Here in Southern California we have a saying, “VENTURA CHAPTER ROCKS” and it most certainly does!

The SCRC Ventura Chapter of California USA was founded on August 26th 2001 by Steve Campbell and a few other riders who managed to get 10 people to come along on their first club ride.  The maiden voyage was a short ride up the coast for breakfast.  Their second ride was on the following Labor Day and it took 51 posts on the forum just to figure out where to meet and where to eat.  I know this sounds quite comical but, it shows the dedication that Steve had for getting this chapter started and forming the foundation for where it is today. Steve and his Second Officer, Mike Malone quickly managed a well organized chapter that continued to grow for 5 years with numerous rides and overnighters. Since that time we have continued to get stronger despite the ill effects of the recent sagging economy.

In October 2006 Steve and Mike stepped down to take a well deserved break. After a few years of Tail Gunning along with my husband Bob, I became the 1st Officer with Craig Launer and Dean Mills respectively as my 2nd Officers.  In the 10 years of SCRC Ventura’s history we’ve had two 1st Officers and three 2nd Officers.  I feel that this example of continuity really exemplifies the dedication of our members, Road Captains and Tail Gunners and the love for this chapter.

We have continued to maintain a very active riding schedule and the chapter has grown even larger. Aside from riding we also like to include other activities such as bowling nights, concerts in the park, and indoor Go Kart Racing.  One of our proudest accomplishments was assisting as escorts for the Vietnam Dignity Wall from Bakersfield, CA to the Pierce Brothers Cemetery, Westlake, CA in 2009.  Many members spent the entire weekend of the viewing and ceremony volunteering our time in various ways.

Ventura chapter is also well known for our fabulous overnighters. Whether it’s just a few of us who saddle up and go or 20 of us; I can guarantee you that there is always a lot of laughter and good times during each ride.  And in the evenings, after we hang up our riding gear, the fun gets even more enjoyable aided by our motto that “What happens on a ride, stays on the ride.”  I can’t speak for the other chapters in CA but, SCRC Ventura does at least one overnighter a quarter and they are planned well in advance at the annual Officers Ride Scheduling Meeting. When we began these trips it was as short as riding to State Line, NV to “contribute” to the casinos or a 3 day weekend to one of California’s mountain or beach communities.  Most of us had smaller bikes 10 years ago so it was a matter of throwing a toothbrush and a clean shirt in a bag and strapping it to our back seat or handlebars.  Now we have gotten older (and even a little wiser) and have graduated to the bigger bikes with full saddle bags, tour packs, and luggage racks, so the trips have gotten longer.

We have gone on week long trips to Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah as well as numerous locales in California. The longest trip to date was in July 2009 when 15 of us took off and rode for 2 weeks to Nevada, Colorado, Montana, North & South Dakota, Idaho, with some who split off and went to Vancouver, Canada.  And of course, for 5 years in a row; the SCRC CA State Rally has been an event not to miss.

Our chapter has remained a staple in Ventura County and the neighboring communities and we often hear someone say “Hey didn’t I see you all riding thru town?”  We also pride ourselves on the many Charity Rides that we participate in throughout the year.

We have scheduled rides every other Sunday and they range from 150 miles up to nearly 500 miles on the annual Labor Day Long Run depending on who is leading.  We have had as many as 35 – 40 bikes on a ride on many occasions but, lately our average is about 15.  What’s more important than the numbers is the laughter and friendship that has been created and maintained throughout the years. There have been a few unfortunate occasions when a member has had to call on “the family” for help and everyone who could, stepped up to help. Whether it’s writing a check or building a wheel chair ramp or most recently helping a member’s family when they had a house fire, SCRC is there to help.

I heartily recommend to any chapter, that if you ever have the chance to get here to Southern California please look us up and someone will be happy to guide you to the many beautiful places we have to ride. www.venturascrc.com

We have all had a lot of good times and have made some great friends with this chapter, neither of which we will ever forget. This must be why we all continue to hang around!