Our Coaches

Russ McCombs:

I’m the owner of upstate Rider Training. I take my role as a rider coach very seriously but want our students to have fun while learning. My goal is to help new and experienced riders improve skills on the road. Safe riding is as much mental skills as it is physical skills, so we take time on the range and in class to develop both sets of skills for our students!

As MSF says, Motorcycling is Serious Fun, because it’s no joke riding near and around car drivers who don’t see us, but the enjoyment and freedom riding offers is awesome for those who take riding seriously.  My goal in training is to give riders strategies and knowledge to ride safe.

Bill DeMoise:

I have enjoyed the open air freedom of riding motorcycle since my teens. I’ve ridden in all 48 US contiguous states and I’m a member of Iron Butt Association for long distance riders.
Since retiring from my career I have focused my attention on giving back to the sport of motorcycling by becoming a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Rider Coach and South Carolina DMV Safety
Officer. This enables me to coach beginner and experienced riders the safest way to ride a motorcycle utilizing the MSF curriculum.
Safe motorcycle operation is a mental, physical, social and emotional activity that requires specialized skills and behaviors. My specialized training allows me to help you start your journey.
It is satisfying to assist both beginner and experienced riders gain the skills required for the safe operation of a motorcycle. I look forward to coaching you in an upcoming class!

Perry Cefalu:

I’ve never had a job I enjoy as much as Coaching. I do my best to help you improve riding skills, confidence, and observation/awareness. I want you to leave here with abilities on a whole new level. I have been coaching since 2010 and I put all my effort into this. By the time class is completed, you will be shocked at how much you have learned, and HOW MUCH FUN you had doing it !!

Kimba Reams:

I’m so passionate about riding that I was motivated to become a Rider Coach so that I could share my passion with other riders. I’ve also Cofounded a women’s moto collective, The Litas Greenville, SC, so that I could provide new female riders with a community of other women riders who encourage, inspire, and empower one another.

Although I’ve only been riding since 2015, I like to think I’ve made up for that in miles. Since then, I’ve ridden anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 annually.
Feel free to follow me on all my moto adventures here: @kimba_the_lioness

Michael Ventura:

I’ve been riding (off and on) for 43 years. On for the past 15 years since I bought my first Harley Davidson. I became a rider coach in the beginning of 2022 and love coaching riders, teaching them to be safe and enjoy the feeling of true freedom. It’s awesome to see someone that’s never been on a motorcycle before, in two days, be able to pass the SC exam. This is serious, this is fun!

New Coaches for 2023:

Mark Wing – ADV course

Alex Farge – BRC – RRBRC

James Thompson RBC – RRBRC

Photographs by Jessica Brown. If you would like contact information, please email UpstateRiderTraining@gmail.com

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