Today is our Grande Prairie Toys for Tots Christmas shop and for those of you on Toy Run Committees you know what I mean when I say this is the BEST day of the year!
GP Toys for Tots is spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 today.
It's fun watching the looks on the faces of those shoppers who don't know what we are doing! 10 or 15 bikers running around with shopping lists and carts cleaning out the Zellers store here! The looks we get are priceless!
It is without the most rewarding time - a year's woth of work and effort culminates in this one day!
As you can see we are finally getting our content back on www.beltdrivebetty.com and www.bustedknucklenews.com - man am I a happier gal than I have been and so is Ali, if all goes well, we will have 90% back up and running today!
Have a great day no matter what you are doing... Stay safe and warm
Belt Drive Betty
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Bill 117 Passes - HUGE Disappointment
We have heard that whatever happens in Ontario will eventually filter down and affect the rest of Canada.
I hope and pray that that is NOT the case here.
Bill 117 went to its second reading and debate in the Ontario Legislature and passed.
You remember - the bill to prevent kids under 14 being allowed on the back of a motorcycle...
So, two more steps and this private members bill will become law.
There is discussion that since the legislature will be closing for Christmas that this bill might not be carried forward - that's about the only hope the rest of us in Canada who ride will have to see this bill stopped.
So, with all the riders who have been up in arms over this - over 900 on Face book etc...why did this bill pass?
Because riders didn't show up to voice their concerns yesterday. The vocal majority showed up in full force though and as we all know - the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
How many riders were on hand? FOUR.
Hell - there were more riders in London England that showed up to protest parking charges for motorcycles than there were in Ontario to protect our lifestyle here.
Our brothers and sisters in Ontario have dropped the ball and if this bill does not die by being left behind over Christmas then guess what boys and girls - eventually - everywhere in Canada this will become a law - its the way of Canada - Ontario and Quebec hold the majority of power so the rest of get screwed. Sigh - it saddens me that our community very rarely bands together to support each other. It will be the death of the biker/rider way of life here in Canada.
Good old Canadian Complacency at its finest.
Enough depressing crap for now...
More prizes have been offered up for our Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n' Shine:
A $50 gift certificate from Northgate Honda
Riders Ranch - Kitchener BC - A nights free camping
Grande Prairie Regional Tourism - A back pack full of goodies
Yes the business community is liking the idea of a winter show n shine - hope you - the riders do too!
Ali has got all of our content coming back on line and soon all of our news and funny stuff, all of our lifestyles info like event articles, music, food etc will be back....actually if you look at the bottom of your profile page you will see that Lifestyles and Funny stuff are already back...
YEAH - finally - its been a rough month but we have gotten through it and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we resolved these issues.
Anyway - back to work for me...
Stay safe and warm.
Belt Drive Betty
I hope and pray that that is NOT the case here.
Bill 117 went to its second reading and debate in the Ontario Legislature and passed.
You remember - the bill to prevent kids under 14 being allowed on the back of a motorcycle...
So, two more steps and this private members bill will become law.
There is discussion that since the legislature will be closing for Christmas that this bill might not be carried forward - that's about the only hope the rest of us in Canada who ride will have to see this bill stopped.
So, with all the riders who have been up in arms over this - over 900 on Face book etc...why did this bill pass?
Because riders didn't show up to voice their concerns yesterday. The vocal majority showed up in full force though and as we all know - the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
How many riders were on hand? FOUR.
Hell - there were more riders in London England that showed up to protest parking charges for motorcycles than there were in Ontario to protect our lifestyle here.
Our brothers and sisters in Ontario have dropped the ball and if this bill does not die by being left behind over Christmas then guess what boys and girls - eventually - everywhere in Canada this will become a law - its the way of Canada - Ontario and Quebec hold the majority of power so the rest of get screwed. Sigh - it saddens me that our community very rarely bands together to support each other. It will be the death of the biker/rider way of life here in Canada.
Good old Canadian Complacency at its finest.
Enough depressing crap for now...
More prizes have been offered up for our Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n' Shine:
A $50 gift certificate from Northgate Honda
Riders Ranch - Kitchener BC - A nights free camping
Grande Prairie Regional Tourism - A back pack full of goodies
Yes the business community is liking the idea of a winter show n shine - hope you - the riders do too!
Ali has got all of our content coming back on line and soon all of our news and funny stuff, all of our lifestyles info like event articles, music, food etc will be back....actually if you look at the bottom of your profile page you will see that Lifestyles and Funny stuff are already back...
YEAH - finally - its been a rough month but we have gotten through it and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we resolved these issues.
Anyway - back to work for me...
Stay safe and warm.
Belt Drive Betty
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Our Prize List is growing!
- Boutique of Leathers "Open Road" store is putting up a $50 gift certificate - Edmonton AB
- Rider's Ranch is putting up a free night of camping - Kitchener BC
- Sirdar Pub - $50 gift certificate for dinner for 2 - Sirdar BC
- Tickets for two - Toad Rock Rally - Balfour BC
- Tickets for Two - Pig 'n' Fin & AIM Membership - Vancouver Island BC
- RideInn Touchless Power Sports Cover - ON (Small shipping fee applies - approx $65)
The first 50 entrants will get a 2009 Rider Friendly Directory - Shipping and handling applies (About $5) - or you can pick it up at - Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver MMIC Shows or the Red Deer Motorcycle Show
Plus there is that fabulous set of FOUR prize packages from the Red Deer Motorcycle Show - the opportunity for one on one time with Kendall Johnson and Paul Cox alone is worth a fortune and they are throwing in three nights Hotel at the travel Lodge AND FREE entry of your winning bike in the Lucas Oils Custom Motorcycle Showcase!
Everyone can enter their bike in the Lucas Oils Showcase...for more information go to: www.reddeermotorcycleshow.com
The Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n Shine welcomes bike entries until December 31st - it's free and it doesn't matter where you live in Canada - all you have to do is be a registered member of www.beltdrivebetty.com to enter!
All prizes are transferable - so if you win something and can't use it, you may give the certificate as a gift to a friend or family member who can put it to use!
So - what are you waiting for - get your bikes in there people!
We have about 15 bikes entered - My goal is to see 100 entered.
You gonna help me out here people?
I hope so - let's have some fun.
Stay safe and warm....
Belt Drive Betty
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Beat the PMS Blues
Our on line show 'n' shine for our members is starting to get some pretty nice entries in it! And the prizes...man oh man are there some sweet items up for grabs.
You have to check it out!
Not a member? You should register - it's free and there are a ton of perks!
www.beltdrivebetty.com
Have any of you riders thought of entering your bike in the Lucas Oils Custom Motorcycle Showcase at the Red Deer Motorcycle Show this year?
$10,000 in cash and trophies are up for grabs! That's pretty sweet!
www.reddeermotorcycleshow.com for all the low down!
It is a busy day around here.
BoB (AKA Sandra) and I spent some time doing training - she is our new Edmonton and area sales rep and reporter!
She's gonna make sure the rest of us know what's happening in that neck of the woods!
Ali is working on the last of our content issues so cross your fingers that we will have our funny stuff and news articles back. I have added about 40 stories into lifestyles and the news so....I hope you all get to see them really soon.
Anyhow, the slave driver I work for says it's time to finish the 2010 phone book marketing materials!
Stay safe and warm and make sure you drop in to your local bike shop and get your service and repairs booked in. Riding season will sneak up on you before you know it!
Take care...
Belt Drive Betty
You have to check it out!
Not a member? You should register - it's free and there are a ton of perks!
www.beltdrivebetty.com
Have any of you riders thought of entering your bike in the Lucas Oils Custom Motorcycle Showcase at the Red Deer Motorcycle Show this year?
$10,000 in cash and trophies are up for grabs! That's pretty sweet!
www.reddeermotorcycleshow.com for all the low down!
It is a busy day around here.
BoB (AKA Sandra) and I spent some time doing training - she is our new Edmonton and area sales rep and reporter!
She's gonna make sure the rest of us know what's happening in that neck of the woods!
Ali is working on the last of our content issues so cross your fingers that we will have our funny stuff and news articles back. I have added about 40 stories into lifestyles and the news so....I hope you all get to see them really soon.
Anyhow, the slave driver I work for says it's time to finish the 2010 phone book marketing materials!
Stay safe and warm and make sure you drop in to your local bike shop and get your service and repairs booked in. Riding season will sneak up on you before you know it!
Take care...
Belt Drive Betty
Monday, December 01, 2008
Happy Birthday
Today our wonderful web mistress celebrates her birthday - she's taking a much needed and deserved day off.
I hope you will join me in wishing her the Best day possible - she deserves it!
We do have some issues on the site to still resolve and I am sure that once she's had a day away from everything she'll figure out those little things that have been plaguing us.
In the mean time I ask you for just a wee bit more patience - our news and funny stuff will return.
Have a great Monday
Belt Drive Betty
I hope you will join me in wishing her the Best day possible - she deserves it!
We do have some issues on the site to still resolve and I am sure that once she's had a day away from everything she'll figure out those little things that have been plaguing us.
In the mean time I ask you for just a wee bit more patience - our news and funny stuff will return.
Have a great Monday
Belt Drive Betty
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A response to Baron's Life Comments
Riding in Asia must be one of the ultimate challenges a rider could face. I have never had the good fortune to be able to ride anywhere else but North America so all I can do is imagine - I have seen videos of people riding there and think it looks crazy and dangerous but hell I'd be up for it. I can only imagine what sharing the road with that many people and animals must be like - chaotic?
Is that a good word for it…I think so.
I am an adventurer at heart - I think most who ride motorcycles are.
If I had the financial where with all one place I'd love to ride is Australia. Although not as challenging perhaps as Asia - Australia is one country I have always wanted to see and one day I will.
Baron's Life’s' post expresses once again how lucky we here in North America are, but I reiterate that we NEED to protect our freedoms - we can't take them for granted.
As far as my having responsibilities that others don’t – I guess you are right and maybe you are right that no one wants to hear about the challenges being faced by myself– they really only want to know what I can do for them…
So what can I do for the average biker?
I can help them to educate themselves by showing them the news headlines in other communities – when we look at what other towns are doing, what other riders are doing it can help us in our own communities.
I can help them to communicate. The newspaper – the Busted Knuckle Chronicles let’s riders from across Canada share their community stories with others – it is Rider Powered news.
I can help them entertain themselves – the on line show ‘n’ shine, photo contests etc are one way we do that and the other is by having kick assed events calendars that one can plan holidays and weekends by.
I can help them by promoting the community events, the charitable causes and showcasing great businesses and people.
I can do many things to help my fellow rider and my community - I can and do - all of the above.
Sometimes my posts here in my blog may come across as whining – I get that – some days I feel like whining – I have some pretty aggressive dreams for this community and sometimes I get so very frustrated and feel like I am never going to accomplish what I set out to. Yet I know without a doubt that my telling people of the challenges I am facing helps me too…Because of people like you who take the time to either post here, or send me private emails or call me – you all keep me on track – on course. You help me to keep it real and while sometime’s the comments sting – they always help me re examine where I am and where I need to go.
I work alone in my office about 16 hours a day – and when you are alone that many hours in a day – you can feel overwhelmed and daunted – frustrated and discouraged. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of – no one to help me see beyond my own blinders…
You Baron’s Life – and the others who write or phone me – you are my sounding board and you are far more valuable to me with your constructive criticisms and comments than you will ever know.
So – keep it coming – slam my ass when it needs it – help me keep my big girl panties on and help me stay the course and to always do the right thing. I am here to serve my community but without your feed back and input I can only do what I think is right.
Keep helping me keep it real, I DO appreciate it.
The whining did net me a rider who is an office administrator and all because one person who read of my frustrations and challenges picked up the phone and called a friend. Now I have Lori working with me. What a gift!
Sometimes you have to ask for help and I am so glad I did.
As far as marketing goes – come January we will be going hard at that – just waiting on a few kinks and quirks to be worked out on the web site.
The Rider Friendly Phone Book for Western Canada is in print as we speak and will be ready for the bike shows – our little crew is attending 5 out of 5 of the January shows - Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Vancouver….
One final note; before I get my sorry ass back to work….my spelling doesn’t suck any worse than yours does! LOL!
Stay Safe and Warm….
Belt Drive Betty
Is that a good word for it…I think so.
I am an adventurer at heart - I think most who ride motorcycles are.
If I had the financial where with all one place I'd love to ride is Australia. Although not as challenging perhaps as Asia - Australia is one country I have always wanted to see and one day I will.
Baron's Life’s' post expresses once again how lucky we here in North America are, but I reiterate that we NEED to protect our freedoms - we can't take them for granted.
As far as my having responsibilities that others don’t – I guess you are right and maybe you are right that no one wants to hear about the challenges being faced by myself– they really only want to know what I can do for them…
So what can I do for the average biker?
I can help them to educate themselves by showing them the news headlines in other communities – when we look at what other towns are doing, what other riders are doing it can help us in our own communities.
I can help them to communicate. The newspaper – the Busted Knuckle Chronicles let’s riders from across Canada share their community stories with others – it is Rider Powered news.
I can help them entertain themselves – the on line show ‘n’ shine, photo contests etc are one way we do that and the other is by having kick assed events calendars that one can plan holidays and weekends by.
I can help them by promoting the community events, the charitable causes and showcasing great businesses and people.
I can do many things to help my fellow rider and my community - I can and do - all of the above.
Sometimes my posts here in my blog may come across as whining – I get that – some days I feel like whining – I have some pretty aggressive dreams for this community and sometimes I get so very frustrated and feel like I am never going to accomplish what I set out to. Yet I know without a doubt that my telling people of the challenges I am facing helps me too…Because of people like you who take the time to either post here, or send me private emails or call me – you all keep me on track – on course. You help me to keep it real and while sometime’s the comments sting – they always help me re examine where I am and where I need to go.
I work alone in my office about 16 hours a day – and when you are alone that many hours in a day – you can feel overwhelmed and daunted – frustrated and discouraged. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of – no one to help me see beyond my own blinders…
You Baron’s Life – and the others who write or phone me – you are my sounding board and you are far more valuable to me with your constructive criticisms and comments than you will ever know.
So – keep it coming – slam my ass when it needs it – help me keep my big girl panties on and help me stay the course and to always do the right thing. I am here to serve my community but without your feed back and input I can only do what I think is right.
Keep helping me keep it real, I DO appreciate it.
The whining did net me a rider who is an office administrator and all because one person who read of my frustrations and challenges picked up the phone and called a friend. Now I have Lori working with me. What a gift!
Sometimes you have to ask for help and I am so glad I did.
As far as marketing goes – come January we will be going hard at that – just waiting on a few kinks and quirks to be worked out on the web site.
The Rider Friendly Phone Book for Western Canada is in print as we speak and will be ready for the bike shows – our little crew is attending 5 out of 5 of the January shows - Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Vancouver….
One final note; before I get my sorry ass back to work….my spelling doesn’t suck any worse than yours does! LOL!
Stay Safe and Warm….
Belt Drive Betty