There are about 60 members of the V-CC in North America, and if I recall correctly, 2000-3000 worldwide. Most of its activities are in Great Britain, where the Club conducts and publishes research in cycling history, and organizes local and national cycling events. The V-CC promotes cycle history by keeping old bicycles on the road, in the public eye. As we say in the New England Section, no trailer queens are tolerated!
The V-CC publishes two richly illustrated journals: The Boneshaker (3/yr), a historical review with lengthy articles on cycling history of all periods; and News & Views, a bimonthly magazine of Club news, media reviews, notes and queries, short articles, ride reports, and correspondence. Both are of very high quality. CR contributor Hilary Stone is co-editor of N&V.
It is hard to imagine anybody into old bicycles not enjoying membership, and no one to whom I have shown the two journals has said, "I can live without these." They are filled with valuable, verified information presented in lively prose. Even if you are the only person for a hundred miles around who rides a veteran bicycle, membership is worthwhile for the publications alone. Joining the V-CC is a simple matter with American Express travelers' checks. See http://www.v-cc.org.uk.
The V-CC local sections are dedicated to touring on old bicycles of all kinds. The New England Section is the first, and at present only local section outside Great Britain. New England V-CC members have been riding together regularly since 2000, and have been an official local section for two years. As in the other local sections, most of our club runs are day tours, with an occasional overnight foray. We ride year round, on lightweights (predominantly of the 1950s) and roadsters, and rough stuff riding is a regular part of our schedule. Two of our members have used their veteran cycles for the mountainous Quad Centuries Tour that is run alongside Boston-Montreal-Boston. No trailer queens! The rides are sociable, the food is real, and one does not find himself unhappily downwind of a lycra jersey. A nice Raleigh Sports is as admired by the group as an Ephgrave or Maclean. N.E. Section runs are listed in News & Views.
If you are a V-CC member in New England, New York, New Jersey, or even eastern PA (a friend made it here in time for lunch), and you haven't yet been on a club run, you're missing a lot of fun. We hope to see you on a ride in '05.
Christopher Barbour
Boston, Mass.