About VRCC
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On this page, through several sources in the club and my own considerations, I have condensed and gathered together the most important things about VRCC to give you a little insight into the origins, history and where we want to go in the future.
A big thank you to Beer van Huet, chapter rep in VRCC Lowlands. In connection with the club's 20th anniversary in 2019, he made a historical document of over 900 pages and his fantastic film about the club's history and the people behind it. Much of the information I have found is reproduced from this document. I hope you find the information useful and that it can give you a greater understanding and sense of belonging in our community.
Check out the club's main page valkyrieriders.com for an abundance of information in the forums, or our European page vaklyrieriders.eu for information about chapters and activities in Europe.
#38813 Tommy Valkyrie Oppegaard - country rep. VRCC Norway
Club origin
After the launch of the Honda Valkyrie in the spring of 1996, several Valkyrie clubs in the USA quickly flourished. Problems surrounding hierarchy and money killed many of them, and it took the focus away from the most important thing of all: the joy and community around the mighty Valkyrie.
Gale Scalzi (oZ) wanted a club free of such problems, and brought Lamont Bryden (Lamonster) to the team.
Together they started VRCC on 1 August 1999.
The concept was a club that was to be free for members, and the running costs of the forum and website were to be covered through sponsors and the sale of t-shirts and effects. The members were supposed to be equal, and together focus on creating a community around the bike they loved. Cruelty towards other motorcyclists was also not tolerated and inclusion was essential. These important foundations were recorded in a "Mission Statement" which is still the foundation of the club's activities today.
This new club model VRCC stood for quickly became very popular, and in 2004 the number of members passed an incredible 20,000!
In 2024, the registered members will number over 40,000 worldwide. Although many have passed away and others are no longer active, we can safely say that the VRCC is the largest Valkyrie Club in the world with a unique global network of enthusiasts!
Some of oZ's early designs and homepages:
oZ officially stepped down from leadership in 2015, handing over the helm to Connie Hammond (F6gal) who has since kept a steady hand over the club's activities. Gale was still active in the community afterwards, and spent a lot of time on his passion for graphic design. He loved to "snap" members' photos of his Valkyries, and modify them into unique works of art. Another important contributor to the club since its inception was Bill Ferguson (BigBF). In later years he devoted his life to traveling around the United States with his mobile Valkyrie workshop. In addition to a very busy everyday life on the road, he helped members in Norway and elsewhere in the world with technical questions through an active presence in various Facebook groups and Valkyrie forums. Despite being deaf, he had an amazing ability to adjust a Valkyrie so it ran perfectly. Bill was known as "The Valkyrie Whisperer" and became a legend for his helpful, friendly nature and unique expertise. A Valkyrie that was reviewed by BigBF is still sought after on the market, and a unique seal of quality. Bill Ferguson died unexpectedly on 13 February 2021 of corona and left a big void in the community. Ironically, Gale Scalzi suffered the same fate exactly one year later. We honor their memory and thank them for everything they have meant to VRCC and the Valkyrie community.
RIP Big BF and oZ.
Bill "Big BF" Ferguson
Connie "F6gal" Hammond
Gale "oZ" Scalzi
VRCC logos
The first official club logo based on a Viking from Norse mythology was designed by oZ, and was used in the early days. Following an idea by Lamont based on some of oZ's t-shirt designs with shields, oZ created the logo we know today and which is used in some variation of chapters around the world. The logo is copyright protected and any new use of the logo can only be made with the approval of the club's management.
The first shield was designed with orange lettering, but was later changed to a variant with white lettering for better contrast. This is today the official international VRCC logo. On the occasion of VRCC's 25th anniversary, Tommy in VRCC Norway suggested to Connie Hammond that we should do something extra to mark the anniversary. Connie took up the challenge and designed the great 25th anniversary logo.
Over the years, a number of variations of the original shield have been made, which help to strengthen the local chapters' identity. You will find many of them in Beer's VRCC 20 year anniversary document. The Norwegian version of the logo came about after Dag Verpeide modified the shield of the VRCC Texas chapter. It was completed for InZane in Finland in 2009. When VRCC Norway was to organize InZane in 2024, the designer Peder Hornseth Nygaard was hired to create a meeting logo based on an idea by Tommy and Anita Oppegaard about a dragon on a Valkyrie chasing a troll through the Norwegian mountains. They wanted to promote the original Norwegian in a memorable logo adapted to the meeting's theme and the many foreign participants. There was also a need for a higher resolution version of the VRCC Norway logo for printing on clothing and advertising effects. Peder was given that assignment as well, and redrew the logo. It now appears in a renovated suit with a slightly clearer red colour.
InZane
There was an early desire from the members in the USA for a Valkyrie meeting where you could meet like-minded people, look at and discuss each other's bikes, have a party and together create good memories of the warm community VRCC had created in such a short time. In 2001, the first annual InZane meeting in the USA saw the light of day. The name comes from the place it was held: Zanesville, Ohio. It was then continued: In Zanesville, shortened to InZane.
Although the meeting was later moved to other locations after three years in the same place, the name caught on so much that it was kept.
In 2007, the annual tradition under the auspices of VRCC was continued to Europe, and the first European InZane was held in Poland. Apart from a one-year break in 2020 due to corona, the meeting has been held annually. The member countries in Europe roll to host, and next year's host country has traditionally been announced during the awards ceremony at each InZane. Many Valkyrie riders build their entire holiday around InZane each year, and this unique get-together is the centerpiece of the club's unique international community each summer.
InZane Norway 2024
In August 2024, we at VRCC Norway were lucky enough to host the 16th European InZane. This was the first time InZane was held in Norway.
As location we chose the already legendary biker hotel Straand Hotell in beautiful Vrådal, Telemark. 170 participants and 111 bikes took part.
16 nations were represented. 4 participants traveled all the way from the USA to participate, including VRCC president Connie Hammond.
The meeting was dominated by a wonderfully warm and inclusive atmosphere. Many participants had their first InZane experience in Vrådal, and have reported back to us that they felt an incredible sense of togetherness across countries and chapters. Everyone felt welcome and looked after. This makes us very proud and grateful to everyone who helped create this unique atmosphere in true VRCC spirit!
On Friday, three guided trips to exciting destinations were planned. Unfortunately, it rained, and two of the trips were cancelled. A small group braved the rain and had a great trip to Z museum and Lunde Slusekro . Those who stayed at the hotel were offered a boat trip with the veteran boat M/S Fram on the beautiful Vråvatnet directly below the hotel.
The big highlight for many was the big ride-out parade on Saturday with a police escort through West-Telemark. For 8 hours, the mighty cortege with over 100 bikes was traveling through some of the most beautiful scenery the area has to offer. Along the way, we visited the large facility at
West Telemark Museum Eidsborg. There, the participants were served home-made moose stew, and then extensively filled up on Norwegian history at the museum's many exciting exhibitions. The trip continued to the fabled Dalen Hotel , one of Norway's best-preserved wooden hotels in the classic dragon style. There we got a story about the hotel's history in the beautiful garden, and we got to take the great group photo you see below.
We will create a separate page on this website dealing with InZane Norway 2024. There you will get a comprehensive summary, and access to a number of photos, videos, etc. Keep yourself updated!
VRCC Europe
There are today (in 2024) 25 European chapters of VRCC and together there are approximately 5,000 members. Some countries have several chapters. A natural development as the club has grown larger, and members in different regions eventually felt the need for more local unity. Nevertheless, many gather across chapters at several local and national meetings around Europe throughout the season. The common denominator for all meetings is an open and inclusive community and all Valkyries and other interested parties are welcome - in true VRCC spirit!
VRCC Norway thanks the hotel for its incredible assistance and goodwill through planning and implementation. From the participants, they particularly wanted to highlight the food and the incredibly service-minded staff. We recommend everyone to visit Straand Hotell on their next visit to Norway and Telemark!
A big thank you to the European representative Andreas (Andy) Schöler from Germany who has been part of the development of the club on our side of the pond for several decades. He has strong ties to the USA and VRCC leaders, and is an important link between the club's management and the chapters in Europe. Read more about VRCC in Europe on the European website valkyrieriders.eu
VRCC Norway
Since the club was started in 2001, we in Norway have had a large increase in the number of Valkyries, members and club activity. In 2019, there were approximately 150 registered Valkyries in Norway and 124 members. In October 2024, we count over 300 registered Valkyries and 237 members. Thanks to a small group of dedicated dealers and individuals, a large number of bikes have been imported in recent years. Through an increase in activities and marketing, there has also been good recruitment to the club. We are an open, warm and inclusive group who stand up for and help each other. Through social gatherings and contact online, bonds and friendships are created across community groups and other club affiliations. All work that is put into the club is voluntary, and is based on a genuine desire to help keep the bikes alive and the good environment that has been built up over several decades.
We arrange annual summer meets, track days, trips and other social gatherings. Not least, we help each other with technical advice, parts and sales of motorcycles. The club's members possess a wealth of knowledge about the bikes, and are happy to share this with other members. Collectively, we have an extensive network of suppliers, dealers and resource persons at home and abroad, who all memnbers benefit from when needed.
The passion and enthusiasm in our club is palpable, and after a few years without an up and running website, we have finally found a more permanent medium where information about the bikes and the community is gathered in one place. The FB groups are great for keeping in touch and sharing things, but important information is "drowning" among loads of posts, and it is difficult to find what you need. In addition, we do not own the information contained there, and everything we do there is at the mercy of powerful media groups. With these new homepages, we are taking back control, and we hope that this will make everyday life easier for old and new Valkyrie owners.
In 2022, the club was registered as a voluntary organization in the government registers. Although all members are equal, as an organization we are assigned the following roles in the board, which consists of three people:
Country rep.
Tommy Valkyrie Oppegaaard
Member #38813
tommy (at) vrcc.no
Activities
Webmaster
Member support
1999 Interstate
Deputy Country rep.
Per Arne Olsen
Member # 37110
per.arne (at) vrcc.no
Drone photo
Parts development
Technical assistance
1997 Standard
Board member
Anita S. Oppegaard
Member #41380
info (at) vrcc.no
Cashier
Activities
Creative assistant
Passenger
On paper, we are the club's management, but there would be no club without active members. Fortunately, there are many who give of themselves and contribute to varying degrees according to their knowledge and surplus. As we have no membership fees or marked hierarchy, the club is completely free of expectations, pressure and drama. Everyone is genuinely happy if someone does something, and it makes all efforts for the club a joy that gives good unity. If you have ideas or qualities that you think can benefit other members, we hope you will get in touch with us. We have a high tolerance for different opinions, and diversity is our strength!
A bit about the VRCC Norway history, told by the club's three representatives.
Bjørn Ovnerud:
The story of the Norwegian VRCC Norway started in 2001 after I had attended the Italian meeting in April, where I met Silvano Merati who was Italy's representative and was also close to the founders of VRCC. Sil told me what to do and who to contact.
I became Norwegian "leader" in 2001 and was until 2010, when I asked Dag Verpeide to take over. In early 2017, Dag asked me to represent Norway again due to his illness. VRCC Norway had its own website until it was acquired by "old age" and Facebook.
The Norwegian F6C / Valkyrie owners were few in the first years and lived far from each other, so they did not have many meetings / get-togethers. They usually met each other at international events and kept in touch on Facebook.
Until Tommy Oppegaard took over as Norwegian representative, there have been three national meets: Rødberg 2002 and Bud 2010 / 2016. In 2003 we also had an International meet at Rødberg with approx. 40 participants from several countries in Europe. After that, the number of members / MCs has increased considerably and the activity has increased. VRCC Norway also organized some off-season meetings (winter-without MC) in Bergen 2006 / 2007 and Kristiansund in 2011. Members have helped other foreign members of VRCC to plan trips in Norway or participated as "guides".
VRCC Norway was represented at most international meetings until 2016. Before InZane was started in Europe (Poland 2007), the most common countries to travel to were; Italy, Austria, BeNeLux, Germany and Wales. These arranged meetings every year. VRCC Norway has also been represented at InZane USA in 2015, in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Day Verpeide
2 meetings were held domestically during "my time" as a representative.
Winter meeting (without bikes) at my office in Kristiansund in 2011 and with bikes at Bud in 2016.
Valkyrienorway.com was created on 05.07.2007. This became a passion and I obtained a lot of information from the United States. RP #62 collected most of the material for Valkyrie Genealogy, and he let me use this on the website. I did some research and updated.
In 2010, the number of visitors was more than 300,000. In 2017, visitors to the page had dropped to 105,000, so then I started to taper off.
In 2008 I started supplying members with both Valkyries and Valkyrie parts from the USA.
This was carried out as an extra service for members of the club (without profit) with the good help of members in the USA. They inspected and test drove and sometimes drove the bike to Fort Lauderdale for shipping to Norway,
I also built up a parts warehouse that many people used. What was left of the warehouse was taken over by Lars Gunnar Bjerkeset. I arranged for the import of 5 Valkyries to members during the period (+ a Goldwing and a VTX1800)
I arranged for a good workshop in the garage, and had many visits from members who had something they wanted fixed. From Narvik in the north to Stavanger in the south. It was social, with a bar in the basement and a barbecue on the terrace 😊
I have had many incredibly beautiful trips on the Valkyrie together with members of the club.
Many friendships have been made that last forever.
I am looking forward to meeting acquaintances from all over Europe at InZane Norway.
The only thing that can be defined as a downfall is that I come with a BMW instead of a Honda - and on 4 wheels instead of 2 😉
Tommy Valkyrie Oppegaard
Bjørn asked me to take over the management in 2019, after I as a "young and promising" Valkyrian had developed a great commitment to the club after I joined in 2018. Bjørn had then sold the Valkyrie and transferred to Goldwing so that Eli would get a little better rear seat comfort, and wanted to pass on the baton. I bought my "Miss Piggy" from Kjell and Marit (GWS) in the spring of 2018, and it has truly been a love story. When I bought her I had a 2003 Africa Twin that I really loved. But the more I drove Miss Piggy, the more the AT sat around gathering dust. After the second season with the Valkyrie, it was just a matter of realizing that the days of adventure bikes were over, and it was sold. Miss Piggy met all my needs, and eventually I also learned to "master the beast" and took her on increasingly challenging trips in the wild. Gravel roads and rough footpaths with a fully loaded bike and trailer have become a challenge and a moment of excitement. Together we have had many wonderful trips, not least with my daughter Mia who has been on countless motorcycle adventures since she was 8.
Since 2018, VRCC has become part of my family. Through the development of the club and my own search for parts, in recent years I have developed strong ties and friendships all over the world. I have never experienced an environment more alive, helpful and caring than in our enthusiast club. During periods of difficulty, the work with the club and the warmth of the members has been an important contributor to lifting one's head and looking forward.
The club is facing a generational change. The bikes, the owners and enthusiasts through the decades are getting older. In order for us to have a future in the next decades as well, I think we need to take some action. The most important thing in the first instance is to market our beloved "Dragon" among younger audiences, in channels they are familiar with. Information about the bike, the environment and the joy of appearing as a Valkyrist is essential. I hope these new pages can contribute, and that you help us spread the joy. We must continue to be generous, inclusive and invite everyone who is interested in our activities. We must show that we stand for the club's great ethical foundation through actions, and not talk.
In VRCC Norway, we will probably get a "boost" after the first Norwegian InZane. When the dust has settled, we will continue to work hard for you, for the club and for it to be possible to have a Valkyrie as a "daily runner" and first bike for many, many more years.
I thank you for the response over the past years, and I am very pleased that we are getting more and more active members. In 2025, we will have a record number of organized activities, and we hope that this will make it possible for many more people to be able to participate in something they have time and desire for.
See you!
VRCC Mission Statement
Here you will find the VRCC's Mission Statement (international statutes). At the club's inception, this was created as an ethical basis and regulations on which the club was to be built. In yellow you will find the original Mission Statement, and in white you will see the changes that have been made over the years. The original values have been preserved, and remain as a solid foundation for the future.
The lack of hierarchy and financial incentives, as well as openness to simultaneous membership in other clubs, made this way of running a motorcycle club very popular. The club's membership exceeded 20,000 in the first 5 years after its inception in 1999.