A weird Internet Day

Wow what a strange morning. Every news feed seems to be having hiccups, Facebook and Twitter are only randomly working and it's made for a morning from hell.

I should have been done updating the news for you all but sadly that won't happen until later.

I only have a half dozen of the two dozen or stories added. Come on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com and log in so you can read your daily news...Membership is FREE!

The one story I really want to discuss with you all comes out of California - as our population here in Canada grows we ARE going to start having some of the same social issues the US has so NOW would be a good time to discuss them and what we are going to do as a community to combat them, and since so many of you ride in the US, knowing WHAT you are riding in to could prove LIFE SAVING.

In California right now they are getting geared up for spring and Share the Road with motorcyclists, Save a Life Look Twice Signs have been popping up on the interstates. That is sparking some HUGE OUTRAGE from drivers - seemly it is in the San Diego area that the attitude against motorcyclists is the worst.

Motorcyclists - because of the FEW - are looked upon in a negative way by many motorists.
In California lane splitting by bikes is allowed and many cagers REALLY resent that.

The CHP also is in the midst of a two-year “Look Twice, Save a Life” campaign to reduce the escalating number of motorcyclist deaths and injuries in the four counties with the worst accident rates.
San Diego County ranks No. 2 — behind Los Angeles County — with 52 motorcycle deaths and 1,134 injuries in 2008, the most recent figures available.
“This (sign) is a good way to get the message out that we share the road and need to look out for each other,” Coffee said.
At least, the signs have been noticed.

I suppose the fact that the signs are being noticed is a good thing but what about the attitude of the motorist - how in the HE double hockey sticks do we change that?
Why is there so much road rage against riders?

Your thoughts, ideas and opinions on the subject would be appreciated.

One of these days REALLY soon we are going to have to have the annual debate over loud pipes and what we are going to do about that nasty issue this riding season. 

I BELIEVE that WE - the riders need to take charge - some action to prevent idiots from using their loud pipes for attention seeking - they are a safety tool and if they keep using their pipes in a way that detracts from their proper usage we won't be allowed to have them - the government will shut down the aftermarket business...so folks - chew on that one and let's think of some concrete things that can be done.Ah yes - riding season - spring - it's in the air - I can feel it in my bones and with it comes:
Illegal Helmet tickets, loud pipe tickets and all sorts of issues and challenges - what are you going to do to protect yourself this riding season? I think some great discussions are on the menu in the weeks ahead.

If you are a lucky dog who is riding  - look twice - make sure that cager can see you!

Otherwise there's still about a week and a half or so of voting in the Beat the PMS Blues on line show 'n' shine to be done. Get your votes in and help the people who entered totake home their share of the over $5K in prizes that are up for grabs!

Have a great weekend everyone - I won't be blogging tomorrow - I am learning to take a day off for me to recharge my batteries....

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca
YOU, make it a great day!
Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders
and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me

Getting it done!

Well in spite of the lack of help here in the office I am getting unburied.
It is amazing how three weeks on the road can put you 5 weeks behind on everything else.

I have all of the phone books ready to go out in the mail today - you will notice that there is a savings card in the back of the book - just put your road handle and membership number on it and you'll never be with out your savings card again!

To find your membership number go to your profile page on www.beltdrivebetty.com and click on the print my savings card link - that will bring up your on line card which has your membership id number on it. Add that to the card in the back of your phone book, pop it into your saddle bags and you are good to go!

In the news today:

An interesting article on how technology is ruining the riding experience...I happen to agree with the author and would love to hear your thoughts on his article.

An opportunity to win a Perewitz bike.  Not sure if Canadians can enter...

A tongue in cheek gear test...

The Prairie Sport Riders in Saskatchewan have a new web site they are pretty proud of...

AND - They are trying to revive the Titan brand in Canada...

If there is anything on your mind - we'd love to hear from you!

Have a great day and if you are riding - PLEASE - PLEASE - Ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

For the rest of you - there are bikes in our Beat the PMS Blues on line show 'n' shine that could use your votes...

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca
YOU, make it a great day!
Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders
and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me

A Challenge Issued - One I Hope it is Taken VERY Seriously

This has been a rather emotional week for me.
Our 7th anniversary of the paper, my wedding anniversary and...I got a letter from the motorcycle dealership in town that I have had an on going "personality clash" with for the last 7 years.

That letter caused me to realize that I will never, ever live down the mistake I made all of those years ago. It also made me realize that my involvement in the two local charities that I have supported all these years may actually have been hurting them - or so I am being told. I wrote about this issue back in September on the 11th of 2009 for those wishing to understand the background and politics.

I decided that if my being involved is truly what is holding this dealership and the members of its riding club back from supporting Toys for Tots and A.I.M.Can then it was time to test that theory.
So I have resigned from both causes on the local level.

Time will tell if the dealer and the riding club decide to step up and get involved and if they don't well then perhaps I can quit allowing myself to be used as a whipping post. If they do step up then both A.I.M.Can and every injured rider in our region and the kids of our area will win and at the end of the day that is ALL that I care about. I truly hope that the dealer - if he is reading this blog as his letter indicates to me he does, realizes that I AM challenging him and his riding club - step up or shut up.
If I really am the reason you don't get involved - then you now no longer have that as an excuse.

My last meetings, where in I was filling everyone in on what I had done and organized and what I had that needed to be handed over were bitter sweet.

Toys for Tot's is getting geared up for their Porker run in support of the Ride for Dad on June 19th.

The Peace Country A.I.M. Can chapter in such good hands. Kim Gray from Rock City/Eagan's Restaurant, Emilia Hovorka of Grande Prairie Regional Tourism and Chad Boone of Grande Prairie Regional College are now all members of the Board of Directors. Tanya Thompson - the Regional Traffic Safety Coordinator for Grande Prairie - Region 8 - is now on the board as a member without a portfolio. These four people along with the new President, Dave Campbell of 97.7 radio and all of the local riders who are members will see the Peace Country Chapter grow and flourish of that I have no doubt.

I am sad that I will no longer be in the trenches with these two organizations and yet very happy that because I am stepping back there is a potential for immense growth.

I will support both the Peace Country Chapter of A.I.M.Can and Toys for Tots with free web hosting and advertising I just won't be involved in helping to organize events, fund raisers or obtaining sponsorships and donations.

I will remain as National VP of Marketing as I become a member of the Central Alberta Chapter of A.I.M.Can this weekend.

In the news today:

A Motorcycle Safety study that claims to have some surprises - doesn't.

A Charity ride is seeking sponsors.

One of our Rider Friendly Business Association Partners has some great specials on.

and A great customer service story...

If you are fortunate enough to be riding, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Otherwise - if you feel the PMS the way the rest of us do then come visit our Beat the PMS Blues on line show 'n' shine....

Have a fabulous Day.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor/Owner The Busted Knuckle Chronicles

www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca

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YOU, make it a great day!

Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me

--- @ WiseStamp Signature. Get it now

Metzler Tires and accident investigation

Metzler has come out with a new tire for naked and sportbikes.
I first read about the tire on CMG On Line when I was sifting through the news feeds this morning.

Then I went to the Metzler Web Site...It is a very intriguing tire design and as the editor's over at CMG aptly noted, the new tire will aid accident investigators.

The biggest problem that I see with the tire is that most seasoned riders will look at it, the markings and the tread pattern and go - Yeah, right, longer life - high performance - engineered for both wet and dry riding - this tire is designed to be an all season tire - good at everything and yet wonderful at nothing. It is no different than any other tire out there. Or is it? I'd love to find a really good sportbike rider and put this tire under him/her and discover whether the claims they make about "optimising the total area of the tyre footprint at every lean angle with up to an 8% increase, while improving also its shape and pressure distribution. This success is felt in every situation: with an increased stability in a straight line, better contact feel at the central part of the curve and safe grip at full lean."

In the news today:

H-D names military contest winner

Lou DeVouono talks about the Highway of Heros Ride

and Kawasaki UK announces a new test ride site.

If you are lucky enough to be riding today - PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Otherwise, come visit our on line show 'n' Shine...it ain't called Beat the PMS Blues for nothing!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor/Owner The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site

National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca

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YOU, make it a great day!

Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders 

and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me

Our 7th Birthday - today, February 16th 2010

As we begin our 7th year providing weekly community news through the Busted Knuckle Chronicles I want to say a huge thank you to the people who make up our humble little rag.

It's been a challenging ride. 

Sometimes incredibly tough, sometimes incredibly exciting but ALWAYS incredibly rewarding.

The BEST thing about the newspaper to me is the people - the people who write the stories, the people who are the stories and the people who read the stories.

Here in the west in particular our community hasn't had much in the way of communication tools that allow us a sense of community, connectedness. I feel like the Busted Knuckle Chronicles gives us some of that and I hope to see it continue to grow and flourish as it tells the stories of the Canadian Riding Community. Connectedness - brother/sisterhood...family.

That's what the Busted Knuckle Chronicles is all about - FAMILY and you who ride, who love the wind - you are my family.

On June 4th our web site www.beltdrivebetty.com will celebrate the beginning of it's 6th year on the web and while a baby in so many ways our clearinghouse of information has helped so many riders find the information they need and that in itself is so rewarding.

I have a birthday wish I want to share with you because it's only you guys and dolls who can make it come true....

I wish that every Canadian who rides, every person who rides would get involved in whatever way is right for them.

On our web site: www.beltdrivebetty.com  - you can submit stories, blog and share etc.
Our newspaper The Busted Knuckle Chronicles - submit your riding club stories, your event and community stories...
Get involved with our Facebook Groups: Biker/Rider Friendly Businesses in Canada or
Belt Drive Betty's Awareness Conga to the Wharf Rat Rally Group on Face Book.
The more you get involved either sharing your customer service stories, or helping us with surveys and information - the more we share...the better, the stronger and the tighter our community becomes.

My dream - my Birthday wish?
A strong, united and informed riding community - a tight knit family.


In the news today: 
Motorcycles in India are big business that is getting bigger all of the time and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter of India has introduced the CB Twister

Eric Buell and his race bikes are making the news again


The Dealer Expo saw a few new and interesting products as day two winds up.

Australia is getting geared up for their big motorcycle show on Friday.

The Rider who is CEO of Invest Toronto has a big job ahead of him...

Some BC dirt riders found out what it's like to sleep with their bikes all night and not in a good way...

Rider Friendly Business Association member Barb W of Frisky Business has a BIG announcement

Well - those highlights of the days news so far should help stay on top of what's happening and help fill your quest for knowledge...I am getting ready for an important meeting this morning and then working on finishing this week's paper for you all.

We will be printing our first round of events for the eastern side of Canada...all of these new fangled programs are messing with me but as I learn them the job will once again get easier!

You ride safe today if you are among the fortunate - ride that motorcycle like everyone around you is blind and can not see you - for the rest of us, there is always the Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine to view and vote on the bikes and I'd love to have you join our Facebook Groups:

Biker/Rider Businesses in Canada
Belt Drive Betty's Awareness Conga to the Wharf Rat Rally

Or become my friend on Facebook: Belt Drive Betty

Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau
Editor/Owner The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca
10908-102 St Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2X3
P(780) 402-8892
F(780) 830-4947
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site

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YOU, make it a great day!

Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me

--- @ WiseStamp Signature. Get it now

Happy Family Day

For those in Saskatchewan and Alberta - Happy Family Day.

I am keeping this short and sweet today as I attempt to learn how to take a day off - promised hubby we'd treat today like it is our anniversary - which is actually tomorrow but hey we have a holiday we can take advantage of so...a day of family for me!

News feeds are quiet so I am signing off...

Have a great day and for those of you who are riding - PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you - for the rest of you - there is our on line show 'n' shine - BEAT THE PMS BLUES - some gorgeous bike need voting on!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site


National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca

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YOU, make it a great day!

Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders

and your hand over my mouth! Amen

A Happy Valentine's Day to you all

Tuesday is mine and hubby's anniversary - 8 years of marriage...
The very first edition of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles was also launched on February 16th - 2 years later.

A lot of people who know me thought I was being all sappy when we set the wedding date as I had been a florist in my previous life. NOPE - I was setting my husband up for success. This weekend is the Daytona 500 and hubby is big NASCAR Fan so when the ads start running his male brain says...hmmm...something else important I am supposed to remember...must remember.

It keeps him off the couch and provides a little less stress in our marriage.
The good lord also made it really easy for him to remember my birthday because just like Glenn Roberts from Motorcycle Mojo - I was born on Father's Day (Glenn and I were even born on the same year!) So, my wonderful husband never forgets our anniversary or my birthday!

In the news: really cool set of goggles that tell you your speed, the temperature etc...

Monty Robinson is in court again on Tuesday and yes there is another peaceful protest.

The case of the former motorcycle racer who indulged in some racism was sentenced... considering one man was left in a wheelchair for the rest of his life it was a light sentenced that saw one of the victims end up in handcuffs.

The repatriation ceremony for Cpl Baker is tomorrow

One of our web site members sends in a very appropriate reminder on the dangers of social networking on Facebook and how to keep yourself a wee bit safer...

Have a wonderful valentine's day, if you are riding, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and for the rest of you - come vote on some motorcycles in our Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award Winning Web Site
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com
Western Canadian MotoRescue Representative
www.motorescue.ca
YOU, make it a great day!
Lord, please keep Your arm around my shoulders
and your hand over my mouth! Amen

Contact Me