Yep it's hard to believe but the VMB Treasurer (I could be wrong, but I think he's held this position for VMB's entire history) is turning 50 this weekend.
I like to tell the story of how Lori and I first met Greg in person. So please ask me sometime. It's a great story!
Greg is still sort of this invisible force behind VMB. He's had a hand in initiating or helping execute every one VMB's accomplishments. And those are pretty damned big and numerous at this date. I don't think many local off-roaders know how much time he's given or how this man has impacted the local opportunities. Just for instance: It was Greg who initially had a vision of the potential of Salisbury (Walking Purchase Park) at the time I met him (12 years ago). Six years later, he helped make it a reality.
Here's a short list of memories that explain a little about what my relationship with Greg has meant to me, and my riding…
Single episodes:
• Convinced we just wasted an hour and a half on the road, I watched as he used the pry bar for my wheel covers to open his hub and repack the bearings—on my tailgate—in the parking lot at Merli.
• He helped local dirt jumpers navigate their way through an insurance minefield—allowing them to continue to enjoy their internationally-acclaimed jumps.
• Greg rolling-in to "The Bash" at Rattling Creek in the middle of the evening, popping the trunk of his old Cadillac to reveal a keg of beer—then proceeding to pour shots of tequila and handing them to strangers and friends at the pavilion. The next morning Lori walking through the camping field—noticing a pile of nylon laying there. Then a voice came from the pile: "SPANKY!" Evidently Greg didn't have the energy to actually set up his tent the night before.
• Another time he pulled the "Pig Van" into my house with a van full of riders and insisted that I was going away for the entire day to ride. "Not only are you going! but you're coming home drunk!"
And, the numerous times I've witnessed him:
• Introduce someone to riding off-road. Even if it meant dragging them into the woods. He loves this sport so much that he attempts to infect anyone who crosses his path.
• Disarm less-than-friendly riders in parking lots next to trail heads in numerous states.
• Surprise many thinner riders with his off-road riding skills.
• Never complain about how long or demanding a ride was.
I've never met anyone who doesn't like Greg—and that's not something you can say about too many people.
Happy 50th, buddy! Thanks for everything you do.
If if wasn't for you I wouldn't love rocks the way I do.