Saturday, January 24, 2009

Weather keeping people at home....

The weather kept people away from the Red Deer Motorcycle Show - it appears that people were just not prepared to come out in -30 weather.

Today the temperature is supposed to be around -21 so hopefully more will show up today.

The event coordinator has done so much work and faced so many challenges to put on a good show, he deserves your support. There is a wonderful variety of vendors and they have worked so hard to put together great displays and bring unique and interesting products to the public. I sure hope that the community decides to come out and support them today.

We have 16 BDB Club Business partners at the show so make sure you bring your savings card!

Black Knight Ink
Rogue Angel Wear
Leather & Steel
5150 Bike Werks
Grizzly Leather
Boutique of Leathers Open Road
Hardly Davidson/Swanky Shanks
ArtAtude Promotional Services
Darryl Makk's Comedy Detour/Kootenay Gut Buster
Badspirit Designs
Native Arts Tattoo
BlackJack Vintage & Classic Hawgs
Afterdark Custom Motorcycles
Purple Slice
Rose's Front Room - Jewelry, Motorcycle Gear & Uniques
Home for Chrome Insurance

I had the opportunity to interview Paul Cox and Kendall Johnson yesterday - I have to tell you....there is a real trend I have noticed with these big named builders - genuine, real and hard core riders who love the conveyance we call a motorcycle - Paul and Kendall share those same qualities. If you decide to brave the cold - the passion these men have for the machines they build and work on will warm your heart if not your hands....

I want to see the Agri Centre at the Westerner PACKED with people today....come on out and have a visit and see some great products. I think you'll be glad you did.

Hope to see you there.

I am jumping in the shower and getting ready to go....see you there.

Stay safe and warm,

Belt Drive Betty

Friday, January 23, 2009

It's going to be a great show

The Red Deer Motorcycle show was shaping up beautifully when I left last night around 7:30

At least 80% of the vendors were already moved in in spite of the horrendous weather that descended on us here. The variety of vendors is phenomenal.

Our big BDB Community Booth has been separated into two booths, one vendor did not like his space so we agreed to take his space and give up some of ours so you will have to look for our first row of BDB Partners on the North side of the Custom Alley and the other booth is between Pro AM and Silver Cove...I hope to see a ton of you out!

The Vancouver show is off and running and it is great to know that Bee and Bryan have things under control for us there. This is the first time we have had representation at 2 shows at the same time. I am excited to have the foundation of a great team.

So far Belt Drive Betty's Little Black Book of Rider Friendly Businesses has been well received and I am looking forward to similar responses out of both Vancouver and Red Deer.

We now officially have a sales representative in Toronto - Diva Crystal of the Chrome Divas has decided to join us and I will begin training her when I get home next week.

Home - I am getting a bit home sick (I have been gone since December 30th.)
Even though I talk to my wonderful husband every night, it's not the same as a hug and kiss goodnight. I am a lucky woman to have a man like Mark and I am grateful for him every day!
I can't wait to get home and start with my New Year's Resolution which is to work one less hour a day and spend that hour with him.

Anyway - it's time to hop in the shower and get to the show, so...stay safe and warm.

Belt Drive Betty

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Getting YOU involved

There are a number of ways for you to be involved on www.beltdrivebetty.com to help us create the best clearinghouse of information out there. It is to our mutual benefit as riders that we share with each other our favorite web sites, riding clubs, event information and rider friendly businesses.

When we share with each other what our experiences have been at a dealership, a restaurant, motel, hotel or campground we assist our fellow rider in having the BEST riding season possible.

So how can you get involved?
Add your favorite business to Our Rider Friendly Phone Book
Comment on the news articles you see on the news pages.
Submit your favorite day ride.
Submit your local and riding club news.
Take advantage of the classified ads.
Get involved in the forum and tell us what you need and want from us.

Your involvement beyond just reading the newspaper is important on so many levels.

Sharing information is important to the strength and well being of any community.

The Canadian Motorcycle Community needs your feedback - so come on people, help your fellow rider by making sure they know more about your town, the good places to eat, sleep, get their bike worked on and where they should go to explore the beauties of your area.

I know that our lives are all so very busy but please, take 5 minutes of your time and get involved.

From every Canadian who rides and every tourist who comes to our towns and provinces, thank you for taking a moment to share...

It's cold, windy and snowing today so if you have to be on the roads, stay alert, be safe and above all stay warm.

Belt Drive Betty

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

A sales day

It's funny how a person can be on the road and working for a month and only get one day to do sales calls! Today is that day for me. I am looking forward to seeing what this day will bring.

After the pomp and celebration of yesterday with the swearing in of Barack Obama, I woke up feeling very positive and hopeful for good days ahead.

I have something else I'd like to share with you.

I have been taking a whole food called Mila. For anyone who knows me and how badly damaged my feet are not to mention some of the other physical challenges I have, well I have to tell you this food is making all of the difference in the world for me and my body!

I can actually trot up stairs without crying - something I have not done in 11 years!
There are other remarkable things happening too - I have regained some of the feeling in my big toes - again - it's been 11 years since I have been able to feel the ends of them!

Mila is made from the Chia Seed - it was considered the food of the gods by the Aztecs and I can see why.

Some of the other benefits have been regularity - I suffer badly from changing water from city to city and have irritable bowel syndrome - gone! I have been in para meno pause for 4 years or so and for the first time in years have not been suffering with night sweats.

This food assists with better health for Diabetes patients, heart disease, breast and colon cancer to name a few. It is packed with 18 essential amino acids, tons of other good things like selenium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and has the highest concentration of short string Omega 3 fatty acids and has more antioxidents than blueberries.

In a nut shell I am feeling better than I have in years! Check it out at http://www.reneec.lifemax.net/

I have also been working with some interesting books on the Law of Attraction and again, I am beginning to change the way I think and in turn it is helping with the way I feel.

Tell me, what are you doing for yourself to improve your health and wellness?

I hope you all have a wonderful day - stay safe and warm...

Belt Drive Betty

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A new President, a new era

I watched with much interest the swearing in of the 44th President of the USA, Barack Obama.

I am hopeful and positive that this man has the capability to bridge generations, race, religion and make people see that we - the human race need to learn how to work together.

We need this man - everything I have heard and seen makes me believe in my heart that the world needs more leaders just like him. Leaders who want to resolve problems in peaceful and thoughtful ways.

I pray for Barack Obama - the 44th President of the United States of America and I pray that the good lord gives him the strength and courage to forge ahead - his pragmatism, courage and honesty are very uplifting and heart warming.

So, to a new era - one of equality, fair mindedness, charity and resolve.

May God bless the new President and his team.

Stay safe and warm....
Belt Drive Betty

Monday, January 19, 2009

Wrap up of the Edmonton Show

The Edmonton show did not have the pizazz or great feeling that the Calgary show had.
With Northlands under so much construction parking was at a premium already and then we had to compete with the Rush Lacrosse game and the sulkies on Friday, the Oil Kings on Saturday for parking.

The Northlands outdoor staff were rude and I can not imagine being an event coordinator having to deal with those people. I do not know how Laurie, Pam, Wendy and Brittany do it. I'd blow up at someone for sure.

There were not the number of riding clubs or vendors at the Edmonton show that were in Calgary and that again is probably because of Northlands being under construction.

The verdict has not come in as to whether or not I will go again, we'll wait to see how the parking issues get resolved once the construction is over.

I want to thank Tim for giving me a place to crash, Anthony and Boomer from the Veterans Canada MC and Sandra "BoB" Tyacke and her hubby Doug Blackie - I appreciate them and their support.

Today is put the newspaper together day so I had best get at it, till tomorrow - stay safe and warm.

Belt Drive Betty

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day 2 - Edmonton

It was a pretty good day - My buddy Mike Cole rode in and was interviewed by many media sources, TV, Radio....he has really done a lot to raise awareness for Diabetes - my hats of to him.

You can follow the rest of his ride on www.ridefordiabetes.com

He's a trooper and you can support him by making a donation to find a cure for Junior Diabetes.

I got soooo many hugs yesterday, it was like old home week!

I also had a very flattering and enticing invitation by Travel Alberta to provide them with an column for the new motorcycle section they want to start on their web site!

I am feeling so grateful!

I have to thank Sandra "BoB" Tyacke and her hubby Doug Blackie for all of their help in the booth. And what can I say about the guys from the Veterans Canada MC - man those guys are wonderful. If you have a chance - support your troops even if you don't support your government's decision for them to be engaged in wars you don't agree with.

Well, best get me arse in the shower and get ready for another day of hugs and friends.

Riding season is just around the corner...is your bike ready to go? If not, you'd best be getting it ready or your favorite shop might not have time or parts for you to be riding when the roads are ready.

Stay safe and warm.

Belt Drive Betty