Instructors

Maurice Maness

I grew up in San Antonio and always had a passion for motorcycling, but was forbidden to participate by my parents who were concerned for his safety. Thus, my desire to make motorcycling safer and reduce the risks involved in the activity grew. When I graduated from college and began making my own money, I saved for my first motorcycle, a 1986 Honda VF500F Interceptor. It was to become the first of many motorcycles. My friend originally taught me to ride. The course I signed up for was cancelled due to low enrollment. I eventually took the course and learned so much more and improved my riding that I decided to become an instructor. As the Bryan/College Station site had closed, I traveled to San Antonio and Houston to teach. I wanted to make the courses available in Bryan/College Station and so I founded Training Wheels in 1997. My wife, Melissa, and I have built up the business until we were able to provide one to three classes a month. I also continue to ride on the dirt, on the street, and on the race track and still love the sport of motorcycling!

Ron Coombs

I am originally from Hurst, Texas and retired from the United States Coast Guard. I became an instructor for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in 1978, then a MSF Chief Instructor for MSF in 1987 and continued in that capacity until 1997 while also a Motorcycle Safety coordinator for the US Coast Guard from 1994-1997. I am a longtime motorcycle rider and racer since he age of 6. I currently ride a Suzuki V-Strom.

Jeff McDowell

I am a native of Jacksonville, FL and came from a non-biking family. Even so my oldest brother managed to purchase two bikes, a Honda 305 Scrambler and then a 1968 Harley Davidson police bike and ride them with my mom and dad's knowledge but they weren't real happy about it. I also got to ride them and the fire was lit.

While working for a company here in College Station, there was a guy that rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He rekindled the fire that was lit so many years ago. When I asked him what I should do to get back into riding he recommended taking the MSF course. I got the "M" on my license in 2000. While in touch with Maurice on other matters I asked him how I could become an instructor. After some preliminary work with Maurice and Ron, Training Wheels sponsored my way to instructor school and I got my instructor permit in June 2001. I am also the safety officer for local HOG chapter sponsored by Independence Harley Davidson.

I currently ride a 2000 HD Ultra Classic and before that I rode a 1998 Honda 750 Nighthawk.

Clifton Eggers

I started riding in 1999, shortly after joining the navy.  I started teaching in 2002, after being required to take the course to ride on a military base.  Although I was already licensed, I learned a lot of valuable skills and decided that I wanted to contribute to the program.  I took the instructor course and taught as a volunteer on the base, as well as for Washington State.  In 2004, I rode my Honda VTX1800 from Washington back to Texas to attend classes at Texas A&M and teach for Training Wheels.  I have ridden over 100,000 miles on many different styles of bike, including cruisers, standards, dirt bikes, and dual sports.  I have owned 3 Hondas, 1 Suzuki, 1 Harley, and I currently ride a 2006 Triumph Tiger.

Mark Pratt

I was born and raised in Houston, and moved to BCS seeking higher education. As a youth, I had little experience with motorcycles aside from watching CHiPs on TV. I was bitten by the riding bug in 1995 and soon took a beginning riders class. My first bike was a Kawasaki EX250 and I worked at a local motorcycle dealership.

I have ridden almost exclusively since 2003 and have in excess of 90,000 miles on 4 different bikes. My longest bike trip to-date covered approximately 4,000 miles, 3,000 of which were traveled in 3 days, and included 11 states.

In early 2004, while serving jointly with the US Army and Air Force, I trained and was certified as a RiderCoach. After completing my term of service, I joined the Training Wheels family in 2005. I also teach in Houston and am a Blinn College Dental Hygiene graduate working in BCS.

Keith Wallis

I came to Bryan/College Station in 1989 to attend Texas A&M. I have always had an interest in motorcycles, but it wasn't until 2005 that I decided to move toward getting a street bike. I took the Basic Rider Course in September 2005. and have been riding ever since. I started working with Training Wheels as a range aid shortly thereafter and became certified to teach the Basic Rider's Course in April 2006.  My first bike was a 1996 Honda Nighthawk 750 and I currently own a 2006 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic.