Jim Hyde - Owner.

Jim Hyde started the business of RawHyde Adventures in the spring of 2002 with only 1 idea; and that was an 8 day dual sport tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The tour was nearly a thousand mile (off road) adventure through the Mojave Desert, touching all the dramatic places that have made the Mojave a sought after "adventure" destination for travelers from all over the planet.

In 2004 as our tour program matured we began our acclaimed "Adventure Camp" training program. In two short years we became the #1 Enduro training facility in the country, and we proudly maintain that position today.

In spring of 2005 we branched out further offering a series of fun special events we call Adventure Rallies. They became a big hit because they are an inexpensive and classy way to enjoy the great outdoors in the company of fellow adventurers.

In the fall of 2005 we launched our Adventure Expedition program with a magnificent trip down the famed Baja Peninsula, and into the heart of Mexico to explore the fabled "Barranca de Cobre" (Copper Canyon) This amazing journey sparked our tour program which now encompasses global opportunities.

2007 brought new training programs, in the form of "intermediate and advanced curriculums" and the amazing "Adventure Riders Challenge."

In 2008 we were officially endorsed by BMW motorrad North America and we became an official BMW training center. The BMW Off Road Academy is one of only 9 places in the entire world where you can learn to ride a BMW GS the way it was meant to be ridden. We are very proud to be a part of the BMW family of training centers.

The BMW Off Road Academy has something fun and exhilarating for any Adventure Rider, whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, our programs truly provide the definition of adventure.

The BMW Off Road Academy is committed to supporting the adventure motorcycle market with an ongoing series of innovative and fun programs.

Mark Stickelmaier has spent the past three years coaching at Rawhyde Adventures and the BMW Off-Road Academy. Mark has been riding all kinds of motorcycles since his teens. His current stable includes a BMW R1200GS, a BMW HP2, KTM 950SE and a slew of other bikes. Mark has the ability to fix 99.9% of anything that breaks on a bike, either at home or traveling the world. He is a firm believer in JB Weld.

When not running his construction company, Mark has spent the past 6 years riding around with his wife and daughter to as many places as time allows. Traveling through Mexico, down through Central America to Panama, through Vietnam, around the western US, up to Prudhoe Bay and into the Arctic Ocean (just him not the bike) to possibly his favorite spot, Baja, CA. Mark has ridden all over Baja (and I mean ALL over Baja). Mark feels this real world riding experience ultimately helps you, the customer just as it improves his skills as a coach, hopefully transferring those skills and experience to you.

Mark enjoys his roll as a trainer and watching every customer succeed at improving his / her riding skills.

"I have been graced with a wonderful life full of opportunity and experience. I began a life of adventure from a young age, and my resume of experiences leaves most to say "ya sure" but at 50 plus I have had a lot of time to do things.

My proudest accomplishment being: my Wife of 29 years, 2 kids - boy and girl, 3 grandkids. All are talented and loved.

Professionally, I've owned multiple businesses; currently being a general contractor feeds my professional passions and my family.

Some of my noteworthy Adventures would include, climbing big rock and ice flows and climbing big mountains. Bicycle riding unlikely conditions and distances with my latest being a solo, no maps circumnavigation of the USA 18,000 miles. The bicycle has been replaced with my new passions big horsepower and a passion to become a quality rider.

My goal in life is to assist others in realizing their potential to adventure and instill the confidence and passion to have their own adventure.

Don't read about it, tell me your story."

" I am a California native, born in Orange County and raised in the Santa Ynez Valley where I met my best friend and Rawhyde co-instructor, Keith Falerios. Motorcycles have been an integral part of my life since age 8 when I started riding in the dirt and sand. I've owned several dirt and street motorcycles but of them all I enjoy and appreciate the BMW GS the most.

I have been a Police Officer for over 15 years. Some of my specialty assignments include being a certified Motor Officer as well as a member of both a Major Accident Investigation Team and SWAT team.

Keith and I placed 2nd and 1st place, respectively, in the Rawhyde Adventures 2008 American Adventure Riders' Challenge. I also participated in the 2008 GS Trophy Challenge finals in Spartanburg, S.C. where I placed 4th overall (first alternate).

It is a great honor and privilege to be associated with Rawhyde Adventures & The BMW Off Road Academy and I hope to inspire you to explore the adventure riding experience to its fullest potential. "

" Hello, I'm Keith Falerios. Born in Michigan, moved to California when I was 18 and I currently reside with my family in the countryside of California's Central Coast. I've worked various jobs in the automotive field including body repair, automotive repair and parts department. I am also a well rounded "do it all" handy man. I enjoy country life, the outdoors and anything that involves an engine and wheels.

I am currently a full time Senior Police Officer in a nearby small town and have been an Officer for over 19 years. During that time I've worked as a Detective, Training Officer, K-9 Handler, Community Response Officer and Swat Sniper.

I've been riding motorcycles on and off the road since I was about 8 years old, and have ridden various styles of motorcycles. Many years ago I was exposed to Adventure Bike ridding my best friend and co-instructor at Rawhyde, Kevan Harder. I was quickly hooked and worked my way from a Ducati E900 to a KTM Adventure 950 and I currently enjoy the BMW 1200GS. In 2008 I obtained a 2nd place finish at the Rawhyde Adventures', American Adventure Riders' Challenge. I enjoy riding and exploring with friends and my son who just got his motorcycle license.

I am thrilled to be coaching at Rawhyde and know that your experience here will exceed even your highest expectations, as you learn to ride your Adventure Bike to new levels. I look forward to meeting you, coaching you and Adventure Riding with you! "

Bill Langford, known as "Coach Bill" born in Oakland, California and raised in Southern CA. As a young boy, my fascination with motorcycles stems from my father, who was a Navy Ship's Boatswain Mate and Fire Chief. He had a Harley Davidson that he loved to ride when he was on leave. One of my memories was when Dad's Harley broke down, my mother had to tow him on the bike by a rope from Long Beach to North Hollywood. Imagine! Nothing really changes for Harley, does it?

We moved to Richardson, Texas when I was in junior high school. I played sports, but riding my motorcycle through the farmlands of Dallas chasing rabbits and armadillos was my favorite. It was actually a Sears and Roebuck Moped. Thereafter, I rode a Cushman Eagle, Vespa and a Honda Dream. Once I got my hands on my first Honda 125, this beauty took me to further adventures exploring more of the countryside. The experiences of riding a Honda 125 lead me to a Honda 305 Scrambler, 350 Super Hawk, and a Triumph 650 Trophy. My good buddies in high school also rode motorcycles. We thought we were cool having some of the first Hondas that came to America! Cool just like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape.

Upon high school graduation in the mid 1960's, the U.S.A. was in a Cold War with Russia and Vietnam was starting to really heat up. As a young man, I had two choices to either go to college or enlist in the service before being drafted. I enlisted in the Navy with interest in the Submarine Service and U.D.T. (Frogman) later known as Navy Seals. I was accepted to both programs, but decided Subs is were I wanted to be. After graduating Submariner School I was assigned to the U.S.S George Washington SSBN 598 Gold as a Sonar Tech. I spent 4 ½ years on the Subs and in Special Ops. I made 7 patrols and spent a total of 18-months underwater.

After the Service, I moved back to California to go to college and graduated with honors from California State University Long Beach. The Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing along with a minor in Psychology lead me to a variety of management positions in Corporate America. This experience afforded me the opportunity to launch my own business, TRI ALL 3 SPORTS, a design and manufacturing business in the Sports Industry. We specialize in hard shell travel cases for racing bikes and racing wheels for the Cycling, Triathlon, Mountain bikes, Expedition equipment, and some Military. We are known as the best in the Industry for our products and customer service. As the President and owner of TRI ALL 3 SPORTS, I am also a Triathlete; I have completed 30 Marathons, over 100 triathlons, and 4 IRONMAN Triathlons including 2 World Championships in Hawaii.

While building and managing my business these past 20 years my love for Motorcycling has grown even stronger. I am a Motorcycle Captain for the World Triathlon Corporation for the marshals, press, and video photographers. My wife, Barbara, and I have a collection of BMW and Ducati motorcycles. We enjoy touring together, track days, and expeditions. Above all, I must say being a Coach at RawHyde Adventures for the BMW Off Road Academy has added another wonderful dimension to my life.

Don't tell Jeff that you can use the word "cool" too much. Jeff thinks motorcycles are the coolest thing ever.

Riding them is cool, teaching people new skills or refreshing the ones they have is cool, getting accessories for them is cool, washing them is… well maybe not.

Jeff has been a coach at the Rawhyde/BMW Off Road Academy since December of 2008. He enjoys being a trainer, especially getting to work with students on the "big" bikes, along with being able to share his love for motorcycling. He has been riding motorcycles for the past 20 years. Street bikes, dirt bikes and his old R100GS, which he took 3rd place with in the Adventure riders challenge in 2008. He enjoys traveling by motorcycle and hopes that some of the skills you learn will build the same passion in you.

So next time you are at the bottom looking up at a single-track on some BIG hill, remember what Jeff' says. "We can totally do this on a GS"! How cool is that.

"I have been riding two wheels for the better part of 25 years. I raced Downhill Mountain bikes at the professional level for nine years. This involves manipulating the bike over extremely rough off-camber trails, jumping very far distances, log drops to large rocks, and unexpected changes to terrain. This vast dirt riding experience helps immensely when adventure riding on big bikes. Exploring on a GS is so exciting, it captivates me. Riding over natural terrain, that is the core of adventure riding. When you come across an obstacle what will you do? Turn around… or overcome because you are a Rawhyde Graduate? When a rider overcomes a challenge for the first time, they are ecstatic that they did it. It is this positive energy I want to teach to new adventure riders. I'll wait for you on the other side of the sand pit."

"It was mid-2004 when Shawn, then a white-knuckled dirt-riding Novice, first took RawHyde's "Intro to Adventure" Course. Since then, Shawn has been a regular here; first as an advocate for what we offer, bringing customers from the Motorcycle Dealer where he worked to give them a taste of what we do… Later he would join us at events as photographer / videographer… Then in 2010, Shawn came to work for us full time as a riding coach and tour guide.

You may have met Shawn at your local Dealer, as he and his brother, Lance, tour the country offering RawHyde presentations and ride clinics Shawn is the self-proclaimed 'expert' on the GS motorcycle, and is happy to chat with you about all things adventure-touring."

"If you think that all skilled Adventure riders need Decades to master their craft, then you haven't met Lance Thomas. It was late 2007 when Lance first spent any serious time on a motorcycle, while taking the 'Intro to Adventure' course at RawHyde. Suffice to say he left with a strong passion for motorcycling, and immediately set his sights on owning an Adventure Bike. Soon after he purchased a 2002 BMW R1150GS, and quickly put over 30,000 all-terrain miles under his belt!

In addition to coaching and working behind the scenes at RawHyde, Lance tours the country with his brother, Shawn, offering RawHyde off-road clinics at local dealers. "