About us
WHAT WE DO:
Honor and encourage military veterans and first responders
Provide recreational activities (ADV Motorcycling) that enable participants to experience some relief from the struggles of life and reintegration
Create a positive environment where participants can connect with peers who’ve had similar experiences
Offer useful tools for stress-management and overcoming trauma
Help steer participants toward further treatment for their injuries
“PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.”
Meet the Team
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MIKE BOBBITT CMSgt, USAF (RET)
PRESIDENT (JAN 2022)
Mike served for 30 years in the US Air Force, retired in 2015.
Mike’s full time gig is now the daily operation of Motorcycle Relief Project. His first involvement with the program was as a participant on Relief Ride #5, in June 2016. Since then he’s been on 47 of the 63 rides (current as of Nov 2023), serving as a volunteer, Operations Manager, and, as of January, 2022, President.
Mike is honored to serve in this capacity, motivated by witnessing the transformations in the participants over the course of the week long rides, knowing lives are being changed/saved. He looks forward to seeing the organization continue to do great things as long as the need exists!
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MARTIN SOHLBERG SFC, USA (RET)
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD (JAN 2022)
INVESTIGATOR, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA)
Martin retired from the US Army after 20 years, 24 days, 18 hours (Not that he was counting)
Martin’s first experience with Motorcycle Relief Project was on Relief Ride #2 in September 2015. The program had a profound impact on his life; Martin began volunteering for the organization, serving in many roles since 2015, including alumni and events coordinator, board member, and current Chairman of the Board.
Martin is fully committed to the success of the program and truly believes the program is saving lives.
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EMILY DYKES
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER (JAN 2016)
OWNER, LAURA EMILY ILLUSTRATION
Emily is a videographer, motion designer, and all around creative. She has helped lead two women’s rides and credits them for helping her find the courage to use her voice in a more powerful way and be bold in pursuing adventure and healing. She is proud of the work that MRP does to not only bring relief during the ride, but maintain relationships over the long haul.
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DAN McGUIRE
SHOP/FLEET MANAGER
Dan spent 22 years serving the nation as a member of the US Army, ultimately retiring as a Captain. Dan first rode with MRP on Relief Ride #10 in April 2017 and received immediate positive results from the program's workshops. Dan, who lives in Colorado Springs, began to volunteer when he could with the program, and in January 2023, became the Fleet Manager. Dan believes in the purpose of the project and has witnessed countless lives changed for the better as a direct result of the MRP Team's efforts. Dan hopes to continue providing as much assistance to the program, it's participants and Veterans as a whole, as he can.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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ERIC HOUGEN
VICE PRESIDENT (JAN 2022)
OWNER/CREATIVE DESIGNER | WOLFMAN MOTORCYCLE LUGGAGE
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JJ LEWIS
SECRETARY (JAN 2022)
OWNER, THE GOOD ADVENTURE COMPANY
When JJ’s not leading motorcycle tours with The Good Adventure Company, he’s working in the mental health field as a licensed therapist.
JJ served as an officer with the USPHS Commissioned Corps, was stationed with the US Navy, and was deployed as a federal first responder to emergency events.
JJ is an alum of Relief Ride 28, in May 2019 and not only serves as a board member but he’s also an MRP ride leader. He’s passionate about MRP, knowing the program saves the lives and impacts the families of many veterans and first responders.
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STEPHANIE TOWNSEND
TREASURER (JAN 2022)
OWNER, TOWNSEND TAX SERVICES
Stephanie lives in Parker, Colorado and absolutely loves all things two-wheeled. She is an avid motorcyclist who is especially fond of dirt riding. You can find her traveling with her RV, bikes and dog for many months of the year.
To pay for her motorcycle and travel addictions, Stephanie is a CPA and operates a tax planning and preparation firm.
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KEITH DISHONG
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM MANAGER (JAN 2022)
OWNER, CROOKED RAVEN ADVENTURE TOURS & TRAINING
Keith is a retired Border Patrol Agent and alumni of Relief Ride #3, March 2015. Since then he has stayed involved with the program that changed his life.
He brings over 15 years as a Master Offroad Instructor, as well as Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) credentials to the program. The offroad riding training provided by MRP is a key component in establishing the bonds of comraderie essential for group and individual success and growth.
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STEVE BENNETT
BOARD MEMBER (JAN 2022)
After spending 10 years in the US Army, Steve left the service and started a career in natural resource and environmental consulting for the Department of Defense. Steve currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for an environmental consulting firm out of Jacksonville, Florida.
Steve was a participant on Relief Ride #24 in 2018 and began volunteering shortly after. Steve joined the board in Jan 2022. In addition to serving as a board member, Steve serves as a Ride Leader and Workshop Facilitator on a few rides each year.
Steve would say the Motorcycle Relief Project saved his life and no amount of time given back could ever be payment enough.
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MICHAEL KING, SGM, USA (RET)
ALUMNI COORDINATOR (NOV 2022)
DIRECTOR OF VETERAN RELATIONS, UNITED VETERAN BENEFITS AGENCY
Michael retired from the US Army after 21 years of service.
Michael is a business professional, motorcycle enthusiast, and maker. His first experience with Motorcycle Relief Project was on Relief Ride #41 in March 2021. The program was instrumental in changes Michael made to significantly improve his quality of life. He currently serves as the Alumni Coordinator (a.k.a. Cat Wrangler) and volunteers at events to promote MRP.
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KATRINA VAN MARTER
BOARD MEMBER (JAN 2024)
DIRECTOR OF ENABLEMENT, 11:59
Katrina is deeply passionate about mental health and the well-being of our veterans and first responders. She has dedicated a significant portion of her personal life to mental health causes that are aligned with MRP’s mission and improving the lives of those who have served and protected our country.
Having been involved in several non-profit boards, Katrina brings her long-term experience to assist large non-profit organizations achieve their goals, expand programs and increase awareness.
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DR. DUSTIN SILVEY PhD
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH (JAN 2024)
Dustin lives on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. He spent a large part of his adult life in university where he completed a PhD in Applied Health Sciences. In order to cover the costs of all this schooling, Dustin worked numerous jobs on the oil rigs, in forestry, as a photojournalist, and as a paramedic.
Dustin is an avid outdoors person who loves paddling, camping, and of course riding motorcycles. In 2022, Dustin and his wife Janel rode two BMW G650 GSs across Canada, avoiding major highways and tackling the back roads in northern Canada. Dustin now spends his days working as an executive leadership coach to prevent PTSD/PTSIs in the workplace, all the while hoping for some warm Canadian weather so he can get out for a ride.
Dustin is an alum of ride #63 and now conducts research to support MRP funding.
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TOM TRIECKEL
GRANT MANAGER (JAN 2024)
Tom is a retired Project Manager from the nuclear utility industry and alumni of Relief Ride #34, October 2019. The impact of the ride changed his life and his commitment to MRP, becoming a volunteer and Grant Manager. Tom is an avid adventure motorcycle rider and brings that passion to MRP and its participants.
He is a veteran of the US Naval Submarine Service.
Recently, he has obtained certification as an MSF Dirt Bike School Coach and as an ADV Coach, Adult First Aid/CPR/AED to better serve this incredible program.
OUR HISTORY
Motorcycle Relief Project was founded on December 26, 2014 by Tom Larson. Although Tom never served in the military or as a first responder, he knew firsthand what it was like to struggle with issues related to PTSD, depression and anxiety. He also knew how therapeutic motorcycling was for his own mental health.
While waiting in his dentist’s office and flipping through a motorcycle magazine, Tom saw a photo of a group riding ADV motorcycles through the woods wondered if he could find a way to bring veterans and first responders together for fun and to find relief. That was the moment Motorcycle Relief Project was born.
Over the next seven years Tom led the organization through conducting 47 Relief Rides and hosting 335 veterans and first responders. In January 2022 Tom handed over the reins of MRP to alumni Mike Bobbitt (RR5) as President and Martin Sohlberg (RR2) as Board Chairman in order to focus on his own well-being and have the freedom to pursue other endeavors. Tom continues to serve MRP in an advisory capacity.
Milestones
DEC | 2014
Motorcycle Relief Project is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation
Aug | 2015
Relief Ride #1 takes off in Colorado with 8 veterans (Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy) from Vietnam, Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan
Sept | 2015
Future MRP Board Chairman Martin Sohlberg goes through program as participant (RR2)
March | 2016
First Army Special Forces participants
June | 2016
Future MRP President Mike Bobbitt goes on his first Relief Ride! (RR5)
Sept | 2016
First full bird Colonel participant (RR7)
OCT | 2016
Inaugural Women’s Relief Ride (RR8)
Aug | 2017
100th participant (RR13)
Sept | 2017
First participant from Allied Forces (Australian Army; RR14)
Feb | 2018
Mike Bobbitt becomes MRP Operations Manager
March | 2018
First Navy SEAL (RR17)
OCT | 2018
First participant from Coast Guard (RR23)
Sept | 2018
Inaugural First Responders Relief Ride (RR22)
April | 2019
300th participant goes through program (RR42)
May | 2019
200th participant goes through program (RR28)
Feb | 2022
MRP Founder Tom Larson retires; Mike Bobbitt becomes President and Martin Sohlberg Board Chairma