GDB Ride / Leader Profiles – Greg Blanks
by Paul Brown

Welcome to the second edition of GDB Ride / Leader Profiles. This month, we feature Greg Blanks and the Mesquite Poteet Rides on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday/Thursday evenings (and the once a month Time Trial, a 7.6-mile loop around the Mesquite "International" Airport).

Here are some comments about the Mesquite Rides, from participants:

"The Mesquite ride is a great strength builder (hilly terrain for part of the ride). No drop, but make it known if it is your first time riding in the group."

"Typical friendly GDB group..."

"The Poteet Ride [can be] the toughest ride the Club does. It is always [hilly and] windy in Mesquite no matter what. ALWAYS. If you want to get better, the Path Lies Through Mesquite."

"...those few hills get your attention, but that's what makes it a ride to challenge us into better cyclists."

"C'mon out -- there are usually several different levels of riders to partner up with."

"I love the monthly TTTT, just wish I was faster!"

"Sure, you don't have to keep up with Greg, but you better at least be able to keep up with Brenda Barnell, GDB's RAAM participant. She rides sweep."

"The best workout in GDB."

Greg is known within (and outside) the club as one tough S.O.B. on the bike, last year anchoring "Team Assassin" to victory in the 2006 Texas Time Trials. Despite really nasty conditions, the team completed 500 miles in 26:38:41, a new course record!

Here's one tongue-in-cheek (or tongue hanging out?) comment about Greg's leadership of the Mesquite Rides:

"Greg… is roughly as fast as a Cat 3 racer, and has the unique talent of setting a pace that is extremely punishing, but not so much that the person on his wheel blows up, just suffers...

A lot...

For the whole ride."

Yet at the same time, he is also known as a friendly and approachable guy, who enjoys a casual ride almost as much as a marathon session, as well as helping novice riders.

"I think that Greg is a great ride leader and a great human being."

"When I moved to DFW 18 months ago, I found GDB on the web, showed up for a ride, and he welcomed me with open arms, got the rest of the group chatting with me, and the rest is history. I am now a regular."

"Greg and the Mesquite riders are excellent at re-grouping two or more times to make sure no one gets lost."

He has led the Mesquite rides for a few years now, apparently leading it "by default"... Greg was born in East Texas, but his family moved to Dallas when he was a kid. He admits to spending 5 years in Denton, "hanging out and taking a few classes...". He's currently 43, and does CAD work, rigging design and load calculations for an entertainment rigging company (when he's not on the bike).

Here's some more about Greg and the rides, from the Ride Leader's mouth:

When and why did you start doing "road" riding?

I started out as a Dirt Clod and noticed there weren't many other MTB's on the long routes at rallies. I started to really enjoy road riding and after noticing I rarely took my MTB to the trails -- then I made the switch to skinny tires and tight pants. That was an adjustment.

How long have you been involved with GDB, and how did it start?

I drove past the Poteet parking lot one evening (maybe 5 years ago now) and saw Steve Dougherty and the bunch gathered. I stopped to ask what was going on and they invitied me to come ride with them. So I showed up at the next ride nervous and apprehensive about group riding for the first time. I didn't get a chance to knock anybody down because I was so far off the back the entire ride. They took me out to the Trailer Parks loop and dropped me like a bad habit!!! I had no idea where I was. I was so deflated -- but determined to come back and hang on.

Do you (personally) ride year-round?

Yes, but I prefer above 100 degrees to below 30 degrees.

What and how many bikes do you have?

2 road bikes, 1 tandem, 1 MTB and 2 unicycles.

Do you have an estimate of the number of miles you've ridden in your lifetime?

Maybe 25 or 35 thousand? Last year was about 8,000. For long rides, I like 100 miles. It's a good number. Beyond that is too far for me. I'm getting off the bike at 100 miles so I better be near my home or car.

Do you ever bike commute?

I commute occasionally but don't find the route from Mesquite through Pleasant Grove and South Dallas very enjoyable.

What's your favorite Texas Bike Rally to ride in, and why?

I've never ridden the GDB Lancaster Country Ride but I hear it is the best around.

What has been your favorite ride you've done outside of Texas?

I've always enjoyed the club's Lake Murray weekend. Great roads, lots of climbs and a good bunch in the Ardmore Club up there. David Morgan's Talimena trip was memorable as well.

What's the most unusual thing you've done on or with a bike?

When I was about 12 I dismantled an old turntable and mounted the motor above the rear wheel of my Schwinn with the edge of the turntable resting on top of the rear tire. It was a slick, of course. I was building an electric 3-speed bike - 33rpm for cruising, 45rpm for general purposes and, of course, 78rpm for racing. I had a 100-ft extension cord plugged in, threw a leg over and immediately detected a problem with the lack of ground wire when I made contact with the top tube. It was one of many life-changing moments I've experienced on a bicycle.

[Pause while the interviewer wipes up the coffee he just spewed, laughing...]

What's your favorite:

• Jersey: RNH racing

• During-ride food: Atomic Fireball

• During-ride drink: Powerade or HEED

• Rally Rest-Stop Food: Quail (Which rally was THAT?)

• After-ride food: Anything!!!

• After-ride drink: Smoothie

• LEAST favorite Rally Rest Stop food or drink? Hot bananas and weak sports drink

Do you participate in races, sanctioned or otherwise?

Yes to both. I've had some good results and some miserable days.

What's the fastest speed you've attempted on a bike?

I think 48mph downhill and 38 in a sprint with a tailwind. Both were scary. (grin)

Tell us more about the rides you lead.

They depart from Poteet High School in Mesquite. 6pm T/TH, 2pm Sunday. The T/TH ride is between time changes only. Sunday ride runs year-round. The typical distance is 30-36 miles. There are anywhere from 6-25 people that ride.

The fast group will usually go longer and everyone meets at the rest stop. Rolling speed is 18-20 with computers reading 17-19 overall at the end of the ride. There are some sprint spots and designated hammer areas all followed by regroup points.

[Another participant quote:]

"A typical GDB event in which enthusiasm and safety are first and foremost. If you choose to hammer on the front, you can expect a friendly attack or two. If you plan to recover and spin in the back you can expect great company."

The ride generally stays together with the front group looping and pulling up the rear from time to time. We try to allow everyone to push themselves as much as they want and still keep the ride together as much as possible. There is always a conversational paced group in the back.

We roll out easy for the first 5 miles, after crossing Belt Line we are on two lane roads in the hills. Then "It's awn!!!!" (grin) I enjoy the people and the friendly competition, and I believe the others enjoy the fact that it's a good route and a good group, (and also enjoy the self-imposed competitions).

What's your favorite memory of a past ride you led?

Sometimes we do special rides on the weekends. We rode down south last January and met a group doing 200k from Joe Pool Lake to Terrell. We rode with them for half their ride and then headed back to Mesquite for 98 miles total. (I was on that one, I thought we agreed our computers said "100" - PB) I also like riding rallies with the GDB group. We had a great time at Edgewood last year on the 100 mile route.

Any general advice for someone wanting to join you on your ride?

Don't be intimidated. Come on out. We won't leave you for dead out in the Trailer Parks.

Thanks, Greg, see you in Mesquite!