In 1977 the Dallas Police Department sent Sgt. John Gage and two Motorcycle Officers to the California Highway Patrol Motorcycle school in Sacramento. The supervisors were Sgt. John Gage of the Dallas Police Department and Sgt. John Glover of the California Highway Patrol.

A friendship was quickly formed. Sgt. Gage and Sgt. Glover discussed the idea of having California and Texas police officers that enjoyed motorcycle riding meet halfway between the two states. The initial purpose was twofold; travel the countryside, and get acquainted with fellow police officers. Flyers were distributed in California and Texas announcing a ride to the Grand Canyon scheduled for August 1978.

This initial meeting of twenty-five officers from California, and seven from Texas, formed a group named (appropriately), the CAL-TEX RIDERS club. The following year, 1979, the CAL-TEX RIDERS met at Yellowstone National Park.

Since then, CAL-TEX RIDERS from California and Texas and their friends (some from as far away as Canada), have met annually. There are three rides each year; a Spring and Fall ride for California and Texas “locals” in their respective states, and an annual round-up where both groups converge at a pre-determined site.

Over the years, interest and enthusiasm in the CAL-TEX RIDERS has continually grown. The annual round-up includes several hundred law enforcement personnel from California, Texas and other states.

CAL-TEX RIDERS does not solicit funds via membership dues. Each year an individual is selected to serve as Coordinator for each ride. This individual volunteers his/her time. Funds for incidental expenses are generated through participatory activities designed to engage each participant in some aspect of the travel experience.