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From:
Bernard Stikfort, founder of VIM.
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What’s
a VIM?
The Varadero
International Meeting is a recurring event, which is organized each year at
the weekend of either Whit Sunday or Ascension day, in a different country,
by a different group of volunteers who candidate themselves on a previous
VIM. Meeting, eating and touring together participants sleep on a campsite
or a near hotel and explore the surroundings in equal minded groups, guided
by road book or local guide.
VIM has become
the annual gathering of all Varadero-drivers
and their pillions member to the International Varadero Forum (IVF). Since VIM has been
organized in Europe and by owners of the XL1000V, the first 12 times over 22 nationalities
world wide have met. Despite the fact that members to IVF have right of
first admission to VIM, participation is open to any Varadero XL1000V rider
who would like to share.
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Where does it
come from?
After the founding of the International Varadero
Mailing list in 1999 (the predecessor to the Forum) the initiative of a
‘joining together’ of member to the mailing list was a fact. The first Varadero International
Meeting was born.
The first VIM
took place in the north of the Netherlands, where Varadero owners from 6
different countries met for the first time at campsite the Blue Star in
Onstwedde, Groningen Province. A tradition was born and after The Netherlands
(1999), Luxembourg (2000), Austria (2001) and Greece (2002) Germany (2003)
and Portugal (2004), Poland (2005), the Isle of Sicily (2006), Northern
Ireland (2007), Hungary (2008) and Turkey (2009) we will be back in the Alps
at VIM12 and is Slovakia to take over the
torch in 2011.
With the mailinglist replaced by the International Varadero
Forum in 2003, the community expanded. We are not competing for success,
just organizing themselves with the IVF as home base, give each other a good reason for a
(long) travel and meet the equal minded in a spring weekend.
Who are they?
One of the
major enjoyments of a VIM is what the Varadero is designed for: buy the
necessary maps for your GPS and find yourself a pleasant route to get there…a few hundred
kilometers this year, a few thousand the next; By group or individually,
fast or easygoing, through flatlands, over high mountains or an occasional
ferry. And if it’s not far enough, you just plan a detour to visit
neighboring countries.
VIM visitors
are off course active members to the International Varadero Community and
VIM is our annual 'Clubhouse'. Although any International Varadero rider is
kindly invited, the main goal is an annual meeting between members who
normally know each other only from the Internet.
Although VIM started as bi-lingual meeting
(English and the language of the hosting country), the official VIM language is now
English which is widely adapted by the participating members of Varadero
International.
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Unwritten rules
Although VIM is
set up purely by volunteers, rules do
apply sometimes. VIM has neither origin in nor attachment to any
commercial or noncommercial organization or club, but is acquainted to the
International Varadero Forum. Nonetheless there is an
understanding between organizers and participants about the basic idea. As
much as possible each VIM will be in a different country obviously by a
different local organizing team.
Sometimes
VIM is organized by individuals; sometimes VIM is put on track by an
national Varadero Owners Club. We can not - and will not - cut out non- IVF
members, but first choice to participate is an privilege to the active
members of the International Varadero Forum. Every VIM Orga Team has its own
setup, and the Guideline for Future VIM Organizations is just a guide to
follow - not written rules.
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Growing
success
With
20 participants from 6 nationalities on VIM1999 in Onstwedde (NL), up to 300 at
VIM10 in Hungary, the numbers are really growing. They not only
show that VIM adapts to the location (travel distance) but also that growth
is certain since the participants are making more kilometers each year –
individually as well as combined – to be able to participate in this event.
But
every one should keep in their mind that VIM is not about record braking
numbers. Every participant and member to IVF is entitled to have the same
amount of service and attention. Quality goes for Quantity at all times!
There
fore, VIM is back to its roots. The first few VIM's (till VIM5) where the
meeting ground of members to IVF; after VIM6 however, VIM was 'combined' by
the organization with the annual national Varadero rally which was not
really - despite the success - appreciated by the traditional VIM
participants.
There fore, VIM will be back2 basis:
By and for members of the IVF. Be honest... Why bother to visit an
international meeting if you are not a member to an international community?
But please keep always in your mind... Every Varadero rider is warmly
invited dropping by just to say hello, for a drink together with the crowd
or just to have a ride with us is always |
Sponsoring
Is not a dirty
word. Although the independence of any organization is proclaimed as a great
good, some additional spectacle adds to the pleasure of a meeting. Drivers are
interested in possible additions to their bike, enjoy a good party with a band
and have spent enough on the trip to get there.
For companies,
the public is an attractive one since their numbers are growing, their common
interests are obvious and the internationality without question. Whoever likes
to promote his Varadero-products among this target group and spread the word
over Europe finds at VIM one of the best places to do so!
But please
keep in your mind... VIM should never become an bases for commercial
activities.
More information?
Please visit www.varadero-international.com for details.
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