red, White & Blue, baby!

What’s your current favorite bike?

Cannondale Cross 2005, great all around bike, will do anything, and needs no maintenance!

How about your favorite kind of riding?

Mountain.. still my favorite… rather be on the dirt!

And what’s for lunch in your wildest dreams?

Eggplant & Chicken from Siam Lotus!

Got a nickname around the shop?

Novak!!! (usually shouted…)

At Sunshine Since?

2004

Hometown?

San Anselmo

What was your first bike?

Trek 800 mountain bike

Current favorite bike?

Surly 1×1

Favorite kinds of riding or places to ride?

Anything fast, the pine mountain loop.

What’s your favorite lunch item?

Grilly’s Burritos!

Nickname?

Don’t really have one (but customers, I am open for suggestions!).

How many years at Sunshine and working in bike shops?

About a dozen total.  I started at Sunshine in 2009, before that 10 years in various shops in Colorado and the midwest.

Where were you born and raised?

Born in Kansas, grew up in Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado.

What was your first bike?

A Trek 850 sport — rigid and steel like all my bikes.

Current favorite bike?

The Vulture – a steel one-off from a nice guy in Bend, OR.  It’s a bike for all kinds of rides in all types of conditions.

Favorite kinds of rides or places to ride?

Long miles and a mix of dirt and pavement, that and Fruita, Colorado.

Favorite lunch item?

Tofu burrito from Grilly’s in Fairfax!

Got any nicknames?

Muzz (when I was growing up), “That Irish Guy” (I’m Scottish, actually…)

What part of Scotland are you from?

Dumbarton – 10 miles outside Glasgow.

Tell us about your work in the bike business.

I’ve been at Sunshine since early 2010, before that a short time at Mike’s and split 6 years prior to that at Lee’s Cyclery, Ft. Collins, CO, and 10 Speed Spokes in Newport, RI.

First bike?

Carrera Epic road bike WITH BIOPACE!!!  Two sizes too big for me, as well!!

Current favorite bikes?

Tomasso(sp) steel (it’s only one size too big for me… so …)  Got Campy 10 speed, a generator hub, and nice wide Paris-Roubaix tires.

What’s your favorite kind of riding and places to ride?

Mostly on the road, Alpine Dam, West Marin.  I’ve done Paris-Roubaix Cycle Sportive, though did just get a mountain bike so I’m enjoying riding the fireroads on Tam now too!

And your favorite lunch item?

That’s a toughy..  Spaghetti & Meatballs from Sir Francis Drake Cafe, they just reopened, it’s good….

With Sunshine Since?

I started here in 2002.

Hometown?

Born in Marin and grew up in San Geronimo Valley.

First Bike?

I don’t know what kind of bike it was but I remember that it was pink.  I thought it was sweet.  My dad was probably a little worried but never said anything.  My first “cool bike” was an Otis Guy Soft Ride.  I took it here to show the guys at Sunshine and Ron congratulated me on my first “cool bike” rolling his eyes and putting up his quotation mark fingers and rolling his eyes.  Cool bike or not we had some good times.

Current Favorite Bike?

My current favorite bikes are the bamboo Calfees and the Turners. I really really want a Turner Flux.  I NOW HAVE A TURNER FLUX!  WHOO HOO!  See what happens when you make a wish to the Bike Fairy?

Favorite Places To Ride?

I grew up in the Valley so I like the trails out there.  I love riding on the road too.  My favorites on the road are probably Ridge Crest and the Light House.

Favorite Lunch Item?

I hesitate to say because wherever I go the paparazzi tend to congregate, but I have been known to frequent Taco Jane’s at lunchtime a lot.

He has continued working at the shop part-time throughout his chiropractic training and since beginning his own private practice in Corte Madera (www.atlaschirocenter.com).

Red began his bike shop work in 1993 at Cool Breeze Cycles in Mooresville, NC while attending Davidson College. He loves to ride bikes! Road bikes, mountain bikes, commuting bikes, touring bikes and currently he’s a big fan of big wheels (29′ers that is).