Belt Drive Betty's Blog

A need to learn a better way....

Belt Drive 2 Canadian Riders, Motorcycle Community 4:45 AM

Have you ever noticed that when you take affirmative action to get rid of some people in your life it raises your sense of well being? 
 
I had an experience with someone that really bothered me. I wrote about it, then deleted it- it was wrong of me to be public about it - I had thought writing about it would make me feel better - it didn't - I was frustrated even after talking to the person, what had been done bothered me - BADLY. So I wrote, then I deleted. 
 
This person could not see that what they were doing was wrong, so ....after much thought I made an affirmative decision to get rid of them out of my life. 
 
That one simple decision to cut them out of my life for good has given me a sense of peace with regards to the situation that bothered me. 
 
I have always had a tendency to be reactionary - I have to get what bothers me off my chest and then it seems my brain and reason kicks in...I want to find a better way of dealing with the negative emotions that sometimes overwhelm me. 
 
How do you deal with things or people who frustrate or hurt you? 
 
I'd love to know as I have been struggling with the appropriate ways to deal with emotions that serve no real good... 
 
Tell me, I'd love to know. 
 
Stay safe and warm. 
 
Belt Drive Betty

A need to learn a better way....

Belt Drive 2 Canadian Riders, Motorcycle Community 4:45 AM

Have you ever noticed that when you take affirmative action to get rid of some people in your life it raises your sense of well being? I had an experience with someone that really bothered me. I wrote about it, then deleted it- it was wrong of me to … Read more »

31Jan2009

Spammers - the bane of every web site and what we have done to control the spamming issue

Belt Drive 2 Rider Friendly Business Association, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 6:56 AM

We have locked everything down under the membership area - I HATE spammers and those who don't play nice - they make every one's lives so difficult! 
 
The Rider Friendly Phone book and the events calendars can only be accessed if you sign up for a free membership - sorry folks but I am sick and tired of doing work only to have to re do it because some jerk has decided that our calendars or phone book need to be messed with. 
 
Membership on our web site is free - so you can access our calendars etc but you have to be a member to do so - same with the phone book - sorry folks, but the more popular the site becomes - the more spammers try to destroy our stuff. 
 
Members - Our events calendar tutorial is up and running so for those of you wanting to add events to our calendars, watch the tutorial and if you are experiencing any issues - please feel free to contact me. Everything has to be approved now before it will appear live on the site, that includes classified ads etc. 
 
Beginning this week we will be printing the calendars in the paper. (The Busted Knuckle Chronicles) 
 
If you have a publication or newsletter and want to use the information that we spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in phone calls etc to build - please ask first and if you are willing to give us credit as your source or one of your sources, we will be happy to work with you. 
 
There is always a lot to do and I do my best every day to accomplish as much as I can. 
 
Some days are better than others! 
 
Today I am pleased to announce that Brian Stuart from Harley Tech Talk has agreed to start answering the questions of our members about their machines in the forums on <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com </a>The technical advice that Brian can offer is amazing so I hope that many of you will take advantage of the knowledge he can offer. 
 
In a chat that I had with the Red Deer City RCMP it looks like there will be positive change for next year's show in Red Deer which bodes really well for all of us, vendors, exhibitors and customers! 
 
Gotta run - it's time to start making calls out east! 
 
Stay safe and warm... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Spammers - the bane of every web site and what we have done to control the spamming issue

Belt Drive 2 Rider Friendly Business Association, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 6:56 AM

We have locked everything down under the membership area - I HATE spammers and those who don't play nice - they make every one's lives so difficult! The Rider Friendly Phone book and the events calendars can only be accessed if you sign up for a fre… Read more »

30Jan2009

An attempt to BAN motorcycles in the UK thwarted

Belt Drive 2 Community, International News, Motorcycle Community 6:55 AM

I would like to draw your attention to a situation that took place in the UK, not unlike the issue here in Canada (Ontario specifically) where erroneous stats and comments - if allowed to stand, would have effectively seen motorcycles banned from certain roadways in the UK. In the case of Ontario, an MPP is trying to ban kids 14 and under from being passengers on motorcycles by using false and erroneous stats to back up her claims. 
 
Without public watch dogs, people who are willing to shed light on issues that are portrayed with wrong or erroneous statistics and information or stats taken completely out of context; dumb, exclusionary and thoughtless laws can be passed into law on an unsuspecting public. 
 
MCN Magazine stepped up and contacted the ACPO and demanded proper research and wording and they got the retraction that was needed to protect the rights of motorcyclists. 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/Motorcycle_Media/component/content/article/1482-police-sorry-for-ban-bikes-proposal-">I urge you to read the article. </a> Then I urge you to look at the situation in Ontario. They are in many ways identical. The difference here is that Helena Jaczek will not talk about the erroneous information that she is trying to pass off as legitimate and is trying to pull the wool over people's eyes with. Nor will she correct her information. 
 
Our community is under siege - why? 
A number of things factor into these attacks. 
 
There are those who have had bad experiences with motorcycles and or riders. 
There are those who buy in to the main stream media's portrayals of our community as being comprised entirely of bad guys. 
The police services tend to single out our community for special negative attention. 
Then there are those within our community who do a lot to foster the negative attitudes of others. 
 
In <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Entertainment/Noise+nightmare+needs+solution+says+Edmonton+councillor/1169742/story.html">Edmonton</a> and other major centres like <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.1st5ive.com/harley-davidson/motorcycles/2008/12/589/new-york-city-council-pulls-motorcycle-noise.../motorcycle/">New York</a>, loud pipes are a huge issue. 
 
There are many in our community who have a total lack of regard for their fellow human being. 
 
They just love to see how many car alarms they can get going, how many heads they can make turn and how many windows they can rattle. They love their ground pounders sound and think everyone else should too. 
 
It is because of these selfish and thoughtless individuals that eventually, legislation will come down that will make it so you can't modify your motorcycle's exhaust. 
 
I know that there are times when being able to crack open your throttle in urban traffic that you can avoid a collision by getting the attention of the driver who is trying to come in to your lane. 
Motorcycle horns are notoriously lame and newer vehicles are increasingly sound resistant inside, so unless the driver has a window open, the loud pipes save lives theory is as erroneous as some politicians stats. 
 
The truth is there is only ONE way for this community to not have their freedoms legislated out of existence. RESPECT. 
 
When you go through a hospital zone or residential area use some consideration with that right hand. When riding in a business area remember that people are trying to do business and your unnecessary "Noise" makes concentrating on the task at hand tough, sometimes impossible. 
 
Ride your motorcycle because you love it, not because it makes other people notice you. Your motorcycle should NOT be a fashion statement but a lifestyle - the true "Biker" rides because they love wind therapy. The commuter rides to save money and is seldom interested in anything other than that. 
 
I have zero empathy for those who ride their machines to get attention unless of course they are on a track. Then I have nothing but admiration for their skill. 
 
No, I am not a supporter or proponent for the disrespectful. 
 
If you are riding like a jerk - you are probably the same jerk that I curse at who drives by my house at 10 pm with the boom box in your car going so loudly that the base can be heard for blocks and is rattling the windows in my house. 
 
You are probably the same jerk who puts headers on his diesel truck that make it sound like the semi that is running through town using his Jacobs brake because he is too interested in having people look at him and think he's special because he drives a BIG truck. 
 
An ego maniac is an ego maniac no matter what conveyance they are in command of. 
 
I bet if you went to their place of employ and talked to the boss, he'd shed some light on the nature of that person, very seldom do attention seekers only seek attention on the roadways. 
 
Yesterday I asked a question on how we could all learn to live together and because of a readers response of "Until we learn to love each other..." it hit me. 
 
R E S P E C T - (From Wikipedia) Respect is esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of, a person, a personal quality, ability, or a manifestation of a personal quality or ability. It is sometimes, but should not be, confused with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty" title="Loyalty">loyalty</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear" title="Fear">fear</a> for a person. 
 
C O N S I D E R A T I O N - (From Mirriam - Webster's Dictionary) - #3: thoughtful and sympathetic regard These two words not only appear to be lacking in the vocabularies of some persons, they do not have any comprehension of what they really mean. The attention seeking mentality is not exclusive to the community of motorcycle riders. Where ever you find people, you will find selfish, self absorbed and thoughtless individuals. I believe that with the proper use of common sense (which appears not to be too common at all) and a little bit of respect and consideration, one can ride a motorcycle that has a loud pipe or thunder header on it and be "quiet". I believe that if thoughtful consideration was given by each person as the the effects their behaviour is having on another we could curb a lot of legislation. Will that happen? It's doubtful. We as a society care more about what our individual feelings and needs are and only once our lives have negatively been impacted by an action do we appear to learn anything about respect and consideration. "Walk a mile in my shoes" Empathy: (From Merriam -Webster's Dictionary) 2: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner ; also : the capacity for this 
 
The only ones who can change the perceptions of our community is US. 
 
One person at a time we have to decide to be more thoughtful and considerate, more respectful and empathetic. 
 
And that's my two bits worth today. 
 
Stay safe and warm... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

An attempt to BAN motorcycles in the UK thwarted

Belt Drive 2 Community, International News, Motorcycle Community 6:55 AM

I would like to draw your attention to a situation that took place in the UK, not unlike the issue here in Canada (Ontario specifically) where erroneous stats and comments - if allowed to stand, would have effectively seen motorcycles banned from cer… Read more »

28Jan2009

How do we learn to work together?

Belt Drive 1 Community, Red Deer Bike shows 9:39 AM

At the Red Deer show the RCMP not only came out in full force but they also swept the venue with a drug dog. I have zero problem with the officers being present. None, but why so many? And why the dog? Why do we as a community always seem to draw such special negative attention? 
 
I want to see this low opinion of riders and rider owned businesses change - but how is the 64 million dollar question. How do we as a community change this perception of us? 
 
What do we have to do? We are the ones who have to do the work, but figuring out a place to start is tough. 
 
The RCMP say if you are doing nothing wrong why would it upset you? It's not about us doing anything wrong - its about us wanting to find a way to change the opinion of us as a whole. 
It is amazing how many spectators said they felt uncomfortable by the high presence of the RCMP this year - no different than they felt last year when there were so many of the Red & White involved - they - the public- expressed that concern very vocally last year. Excess is excess - does not matter what side of the fence you look at it from. 
 
I do not know how we can foster a better relationship - the positions are always so adversarial and when I called the RCMP to simply ask questions I felt like the officer was so on the defensive that I couldn't find any common ground to communicate on. I want to know what we could do to foster a better relationship. But there really does not appear to be a way. It's like being caught between a rock and a hard place. The Red & White and the Police are the rocks - and the rest of us get caught in the middle - so what do we do? 
 
Any ideas people? 
 
I am home - finally and buried for the next week in paperwork, but I'll tell yah people, we have some serious work to do in this community and we need to act sooner than later. 
 
Your thoughts on concrete and positive steps that can be taken for us as a community to change the perception the RCMP have of us would be deeply and gratefully appreciated. 
 
Anyway - stay safe and warm... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

How do we learn to work together?

Belt Drive 1 Community, Red Deer Bike shows 9:39 AM

At the Red Deer show the RCMP not only came out in full force but they also swept the venue with a drug dog. I have zero problem with the officers being present. None, but why so many? And why the dog? Why do we as a community always seem to draw suc… Read more »

27Jan2009

Heading home after a successful road trip!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Travel 7:21 AM

Well, a month on the road has felt alternately like forever and far too short! 
 
I miss my husband and my bed but also wished that there had been more time to see more people. 
 
The Red Deer show turned out to be a phenomenal one. Randy Penner did a stellar job of overcoming the hurdles and challenges of the local dealers who did not wish to participate, mother natures curve ball and a wild economy! 
 
The previous show management team for this show did not make this an easy job for Randy as there were a lot of vendors who had issues in how they were treated in the past and some just could not seem to understand that Randy was willing to work with them to resolve those issues. 
 
It's sad and truly the one's who got penalized for this way of thinking were the riders who wanted to see the new offerings in dirt, dual sport and sport bike machines. I think however, that after the spectacular job that Randy and his team did this year that any old issues will be laid to rest and many businesses confidence in this show and the work ethic and dedication of Randy and his team will have shone through. (For a group of people who have never really worked together before - they did a great job.) 
 
The core group of volunteers and organizers already have a ton of ideas on how they are going to make 2010's show even better! 
 
The shows headliners, Paul Cox and Kendall Johnson were both really great with the public and were so very real, down to earth and approachable. I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing both men - man - were they ever wonderful people. 
 
The vendors all appeared to do good commerce and the riders appeared to really enjoy the socialization and offerings! 
 
I will be touching base with the winners of the Red Deer Motorcycle Show portion of our On Line Show 'n' Shine to get their take on how they were treated and what their comments and feedback were and I will share them with you in the days ahead. 
 
Right now though, I just want to finish packing my car and head home. I have a husband that I miss desperately and can't wait to see. 
 
Stay safe and warm. 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Heading home after a successful road trip!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Travel 7:21 AM

Well, a month on the road has felt alternately like forever and far too short! I miss my husband and my bed but also wished that there had been more time to see more people. The Red Deer show turned out to be a phenomenal one. Randy Penner did a stel… Read more »

26Jan2009

As the tempurature warms to -20 the crowds come out

Belt Drive 1 Community, riding community 7:29 AM

What a great day we had at the show yesterday! I enjoyed myself thoroughly! 
There is NOTHING I love better about being at the bike shows than meeting my fellow riders and getting to see the eye candy. Friday I got to really look over the eye candy and yesterday I got to see so many of the riders! 
 
I am going to get myself a new name plate or pin that reads "Hug Acceptor" I think for me that is one of the BEST things - all of the hugs I get! 
 
The phone book is being so well received! Even though the Red Deer show is smaller by many standards than the manufacturer shows I sold more books in one day in Red Deer than I did in three at Edmonton. 
 
It is so sad the Turple Brothers and the Kawasaki dealer decided not to come to the show. A lot of the local area riders were very disappointed. 
 
I want to thank first time show promoter Randy Penner for giving it his all. At this point Randy does not think he wants to do the show again - the work load is staggering as I well know and he is beat and beat up. I am unsure who the show owner will get for a coordinator but I truly hope it is a fellow rider as this show - in my mind - is a true rider's show. If one added a beer garden's and a social area for people to visit this would be the best show of the season, but that's just my two bits worth! 
 
Well, I am off to get ready for the last day of the show and tonight I get packed up and in the morning start my trek home. If sales calls go well and the weather is decent - by supper time I should be getting the hug I am REALLY looking for - from my sweet hubby. 
 
In the meantime I need to thank a whole whack of people that made this trip such a success, Sandra, Doug, Barry, Anthony, Boomer & Mark, all of our BDB Club partners, the show coordinators, the Chrome Divas...I hope you all know how much I respect, admire and appreciate you all! 
 
Stay safe and warm everyone.... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

As the tempurature warms to -20 the crowds come out