Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Jasper and Edson Road Trip

Jasper and Edson Road Trip

I am heading out in an hour so that I can attend the Jasper Poker Run and the Edson Toy Run. The weather here in GP is wonderful and I can't wait to hit the open road. No matter what event you are attending this weekend, PLEASE ride safe. Belt Drive … Read more »

18Sep2009

When bikers act like brothers and sisters - amazing things happen!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Motorcycle Community 11:10 PM

There's a lot of politics in the biker community - there always has been, I guess there will always be. (Fighting's part of family just as much as banding together in times of need and common causes) But when the chips are down and the gloves come off and we get down to the basics of acting like brothers and sisters there are miracles that happen. 
 
BIG and LITTLE MIRACLES! 
 
A little while ago the Handle Bar Hideout in Sylvan Lake held a downed rider poker run. They raised $660 and donated it to AIM-Can - the Peace Country Chapter here in Grande Prairie, since we are the only official AIM-Can Chapter in the province at the moment. 
 
Tonight at our meeting our Vice President Larry DeBolt (Toys for Tots Member) and our Past President Robin Peterman (CMC Member) put forth a motion that was past - for our chapter to send $660 to the Damon Nagy Family Trust in High River and $660 to the Duane Burr Family.  Duane and his wife just had a baby and we know a few extra dollars could probably be put to use there and Damon has 5 kids to support so... 
 
It was felt that since a business from central Alberta had supported us with a gift we should match it and send it back south. 
 
Gives me goose bumps - I gotta tell you. This, this is what I love about the biker community.  You guys and dolls are some wonderful people! 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
AIM-Can National VP 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">www.aim-can.com</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

When bikers act like brothers and sisters - amazing things happen!

Belt Drive 0 Community, Motorcycle Community 11:10 PM

There's a lot of politics in the biker community - there always has been, I guess there will always be. (Fighting's part of family just as much as banding together in times of need and common causes) But when the chips are down and the gloves come of… Read more »

16Sep2009

Because of the biker community - A Miracle Happened!

Belt Drive 2 Ontario, riding community, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 9:49 AM

Over the last few weeks we printed two articles in the Busted Knuckle Chronicles - one in French and one in English about an Ontario Chrome Diva who needed help and man did the people who read the Busted Knuckle Chronicles come through in a BIG way. 
 
Two donors - two matches - were found for Diva Lise. At least two people went for the tests and were identified as matches and now on September 22nd, Lise will go for her first consultation for a bone marrow transplant! 
 
I am so humbled and so honored that two of the people who read this paper took the time to give the gift of life. I wished I could hug and kiss you! Lise had no other avenue to have her story told and her plea to be heard. Because you took the time to read the paper - because you took the time to go for the blood test our gal Lise has a shot! 
 
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THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!</div>

Because of the biker community - A Miracle Happened!

Belt Drive 2 Ontario, riding community, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles 9:49 AM

Over the last few weeks we printed two articles in the Busted Knuckle Chronicles - one in French and one in English about an Ontario Chrome Diva who needed help and man did the people who read the Busted Knuckle Chronicles come through in a BIG way. … Read more »

15Sep2009

The Dumb Ass of the Day Award

Belt Drive 0 BC, Community, riding community 6:30 AM

The Dumb Ass of the Day Award belongs to <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/2235-drunk-biker-tripled-speed-limit">a rider from Notre-Dame </a>that was caught doing 151 kilometers per hour in a 50 zone. Not bad enough, he blew over twice the legal limit! 
 
Guys like this make me wonder if we will ever see safer road ways. 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/2234-motorcycle-enthusiasts-celebrate-their-love-of-old-bikes-at-antique-motorcycle-show-in-regina">Thunder City Power and Leisure Antique Motorcycle Show</a> was held in Regina this past weekend. By all accounts the crowd that came out was very appreciative of the old rides of the Regina and area community! 
 
BC - the lower mainland in particular seems to be having more than it's share of motorcycle accidents. <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/2232-one-man-dead-after-motorcycle-accident-in-surrey">One Rider is dead</a> after an accident in Surrey and <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/bc-news/293-motorcycle-television/2233-motorcycle-crash-sends-two-to-hospital">two people were taken</a> to hospital after their ride was cut off by an SUV inn Langley. 
 
I can't say it enough, safer road ways has got to become a mission in this community, we are loosing far too many good people and seeing many more injured and maimed for life. 
 
It's enough to break your heart. 
 
If you are lucky enough to be riding today, please use your head for something beside a helmet rack and ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists of Canada</a> 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a>

The Dumb Ass of the Day Award

Belt Drive 0 BC, Community, riding community 6:30 AM

The Dumb Ass of the Day Award belongs to a rider from Notre-Dame that was caught doing 151 kilometers per hour in a 50 zone. Not bad enough, he blew over twice the legal limit! Guys like this make me wonder if we will ever see safer road ways. Thunde… Read more »

15Sep2009

Toy Runs getting lots of support in uncertain economic times

Belt Drive 0 Community, Saskatchewan, Toys for Tots 6:31 AM

The reports in the news feeds on the Toy Runs that have been taking place are very positive. 
 
Both <a href="http://mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=285823&sc=3">Moose Jaw</a> and <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/2227-santas-helpers-deliver-toys-for-kids-medicine-hat">Medicine Hat</a> saw record numbers of riders attend. 
 
Moose Jaw with over 300 bikes and Medicine Hat with 850! 
 
In other news a man from the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/component/content/article/295-motorcycle-television/2223-motorcycle-rider-dies-near-cadillac-?directory=135">Southwestern Saskatchewan</a> riding community passed away this weekend when he swerved to miss a deer. Our hearts go out to Randy's family and friends. 
 
Our new events calendars are almost ready to go. 
If you want to post your 2010 events, please get in touch! 
 
I am putting the finishing touches on this week's Busted Knuckle Chronicles so I'll talk to you all tomorrow! 
If you are riding today please us your head for something besides a helmet rach and ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP 
<a href="http://www.aim-can.com/">Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists</a>

Toy Runs getting lots of support in uncertain economic times

Belt Drive 0 Community, Saskatchewan, Toys for Tots 6:31 AM

The reports in the news feeds on the Toy Runs that have been taking place are very positive. Both Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat saw record numbers of riders attend. Moose Jaw with over 300 bikes and Medicine Hat with 850! In other news a man from the So… Read more »

14Sep2009

The Hinton Toy Run, a great event that dumb asses are trying to ruin...

Belt Drive 0 Community, Rider Friendly Business Association 8:40 AM

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Hinton Toy Run. 
It was wonderful to see 125 bikes come out to participate in the 47 kilometer route through town.  The Foothills Road Riders Association who hosts the event has had a rough winter with their president away working in Fort McMurray and the rest of the executive also consumed by work - they literally put their 24th Annual Toy Run together in a week. 
 
They filled a pick up truck and a trailer with toys! The towns people of Hinton were lined up on the streets, many with toys. It was truly impressive how much the town supports this event. The RCMP blocked many intersections, volunteers blocked at the rest and the parade stayed very tight. The fire trucks that led the procession kept a really nice pace and everyone arrived to the campground just outside of town safe and sound. 
 
It could have been very different though. 
You see, there were by my count a half dozen young men in their late 20's to mid thirties who felt it necessary to have a beer in the parking lot at the mall before the parade got under way. 
 
You read right - in the parking lot at the mall...BEFORE the parade. 
Drinking, in the open with kids and families who don't ride present. What a wonderful example! NOT! 
I have to wonder why.  I do not understand how people can be so thoughtless. 
The FRRA has worked very hard to get the RCMP and the fire department's support for the event. So why would these riders put their need for a drink ahead of the very cause they are supposed to be supporting? 
 
Had one of the seven officers that was present at the mall parking lot witnessed these people being selfish dumb asses, the support this Toy Run is given by the RCMP may have changed drastically. 
 
I shake my head. In my humble opinion, these riders should be taken out in the back 40 and taught a few lessons in respect and common sense. There is a time and place for everything and in my humble opinion this was NOT the place to be drinking. 
 
These drinkers got lucky. None of them caused an accident, none of them got caught. 
 
However, by virtue of the fact that they were drinking, they put every other rider at risk, they put the Toy Run and the FRRA's relationship with the RCMP at risk. 
They were lucky; dumb and selfish, but lucky. 
 
I have heard of other charitable events where the RCMP who are working at the event as traffic blockers or leading parades do a walk through before the event/parade starts and ticket people for helmet, pipes and other violations. I have always thought that was wrong, but perhaps I am the one who is wrong for thinking that way. Perhaps their walk abouts have more to do with their knowledge of human nature and trying to protect other people from the dumb asses of the world. 
 
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please use your head for something besides a helmet rack and please ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
National VP - AIM-Can 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/aimcan/index.php">Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists of Canada </a>

The Hinton Toy Run, a great event that dumb asses are trying to ruin...