Meet the Rider - Martin Coll

Martin Coll

Written by Mertie Stompro

Martin, one of the M's in M&M Cycling, has been a cycling icon here in Sierra Vista for almost two decades.  Martin, who was born and raised in Scotland, first came to Sierra Vista on a vacation in 1994 at the age of 30.  He was so impressed with the area that he decided to immigrate to the United States and make Sierra Vista his home.

Martin was a carpenter by trade so he quickly got a construction job on Fort Huachuca.  Given his strong background in cycling, Martin also worked part-time for Dan Abrams at Sun 'N Spokes, which was the only bike shop in Sierra Vista at the time.

In 1995, Martin was faced with a proverbial "fork in the road."  The construction company he worked for offered him a job in Monterey, CA, and Dan offered him a five-year plan to take over Sun 'N Spokes.  After weighing all his options, Martin chose to ignore the two roads that lay before him and instead decided to make his own path.  Martin felt Sierra Vista was big enough for two bike shops so he decided to open his own shop.

Martin found an investor, Domenic Malvestuto, who over the years had owned several large bike shops in the Phoenix area.  Due to a series of family tragedies Martin had to return to Scotland for extended length of time shortly after opening the shop.  Domenic brought in a young cyclist, originally from Chicago, to help run the shop while Martin was away.  That young cyclist was Mike Baltunis.

When Martin returned to Sierra Vista from Scotland he was faced with another one of life's obstacles.  Domenic decided to withdraw his backing and investment in the new shop, leaving Martin and Mike without a shop.  Rather than wilt in the face of adversity, Martin and Mike decided to join forces to raise the capital to open their own shop, which we now know as M&M Cycling.

Graeme Obree and Martin Coll

Martin was no stranger to cycling and bike shops.  Martin's father owned a bike shop in Glasgow, Scotland for over 25 years.  When Martin was 14-years-old he started road racing.  In 1980, at the age of 15, Martin won every cycling race he competed it, including three Scottish national championships (road racing, time trial, and pursuit).  As soon as Martin turned 18 he went straight into professional road racing on the international circuit.

After many years of competitive racing Martin was recruited by Graeme Obree, the one hour world record holder, to be his manager.  The movie, The Flying Scotsman, chronicles Graeme's life and his struggles and triumphs chasing the one hour world record.  Actor Billy Boyd, of Lord of the Rings fame, plays the character of "Malky" in the movie, who is based on Martin.

c. 1988

What is your most proud bike-related accomplishment?

Winning the 1984 Meath Grand Prix just outside Dublin, Ireland.  It was a 160-man field, including the Irish Olympic team, who was managed by Pat McQuaid.  McQuaid went nuts when I rode away from the lead break to finish solo, two minutes ahead.  I had a friend in the Irish team car who heard McQuaid say, "The fucker is riding away!"  I have never ridden that well since.  I was floating that day, no chain.  Editors note:  Pat McQuaid is the current president of the UCI, which is the governing body of all international competitive cycling events.

What is your most memorable experience on a bicycle?

My Dad asking me to go for a bike ride at age 13.  We went 120 miles that day.  I got home put my bike in the attic and left it there for a year.

What is your favorite type of riding and why?

I love all types of riding; to have the air in your face with no pressure of training to race.  I used to put a lot of pressure on myself when racing.  Glad it's all behind me.  Just love to ride.

Martin loves to take friends on bicycle tours of Scotland

What is your favorite post-ride meal/snack?

Cheese puffs and Guinness.  

Where is your favorite place to ride and why? 

Coronado Monument solo.  Peaceful.  I like to sit down on the bridge where the road meets the dirt and thank God for lots of things.  I used to go to church every Sunday for years; my outdoors is now my church.

What is your favorite MTB trail and/or road ride and why?

Brown Canyon mountain biking with my other true love, Lucy, my border collie.  Just great to see the excitement in her little body when I click my mountain bike shoes on.  She is so smart she know my bikes and shoes and knows exactly when we're off to Brown by the click and smell of my shoes. 

Martin and his MTB'ing training partner, Lucy

What are your current bicycles?

Trek carbon Superfly Singlespeed MTB, a Niner 1x9 MTB, a steel Lemond commuter, and lastly, my Trek Madone.  P.S. M&M owns them, I just ride them.  Lucky, eh!! 

What is your favorite brand of cycling clothing?

I don't have a favorite brand, but I bet Kevin Triviz does.

When you're not out riding your bike what are you doing?

I love to hike and moto-bike.  I used to enjoy partying and dancing like a fool, but that side of me is slowing down.

Do you have any cycling-related goals that you want to accomplish?

I have no goals left in cycling, but I'm sure the best thing in years to hit this town is the Cochise County Cycling Community.  What a great way to meet cyclists from all backgrounds that have one thing in common - they all LOVE cycling.

Martin and Thor "God of Thunder" Hushovd

Shimano,  SRAM or I don't have a preference?

No preference, as long as I can get from A to B. 

What is your preferred on-the-bike food/drink?

Water and bananas.

Moonrise Trail Hill Climb TT

What do you get when you gather some of the County's best cycling hill climbers on the County's steepest paved road?  A lot of agony, sweat, groans, and one heck of a good time (for the spectators)!!  

Several of CCCC's finest gathered this morning at Moonrise Trail to test their fortitude against almighty gravity.  Everyone who showed up were winners, but of course there has to be a "FIRST" winner.  

Moonrise Trail ascends approximately 300 feet in approximately a 1/4 mile.  The road approaches a 30% grade as it nears the top, making it the steepest paved road in Cochise County.

Moonrise Trail also happens to be a private road, normally posted with No Trespassing signs, but the residents on the road, Tim and Mary Cunningham, were gracious enough to allow, a one-day-only pass to hand full of cyclist to try and conquer Moonrise Trail.  

Since this was an inaugural event, it was not publicized and the participants were kept to a select few.

There was definitely some strategizing going on between the competitors, which seemed to make the difference for the top three finishers.  Slow and steady ruled the day.

CCCC Viceroy JT Tarnawski, awarding Martin the highly regarded POLKA DOT jersey,
signifying Martin's supremacy on Moonrise Trail.

Home owner, Tim, and race winner, Martin Coll.

Female winner, Laurel Pierquet and Male winner, Martin Coll.

The top three finishers!!

First Place Male - Martin Coll - 4:24
Second Place Male - Mike Pierquet - 4:38
Third Place Male - Chris Sullivan - 5:06

First Place Female - Laurel Pierquet