Let’s Get You Riding!

Harry Avila is a lifelong motorcyclist having bought his first motorcycle (a surplus Harley-Davidson from the California Highway Patrol) at age 17 and has been riding ever since. Prior to becoming a Rider Coach, he was a Certified Flight Instructor and believes that learning proper riding skills is even more important than learning how to fly. Harry is a U.S. Army veteran and year-round rider who enjoys long-distance motorcycle trips. He brings years of teaching experience to those just learning to ride or veteran riders who want to improve their skills.

Ron Bennett has been a rider coach since 2001 in Pennsylvania until he and his wife Yolanda moved to Virginia in 2012 where he continues coaching. Ron is a retired officer from the University of Pittsburgh Police Department after 32 years. Duties included plainclothes, investigations, motor officer, SERT, and community relations. Ron received many awards during this time including Officer of the Year, and Medal of Bravery for First Responder of a critical incident. Ron enjoys family events, roller skating (4 wheels), fishing, jazz, and old-school music. Also, a member of "Buffalo Soldiers M/C of Pittsburgh" where he is known as "Zoom".

Gretchen's path to coaching began as a student in the Basic Rider Course. it was love at first ride. Motorcycling went from bucket list aspiration to personal passion overnight. As a former data analyst, Gretchen is most drawn to the balance of mental acuity and strategy with the physical exhilaration motorcycling delivers.

With two little(ish) ones at home, safety is not just a professional duty, it is a personal priority. Her goal as a coach is to build your confidence so you can experience all the freedom, adventure, and joy motorcycling has to offer.

When she's not joy-riding with her husband, Gretchen enjoys bootcamp, freelance consulting, and family dog piles where the two dogs always seem to end up on top.

Wayne Donahue has been riding since he was a teenager. He loves to ride and tinker on machines of all kinds. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, family man and friend to many. He is also a sports enthusiast of all kinds and spent 14 years as a member of a stock car racing team. Wayne has been a Rider Coach since 2010 and enjoys sharing his knowledge with new riders.

Stan started riding while he was in the Navy in 1975. Rode for about 10 years then took a long break. In 2015 he started riding again and enjoys getting out on 2 wheels as often as possible all year long. Stan is enthusiastic about teaching others in the skills and strategies of safely riding in the D.C. area. Stan is an active member and former officer in the Northern Virginia Christian Riders, a chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. He also spends weekends in the summer supporting the racing community as part of the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club (MARRC). He is a Corner Worker helping to keep the motorcycle races moving safely.

Stan has other hobbies to include 30 years as a Sound Designer in some of the Community Theaters of the area, and is the technical lead (sound, lights and, recently added, broadcast video) at his church in Burke. He also is working as a statistician for the Burgundy & Gold (formerly the Redskins) and has done that for the last 20 years.

Jeff’s been riding for over 30 years and first took the MSF Advanced Rider Course while in the Army in 1993. He’s been a full-time, all-year rider for the last six years. Jeff’s an avid motorcycle traveler, crossing the USA four times, so far. He says the best motorcycle road in America is Beartooth Pass. As a retired Army engineer, he enjoys some of the nerdy physics of riding. Another military habit he kept is his devotion to gym time. Most of all he’s passionate about safety and making that a way of life for the entire motorcycle community.

Sadly, we lost Ed early in 2022. He was a dear friend and a fine coach. He will be missed.

Ed Levine has been riding motorcycles for over 45 years. He also was a firefighter in his earlier years, (Fireman of the year in Vienna 1979), a pilot at age 17 and has a CDL in Virginia with all endorsements. If it drives, floats or flies, most likely, Ed can operate it.

Ed currently rides a Triumph Rocket III Classic with 2300cc and rides almost every day. He comes to MRC to share his passion for riding and "life behind bars" with both new and experienced riders alike. He volunteers some of his time riding escorts for law enforcement events and for veterans in the Patriot Guard. When he is not on his bike, you might catch him on location with his drone as he is also a commercial drone pilot. 

Moani has wanted to own her own motorcycle since she was 12 and finally got to buy her first bike--an Indian Scout Bobber Sixty--in 2022. She jumped at the chance to become a Rider Coach after taking an Intermediate Course with MRC in Summer 2023. She loves the rider community, learning from other MRC Coaches, and learning something new from every class she helps.

When not riding, Moani enjoys spending time with her family, reading (Hemingway, Steinbeck, and V.E. Schwab), and "arting" it up.

 Mark was a Founding Partner of MRC and served as its President. It is with great sadness that we announced the sudden death of Mark Payton on January 27th, 2011. Mark had a passion not only for riding but for safety and he was one of the lead instructors with MRC. We continue to emphasize his passions in our teaching as a legacy that Mark has left with MRC. The prestigious "MTG" (Mark the Good) award is given to our standout riders in each class in his honor. 

Mick started riding in the summer of 65. His first two-wheeled ride was a 1956 Lambretta scooter with three gears. And first gear didn't work. His first MC was a 450 Ducati Scrambler while stationed in Naples Italy. His current ride is a 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200s with 186,000 miles. And counting.

Mick started his 22-year Navy career as a musician which morphed into becoming a sound technician, stage light tech, and stage manager for the U.S. Navy Band in DC. He extended his talents to his church praise band.

Mick is a year-round rider and has been coaching since 2006. He's conducted novice, intermediate and advanced classes and is very big on riding safely, responsibly, and with courtesy. He truly enjoys teaching, having fun with students, helping them get to their "next level" and especially enjoys the "Aha" moments.

Mick's three grown kids and two grandkids keep his life active.

Mo Smith has been riding motorcycles since she was a little kid. She bought her first motorcycle in 1977, a Kawasaki 90, and has owned and ridden ever since. Currently, Mo rides a 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. Mo is passionate about motorcycling and bringing that experience to all riders, but new riders in particular. She has been a Rider Coach since 2005. When not helping to fulfill the dream of motorcycling you can find Mo teaching math to high school students! Mo is actively involved in the local HOG Chapter and has held executive positions there for several years.

Jeffrey Thompson is the CEO/General Manager and a Partner for Motorcycle Riding Concepts. Jeff is a retired Police Sergeant from a large suburban Washington DC police department. Jeff has owned, built, and operated motorcycles both on and off-road for over 45 years, of which 30 years was with the police department. Jeff rode as a Motor Officer and Supervisor for 12 years and has been a certified Motorcycle Instructor since 1988. Jeff incorporates his 12 years as a Crash Reconstruction Detective and Supervisor in his overall approach to dynamic motorcycle training. Jeff has won many competition honors both locally and nationally. Additionally, Jeff has had the opportunity to instruct students from across the USA and abroad. Jeff is passionate and dedicated to the pursuit of riding excellence for all riders. 

Karl Thompson has fond memories of growing up around motorcycles and riding as a passenger with his father. He now takes opportunities to ride alongside his father, other family members, and friends, creating new memories.  Karl is enthusiastic about riding and teaching. His goal is to impart the skills to be good riders but more importantly, the passion to celebrate the lifestyle. 

Tim Touzinsky retired from the US Army after 30 years of service.  Tim first became a Rider Coach in 2009 while serving overseas, working with Soldiers to help them develop and improve their riding skills. Tim has a wealth of experience both as a rider and instructor.  He has been riding since 1983 and is passionate about motorcycling and loves the satisfaction you get when you are able to work with new riders.

Don Withrow is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Motorcycle Riding Concepts. Don rode a motorcycle for the first time when he was just 12 years old. He bought his first motorcycle (a 125cc Allstate) at age 14 with the money he earned mowing lawns and doing odd jobs. Don proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for 20 years spending six years in overseas assignments including two years in Vietnam. Working with riders, young and old, to develop and hone their riding skills is a passion for Don. He has been teaching students to ride motorcycles safely since 2001 including novice, intermediate and experienced riders. 

Don's passion outside of riding motorcycles and teaching students to ride motorcycles is Washington Redskins football. Although he has been mostly disappointed with the team since 1993, he's still an avid fan and goes to as many games as he can.

Richard Yuras started riding over 40 years ago on a Honda CS65 Sport. His passion for riding has grown and so has the size of his motorcycles. He enjoys riding year-round on his 2012 Heritage Softail.  Richard enjoyed a 38-year career in the fire and rescue service.  He was a member of an international urban search and rescue task force that deployed to Haiti and Japan to assist with earthquake rescue operations. The opportunity to introduce others to the fun and excitement of riding and riding safely is all part of his motorcycling passion.  Being a rider coach is a privilege and a responsibility that he takes very seriously.