The History... The Future... The Glue... And You
by Philip Watson, President

When I first heard GDB had a board, I thought "why would anyone want to be an officer in a bike club? What's the challenge? What can be learned?"

Well... a lot.

Let me answer a question I've been asked many times: "Why does a bike club need a board? You know, a president... secretary... huh?"
Answer: because it's the law. GDB is a corporation. Plus, GDB is a NON-profit corporation that makes a profit. GDB must, by law, have a board, conduct meetings, keep records, and file tax returns. And two years ago the IRS came knocking, demanding an audit of GDB's tax returns and records.

Soon after joining, I found out that GDB was not just a bike club.

A passion for cycling is the glue that holds any bike club together. GDB was formed thirty-five years ago in 1971, and it has adopted a "social" theme towards cycling. Since then — who knows, maybe from the beginning — GDB has also had 'extra curricular' built into the Club's concept.

Great. So what's that got to do with riding my bike?

Nothing. The point being that GDB is a bike club... but not just a bike club. Naturally, some members don't want the extra curricular or the social aspects that GDB offers. That's cool. Just enjoy the 50 rides a month the Club provides.

Now let me ask you, dear reader, a question: On mornings when you've planned a nice ride for the day, and, while getting your cycling stuff ready, have you ever stopped and asked yourself, "Is there anything else in the world I'd rather do today than ride my bike?" If you're reading this web site article, I'll bet a dollar that many times your answer was: "There's nothing I'd rather do today."

That's called passion. Yours. Look around at GDB rides and you'll see that same passion in others. And it's that passion for cycling, that glue, which has held GDB together and made it grow into a premier — if not THE premier — bike club in Texas.

Years ago members wanted to branch out, they wanted to do more with their passion for cycling. Thus the GDB Rally was born.

The Rally, and its fruits, is the crux of why GDB is not just a bike club.

Each year, as they've done for so many, GDB members come together and perform in an amazing fashion. The GDB Rally is a success. It has grown. Texas Monthy ranked the Lancaster Rally route as one of the top ten bike routes in Texas.

Results: GDB has money in the bank.

What to do with the money is one of the main functions of the GDB board. The money is spent after the board researches, debates and then votes.

Some of the Club's money must be administered as prescribed by law, but much of the money is spent and invested for GDB's present and future — resulting from the planning of the board.

Some funds must be put aside to pay for future rallies. To ensure the future of cycling, certain amounts are sent to an advocacy group that promotes GDB's mission. Other money is allocated to benefit the members through social functions like the Summer Bash, Fall Fiesta and Holiday Party. Last year there was a jersey dividend, with the new design offered to members at less than half-price. But perhaps the richest fruits of GDB volunteer work is helping people who are struggling in their life experience: money is donated to charities.

All these spending decisions are the responsibility of the GDB board.

It's no surprise, really, that GDB is more than just a bike club, that the rally is a success, that GDB gives back to its members and the community. After years of riding with GDB, I've discovered something very interesting. Serious GDBers, those who consistently show up for rides and who volunteer and work the Rally, are mostly people who have a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives. GDB is a group of successful, happy folks. Individuals of this bike club want and expect a lot from life.

It's only logical then, that good things come from good people.

GDB has made a positive impact in ways you might not expect. How about a little anecdotal evidence? Currently GDB gives free socks to its new members. Six or seven years ago, new members got a coffee mug. One day, in a Sunday Dallas Morning News, a real estate firm had bought a full page ad. The huge picture was someone's home office, with a desk, quite cluttered, but obviously one of someone who was successful: a heavy, oak desk, with Tiffany lamps, Fox and Hound portraits hung on a Hunter green wall, tall ceilings, and through a French door were leafy and manicured grounds surrounding a turquoise pool. The advertising agency had done a good job with attention to detail and one couldn't help but slide their eyes over the full page, taking in the fireplace warmth and interesting knick-knacks that accompany a sophisticated headquarters. And of course the busy desk had a coffee cup. There, prominently displayed was a GDB coffee mug.

Thank you for the two years you've let me be the GDB prez.