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what do people want from the VCB?


be honest, cos I don't know!

Not being a member it'd be wrong for me to comment but playing Devils Adovocate here I think the lack of response does give a large hint.

Not a clue Fred TBH...the forum covers pretty much everything, just can't understand the limited interest.

TBH Fred,

I ain't got a f**king clue mate, i'm as confused as you.

I suppose we'll have to wait for the reply's to see what people want

my own personal opinion is that those that sought to protect the VCB in the 80's inadvertently killed it off with their fear of the "scooterboy".

now people seem to disregard the VCB because of it?


the irony is immense.

For me personally, i want a club were i can indulge in my fixation of Vespas. I want to attend events at home and abroad with like minded people were people are more interested in your journey to the event rather than what clothes you wear while there. I want to pitch my tent and not have to worry about it and if i leave my keys in the ignition either they will be there when i get back or someone will hand them to me. After the AGM i sat outside with a group of people including the Gup and Peter B and later with Paul C, Hubby and ex-soulagent and had a very entertaining evening over a couple of pints all while the disco was going on. Its the people that make the trip worthwhile and everytime i turn up somewhere, usually on my own, i’m always made to feel welcome. I know i’m probably in the minority here but i like the VCB because its different.

true, the VCB Rally at the Bubble Car Museum was superb and there was only 40 poeple there, it was the people and the rideout that did it for me.
Northampton was again a superb event, the rideout was spot on.
just a shame we don't get more people tho, cos I'm sure they would enjoy VCB events?

For me.... from the VCB itself I would like discount schemes, a magazine and thats about it.

From the forum side of it (..the interactive side...) the help/technical and historical side of it.

Thats all, I appreciate that the social side of it is important to some, but to me... nein danke, the scooterboy side of the scene appeals to me much more than the 'proud of our marque' side. The idea of going to a rally to look at finely restored lines of old Vespas makes me want to through things.

Being in deepest, darkest Pembrokeshire and personal circumstances mean I don't get to as many rallies as I would like. Rallies for me mean by and large going by scooter, so a minimum 6 hour journey to a VCB event has lost it's appeal, I've been there and done that and got the saddle sores to prove it. I'm not knocking people who tow their scooters in btw, it's their choice for whatever reason, we are all getting older and bones ache more these days.

When I was London based I would attend at least one VCB rally per year and really enjoyed them. It is because they are so different from the 'norm' that appeals to me personally. While I love the music and the scene that the other rallies do so well, a quite rally where you can socialise with some like minded people and being able to have a conversation with people over dinner without having to shout (talking to Chuck excepted ) is sometimes a bonus. The longer rideouts normally to a touristy type place also appeals to me along with the gymkana and slow ride etc. make the weekend in my book. And it is somewhere that I could take one of the kids on pillion and not have to worry too much about him getting in the way of a large pissed up scooterist. Not that there's anything wrong with that but just not with my kids around.

Yes, more people joining the VCB, getting involved and attending these rallies and events would be good. I've mooted the idea of a Vespa club branch over this way, but people just were not interested. What can you do?

For me though, I'm happy enough with the way things are being run by the people that run them. Here's hoping I can get out a bit more in 2010 and meet up with some of you.

Oh, and as a PS, I would say that sixteen people at an AGM would have been classed as a big turnout to some of the AGM's i've been to in the past.

I'm not talking VCB here either, it just seems to be the way of AGM's. People only turn up if there's going to be a bit of a ruck. If there isn't going to be a ruck then people must be satisfied with the way things are being run.

Keep up the good work. (Thumbs up emoticon here if I had one)

It has already got what i want from the VCB Friendship and riding my Vespa now and again too various rallies all over the country

Those comments from Buzz & SBWNick are spot on, thats why some people in it are trying to change it, perhaps get a mixture of both styles of scootering

The Northampton rally was just that, rally DJ, Great rideout / company & 2 nights on the piss & not a vintage scoot in sight, loads of Autos and tuned vespas

If I'm honest, I wouldn't want the VCB to start organising traditional 'scooterboy' type rallies. Leave that to those who do (and TBH the traditional seaside rally seems to be heading slowly on its way out...) As said, there is a place for the traditional VCB type rally and we should stick to doing what we do.

Might even make it to one sometime to see if they live up to my expectations.

I think Northampton taught me a lesson with regards VCB Rallies, we spent a lot of money on 2 bands and a P.A. and not many VCB members turned up.

the best parts were sitting round the bar talking and the rideout. the format for a VCB Rally should really be based on this?

Iam in a similar postion to Buzz in that personal/family commitments mean i cant get to as many events/rallies as i'd like to.
Whenever ive spoke to fellow vespa riders up north and asked them are they in the VCB the usual reply is no and one of the main reasons is alot of VCB events are southern based. I was gutted when the Edale rally was canceled. I think that would of been fairly well attended. I dont think the format of VCB events needs changing , but putting on events further afield, North of England, Scotland etc would attract more members possibly .