Hard at work

Bee out in the Okanagan has been working her butt off on the BC section of the Rider Friendly Directory. Man is she ever getting good solid information in there!

I'd love to have a few more people who want to earn some money as sales reps - we want that phone book to be KICK ASS!

I am busy working on transferring over and updating all of our riding club links and contacting all of the clubs - one at a time! Now I'll tell yah - it's a lot of work because the new riding clubs section on our web site includes - if possible - the patches and logos of the clubs and a description.

This is going to be - without a doubt one of the best tools we have on the newly revamped web sites that launch October 1 - a way to find every riding club and chapter that is Canadian - in one spot!

I'm chained to this computer for the foreseeable future.....

Ride safe out there.

Belt Drive Betty

Noise and the Loud Pipes save lives theory

I have been reading of the many US cities that have enacted noise laws.
I have been reading up on decibels, noise measurement and theories.

I have a few links I'd like to share with you:

An article on the Virginia Wind web site: http://virginiawind.com/byways/loud_pipes_save_lives.asp

And a series of articles on Motorcycle Noise can be found at Noise Free: http://www.noisefree.org/motorcycles.php

Information on sound/noise measurements from the Motorcycle Council of New South Waleshttp://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/117.html

And an interesting article from the Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly in 2001: http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/geezer/geezer40.htm

Interactive Noise Scale: http://www.qualityhearingcentre.ca/hearing_loss_and_you.php

Many experts say that the idea that Loud Pipes Save Lives is a Myth that can not be substantiated....

So for those of you who think that Loud Pipes Save Lives....how do you prove that?

In a world that is driven by statistics - how do you prove the theory?

Tell me - I'd like to know

Ride safe out there...

Belt Drive Betty

Let the lawsuits begin!

Well, the council in Myrtle Beach South Carolina has done it.
15 ordinances passed to curb the May Bike Weeks....

It is now illegal - even though the ordinance passed super cedes state law - to ride without a helmet or glasses in Myrtle Beach.

The noise ordinance has passed and is already in effect, all of the other ordinances including the curfew for minors goes into effect in 90 days.....To read what's going on: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/122/story/605611.html

The emotions on both sides of the issue are very high and you can bet that there will be lawsuits galore.

See what happens when we don't police our own? Canadian Riders - are you paying attention?


Ride safe out there...

Belt Drive Betty

Trademark protection, a cover up or greed?

Have you read the headlines over on www.beltdrivebetty.com or www.bustedknucklenews.com?

Here is the link to the news release from USRiderNews on our site: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/joomla07/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1933&Itemid=416

Things are getting NASTY in Sturgis.

There are two Sturgis' one in Kentucky and one in South Dakota. The Sturgis South Dakota Chamber of Commerce is suing the Sturgis Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

The "Little Sturgis Rally" name is at the heart of it all - or is it? According to the event web sites, the Little Sturgis Rally has donated over $2 million dollars to local charities since 2003 - an average of $400k per year. In 2008 15,799 people attended the rally.

The Sturgis South Dakota Chamber has donated $60k in the last 2 years. Keeping in mind the money from the Sturgis Chamber is raised from t-shirt sales and sales other “officially” licensed merchandise. Over 400K people attended the Sturgis SD Rally.
The Sturgis SD Chamber of Commerce wants to keep their financial dealings with Harley-Davidson private.

Jack Hoel of Sturgis SD is the son of Pappy Hoel, the man who started the rally. He was quoted in the Courier Press as saying: "I think it's shameful," Hoel said. "The chamber of commerce does nothing for the rally. The only thing they do is try to sell their logo."

The City of Sturgis itself is doing everything it can to distance itself from this lawsuit.


So what really is at the heart of this lawsuit? Is the Sturgis SD Chamber trying to hide where the money goes or are they really trying to protect their logo?

The two logos are nothing alike.

Both locales are named Sturgis.....





So - what do you think is going on? Enquiring minds want to know!

Stay safe out there...
Belt Drive Betty

Oh my soul needed that!

I went to the Edson Toy Run yesterday. I have been sick for the last three weeks and not up to being on my bike.

At 7 in the morning I was still trying to decide if I felt up to the ride....449 Kilometers each way and I had to be back last night as I had a date with this handsome Frenchman I am married to.
Well, I decided my soul needed the ride even if my body wasn't so happy.

Man am I glad I did. I had a blast. Randy from the Grande Prairie Toys for Tots Group was my riding partner. We left GP at 8:45 am - 4 degrees - got into Edson for the Ernie O's Toy Run. Over 175 bikes showed up...man they host a great event! We left Edson around 3pm. Randy and I parted company at the Wapiti River and I got home at 8:30pm in time to take my hubby on a date.

We went to the Yuk Yuks Comedy Room at the Stonebridge (The Old Trumpeter) BDB Club Partner Daryl Makk was doing his routine. If you haven't seen him you are missing out on some great belly laughs! He is freaking hilarious! For those in the Calgary area check out his Comedy Detour Club.

All in all, although I am a tired girl this morning - I had a fabulous day and man did my soul need that!

No matter where you are riding today - ride like they are out to get you!

Belt Drive Betty