Editor’s Note:
This is posting on the day of the PBA Tour de France Watching Party which would not be possible without the efforts of Greg Thurmond and Andrew Hoodwin (plus several others). We would like to spotlight Greg today in appreciation of everything he does for our club.

Greg and Margaret Thurmond

Greg and his son Sean


Where were you born or from and how long have you been in the DFW area?
I am a native Texan and was born in Orange but I spent my high school and college years (FSU) in Florida.
What brought you to the DFW area?
My wife had a job offer that brought us to Dallas.
What part of town do you currently live in?
West Plano
When you are not cycling, how do you earn your living?
Many people consider themselves fortunate to have one job.  I am lucky enough to have two; Co-owner of Tunnel Vision, Inc., manufacturer of Sweat GUTR sweatbands, the only saturation proof sweatbands on the market and I am also a Sales Executive for AdPages magazine.
What is the best thing about your job?
Tunnel Vision Inc. (Sweat GUTR) – being involved with the cycling business and meeting other entrepreneurs.
AdPages magazine – helping local businesses grow their sales through advertising.
How long have you been a member of the PBA?
I have been a member since 2007 and I have regularly attended PBA board meetings for nearly two years.  I have been very active with club sponsorship, TDF Stage Watching Party, the PBA Trailer project and other projects where I can help the club.
How did you get interested in cycling, group cycling, cycling with the PBA?
About ten years ago, I had a neighbor that was a road cyclist and he got me interested. I, in turn, introduced him to golf and soon after he became an avid golfer and I became an avid cyclist.  My original cycling goal was to complete a 10 mile ride and by the end of the first year I completed an unsupported century from Reno to Carson City and back. I joined the PBA because several guys I had been riding with for a year or more on the Plano Eastside ride started riding with the PBA. They were Hans Vandongeren, Steve Sterling and Rudy Andrea. I got Rudy involved with road cycling after doing many spin classes with him at Lifetime Fitness.
Are you a member of any other bike clubs?
No, I don’t have time for any other bike club the PBA gets all my spare time.
How many rides and how many miles per year do you cycle?
I ride about 3,000 miles a year.

Greg welcomes you to Hell's Gate at HH100 in 2008

Tell us two or three interesting things most people don’t know about you.
For the past several years I have been “The Devil” at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred cheering riders on as they ride between Rest Stop 1 and 2 and again near Rest Stop 5 before they arrive at Hell’s Gate. When I see a PBA member I yell Go PBA! Allez! Allez! Say Hi as you pass by if you ride the HH100 this year!
I was a member of the University of New York baseball team while I was a student at Florida State University. Ask me about the rest of the story sometime.
Describe your first bike.
A green army bike with training wheels and a machine gun mounted on the handle bars.  It was a sweet ride!
Do you participate in any other sports?
I enjoy snow skiing, scuba diving and playing golf but I try not to let those sports get in the way of my cycling time.
Have you, or do you do any bicycle racing?
No bike racing for me
What is your favorite ride ever or best ever riding experience?
I really enjoy riding on the mountain and valley roads near Lake Tahoe on a crisp spring day.
What is your most embarrassing cycling moment?
Clipping into pedals for the first time – It was my first ride on a road bike which was a newly purchased steel Colnago with  Campy. I was out in my garage and clipped in on my brand new bike for our first ride. It was all good until I clipped in my second foot before starting to pedal. Ha! I felt like Will E Coyote stepping off a cliff. My neighbor, across the street, heard the crash and looked up to see me and my new bike lying on my garage floor.  He just shook his head and went back into his house. After completing that ride I returned home and pulled into my garage where I stopped the bike before clipping out and had another Will E Coyote moment.
If you could go on one more bike ride, what ride would it be?
A ride with friends in Tuscany, Italy
What is your favorite book, movie, or play?
Book – It Is Not About The Bike, Movie – Wall Street, Play – Evita
If you have, or had, an iPod, what music would be in it?
My iPhone has lots of Tom Petty, U2, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley and assorted MoTown and 80’s New Wave music.
What is your favorite food or cuisine?
Chinese

At the 2009 HH100 Sweat GUTR Booth

What other hobbies or interests are you involved in when not riding your bike?
Attending my kid’s  activities and supporting their interests.
Do you have any pets?  If so, describe.
A 9 year old Yellow Lab named Tori.
Do you have any kids?
What are their ages and do they ride bikes?  My wife and I have two kids, our daughter Morgan (15) and son Sean (14) – Irish twins.  Both kids were original members of the Junior Development program at the Superdrome and both kids did some track racing there when they were 8 and 9. Neither one does much riding anymore but there is still hope.