Pictured from left to right, Dusty Rhodes, Bruce Penning, Mike Hulse, Suzanne Greer, Tom Anthony, Sue Rochholz, and our owners Melanie and Tom Giannetti.

Instructor Bios

Sue Rochholz

I learned to ride a motorcycle in 1993, my gift to myself for graduating from college. I took the beginning riding course from the MN Motorcycle Safety Center and decided during the course that I wanted to teach people to ride bikes. I knew I needed some experience so I rode three full seasons before taking the Instructor Prep Course in April of 1997. I have been teaching around 300 hours every summer since and I still get a thrill out of meeting new students that first night of class and then seeing their progression over the next few days. I started out on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and gradually moved up to the Vulcan Nomad 1500 which is what I ride today. It is burgundy and silver and I love it. I have done long distance touring, riding to Washington, DC for Rolling Thunder; Jackson Hole, WY; Sturgis; and Colorado. I also participate in two charity runs, the Lightening Run and the Ride for Kids.

Motorcycling is my passion and I am very happy to be a part of the Rider’s Edge® New Rider Program at St. Paul Harley-Davidson.

I have been an avid Harley® bike rider for over 40 years. I excel as an instructor for the Rider’s Edge® New Rider Program, and have been involved with Rider’s Edge® at St. Paul Harley-Davidson since its inception.

I also teach Basic to Advanced Motorcycle Training; as well as Sidecar and Trike Training for the State of Minnesota.

Being a teacher at heart, I fill my wintertime by teaching snow skiing and overseeing The Ski School at Afton Alps. I have been instructing both racing and downhill skiing since 1964, and have been a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) since 1967.

Besides affording the opportunity of meeting interesting people, making new friends, and sharing my biking experiences with others, I have the pleasure of introducing my students to the joy of learning to be safe and conscientious riders. Through my efforts, many a novice has been able to hone their riding skills and become a life-long Harley rider.

I started riding motorcycles, under the watchful eye of my father, at the age of 10, was bitten by the “bug” and have been passionate about riding ever since. Upon maturing, I realized that “hitting the road” could in fact have several different meanings and sought ways to improve my riding skills. While taking a MSF class, I realized that rider training would be an excellent avenue to share my passion, knowledge, and experience with others. I have been an instructor for the past five years. I live in Stillwater with my wife, Paula, and have been employed at 3M Company for the last 25 years.

Mike Hulse

I will be entering my ninth year as a MSF instructor. This is my fourth year teaching for the Rider’s Edge® New Rider Program. I am also certified to instruct the Experienced Rider Course and I used to teach for the MSF Dirt Bike School.

Motorcycles have created energy in my life since I was a little kid. All the local bikers used to hang out on the street in front of my parents' house. The style and sounds of a ‘57 Sportster® are still a great memory, and probably have much to do with my devotion to this sport. I like to feel that same energy come alive as new riders experience the fundamentals for this gratifying hobby.

I began motorcycling in 1996 after successfully completing the state’s Motorcycle Safety Course. My first motorcycle was a Honda Shadow followed closely by the purchase of my “dream bike (at the time),” a 1996 patriot red Harley-Davidson® Sportster®, which I continue to ride today. (The dream bike of today is the 2003 Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® Deuce™!) During the summer of 1997, I took the Experienced Rider’s Course offered by the state and was urged by my instructor to consider pursuing teaching. Finally, in 1999, I decided to impart to others what had fast become my second greatest passion in life. I completed the grueling Instructor Prep Course for the state of Minnesota and began teaching. When I first heard about the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course, I was extremely excited about the class and, as luck would have it, secured a position with St. Paul Harley-Davidson and completed the instructor training through Rider’s Edge Academy in 2001. I thoroughly enjoy teaching Rider’s Edge; first, because I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my love of both motorcycling and Harley with others; and secondly, teaching riders to have a healthy knowledge of the risks of motorcycling and how to minimize those risks is very rewarding and makes the roads safer for us all.

I have been an endorsed motorcycle operator for over 38 years. My father actually believed it was safer for me to ride motorcycles than to give me a car at age 16 (I think he was concerned for other people). During these many years, I have ridden many types of motorcycles from Yamaha dirt bikes to full dress Harley-Davidson® bikes. I absolutely love to ride motorcycles for both pleasure and profession.

I have been a St. Paul Police Officer for 25+ years and I am currently the Sgt. / Supervisor of the St. Paul Police Department Motor Unit. I have been the trainer for this unit since its inception in 1999. I was originally trained to ride police motorcycles in 1998 and trained as an instructor for police officers during an intense 3 week training course. I was re-certified as a police motor trainer in 2003 by Harley-Davidson / Northwestern University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since becoming the first motor trainer for this department, I have trained over 80 police officers from several different police agencies in the operation of Harley-Davidson police motorcycles. Prior to my motorcycle service to the department, I spent 5 years training officers to ride police horses in the departments Mounted Police Unit. This was a very different type of training but believe it or not, many of the techniques and theories are the same. At least you don't have to tie your motorcycle to a pole when you get off.