Michael Howard

Designated Test Pilot, Videographer, USMCA Coach

Imagine not needing a map, a plan, or an itinerary. Imagine riding into the mountains on your bike for a day, a week, or a month, ready to explore and secure in the knowledge that whatever happens, you will be able to handle it. 

Motorcycling was only a dream for me until my late 20s. With no direct experience, and a misguided fixation on the aesthetic, I fancied myself a cruiser guy. My first bike was a Honda Magna 750, a 4 cylinder muscle cruiser that I traveled on around Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. 

Life was good except for one problem. Every time I would drive past a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, I would wonder "Where does that go?" Curiosity got the better of me and I began driving my street bike in places where it should not have been, rivers, rocky roads, etc. One night, as I searched online for the knobbiest tire that I could mount on my cast rims, I realized I might be barking up the wrong tree. 

My dualsport and ADV journey had begun before I even knew it. Since then I've logged tens of thousands of miles a year on a series of dualsport and ADV motorcycles in a wide variety of terrain. 

I've approached learning to ride with a holistic curiosity and pattern of practice that I've adapted from other endeavors, such as decades training individuals in the building trades, and coaching beginner and intermediate rock climbers. For me competence in riding extends beyond fundamental riding skills to include mechanical understanding, navigation, fitness, resourcefulness, and creativity.

I believe that competence builds confidence! I enjoy helping riders identify and focus on areas of potential improvement, and have a knack for encouraging people to find the edge of their development. The truth is that today I am able to confidently explore any road or trail I may pass. I want to share that incredible feeling of freedom with anyone who has the desire to explore, and is ready to put in the work. 

Youtube and Instagram @michaelmichaelmoto

Motorcyclist riding on a dirt trail in a desert landscape, kicking up dust with red rock formations and hills in the background.
A man in outdoor gear standing in a grassy field with mountains and trees in the background, smiling under a partly cloudy sky.
Photo of Michael Howard, a dirt bike coach, wearing a black shirt against a black background, with logos and text for USMCA Certified Coach and MotorcycleCoaching.org.

Brett Landin

Lead Guide, Navigator, Boss of Wrenches

There's nothing I love more than exploring the backcountry.  Whether it's on skis, a mountain bike, a pair of trail shoes, or a motorcycle, the mountains and red rock canyons are where my soul is at peace.  And I love sharing these places with other like-minded adventurers, sitting around the campfire telling stories and sleeping out under the stars. 

I was an aerospace engineer for 27 years working on iconic missions like the Mars rovers, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, and the first Google Earth satellite. 

I fell in love with motorcycles while living in the mountains of central Mexico in 1995 and have been riding ever since, eventually becoming a backcountry motorcycle guide 15 years ago.  I've now ridden and guided across China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and all over the American West.  I've traveled extensively (57 countries to date), mountaineering, skiing, trekking, surfing, and diving all over the world.  I've been the conflict area representative (war zones and natural disaster areas) for an international non-profit getting inserted into hot-spots all across Africa, western Asia, and the Pacific Islands.  I live for adventure. 

My wife and I recently retired and make our home base in Salida, Colorado where I now work as a mechanic and restore old Porsches, early BMW airheads, and classic Corvettes whenever I'm not out discovering new places to play.  I truly believe that travel and shared exploration bring people together like nothing else in the world.  I'd love to share my backyard with you and take you deep into the backcountry to see this amazing landscape we're so lucky to call home.  What's around the next corner?

Off-road motorcycles parked on a dirt patch near some tents at a mountain campground, with a scenic valley and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Nicole Duke

Super Mother, Realtor Extraordinaire, Party Guide

My love for motorcycles began early. When I was seven years old, my dad asked if I wanted a little Honda 50 we found at our local flea market. That simple question changed my life. Riding with my dad throughout my childhood planted the belief that I belonged in spaces that required courage, skill, and grit—beliefs that later carried me into a professional career in downhill mountain bike racing and the pro ranks of cyclocross.

For nearly 20 years, I competed on and off at the World Cup level, traveling the world, winning titles, and racing at the highest tiers of the sport. Those years taught me discipline, resilience, and trust in myself. They also naturally led me into coaching—supporting others as they learned to ride with confidence, intelligence, and bravery.

Through every chapter, motorcycles remained my foundation. They were my roots. I used moto riding as cross-training, dabbled in motocross racing, and always returned to the bike when I needed clarity or strength. After retiring from professional racing ten years ago, my focus came back fully to motorcycles. Trail riding on my KTM 300 became home, and over time I felt a deeper pull toward dual-sport riding and longer, more intentional journeys.

Today, I ride with purpose. I push into solo adventures, explore new terrain, and test personal boundaries—not to prove anything, but to remember who I am.

As a mother of two, this life of adventure is something I live and model every day. I want my children to see what it looks like when a woman follows her calling, trusts herself, and chooses courage. Motorcycles have given me confidence, pride, and a deep sense of capability—and as a woman, that kind of empowerment is earned, not handed out.

My passion is sharing this with other women. I believe every woman deserves to experience the strength, clarity, and self-trust that comes from navigating her own adventure. Through multi-day moto adventure trips, I create space for women to challenge themselves, grow, and step fully into their power—on the bike and beyond.

I love connecting with anyone who is moto-curious as well as experienced riders, guiding all levels and meeting each person exactly where they are. These journeys are often life-changing. Once you choose yourself and take that first ride, there’s no going back—and it’s something you’ll never regret.

Emma Dunn

Pro Rider, Entrepreneur, Responsible Moto Addict

Emma Dunn has been riding motorcycles for over 25 years and still can’t get enough of it. Racing, exploring, or just playing on two wheels, riding isn’t something she does on the side. It’s how she lives.

She currently holds the Women’s A championship titles in both WEBE and NMRC hare scramble racing, bringing a strong technical background, race-tested skills, and calm decision-making to every ride she leads. When she’s not lining up on the start gate, you’ll find her sharpening skills on a trials bike or logging miles on her adventure bike, chasing backcountry routes and forgotten roads.

Emma’s approach to guiding is simple: ride smart, ride confidently, and have a damn good time doing it. She believes two-wheel adventures are more than trips, they’re experiences that build skill, confidence, and a deeper connection to the places you ride through.

Whether you’re looking to push your limits or settle into long days of exploration, you’re in capable hands. Two wheels aren’t just transportation for Emma. They’re a way of life.

Ryan Muff

Lead Hooligan, Bent Wrencher, USMCA Certified Coach

I've been riding dirt bikes since I was 6 after receiving initial instruction detailing the location of the clutch, throttle, brakes and shift levers from Dad.  If I returned home without crashing I was sent back out on the trail!  I rode trails and a little track for 25 years until my daughter was born.  At that point a moto I could use to bring home groceries became more valuable and my appreciation for ADV grew.  This required me to unlearn all those bad habits I taught myself since sound fundamentals are SO important on the big bikes.

Now I ride a Norden 901 with custom Touratech suspension on the mountain passes, big adventures and often coaching. The Beta 390 RR-S is set up for short day adventures, single track and entry level hard enduro(aka soft enduro).

I prefer very small groups of 1 to 4 riders on routes of their choice(if appropriate) and use video to document harder obstacles for evaluation and reflection.  An experiential approach, USMCA Dirt Coach Certification and decades coaching/educating allow me to provide feedback while we ride and leverage the terrain to create teachable moments.  I thoroughly enjoy coaching, facilitating grand adventures, and welcome the challenge of helping riders set ego aside in pursuit of their goals.

A man smiling and giving a thumbs-up in a mountainous desert landscape with red rock formations and patches of snow.
A smiling man with blond hair and a beard, wearing a gray shirt, taking a selfie. Behind him is a dirt bike with visible mud splatters, a badge that says 'Rider Moto', and a sticker that says 'Certified Coach'. The image appears to be related to motorcycle coaching or dirt bike riding.

Contact us

This is the best way to reach out to schedule time together or get your burning questions answered! Please be patient and we’ll get back to you ASAP…which could be a while if an extended moto adventure is in the works. Thanks and keep the rubber side down!