WELCOME TO THE VMC

The Victoria Motorcycle Club is for the members, by the members. We have been around for over a hundred years, and across decades we have welcomed riders of all ages and skill levels. We believe that riding is one of the few remaining healthy activities that caters to families while connecting us to nature, is uniquely entertaining, and won’t break the bank.

Around here, two wheels are better than four (unless we’re talking of multiple bikes). There are a number of advantages to riding a motorcycle rather than driving a car. They are easier to park, use less gas, and more importantly, they leave less of an environmental impact.

The VMC has long served as property caretakers. Through dedication and collaboration, our community is actively working to expand riding areas and develop off-road trails. We value your support as we continue with our commitment.

As cities expand, they intrude more and more on natural areas, making it increasingly challenging to preserve green space for riding on Vancouver Island. Our 175-acre property has been kept in virtually the same condition as it was when it was first purchased. Our focus is on preserving the land, where we have engaged in minimal trail clearing and maximum maintenance efforts over the years. Thus, our ‘footprint’ has had far less impact than had we established a park or campsite on the same grounds.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the VMC – our heart, our soul. The members themselves organize all events for the benefit of the public and other members. Helping out with an event as a volunteer is a superb way to meet new people, build lasting relationships, and contribute to the overall success of the event. If you would like to volunteer for a forthcoming event, you can discover the details in the Calendar and Events section and then get in touch with the Event Organizer related to that particular happening.

Volunteering is not only required for admission, but it also provides valuable life lessons, physical benefits, and the opportunity to become more involved in our beloved club.

All renewing Active (adult) Members are required to volunteer at a minimum, one day (6 hours min/day) annually to Work-Duty on a club-sanctioned activity, project, or event. You can volunteer to join an event committee or a broad number of ongoing responsibilities. Similarly, Junior & Senior Members are encouraged to assist in any way possible.

Buying motorcycles, apparel, safety gear, construction supplies, and other associated products costs the club and its members thousands of dollars a year, which has a substantial, positive impact on the local economy. The club urges individuals who share in these principles to sign up and show their support.

The VMC strongly discourages trespassing and illegal riding, and instead encourages those who engage in such activities to join the club. By becoming responsible riders and club members, individuals can contribute to the preservation of motorcycling as a family activity and advocate for fair access to public lands for all users.

Motorcycle enthusiasts who are not currently members are encouraged to join so they can acquire responsible motorcycling techniques, learn best practices for sustainable trails, and gain insider knowledge from experienced practitioners within the club.

Joining the VMC allows enthusiasts to add their voices to the growing chorus advocating for the responsible and sustainable enjoyment of the sport. We look forward to welcoming you to our community for generations to come.

HISTORY

The Victoria Motorcycle Club was established in 1912 with the primary aim of fostering all aspects of motorcycling, emphasizing sport, community, and family involvement. Its founders, including Richard ‘Pop’ Shanks and his sons Reg and Bob, were influential early members, shaping the club’s direction and ethos. Since its inception, the club has promoted motorcycling as a family-oriented, healthy, and accessible activity, including Hillclimbs, Reliability Trials, Scrambles, Field Meets, Endurance Runs, Rodeos, and all other kinds of sporting and social events and highlighted its advantages over automobiles such as fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. Notably, the VMC has preserved a 172-acre plot in its natural state despite urban encroachment, and it continues to seek support for developing more riding areas.

Over its history, the VMC has undergone restructuring and faced challenges, including periods of reduced activity during World Wars I and II. However, it has persisted and evolved, becoming officially independent in 1912 and subsequently affiliating with various organizations such as the FIM and the CMA. Notable milestones include the club’s incorporation under the Societies Act of British Columbia in 1947 and the acquisition of land for club use in 1962 and 1968. The VMC’s core mission and values have remained consistent, reflecting its commitment to promoting motorcycling as a positive and inclusive activity for enthusiasts of all ages.

TIME LINE

1912
1924
1927
1928
1929
1932
1937
1938
1940
1945
1946
1949
1950
1952
1953
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1967
1971
1972
1977
1978
1979
1980
1982
1986
1991
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
1912 Indian at corner of Blanshard and Yates St
1912 Indian at corner of Blanshard and Yates St

Indian motorcycle at corner of Blanshard and Yates St

1912 VMC in front of Parliament Bldgs
1912 VMC in front of Parliament Bldgs

VMC members in formation in front of Parliament Bldgs.

1924 Mt Douglas, 1st Hillclimb
1924 Mt Douglas, 1st Hillclimb

1924 Mt Douglas, 1st Hillclimb

1927 Reg Shank John Plant
1927 Reg Shank John Plant

Reg Shanks & John Plant at Craigdarroch Castle

1928 VMC Lansdowne Field
1928 VMC Lansdowne Field

16 VMC members on display at Lansdowne Field, now Lansdowne Middle School.

1929 VMC members on Mt Douglas
1929 VMC members on Mt Douglas

VMC members on Mt Douglas

1932 Reg Shanks w Club Trophies
1932 Reg Shanks w Club Trophies

Reg Shanks w Club Trophies

1937 VMC Vancouver Parade
1937 VMC Vancouver Parade

VMC Vancouver Parade

1938 Reg Shanks 1936 HD Ted Rigby Monkey in Sidecar Trial at Esquimalt Lagoon
1938 Reg Shanks 1936 HD Ted Rigby Monkey in Sidecar Trial at Esquimalt Lagoon

Reg Shanks rider & Ted Rigby in a Sidecar Trial at Esquimalt Lagoon

1938 Reg Shanks Pics Reg and Pop at Olympia
1938 Reg Shanks Pics Reg and Pop at Olympia

Reg and Pop Shanks with friends on the Olympic Peninsula 1938

1940 VMC
1940 VMC

Members of VMC in formal dress

1945 Reg Shanks 1940 Indian Scout Mt Douglas Hillclimb
1945 Reg Shanks 1940 Indian Scout Mt Douglas Hillclimb

Reg Shanks Indian Scout Mt Douglas Hillclimb

1946 VMC Newspaper Article
1946 VMC Newspaper Article

VMC Member Racing and stunting at Langford Speedway

1949 Dave White in VMC Motorcycle Rodeo
1949 Dave White in VMC Motorcycle Rodeo

Dave White crashing through Flaming Wall stunt

1950 March 1950 Scramble
1950  March 1950 Scramble

Scramble at VMC Hoy Lake Property

1952 Al Lewis Ladder Stunt on an Indian
1952 Al Lewis Ladder Stunt on an Indian

Al Lewis with Ladder Stunt on an Indian

1953 Newt Cameron on Vincent HRD at Mt Douglas Hillclimb
1953 Newt Cameron on Vincent HRD at Mt Douglas Hillclimb

Newt Cameron on Vincent HRD at Mt Douglas Hillclimb

1957 1st Cross Country Ernie Hills #4, Tom Richardson #1, Don Richardson #10, Al Lewis #45
1957 1st Cross Country Ernie Hills #4, Tom Richardson #1, Don Richardson #10, Al Lewis #45

1957 1st Cross Country competition, Ernie Hills #4, Tom Richardson #1, Don Richardson #10, Al Lewis #45

1957 Rodeo Practice Al Barclay, Howie Sadler, Wes Morhart, Ken, Tom Richardson
1957 Rodeo Practice Al Barclay, Howie Sadler, Wes Morhart, Ken, Tom Richardson

Rodeo Practice Al Barclay, Howie Sadler, Wes Morhart, Ken, Tom Richardson

1957 Bellingham Racetrack Tom Richardson #58
1957 Bellingham Racetrack Tom Richardson #58

Bellingham Racetrack flat track race, Tom Richardson #58

1957 Tom Richardson Can Natl Scrambles Chamn
1957 Tom Richardson Can Natl Scrambles Chamn

Tom Richardson - Candian Nat'l Scrambles Champion

1958 Ben Hircock Don Richardson Sidecar Trial
1958 Ben Hircock Don Richardson Sidecar Trial

Ben Hircock & Don Richardson, Sidecar Trial

1958 Major Trial
1958 Major Trial

1958 Major Trial

1958 May 24th Parade
1958 May 24th Parade

VMC riders in formation during Victoria Day Parade

1958 Sidecar Trial Wes Morhart & Ernie Hills
1958 Sidecar Trial Wes Morhart & Ernie Hills

Sidecar Trial, Wes Morhart & Ernie Hills

1959 Bill Smith Brentwood Trial
1959 Bill Smith Brentwood Trial

Bill Smith at Brentwood Trial

1959 Les Blow Brentwood Trial rotating Honda 250
1959 Les Blow Brentwood Trial rotating Honda 250

Les Blow Brentwood Reliability Trial riding Honda 250 with a strange "rotating" gearbox. If you continue past the high gear it switches back down to first.

1960 Long Beach Lionel Edwards, Tom Richardson, Al Barclay, Neil Laing, Reg Shanks
1960 Long Beach Lionel Edwards, Tom Richardson, Al Barclay, Neil Laing, Reg Shanks

1960 at Long Beach near Tofino, Lionel Edwards, Tom Richardson, Al Barclay, Neil Laing, Reg Shanks

1961 Evans Coleman Property 2nd Cross Country John Davis Leads Don Richardson
1961 Evans Coleman Property 2nd Cross Country John Davis Leads Don Richardson

1961 at Evans Coleman Property, 2nd Cross Country; John Davis Leads Don Richardson

1961 Hoy Lake Property Field Meet Ernie Hills Riding the Stake Race
1961 Hoy Lake Property Field Meet Ernie Hills Riding the Stake Race

1961 Hoy Lake Property, Field Meet; Ernie Hills Riding the Stake Race. This property was sold in 1962.

1961 Hoy Lake Scrambles Races
1961 Hoy Lake Scrambles Races

This property was sold in 1962.

1961 Hoy Lake Race
1961 Hoy Lake Race

This property was sold in 1962.

1962 Audrey Smith and Joanne Morhart
1962 Audrey Smith and Joanne Morhart

Audrey Smith and Joanne Morhart

1962 Ben Hircock at Westwood
1962 Ben Hircock at Westwood

Ben Hircock roadracing at Westwood

1962 Ron Wallbank and Rick Wells
1962 Ron Wallbank and Rick Wells

Ron Wallbank and Rick Wells

1962 Trial Al Duffus
1962 Trial Al Duffus

Trial, Al Duffus

1962 Trial Ben Hircock
1962 Trial Ben Hircock

Trial, Ben Hircock

1962 Trial Don Richardson
1962 Trial Don Richardson

Trial, Don Richardson

1967 Terra Nova Lunch Stop Weeks Lake
1967 Terra Nova Lunch Stop Weeks Lake

Terra Nova Enduro, Lunch Stop at Weeks Lake

1971 Field Meet
1971 Field Meet

Field Meet at VMC Cycle Park

1971 Roger Boothroyd Bultaco Sherpa
1971 Roger Boothroyd Bultaco Sherpa

Roger Boothroyd on Bultaco Sherpa T

1973 Mt Douglas Hillclimb Gordy Blow
1973 Mt Douglas Hillclimb Gordy Blow

Mt Douglas Hillclimb, Gordy Blow

1977 Terra Nova 1977 Dave Shepherd & Swiss Neiderberger helpTom Young on Rokon
1977 Terra Nova 1977 Dave Shepherd & Swiss Neiderberger helpTom Young on Rokon

Terra Nova Enduro, Dave Shepherd & Swiss Neiderberger helpTom Young on Rokon

1978 Blast Past Blow & Turk
1978 Blast Past Blow & Turk

Blast Past Blow & Turk

1978 Kirk Enduro John Davis
1978 Kirk Enduro John Davis

Kirk Enduro, John Davis

1978 Mini Scot Gary Nordstrom Cycle Park
1978 Mini Scot Gary Nordstrom Cycle Park

Mini Scot, Gary Nordstrom at VMC Cycle Park

1978 Rick Wells Trial Brad McMahon
1978 Rick Wells Trial Brad McMahon

Rick Wells Trial, Brad McMahon

1979 Cowichan Creek Trial Dave Horner
1979 Cowichan Creek Trial Dave Horner

Cowichan Creek Trial, Dave Horner

1979 Sidecar Trial Dan McLaren & Peter Liard
1979 Sidecar Trial Dan McLaren & Peter Liard

Sidecar Trial, Dan McLaren & Peter Liard

1980 Paul Boothroyd Terra Nova
1980 Paul Boothroyd Terra Nova

Paul Boothroyd, Terra Nova

1980 Shanks Trial Roger Boothroyd
1980 Shanks Trial Roger Boothroyd

Reg Shanks Trial, Roger Boothroyd.

1983 PDS husky-rider-water
1983 PDS husky-rider-water

a sveldt Pete Smither at ISDE Czechoslovakia 1983

1986 Greybeards enduro
1986 Greybeards enduro

Greybeards Enduro

1991 VMC Ladies Auxiliary
1991 VMC Ladies Auxiliary

VMC Ladies Auxiliary, fundraisers par excellence.

1991 VMC Reunion
1991 VMC Reunion

VMC Reunion

1997 Terra Nova River Crossing
1997 Terra Nova River Crossing

Terra Nova Enduro - River Crossing

1998 Terra Nova River Crossing
1998 Terra Nova River Crossing

Terra Nova Enduro - River Crossing

1998 Greybeards Enduro
1998 Greybeards Enduro

1998 Greybeards Enduro, Boyd's Pit Start

1999 Reg Shanks Funeral Escort Gary Nordstrom, Martin Spriggs, Terry Hyde
1999 Reg Shanks Funeral Escort Gary Nordstrom, Martin Spriggs, Terry Hyde

Reg Shanks Funeral escort 1999, Gary Nordstrom, Martins Spriggs & Terry Hyde

2000 Terra Nova Riders Meeting
2000 Terra Nova Riders Meeting

2000 Terra Nova Enduro, Riders Meeting

2001 Terra Nova Kitchen Vol
2001 Terra Nova Kitchen Vol

Terra Nova Enduro, Kitchen Volunteers

2001 VMC Banquet trophies
2001 VMC Banquet trophies

2001 VMC Annual Banquet trophy presentation

2002 Economy Run Start
2002 Economy Run Start

2002 Economy Run Road Ride start

2003 Hollow Trail Jim Justice & Bob Wormald
2003 Hollow Trail Jim Justice & Bob Wormald

2003 Hollow Trail, Jim Justice & Bob Wormald

2003 Terra Nova Crossing River
2003 Terra Nova Crossing River

2003 Terra Nova Enduro, River Crossing

2004 Dual Sport Enduro
2004 Dual Sport Enduro

2004 Dual Sport Enduro start

2005 Steve Drane sidecar trial
2005 Steve Drane sidecar trial

2005 Steve Drane Sidecar Trial

2006 VMC Major Trial
2006 VMC Major Trial

2006 VMC Major Trial

2009 Brentwood Enduro
2009 Brentwood Enduro

2009 Brentwood Enduro

2009 VMC_Century_Road_Ride
2009 VMC_Century_Road_Ride

2009 VMC Century Road Ride

2010 Greybeards Enduro riders meeting
2010 Greybeards Enduro riders meeting

Greybeards Enduro, riders meeting

2010 Hall of Fame VMC Group
2010 Hall of Fame VMC Group

2010 Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame - induction dinner and reunion, VMC Group

2011 Les Blow Trial Get the young ones involved
2011 Les Blow Trial Get the young ones involved

2011 Les Blow Trial - Get the young ones involved

2011 Mt Baker RR
2011 Mt Baker RR

2011 Mt Baker Road Ride

2012 Canada Day Dual Sport
2012 Canada Day Dual Sport

2012 Canada Day Dual Sport ride

2012 Victoria Parade
2012 Victoria Parade

2012 downtown Victoria for annual Victoria Day Parade

2015 Nuts in May RR Ernie Hills Dan McLaren
2015 Nuts in May RR Ernie Hills Dan McLaren

2015 Nuts in May Road Ride, Ernie Hills and Dan McLaren

2013 Dual Sport
2013 Dual Sport

2013 Dual Sport ride

2013 Lunch Century Run Nanaimo
2013 Lunch Century Run Nanaimo

2013 Century Run, lunch in Nanaimo

2013 Morhart Roger Richardson Laing Davis Hills Barclay Richardson Hyde Fracy Gronow
2013 Morhart Roger  Richardson Laing Davis Hills Barclay Richardson Hyde Fracy  Gronow

2013; Morhart, Roger, Richardson, Laing, Davis, Hills, Barclay, Richardson, Hyde, Fracy and Gronow

2013 Vic Parade
2013 Vic Parade

2013 Douglas St in downtown Victoria for annual Victoria Day Parade

2013
2013

Two old flat trackers on their respective bikes. Al Barclay on the Goldstar and Wes Morhart on the KR Harley.

2014 VMC Banquet
2014 VMC Banquet

2014 VMC Annual Banquet and Trophy Presentation

2015 Mini Scott Riley Ferguson
2015 Mini Scott Riley Ferguson

2015 Mini Scott, Riley Ferguson

2015 Ric Wells Trial Andrew Watson
2015 Ric Wells Trial Andrew Watson

2015 Rick Wells Trial, Andrew Watson

2015 Terra Nova Lunch
2015 Terra Nova Lunch

2015 Terra Nova Enduro, Lunch Stop

2015 Vic Parade
2015 Vic Parade

2015 ready to head onto Douglas St in downtown Victoria for annual Victoria Day Parade

2016 Ric Wells Trial Beginner Riders
2016 Ric Wells Trial Beginner Riders

2016 Rick Wells Trial, Beginner Riders

2016 VMC Property Sign
2016 VMC Property Sign

2016 VMC Cycle Park-Property Sign

2017 Equalizer Enduro Chris & John Faa
2017 Equalizer Enduro Chris & John Faa

2017 Equalizer Enduro, Chris & John Faa

2017 Hillclimb Larry Pfister
2017 Hillclimb Larry Pfister

2017 Hillclimb Larry Pfister

2017 Reg Meeting
2017 Reg Meeting

2017 Regular Monthly Meeting

2017 Show n Shine
2017 Show n Shine

2017 Show & Shine at Cycle Park

2018 Grind Cycle Park
2018 Grind Cycle Park

2018 The Grind Hard Enduro at VMC Cycle Park

2018 Shanks Fam Induce CMHofF Murray Anderson Reg Shanks great nephew)
2018 Shanks Fam Induce CMHofF  Murray Anderson Reg Shanks great nephew)

2018 Shanks Family induction into CMHofF, Murray Anderson (Reg Shanks great nephew)

2019 Dougie Lampkin School Dave Fair
2019 Dougie Lampkin School  Dave Fair

2019 Dougie Lampkin School, Dave Fair

2019 John Boomer Gronow 90th BD
2019 John Boomer Gronow 90th BD

2019 John Boomer Gronow 90th Birthday Party

2019 Presentation 100 Year Book
2019 Presentation 100 Year Book

2019 - Presentation of the book The Victoria Motorcycle Club The First 100 Years; Dave Horner, edited by Barb Lohrmann, Roger Boothroyd, Gary and Elizabeth Nordstrom.

2019 VMC-CMA Trial
2019 VMC-CMA Trial

2019 VMC hosts CMA National Championship Trial

2020 Reg Shanks Trial at Cycle Park
2020 Reg Shanks Trial at Cycle Park

2020 Reg Shanks Trial at Cycle Park

2020 VMC Exec
2020 VMC Exec

2020 VMC Executive Committee members (just before covid19 lockdown)

2021 Kids training Cycle Park
2021 Kids training Cycle Park

2021 Kids training at VMC Cycle Park

2021 Nuts n May RR
2021 Nuts n May RR

2021 Nuts n May Road Ride

2021 Sam King Trials School
2021 Sam King Trials School

2021 Sam King's Ride The Vibe Trials School at Cycle Park

2021 VMC Clubhouse Gone 2 Dec 19
2021 VMC Clubhouse Gone 2 Dec 19

VMC Clubhouse burnt, 2 Dec 2019

2022 Reg Shanks Trial waiting for the masters return
2022 Reg Shanks Trial waiting for the masters return

2022 Reg Shanks Trial, waiting for the masters return

2023 Apted Trial 1 Sign Up Rachel and Susan Loren Olsen Pic
2023 Apted Trial 1 Sign Up Rachel and Susan Loren Olsen Pic

2023 Apted Trial - Sign Up, Rachel & Loren Olsen and Susan Fair

2023 Apted Trial 4 Brad Adams and Hank Lovett
2023 Apted Trial 4 Brad Adams and Hank Lovett

2023 Apted Trial. Brad Adams and Hank Lovett

2023 Apted Trial riders of tomorrow
2023 Apted Trial riders of tomorrow

2023 Apted Trial - riders of tomorrow

2023 Boxing Day Sidecar Event
2023 Boxing Day Sidecar Event

2023 Boxing Day Sidecar Trial event

2023 Lohrmann Trial
2023 Lohrmann Trial

riders meeting with newly constructed Memorial Pavilion in rear.

2023 New Clubhouse build
2023 New Clubhouse build

2023 New VMC Memorial Pavilion build

2023 Team Tdn Canada
2023 Team Tdn Canada

2023 Team Canada TdN (3 VMC members)

2023 Work Party
2023 Work Party

2023 Cycle Park Work Party

2023 Friday ride
2023 Friday ride

2023 Friday ride

2024 New Years Day
2024 New Years Day

2024 New Years Day

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