AMAZING Response!

I want to thank all of the riders who have entered our show 'n' shine so far.
We have had a few people 6 or 7 who have had some issues loading pictures because they are too large. We have added an image re sizing component to the menu bar of the show 'n' shine page - if that doesn't work for you either Ali or I can help, just drop us an email.

I have had a couple of emails from people who are ANGRY over this - please, it's a free show 'n' shine, your lack of knowledge on how to down size images shouldn't be a cause for anger or frustration - just ask - Ali and I will do everything we can to help you, just remember there's only two of us and how many of you? Well, already 50 entered in the show 'n' shine soooo... We want you to have fun and a shot at some the incredible - fabulous prizes we have. A little common courtesy goes a long way folks - our goal with all of this is not to piss people off but to have some fun and get to know each other better.

Patience might be required and if all else fails - PLEASE, just ask for help, Ali and I are here to serve you.

So far we have 55 people entered and a 140 plus show 'n' shine pictures that have been viewed just under a thousand times!

What a wonderful sight people. It is so cool to see what everybody rides and what about the sponsors of the show?

Alig8r Web Design - I think she deserves a hand!
Then there's our Named Sponsors: Forever Leather & the Vancouver BC H-D Baggers Haw Den - a Meet Up Group (HarleyKat and Kevin) between these two sponsors the People's Choice First Place Prize is worth and estimated retail value of $1045!

Remember - all of our prizes are fully transferable - what that means is:
IF you won something you couldn't use you are encouraged to: Give it away to someone who can use it, trade it in for something you could use (Trade with another winner) OR donate it back to our web site to be used as a prize in another contest or in our BDB Rewards Centre!


In the news today: An interesting article on Motorcycles, Noise Pollution and Rude Behaviour...sounds like I am not the only one to have some strong opinions!

And some news on the Dakar Rally, two articles actually.

If you live where you can ride, PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, everyone else, stay warm and safe!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

Happy 2010...we kick it off with our Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' SHine

Happy New Year everyone!

I wish each and every person in my circle of influence (AKA My World) a happy new year and I hope that 2010 brings you all you deserve!

We are starting the New Year off the right way around here!
The 2010 Beat the PMS Blues on lin show 'n' shine is officially launched today!

Get your entries in, then start rallying your troops. Get as many of your friends ready to vote for your bike as possible - February 1 we open up the voting for a whole month!

We have so many kick ass prizes to be won!

When we are done with the prize gallery in the next few days you'll see what I mean.
We have golfing, camping, hotel stays, event tickets, an Indian Motorcycle Jacket and so many other incredible prizes!

Enter your bike early PLEASE!!!! http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/show-n-shine

I know we are giving people a month to enter but last year so many people waited until the last minute that they crashed the server - let's avoid that scenario people - PLEASE!

In the news today:
A man finishes his Gator Chopper...not my bag, but yah just never know who it will appeal to.

AMA PRO Racing announced that Roger Edmondson will be leaving to deal with some unforeseen health issues that necessitate his full attention.

If you are fortunate to live where you can ride, please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!

For everyone else...Toronto Super Show is coming up for you in the GTA and here in Alberta we have Calgary & Edmonton MMIC shows and the Red Deer Motorcycle Show to look forward to - Vancouver 's MMIC show and the Red Deer show are the same weekend.  Check out our new events calendars for the low down... http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/events

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

A much needed bit of time alone...

Hubby and I had a great night out. As part of the President's Choice Awards Night, we won a night out in the Jacuzzi suite at the Stanford Inn here in Grande Prairie. They happen to be one of our business partners in the BDB Business Association.

We had a nice meal, were treated to a monster suite - this thing was bigger than our house!
We had a good breakfast and headed home. You can use your imaginations should you choose to figure out what we did with the time in between! Needless to say it was a much needed bit of alone time for he and I. It was strange being in a hotel in GP, we both felt like we were doing something we shouldn't be, I can't explain it but it hit both of us as funny.

Anyway, I'll be doing a review on the Stanford Inn and how I was treated for one of the upcoming issues of the paper...

I am not combing through news feeds today. If figure that if you want to know what the top ten of anything was in 2009 you'll go find it. I am only interested in two things as this year draws to and end.

My family and you, my extended family.  I wish you all of the best that 2010 can offer. Much of what it offers will be up to you - the Law of Attraction in Action...

I intend for 2010 to be a banner year for everyone in my world, my circle of influence.

Have a fabulous evening - PLEASE - DO NOT DRINK/Partake in any altering substance and drive...

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

Harley-Davidson Flexes it's Muscle...

Oklahoma-based Ridley introduced the fully automatic "Auto-Glide" in 2003 and Harley-Davidson filed a lawsuit that same year.All eight of Ridley’s 2009 models have Auto-Glide in their names. As part of the settlement agreement, Ridley has agreed to discontinue use of the name in any future models. The full terms of the settlement have not been disclosed as part of the agreement.

Some entries to our Customer Service Contest have been a tad harsh, almost leaning towards bashing so we are asking people to temper things and think of the potential of lawsuits before you submit your story...We want you to share your stories, your situation but you still need to exercise some discretion folks. Name calling etc. isn't going to offer anyone anything constructive. Here is the new disclaimer for the contest...

Our Worst/Best Customer Service story contest is not intended to be a mechanism to bash businesses or call people names, rather, it should be treated as an opportunity to educate both business and customer. Submissions may be edited if the editor of this website feels the wording is too harsh, however we will respect the fact that these are your personal experiences.  We also recognize the fact the one bad experience does not make a bad shop/business. The opinions expressed in the contest articles are personal opinions and experiences of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or values of Belt Drive Betty Media, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, or any of our affiliates or partners.

As I said, we want to encourage you to share but you also have to think about libel etc...

In other news: The Ottawa Motorcycle Show and the Calgary Motorcycle Show are both next weekend. I have a booth at the Calgary show that I could use two more volunteers for and a booth at the Edmonton show where I could use another 6 - 8 volunteers...
It is so hard being a one person operation on the promotional end of things - I would LOVE to go to Ottawa, and all of the other shows, however, I am but one...

In Nova Scotia a Bailey Bridge's poor maintenance has been blamed for putting a motorcyclist in a wheel chair.

OCC stays in the news...Besides the lawsuit against his son, Paul Sr seems to be ensuring he gets press every which way he can...The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation announced today that Paul Teutul Sr. and the crew from Orange County Choppers (OCC) have built a custom wheelchair-accessible motorcycle specifically to raise funds for the Reeve Foundation. A first of its kind, this trike bike allows someone living with paraplegia the opportunity to ride a motorcycle without having to transfer from their wheelchair.

Well folks, I gotta get other work done, I hope you have a fabulous day...Hubby and I are going out for the evening, part of the President's Choice Tourism Award I won was a free night in a Jacuzzi room at the Stanford Inn here in Grande Prairie - I feel a partner review coming on! So, if you don't get your news until noon - so be it - I am taking tomorrow morning off!

If you are blessed and fortunate enough to live where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. If you are like me - well, go to a bike show!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

Our 3rd Annual "Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show n Shine"

Well gang, we are three days away.

On January 1st you will be able to enter your motorcycle into our on line show n shine - up to 10 photos per bike and YES it really needs to be your own bike - PLEASE - you can enter a bike for a friend who is without a computer/computer access but you must supply us with their contact information!

We have prizes from pretty much coast to coast.

I am waiting to hear from the Pig 'n' Fin on Vancouver Island, Atlanticade in St Andrews NB and the River Rat Rally in Gananoque ON. The only province/territories we don't have prizes from is the NWT, YT, Newfoundland , PEI and Manitoba from what I can see...I am humbled by the response so far!

Anyhow - Ali is working her fingers off ... January 1st is the date!

Voting on the bikes will begin February 1st so make sure you get your bikes in January and then get your friends to come and vote for your bikes! And Please, don't wait until the 29th and crash our server like happened last year - we give you a month to enter so that our server doesn't get over loaded!

There was nothing of real note in the news today so no serious or heavy discussions.

5 months of bank statement reconciliations to complete today and I should finally for the first time in 4 years - actually be caught up on most stuff and working to move things forward instead of always playing catch up. That will make 2010 a banner year for me - not playing catch up - what a CONCEPT! YEE HAW!

As I reflect on the last few years and see how far I have come, the things that I have over come and learned, the things I have lived through and experienced...wow. I surprise even me!

2 computer crashes, re doing my books from scratch not once but twice - once because the accountant's copy and mine wouldn't merge and the other because of a computer crash.

The crap in GP over the bike show, the crap in Wembley over the bike show and the crap in Olds over the bike show... My husband being diagnosed with MS, becoming a non smoker after 38 years - a warning to Champix users - while they sure helped me to quit smoking they also caused a bit of a - for the lack of a better term - "mini nervous break down" or "depression" or some such stuff as I had a few experiences that I would not normally have and did do a few things that I would not normally do - whatever it was it was weird and I am glad to be over it!. Almost three months as a non smoker now! The challenges I faced when borrowing a bike and the attacks against me and my business over it. 

Yup, it's been an interesting and character building time.

I guess that is the one most amazing thing about life, nothing is static, it moves, shifts and changes steadily! I feel so much more in control of me, my emotions and my dreams & goals - I did not know it was possible to feel this way. I am grateful for the learning that has taken place and the learning yet to come. Embracing change instead of fearing it - that is sooo liberating!

If you are a fortunate and blessed human being to live in a warm climate where you are riding, please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. If you are like me and living where it's cold and crappy - stay in and stay warm...

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

National VP A.I.M. Can

www.aim-can.com

An education of sorts...

In life there are many ways to get an education.

You can go to school, university, college or trechnical/trade school or you can get the education hands on, through mentoring and through books or any combination there of.

I have a few people who have been mentoring me and I want to thank them deeply and publicly. Berge Baronian from GTC in Delta BC, Kim Dembinski from Sagewood Communications in Leduc AB, Kim Webber in Sexsmith AB and a man named Doug Pearsall from Stinson Equipment in Montreal.

From Berge I am learning patience and business analysis, from Kristina, how to get my message out more effectively, from Doug - Time Management and from Kim Webber - Goal setting and priority planning/mapping.

I have been reading and listening to audio books, taking to heart the lessons I am learning and guess what, you really can work smarter not harder! I find myself accomplishing more and more every day, getting all of the little loose ends taken care of. I still have a ways to go to be as organized and efficient as I would like to be and I am learning to do that one day, one hour at a time. I am finding the whole process fascinating and invigorating!

I am learning that at 6 pm, my office door gets closed and I commute to the kitchen or living room. Putting boundaries in place on myself when it comes to my business - that's a whole new concept for me!

Anyway - I guess the whole point of this particular post - you are never to old to learn, learning can come in a variety of ways - embrace it and enjoy it - it's amazing what we can learn when we remove our mental barriers.

In the news today...not much.

A Welland Ontario Rider, 19 year old Flat Track Racer, Mike Labelle, was picked up by a US team - Weirbach Racing of Ottumwa, Iowa.

Two Scandinavian adventurers from the Oslo, Norway region are passing through Ontario.
Their stop is part of a 70,000 Kilometer journey around the world - no charity, no fan fare, no ego, just two friends going on a road trip of a lifetime. 

If you are a lucky dog who lives where you can ride, then please keep that streak of luck going by riding like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!
For the rest of you, stay warm, go polish or wrench on the old girl - the riding season is only 3 months away give or take!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com

Too true, too sad...Colors are banned in Virginia Bars

LJ James - writer, radio talk show host and outlaw biker...
He wrote this article: Law Bans Biker Colors In Bars & Restaurants. Is This The Last Straw?

LJ has written a number of articles where in he begs the "mainstream" rider to join forces with the outlaw biker in fighting the establishment...this one is no different. The new law in Virgina is making him reach out yet again...


We as Motorcyclists and Bikers (It does not matter what you call yourself) have to realize fast that we are all connected. It doesn’t matter what you ride, what State you live in or who you Support, we’re all in this together. What effects Me effects you and it doesn’t matter what you happen to think of me.
When the local Bar you and your Brothers love hanging out at is told that you and all other members of Motorcycle Clubs can no longer go there or they will revoke the Bars liquor license, What then?

This is no Joke my Biker Brothers, every month there is another new law that is aimed not only Motorcycle Club Members, but all Americans. It seems that every time the Government wants to take away a freedom, they find a way to craft a new law for our “safety”. What kind of Country is this turning into when you can’t wear what you want and suddenly, your constitutional right to assemble is taken away from you?
Although there are many ignorant people out there that believe Motorcycle Clubs are Gangs, that’s simply not the case. Most Motorcycle Clubs are made up of hard working, honest, law abiding, patriotic, American Citizens who enjoy a common bond, Motorcycles. It’s what is in a persons heart that determines who they are, not the clothes they wear. LJ James


Now then folks... I myself have written similar articles because believe it or not the same shite happens here. I have asked similar questions...and have been targeted by all three groups of players in this "story". The Outlaws think I am against them, The "Good Guys" think I am against them and depending on the mainstream rider they think I am either pro Outlaw or Pro Good Guy when really all I am is PRO Charter of Freedoms and Rights.


I am no outlaw biker - and as my daughter isn't married yet in not on outlaw there either.

I am a bit of a rebel and I really resent it when we have politicians prompted, prodded and poked by law enforcement personnel, who cave in and enact laws or bylaws to deal with the "Criminal" element that are SOOO gray, so loosely worded that someone wearing a company jacket can either be arrested or fined. (Don't laugh and don't scoff here folks - I AM DEAD SERIOUS - educate yourself as to the laws in your region - read the laws, some of them, well they might surprise even you in the way they are worded especially the ones on this topic.)

Every side of the story has it's facts and it's suppositions... the Outlaw Biker - he wants you to believe he's a church going, law abiding citizen who would never consider doing anything "bad", it's just an image he portrays...

Then there's the law enforcement personnel..they would love to catch the "Outlaw Biker" doing something he shouldn't be, but they need help because there are not enough "Good Guys" to go around and the bad guys aren't being dealt with severely enough in the courts once the "Good Guys" catch them.

The politician wants to be re elected and since the "Good Guys' have the media worked into a frenzy about the "Bad Outlaw Biker" and have created a platform or agenda for the politician - the politician gets on board blindly or is drawn in to the fray by the media's feeding frenzy - politicians love the camera and the microphone...

The bar owner needs to keep his liquor license but the "Good Guys' tell the bar owner that if he lets in club patches he will loose it. The "Good Guys" however will not arm the bar owner and staff with the information on what is and is not acceptable so a wide and sweeping ban comes into effect...So the bar owner is now doing the job of the police officer, so is the politician and now we have a police state...and it is all done hiding behind the Petty Trespass Act...The bar owner can't be sued for discrimination because of the Petty Trespass Act,  the police services squeeze our community with impunity in an unconstitutional fashion and the politician wins the vote of the people the media scared the beejeebers out of. See how that is working????
It works this way exactly in many other situations as well.

I know many of you think I am exaggerating but I am not. These scenarios are played out every day.

I have been on the "Wrong" side of the bargaining table and I have experienced this scenario first hand not once but three times, with three different commanding officers in three different communities - I had people so pissed with me when the City of Grande Prairie AB enacted it's bylaw banning colors. They thought it was me that instigated it - it was the "Good Guys", just like it was the "Good Guys" in Manitoba & Saskatchewan where they are trying this same tactic. (And failing in Saskatoon's case, but not before a bunch of mainstream riders were unjustly treated).

The Police services are very good at intimidation and getting the mainstream person to do their bidding. Too often they hit their detractors in our pocket book so we can't continue to fight them or point out their hidden agendas. (Like they did with me in Olds - the police services have the power to do to you whatever they want if they don't agree with your way of thinking. If they want to prove a point to you - they will.)

One question I get asked a lot is: If what you say is true BDB, then why are there still outlaw motorcycle clubs around? You say the police services have the kind of control/power that could squash them so why are they still around?

Well, just like Yves Lavigne, (The man the RCMP tout as their EXPERT on the Canadian Outlaw Biker Scene) I believe it's good for the police services business to keep the OMC's around.

They are highly visible. Unlike the "race based gangs" they are easier to feature on TV (easier to point out without being accused of racism), they are easier to infiltrate, to score some wins on the score board and to be honest - I think it's the police services way of controlling the purse strings...they can go to a politician and say we need more laws, more resources, more funding....OUTLAW BIKERS - they serve a purpose - they build the careers of police services members.

I am not for protecting criminals, however, I am not for a police state either and I am not pro or anti politician. I am for common sense and a more calm and rational approach to things BUT that doesn't seem to be a popular approach at all.

Trying to get everyone else in this equation to play nice in the same sand box...yah, there's a nice pipe dream....it will never happen, but there has to be a way for some "common" sense to enter the equation so that those of us who are just motorcycle riders, riding club affiliated or not, can just enjoy our community and friends without being unduly targeted.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject. 

You never know when one person's comment is going to spark that light bulb moment where in we discover the answer we seek...So come shine some wisdom and wit on the subject cause yah just never know what will come out of it!!!

In the news today:

Not much to report. Classy Chassis & Cycle is having their big boxing week blow out and the Motorcycle USA team has put together their list of the top 10 of all things motorcycling for 2009.
And of course there is the story I discuss at the top of this page...

I hope that if you are fortunate enough to live where you can be riding that you ride like everyone out there is blind and can not see you and the rest of you, stay warm - eh!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com