Rider Magazine Insider

Ep. 20: Jon DelVecchio, founder of Street Skills and author of Cornering Confidence

Our guest is Jon DelVecchio, founder of Street Skills and author of “Cornering Confidence: The Formula for 100% Control in Curves.” By applying Jon’s techniques, motorcyclists gain more confidence and enjoyment in the curves. He’s a real-world rider who started riding motorcycles after starting a family and got hooked on sport riding. His need for self-preservation fueled skill development, and he served as an MSF RiderCoach for a decade and studied more advanced riding techniques. Jon shares his experience with fellow riders in his in-person and online Street Skills riding improvement courses and in his book, which is available in paperback and on Kindle. Jon’s Trail Braking Camp solves the mystery of this “secret weapon” technique.

Ep. 19: Lauren Trantham, founder of Ride My Road

Our guest is Lauren Trantham, founder of Ride My Road. In 2016, Lauren set out on a 10,000-mile solo motorcycle journey across the United States to photograph American survivors of human trafficking. She founded Ride My Road to reach as many people as possible about the realities of human trafficking in America. The organization has raised over $160,000 for survivor-led organizations, hosted dozens of events across the country, and educated thousands of motorcyclists. Ride My Road hosts F.A.S.T. (Fight Against Sex Trafficking) Ride charity events and the #Survivorbike™ Series (volunteer builders restore old bikes and donate them for fundraising giveaways), and it recently launched Disruptors University.

Ep. 18: Keith Code, founder and director of California Superbike School

Our guest is Keith Code, founder and director of California Superbike School, which has trained more than 150,000 students over the past 40 years, with track schools throughout the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. Sixty-five world and national championships have been won by racers trained by Keith Code or his coaches, and champions such as Wayne Rainey and James Toseland have used Code’s methodology. Code has been a regular columnist in Motorcyclist magazine, and he’s the author of several books including “A Twist of the Wrist” and “The Soft Science of Road Racing Motorcycles.” California Superbike School holds training from February through November at tracks throughout the U.S.

Ep. 17: Valerie Thompson, World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer

Our guest is Valerie Thompson, a professional motorcycle drag racer and land-speed racer who holds the title of “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer.” She holds eight land-speed records and is a member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, seven 200 MPH clubs and one 300 MPH club. In 2018, she piloted the BUB 7 Streamliner to a record speed of 328.467 mph and is the only female rider featured on the “World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Riders” list. At the 2021 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials in August she will attempt to break the motorcycle land speed record of 376.363 mph. Valerie’s quest to become the world’s fastest motorcycle racer is the subject of the upcoming film documentary, “Rockets and Titans.”

Ep. 16: Wayne Rainey, president of MotoAmerica and motorcycle racing legend

Our guest is Wayne Rainey, president of MotoAmerica and a motorcycle racing legend. Rainey is a 2-time AMA Superbike champion (1983, 1987) and 3-time Grand Prix World Champion (1990-1992) in the premier 500cc class. In 1999 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and in 2000 FIM named Rainey a Grand Prix Legend. Rainey is the president of MotoAmerica, which has managed and promoted the AMA Superbike series since 2015. We discuss Rainey’s racing career, MotoAmerica’s efforts to grow U.S. motorcycle racing, and MotoAmerica’s different classes, including Honos Superbike and Mission King of the Baggers. The GEICO MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest will be July 9-11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Tickets are available online, and racing coverage can be streamed on MotoAmerica Live+ or watched on Fox Sports FS2 and MAVTV. Check out the MotoAmerica website for details.