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The Amazing Apex Cycle Education RiderCoaches
All RiderCoaches at Apex Cycle Education are seasoned riders and have been hand-selected for their experience, attitude, ability and dedication to excellence in training.
Every Apex RiderCoach has been certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), and/or Lee Parks Total Control, and/or Evergreen Safety Council (ESC), and the Virginia Rider Training Program (VRTP), depending on the curriculum used for a particular class. This involves an intensive process which includes many hours of hands-on training. All RiderCoaches are regularly evaluated, and re-certified. They attend annual professional development workshops presented by the VRTP, Lee Parks, ESC and MSF. |
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Tim Beglau
tbeglau@apexcycleeducation.com
As a child I rode mopeds and dirt bikes. I loved the feel of the wind and the lean of the bike. I completed the Basic RiderCourse in August, 2002, obtaining my motorcycle endorsement, and a return to the freedom and joy of riding!
Next came a 1996 Honda Magna for commuting to work and occassional pleasure trips. One of my most memorable rides was on a rental motorcycle around the Big Island of Hawaii! My childhood dream arrived for my 40th birthday -- a Harley Davidson Road King!, but the 2007 version.
Certification as a Motorcycle Safety foundation RiderCoach came along in 2008, along with teaching in the Georgia program for two seasons. In 2010 I joined Apex, and enjoy seeing my students as they enter the avocation of motorcycle riding, or return to improve their skills! |
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Loretta Bell
lbell@apexcycleeducation.com
I've been riding for a little over 5 yrs with about 45K miles under my belt. I ride an 01 Softail Standard that I love. I became a RiderCoach this year because I wanted to share my enthusiasm for biking and enjoy helping students learn. It's a rewarding experience knowing that you all have achieved a basic knowledge of motorcycling safety and will carry that on when you move forward in your new addiction. :) Ride Safe & we'll see you on the road!
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Paul Conn
pconn@apexcycleeducation.com
I first fell in love with motorcycles when I was about 11 years old when the paperboy in our neighborhood got a Honda 90. Wow! What a machine! It was so cool!
After about a 14 year hiatus I decided to take it up again in 2002. Even though I was an "experienced rider", I knew that I needed a refresher; so I took the BRC. That was a terrific experience. Not only did I learn to correct my bad riding habits, but I also learned about things I was doing well. Since then I ride a lot. I have a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad, and a 2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic anniversary edition.
Taking the BRC was a memorable experience. It convinced me that I wanted to help other new and returning riders experience the fun and excitement. So in 2005 I became an MSF and VRTP certified RiderCoach. By signing up for a BRC you've taken the most important first step toward becoming a safe and responsible motorcyclist. I look forward to having you in one of my classes.
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Brad Convis
bconvis@apexcycleeducation.com
What can I say? I like bikes! And I like helping people get into the sport. I consider it an honor and a responsibility to be a part of the early development of a new rider's motorcycling experience.
I have been dirt biking since 1972 (age 10), street riding (a lot of that time dual sporting) since 1979. I have ridden all over the east coast and some of the mid-west. I successfully raced the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000 in 2006 and would consider that experience a lifetime achievement on a bike (so far!). Currently have a Kawasaki Concours, Yamaha WR450F and others. I've been coaching since March 2004.
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Bruce Dimon
bdimon@apexcycleeducation.com
I started riding at the age of twelve in the desert around Albuquerque, NM. A year later NM issued me a street license for a five-horsepower motorcycle. When I took my skills test at the DMV in 1972, they told me to ride around the block.
Preparation for riding on the street (both mentally and physically) is so important today. I promise to do my best to help you learn a process that will assist with managing those risks – so much better than my initiation! In the 35 years since I first wobbled into the desert, I have ridden about a half-million miles on motorcycles. Almost half that mileage has been on the 1989 Honda Gold Wing that I bought new. It still takes me to work via the HOV lanes.
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Isaac Encarnacion
iencarnacion@apexcycleeducation.com
I've been riding for many years now. The joy of seeing happy people on the road enjoying the passion of riding motorcycles just like me when I'm on my '02 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 is a great feeling.
I'm retired from the US Coast Guard and served a short period with the Army Reserve prior to going active duty. I have met many good friends and have taught new students how to ride during the last three years. I hope to have the privilege of teaching you as my students in the near future. Keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the ground. Welcome to the ride!!
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Reed Graham
rgraham@apexcycleeducation.com
I started riding motorcycles early 70's, my first bike was a Triumph 250, then KZ400's and a KZ650 and now own a Honda VT1100 Sabre. I got certified as an MSF Rider Coach in April 2007and look forward to teaching for many years to come. I have a wide variety of past experience teaching and really enjoy helping people learn new things. It's a great feeling to see someone's face light-up and the confidence level increase when they have mastered what you taught.
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Rick Hayes
rhayes@apexcycleeducation.com
I started riding in the spring of 2002. My first bike was an '02 Yamaha R6. In the Spring of 2003 I upgraded to an '03 Harley FXST Softail Standard which currently has over 31K miles. My longest trip was to Sturgis, SD in 2004 and I have taken numerous trips to Canada as well as Myrtle Beach. I became a certified RiderCoach in the Fall 0f 2006.
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John Heavener
jheavener@apexcycleeducation.com
My first motorcycle was a 1970 Honda CB350, a great little bike that I picked up in the summer of 1971. Since that time of my youth different bikes have come and gone, but one thing has remained constant; my passion for riding. For me the joy and excitement of riding are as fresh today as they were those 40 years ago.
I have always had a desire to share my experiences as a motorcyclist, and in 2006 I became a Rider Coach to do just that. If you are just beginning your avocation as a motorcyclist, or are an experienced rider who could use a refresher, plan to come out and have some fun on two wheels. I look forward to meeting you in a training session and out on the roads of life. Remember, everything looks better through a motorcycle helmet!
Editor's note: John is very humble about his passion for teenage driver safety. There is a "Motorcycle Awareness" component of the Driver's Ed curriculum used throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. John has been instrumental in making, first, significant inroads with the Board of Education for Prince William County, and most recently expanding those efforts to other areas of the Commonwealth. In recognition of those efforts John has been awarded the 2013 Governor's Transportation Safety Award in the category of Motorcycle Safety. John will be recognized in June during a ceremony in Richmond.
Thank you, John, for your continued efforts in all areas of Motorcycle Safety! |
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Ray Hitt
rhitt@apexcycleeducation.com
I ride a 2008 1800cc Honda Goldwing, and have over 40 years of riding experience. This includes more than 500,000 incident free miles on a motorcycle. I have ridden across the USA 4 times, and enjoy riding in Canada also. The best job I have ever had is teaching motorcycle classes. It gives one great pride to have a student come up after class and say " I can't believe I learned to ride a motorcycle in one weekend!" So welcome to the world of motorcycle riding. It's an "endless ride"; there is always another ride to go on!
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Josh Houser
jhouser@apexcycleeducation.com
I got my first motorcycle when I was 5 yrs old. It was a little Suzuki 50cc with training wheels. From there my love for motorcycles grew. I rode dirt bikes for the next 13 yrs then took a 5 year break while attending college.
Along came my first street bike in September of ’05 -- a 2005 Victory Vegas. This started my love for riding on the street. I was certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and became a member of the Virginia Rider Training Program as a RiderCoach in November, 2008. |
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Greg Kestner
gkestner@apexcycleeducation.com
Karen Kestner
kkestner@apexcycleeducation.com
I have been a rider coach since 2001. I ride a 2000 1100 Honda Shadow Tourer. I love teaching for many reasons. Some are, meeting people that love to ride motorcycles, watching people come from never riding a motorcycle to seeing a smile on their faces by the last day, and being able to teach them to be safer on the road.
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Andy Kirkner
akirkner@apexcycleeducation.com
I ride a 2003 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic and a 1995 Harley Davidson Springer Softail. I became a rider coach in OCT 2003 in Kitzigen Germany through the Military Motorcycle Safety Program. Motorcycling is one of my favorite hobbies. Learning how to ride a motorcycle is one thing. Learning how to ride a motorcycle safely is a completely different issue. Safety is a big part of any military mission, and as a Military Leader it is required to conduct safety/risk assessments and briefings prior to every mission. A lot of folks today who ride motorcycles know that it is a risky sport but do not know how to manage that risk safely. Teaching the BRC and ERC come naturally to me as I get to combine what I do for a living with what I do for fun.
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Steven Longstreet
slongstreet@apexcycleeducation.com
I ride my motorcycle everywhere. Last year alone I rode over 20,000 miles through rain, snow, heat, cold, DC rush hour traffic and some very aggressive sprinkler systems. It sounds excessive but simply put, riding is among the most enjoyable things that I do. Thus one day it struck me that the natural progression demanded that I become a Motorcycle Instructor to help others discover the scintillating joys of the two wheeled world. It's truly a pleasure to introduce students to riding, get a rider back on the bike after years apart, or help a current rider become a safer rider. Look for me when you come out to the range; I'm the most striking gent in the lot... in some part due to my day glow Instructor Shirt.
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Matt McCormick
mmccormick@apexcycleeducation.com
I have been riding on the street since 2005. I have successfully graduated both the Basic and Experienced Rider Course. I became certified as a Rider Coach in 2008. I currently ride a Yamaha FZ6. See you out on the range!
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Tim McCormick
tmccormick@apexcycleeducation.com
I have been an active member of the Public Safety Community for 30+ years, beginning my street-motorcycle riding in 2004. My current ride, a Honda 919, is a great daily commuter with the heart of a SuperBike.
I'm a graduate of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's (MSF) Basic Rider Course (BRC) and BRC 2, Evergreen Safety Council's (ESC) Trike/Sidecar, and Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Riding courses. I've been a RiderCoach since 2006.
During my tenure as a RiderCoach I've been fortunate to touch the lives of over 1500 motorcyclists participating in MSF Rider Courses. My motivation is simple: Every one completes the ride......EVERY TIME! I look forward to meeting, and starting YOU on your riding adventure. |
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Rod Newman
rnewman@apexcycleeducation.com
I began riding, self-taught--trial & error, off-road about age 10 (early seventies). I took my first mandatory MSF course @ NAS Pensacola circa 1991, and was first certified MSF Instructor 1995; Re-Certified MSF Rider-Coach 2004.
I currently ride a 2006 Triumph Sprint ST and also own a 1992 Honda 250 Nighthawk & 2002 Fourtrax 4 wheeler.
The most rewarding part of instructing is seeing the leaps and bounds of someone who comes into the course barely knowing what a motorcycle is, and leaves a basically trained rider capable enjoying years of riding ahead. I enjoy the smiles and genuine surprise students show when they succeed in the course…I enjoy knowing that because they came to this course, they will leave enriched by the experience of the cadre of coaches / staff Apex has to offer. |
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Mick Shaw
mshaw@apexcycleeducation.com
I've been riding for 40+ years in Europe and the US. Guess I qualify as an "old guy", but riding keeps me young
My first ride was a 1956 Lambretta scooter. Since then I've ridden many European, Asian and American brands. My current ride is a 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200s. It's the best bike I've owned.....so far.
I ride/commute year-round, rain or shine, freezing or blistering and only use four wheels when absolutely necessary. I’m a graduate of both the BRC and ERC courses and have been coaching with Apex for 4 years.
Riding is just terrific but I see so many people on the road who don’t know how to be safe or get the full enjoyment out of what motorcycling has to offer. Rider Education is THE best way to correct both of these. It is the single best investment one can make when thinking about entering the world of motorcycling. If you’re not sure if motorcycling is for you this is the way to find out -- in a low-risk, low- speed environment.
I enjoy coaching and am eager to share what I know. I really love it when students have the “AHA” moment, especially when it occurs more than once. Those moments occur for coaches as well.
Constantly honing my skills by practicing what I coach not only makes motorcycling way more fun, but I’m also much better prepared for those “uh oh” moments on the highway. I want my students to be prepared in the same manner. See you on the range. |
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Jim Walton
jwalton@apexcycleeducation.com
I have lived in Northern VA my entire life. When I grew up here there were many places to ride dirtbikes and that is how I learned to ride. More and more the dirt trails turned to parking lots and Metro stations, so I moved my motorcycling to the congested, area roads.
After taking the BRC myself I realized some mistakes I had been making, and that there were many people who had not had the opportunity to learn on the relative safety of the dirt like I had. So at the suggestion of one of my instructors I became a RiderCoach. I really enjoy helping others learn to ride, and hope I can help keep them safe on the road. |
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Doug Whalen
dwhalen@apexcycleeducation.com
My world vision is that all traffic will become motorcycle traffic!
I first started riding in the sixties, but didn't take the MSF basic rider course (BRC) until several years ago. I was amazed at how much I learned, even as an "experienced" rider. 2011 is my third year as a RiderCoach, and I really enjoy sharing motorcycling with others.
See you on the range! |
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Tom Williams
twilliams@apexcycleeducation.com
I’ve been riding on and off since about 1970 when I learned how to ride on a trail bike as a kid. When I was in my twenties, I rode a Yamaha Maxim 550 and in early 2000, I bought my first Harley-Davidson - a 2000 Fatboy. I currently ride a 2007 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
I didn’t take my first motorcycle class until shortly after I bought my Fatboy in 2000. I was surprised at how much more fun riding was after taking that class simply because I knew so much more about what I was doing. I became a certified MSF RiderCoach in early 2004. Since then, I have taught more than 80 Basic and Experienced Rider Courses.
I love riding and helping people become safer, more proficient riders. Whether you’re learning to ride for the first time or have been riding for 30 or 40 years, I am confident you’ll get something out of one of our classes and will have some fun in the process. I always do. |
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If you have ever thought of becoming a RiderCoach, click on the employment tab for more information or send an email to us:
info@apexcycleeducation.com |
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