The Bikers of Vancouver
The Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club is showing us what community looks like
When you are riding through a different country and get separated from your friend with the map, what do you do?
Talk to a biker.
Riding through East Montana, Ross Dayton, GVMC's sergeant at arms, did just that. Riding fast and hard, he and his friend had gotten separated in traffic and he had no idea where to go. He pulled into a gas station to figure out his next move when he started chatting with a random rider who was driving through. The rider lived in Madison, Wisconsin but his mother happened to live in the very town that Dayton was trying to get to.
Without a second thought, the rider offered to call up his mom to give Dayton a place to stay and a warm meal.
“I was quite distressed,” said Dayton. “And then that happened. I was overwhelmed by the brotherly love.”
That’s just the kind of people bikers are.
Often in black vests with tattoos running up and down their arms, all the members at the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club — GVMC for short — look tough and formidable.
And they are.
Almost everyone has broken a bone or two from a rough turn on a narrow road, dirt bike riding on BC trails, or unfortunately, getting into an accidents because an inattentive car didn’t see them coming. They’ve ridden bikes in unholy weather, are seldom quick to complain, and have no patience for bullshit or sensitive dispositions.
With a little prodding, you can hear the best stories about daring adventures and spontaneous trips, each one better than the rest. But what most often brings a smile to their faces are the simple stories.
Just sharing the open road with a friend.
Riding bikes with their daughters.
Taking the grandkids for a joyride.
The GVMC, above all, is a group of people brought together by a shared interest and a desire to find their kind of people. The clubhouse is a place for members, and guests, to gather around steaming cups of coffee, eat chocolate while decorating a black Christmas tree, or chat and swap stories about rides in the warmer months.
Their one requirement is that you got to have a bike. Well- hell, they tried to recruit me and I don’t even have a bike (yet).
It doesn’t matter what kind of bike — two wheeled or three — or how long you’ve been riding. It could be built for the highway, racing, or off-road riding. It’s just got to have a handlebar and a place to sit.
But… also having a tattoo wouldn’t hurt…
Bill Talley's bike — a Suzuki C1-9RT. After a workplace accident, Talley cannot currently ride his bike. It doesn't interfere with his role as club president, however.
Harold Fink's bike — a beautiful teal Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail Classic. Fink, vice president of the club, personalized a lot of the bike and is still working on it, using only Youtube videos and his bare hands.
“I never wanted to be president or even join the club in the first place,” said Bill Talley, GVMC club president.
We were sitting down at a table at the clubhouse, chatting over cups of coffee. He was explaining to me how his wife, Anne, was the one who got him into the club.
“I had no intention of joining the club whatsoever. I'm a veteran. I just wore my veterans vest, that's all I ever did,” he said. “But Anne wanted to join a club, so I went out and checked out all the local clubs and they were all puppet clubs for [outlaw motorcycle clubs] and the only females that were allowed to join were not members.”
During a joyride, Anne and Bill stumbled upon a GVMC member who introduced them to the club. Fifteen years later, and in his fifth year being club president, Talley is still there.
The GVMC, since its founding in 1922, had always been for both women and men. The club boasts members from all over the world, including Australia, and from a wide variety of backgrounds.
“It's not like your normal boy’s club where, you know, the wife or the girlfriend is here and she's in the kitchen,” said club member, Rob Pinder.
The club used to have a woman’s auxiliary, as did their sister club in Oakland, California. Both men and women were a part of the club but had their own separate sections.
“And then they did away with that shit, rightfully so,” said Talley. “But they've always included their women. Pardon my language, but it wasn't the bitch with the club. It was the partner with the club.”
There are two different kinds of motorcycle clubs: the 1 percenter and the 99 percent.
In 1947, following a motorcycle rally turned violent, the American Motorcycle Association stated, “99% of the motorcycling public are law-abiding; there are 1% who are not.”
Clubs like the GVMC aren’t for people looking for exclusivity or to be a part of a minority. The point of the club is to show up, have fun, maybe have a family dinner or movie and go on a group joy ride every now and then.
A huge part of the GVMC is also centred on giving. Since 1922, the club has helped with the Children’s Variety Club, BC Children’s Hospital, BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, and the Surrey Food Bank (amoung others).
One of the largest GVMC fundraising events is the annual Gord Heppler Memorial Ride, held in honour of past member, Gord Heppler, who passed away from cancer in 1992. His wife, Jackie Heppler, started the fundraiser and continues to run it to this day.
After a club member had accidentally bought a black tree, the club hand painted the ornaments orange to represent club colours. Underneath the Christmas tree sat a teddy bear, a reminder of the BC Children’s Toy Run.
After a club member had accidentally bought a black tree, the club hand painted the ornaments orange to represent club colours. Underneath the Christmas tree sat a teddy bear, a reminder of the BC Children’s Toy Run.
Virginia Billing setting up the Christmas tree.
Virginia Billing setting up the Christmas tree.
Underneath the finished tree.
Underneath the finished tree.
Club membership is slowly dwindling. After the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, only half to three-quarters of people show up to the monthly general meetings. With all GVMC members over the age of 60 years old, new ridership and fresh faces are encouraged. The idea of a social club is an aging concept, with many new riders choosing to ride alone.
However, only two members actually left during the pandemic. The rest have stayed.
“There's a lot of camaraderie here,” said Harold Fink, GVMC Vice President. “But unfortunately, our club is getting older as time goes on. And we are starting to lose a lot of people.”
“I joined because I just wanted to be a part of something. And I felt that the GVMC was a good fit for me.”
John Fell, club member.
John Fell, club member.
Dwight Harris pointing to his younger self in a photo at the GVMC clubhouse.
Dwight Harris pointing to his younger self in a photo at the GVMC clubhouse.
The GVMC can be found at https://www.gvmc.ca/ or @gvmcnewriders on Instagram
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