New Website Update

New Website – project background and update:

In early 2022 member Tom Hudock spearheaded a member survey in an effort to gain a better understanding member’s perceptions about the VMC, our ‘brand’ so to speak. What are the good points, the strengths and what were our weaknesses? One of the recurring comments was the website was old looking and difficult to navigate. There were also a range of negative comments received about the club being old & stodgy, cliquey with some even noting a friction or divide between riders based on different bike types. Others said that they appreciated VMC for its history, Cycle Part for its unique beauty and the opportunity to ride off-road so close to home.

Following a lengthy review of the original survey results, member Bobbi Bjornholt scheduled Member Forums to explore ‘User Wants and Needs’ of a new website. From this it became clear of a desire for a modern looking, updated website with enhanced member functionality. One of the most repeated asks was to allow membership renewal on-line and pay annual dues directly using a credit card right on the website. Another common ‘want’ was to pre-enter and pay entry fees and submit waivers on-line. All of this is in keeping with current practices and wasn’t a huge surprise. We also learned more about security risks and urgent steps need to simply secure ownership of the VMC domain to avoid it being hijacked (which I learned is a real thing).

We carried on exploring options and costs and eventually agreed on contracting with a Vancouver based website studio to design and build an all-new website that would include a host of new attributes and added member services. At the same time, we also did not want to lose any of the club’s history when migrating to the new site. The further we looked at this, the more complex the design became.

Priority One (Phase 1) was to offer our member’s ability to login to their own account and renew their memberships each year. It was decided that Phase One would be followed by the ability to sign up and pay entry fees online. An annual ‘waiver’ was to be included when renewing which would be satisfactory for the entire season.

Finally, after months of delays and mis-steps, it became clear that the design studio we had selected failed to comprehend the VMC’s actual needs. Later it became clear that they had neither the experience or expertise required to build the complex platform we contracted them to do. They we over 6 months late completing Phase1 of the project and it was incomplete and not fully functioning.

When the site was launched on November 1st clearly there were a number of hiccups straight from the gate, with ongoing bugs and glitches encountered. We were forced to terminate that design & build contract and started dialogue with three other potential new web designers to fix the bugs and move this project forward to a positive conclusion. Fortunately, we were referred to Dillon, son of a VMC member. Dillon lives away from VI and works in this world every day. After his in-depth review of our site and drilling into the list of issues we identified we executed a new contract with CTS to repair the issues identified and prep a move forward to improve the overall user experience when logged in to the website. His effort is currently underway with the first update expected to be launched on or about February 1st.

The VMC’s website as it sits today (01/10/2025) is working well for the most part. As of this writing over 200 members have logged in to their account and updated their personal profile with about 150 successfully paying the annual dues directly on the site. To this end, the previous dues payment options remain available. For those that don’t like navigating websites, e-transfer remains the next easiest and safest option.

Detailed member feedback is welcomed as we progress down the path of debugging and generally improving the site. To fix glitches the Tech Man needs have detailed information of what exactly happened, when  and where. Then we can replicate the problem necessary in trouble shooting. Anyone member in need of assistance navigating the site can should committee member Peter Grant text 9053209480.

One thing we Peters2 have learned is a new website build is never ‘done’. There are continued upgrades to be reviewed and added paired with regular maintenance. The world of websites is indeed mired in code words and phrases which are mostly an unknown language for regular mortals.

New Member’s – Responsibilities and Contributions

from the Lookout by Peter Grant – A Summary and Explanation for New Members

New Member’s – Responsibilities and Contributions

A dictionary’s definition of the word “Club” is an association of people with common interests !  With the start of the new year and the new website launched, with new rules voted on and accepted last year, more responsibility has been given to each and every club member to stay involved and connected and make sure their contact info is kept up to date.

Recently the Executive Committee proposed a tightening of the rules for New Member’s to complete their first year’s ‘requirements of admission’. As required by the Bylaws, this amendment has been put-up for vote at the January meeting for approval by the membership. Essentially this change will allow fast-tracking the revocation of membership if a new member fails to complete their first-year requirements by December 1st. Any new member in this situation will continue to have the opportunity to appeal and request an exception (extension or exemption).

Every new member has basic obligations that must be completed before they are provided with a Gate Key/Fob. If this is asking too much an applicant is welcome to withdraw.

  1. Attend a monthly meeting when invited, where they will be asked to stand for introduction. The applicant’s sponsor should attend as well.
  2. Attend an Orientation Session (approx. 1 hr) as scheduled.
  3. Contribute 2 works days (12 hours) working on a sanctioned project, activity or event. Alternately, members are needed to assist with a number of ongoing committees activities or administrative support.
  4. activities must be recorded both on the New Member Report Card and also logged online in the member’s Personal Profile

The basis of the new member requirements is to ensure they fully understand the history and mission of the VMC, member duties and responsibilities and contributions of support to the club as members have for over 100 years. Cycle Park is not run as if it were a commercial enterprise. Our gem requires each members’ continued contributions to maintain, protect and build, helping both on the property and within the clubs very structure as a Not-For-Profit member run group. If this were a commercial off-road riding area the costs for playing would likely be three, four or more times higher.

We have seen a few replies that don’t seem to accept the principle which says it is every member’s duty to support the VMC.  In the case of new members, what is asked is that they pitch in to help maintain, protect and build upon the legacy that has been given to them and all members. If not for the efforts of our predecessors, the jewel we know today as VMC Cycle Park simply would not exist in any form. Cycle Park is truly unique in Canada. Imagine owning a 170+ acres of riding land within 20 – 25 minutes’ drive from the city core in Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto! To be clear – not all work contributed to the VMC need be holding an axe or shovel. There are basic administrative tasks which might require only an hour a week to complete and take some pressure off others.

Recently we heard from a newer member that didn’t know or understand the reasoning for closing a large section of Cycle Park to riding during the extended dry ‘fire ban’ season. Or why certain areas are ribboned off while being prepped for an event. To those I’d suggest that they need to think about the 100+ year legacy of the VMC, attend a monthly meeting, ask questions of other members and consider what is the core meaning of Club and what are our responsibilities to the club and the general community. Other examples might be: why is the hill-climb course off limits for any daily riding or why are some obscure trails ribboned and closed off?

We’ve also heard that some new admissions found it difficult to attend a 1-hour new member orientation session. Director Brent Donaldson  hosted seven (7) Sessions in 2024 and is seemingly always willing and available to help Orient a new member, about responsibilities and do’s and don’ts. Other new admissions reported that they felt it was a burden to be ‘forced’ to contribute two work days (12 hours) when joining the club. Again, I’d suggest these are people who simply wish to ride off-road somewhere and clearly don’t understand the actual meaning of CLUB. Membership is a privilege not a right.

….. more to come about Sponsor’s Responsibilities on next Lookout

2024 New Member Orientation & Work Party

To All New 2024 Members,

Director Brent Donaldson will be at the club property on December 7, 2024, to offer those of you who have not completed the requirements of a new membership.

Please contact Brent directly

  • 9:00 am – Orientation
  • 10:00 am – Work Party

Please contact Brent if you have any questions about the orientation at: eweview@telus.net/or workday, 250-532-7644.

If you have questions about whether you have completed your requirements, please contact me at membership@vmc.bc.ca.

Thank you,

Ellen Voermans

Membership Committee Chair

On Behalf of the Victoria Motorcycle Club

2024 VMC Lohrmann Trial December 15, 2024

Note entry fees on poster are incorrect – see below

The Lorhmann Trial is the fifth trial in a series of five events for the VMC Championship.

Location: Cycle Park 4192 Happy Valley Rd.

Date December 15, 2024

Sign-up 9 AM

Ride 10 AM

Members $20

Nonmembers $30

Under 16 $10

Spectators welcome free admission – fun traditional sections, with an emphasis on fun

Concession available

For more information please contact Dave Fair at: 250 – 380 – 7137

Welcome to Vidra’s MonsterMash Hard Hare Scramble at Cook Creek October 30th

VIDRA is a registered BC society stewarding 3 riding areas and hosting riding events & racing.
Location: Cook Creek Rd, Comox Valley, BC V0R, Canada
Our island terrain is perfect for training and racing hard enduro, with volcanic rock and tight, gnarly single-track snaking its way through the west coast rainforest. We’ve got rocks, we’ve got roots, great big old and second-growth logs, you won’t be disappointed. This was a real test of  metal… and  plastics.
If you enjoy long walks in the woods pushing your bike, with interludes of riding, then Hard Enduro is for you!
Duration: 9 hr 15 min
Classes  staggered in the following order:
Silver
Gold
Bronze
This was a 1 lap race
 Parking: Park on Chef Creek FSR on the side of the road, near or past the main staging area. Please pull off of the FSR as far as possible.
⛺️Camping: was available on-site, first come first served. Campers can park at main staging area.
Food: Biblio Taco will be supplied Chilli and Chips for 10$ as well as assorted beverages.
Up to 20 volunteers for this race, with multiple volunteer positions  including:
Road crossings
Splits
Sweepers
Volunteers were provided with a free meal and beverage from Biblio Taco.
Info on classes, etc:

Important Request for VMC club members for a Volunteer for a new VMC Treasurer

VMC requires a new Treasurer, and as such requests that a club member volunteer for this important role. Our current Treasurer of the last decade Perry Chow is unfortunately hospitalized and cannot continue his role as VMC Treasurer. As we are in the process of membership renewals for 2025 and we require someone with some […]

Reg Shanks Trial November 24, 2024

Reg-Shanks-Trial-Poster-Nov-2024

Dave Turner Video of Event

At Cycle Park 4192 Happy Valley Rd.

November 24, 2024

Sign-up @ 9 AM

Ride @ 10 AM

Members: $20

Nonmembers: $30

Under 16: $10

Spectators welcome – free admission – Fun traditional sections – emphasis on Fun!

Concession available

For more info contact Dave Fair at 250-380-7137