Membership has a purpose…
The Williams Lake Cycling Club is in its second decade of existence. When first formed we took over from Puddlebike, a loose club that led group rides, ran events and promoted fun for more than ten years. Twelve years ago our trails were under duress and in need of protection. That forced a small but passionate group of bike enthusiasts together and the Williams Lake Cycling Club (WLCC), a legal non-profit organization, was formed.
2017 brings about the same challenges we faced then; accommodating range, private property issues, land use problems, and timber harvesting along our trail corridors and within our network. What is different now is the organizational level of our club and our ability to deal with these trials. Today we are consulted during harvesting planning, we have the resources in place to work around private property issues, we are considered equals with range and have a high recreational and social value when land use is being considered by all levels of government. This has not been an easy nor quick evolution.
Currently we have more than one hundred legal, protected trails and more than two hundred kilometers of single track encompassed by four trail networks that surround Williams Lake. The WLCC has partnerships with the Province of BC, the CRD, the City of Williams Lake, the Williams Lake Indian Band, the Community Forest and many others, both public and private. We are strong trail advocates and the loudest voice when it comes to trail protection and development. We maintain the network to the best of our ability and are aided by funding from the Province and the CRD but we are nowhere without our volunteer members.
The WLCC is a member of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Canada. The IMBA has solid information that local clubs can utilize and valuable resources to draw upon. First and foremost is that one unified voice speaks louder than a crowd. Secondly, the organization helps build community and constituency. Community shares the load and lets the members know they matter and most importantly, great trails build community and community builds great trails.
A strong membership not only helps maintain our trails but also helps make our voice pertinent in all relevant issues. There are different roles for different folks within the WLCC and the strength of a strong club is in its diversity. Not everyone likes to pull a rake or swing a pulaski. Some people’s forte is cooking, others may be organizing events. Regardless of your strengths, there is room and a need for community support of the club. We are the ones sitting in meetings at City Hall, appealing to the CRD and dealing with the Province. We negotiate with industry and work with private property owners in attempts to secure access to many of our beloved trails. Not everyone wants or needs to be in these types of meetings but there is a role for everyone and diversity within the club is a major asset.
Why am I telling you this? We need your membership. We need you to help ensure the health and future of the club and therefore the trails. Beyond showing pertinence and support, your membership helps the WLCC cover the operational expenses we incur. The biggest expense we have is insurance. Insurance is necessary for the protection of the club’s assets and for events, such as trail maintenance days and organized rides. Your membership dollars only go to covering the costs of operating, nothing else.
So how do you become a member? You have two options; the first is to visit one of your local bike shops, Barking Spider Mountain Bike or Red Shreds Bike and Board Shed, or our new online service https://wlcc.spruceregistrations.com/ This process is quick and easy and be sure to sign-in each member of your family. As an added bonus for 2017, we now have membership bands for paid members. These unique wristbands will help identify you as a WLCC member and trail protector. Pick up for these bands will be at the local bike shop of your choice where they will confirm your membership and give you this sweet member id. Look for membership benefits in the near future.
Not sure if you should become a member? Ask yourself this; do you like to ride bikes in Williams Lake and want to continue to have the same riding experience on the amazing trails in the multiple networks? If so, then yes you should.
Thanks in advance. Build trails, ride bikes, have fun…
Shawn L
WLCC President
