The Motley Crew!
Mark & KC Neel, “The Fools in Charge”
Mark has been working in the bike and snowsport industry since 1985 and he’s seen a lot changes in the outdoor industry in that time. Technologies have advanced, new products have been introduced and new riding styles have been created. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that riding a bike, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are just plain fun. It’s a fun business to be involved in. It’s fun helping you find just the right product to fit your needs and wants. It’s fun watching you enjoy yourself on the road, trail and slope.
In addition to being the heart and soul of the shop, Mark also serves as the head coach of the Castle Rock Crankers high school mountain biking team and Castle Rock Youth Cycling Club.
After more than two decades as a reporter covering the TV and entertainment industries, KC joined Castle Rock Bike & Ski as the official "door greeter" over a decade ago. She's long been involved in promoting the downtown district and currently is a board member of the Downtown Merchants Association.
Rich "Mr. Goodwrench" Johnson
Rich joined our team as service manager after a successful stint as the service manager at Performance Bicycles in Greenwood Village. Rich is an avid cyclist and can often be found riding either his road bike, mountain bike or fat bike all along the Front Range. But his favorite riding is with his grandkids around the neighborhood. Before his career in the cycling industry, Rich was a software support engineer at IBM. When he's not riding his bike or fixing other people's bikes, Rich can often be found paddleboarding at one of the state's lakes and rivers.
Alex "Tigger" Leatherman
Alex joined our merry band in late 2019. A Castle Rock native -- he graduated from Castle View in 2010, Alex moved back to Castle Rock after marrying his high school sweetheart. Alex is an avid skier and biker and he is an expert rock climber. He's been a river-raft guide and went to college on a pole-vaulting scholarship. In other words, there's not much Alex doesn't like to do if it's outdoors. And if he hasn't tried it yet, it's just a matter of time before he gives it a go.
Iliana “The Llama” Gruntorad
Iliana is studying English at Metro State University and plans to become a teacher. A legacy rider with the Castle Rock Crankers when she was in high school, Iliana is now a head coach with the Ponderosa MTB team. She joined Castle Rock Bike & Ski in 2017. A bang-up bike mechanic and sales associate, Iliana is also one of the funniest people you will ever come across. Her wry and dry sense of humor makes you laugh out loud.
Jaden "Townsie" Townsend
Jaden is a senior at Castle View High School. He’s been part of our Castle Rock Bike & Ski family for over a year now. Jaden loves to ride his bike but his first love is skiing. He has become an impressive ski and snowboard technician and knows his way around bikes as well. When Jaden isn’t working for us or skiing, he’s playing lacrosse for CVHS. He may be quiet but he is probably one of the funniest and smartest people we know.
Parker "Powder Hound" Smith
Parker is a senior at Castle View High School and lives to ski. He became part of our team last year and has quickly become an integral part of our shop family. When he's not tuning up skis and boards or helping customers with rentals and sales, he can be found hanging with his friends on the slopes. Parker is always on the hunt for powder and revels in the deep, fluffy stuff.
Tess “Heir Apparent” Neel
Tess has been working at the shop since before she could see over the counter. She sold her first bike when she was five years old. She is currently living her dream as an apprenctice stage manager at he Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the production manager for DU Prison Arts Initiative. But she still makes regular celebrity guest appearances at the shop. She is also involved in the Castle Rock Crankers MTB Mountain Bike Team. And whenever a spare moment arrises, she can be found on the slopes schussing down the hill at breakneck speeds. Her motto: The Mountains are Calling.