The History of the VERMIN

by Bob "Croozermon" Bidwell


The VERMIN (or ValkyriE Riders and Members In the Northwest) started from

humble beginnings. "Jmac" (John MacFarlane) and myself met on the GWRRA

Special Interest Group Message Board in the spring of this year. At the time,

there had been some discord concerning the status of the Valkyrie owners in

the GWRRA as only being allowed "booster" status, rather than inducted as a

full member to the GWRRA. Instead of becoming involved in the melee, John and

I found each other sharing the same thought: "I just want to go ride with

someone who owns a Valk too!!". We found that we lived less than 15 miles

from each other and decided to put out the word for a visit to an ABATE Swap

Meet in Enumclaw the following weekend. Only he and I showed up...it was a

pretty uneventful meet but John and I struck up an immediate friendship and

decided to ride together again.

This next time, we put out the word on the board again as well as posting

flyers in the local Honda dealers. This time SEVEN VALKYRIES SHOWED UP on our

first Vermin ride to LaConner, WA!!

As time went on, we continued to post messages, post flyers at the

dealers and stopped to talk to every Valkyrie we could find on the road!! And

the group continued to grow...and grow..and GROW!! We have had as many as 26

BIKES AT ONE TIME!!

When the Valkyrie Owners Association (VOA) was formed, it seemed natural

to form our little group as a regional chapter of the organization. To date,

we have ridden with EVERY VOA MEMBER IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, AS WELL AS

MOST OF THE MEMBERS IN OREGON!! We have organized rides to LaConner,

Anacortes, Leavenworth, Winthrop, Marysville, Mt. St. Helens as well as ride-

ins to the local "Oyster Run" and even a ride at the Sturgis Rally in South

Dakota...and HAVING A BALL EACH AND EVERY TIME!!

Through it all, we have maintained one steadfast idea: JUST RIDE!! To

ride is our main goal and many lasting friendships have been formed because of

it.

If there are ANY Valkyrie owners out there who would like to be included

in one of our many runs, all they have to do is contact me or one of the other

members listed on the "Members" list and we will give you the info for our

next ride.

Believe me, there is NOTHING like riding with a bunch of Valkyries!!

Come experience for yourself!!

Ride safe, fast, far and often!!


Bob Bidwell "Croozermon" VOA #76
VP Western U.S. – Valkyrie Owners Association
(...but you can just call me "Crooz"!!) ;-))