A Suzuki powered couch rode its way to a land speed record...yup, you read it right!
The stunt was part of the "Add a Motor to It" Promotional series and Glenn Sutton from Australia rode that couch at 163 KM PH breaking the previous record of 148 KM PH.
When you watch the video, I am sure you will have the same question I did - how the heck fast could that Suzuki have gone without the coffee table and couch on it? It's crazy what some people will do to get some notoriety - but I am sure there is many a drag racer out there thinking, I need these guys to build me an ENGINE!!!!
In other news - it appears that Sturgis North is being partially blamed for poor attendance at the Nakusp Music Festival which is regrouping to decide how to handle their 2 year deficit totalling $200K.
Even with the top prize of getting some one on one time with Kevin Costner, the event could not dig it's self out of the first years debt of $80K....
I am wondering if it wouldn't be wise for these event coordinators to talk to each other. Seriously - there are only so many weekends to go around and with so many events going on, some are bound to suffer and as we are witnessing, the trend is disturbing...If you were an event coordinator, what would you do to ensure the success of your event? As an event attendee - what do you want in an event? I am sure that if we, the attendees of these events told coordinators what we want to do and see, they could come up with a winning formula.
The Ride for Dad organizers in Ottawa must be some proud of themselves as it was announced that their contribution of $200K went towards the purchase of a new $5 million dollar surgical robot.
The surgical team that will use this robot spent two years being trained on its use at the Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota. In all there are now 11 robots in Canada.
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is naming one of their patient education rooms after the Ride for Dad as their way of thanking them for their continued support in fighting prostate cancer.
There is a lot of other news on tap today, so head on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news feeds so you don't have to!
Have a safe and fabulous weekend - I will talk to you all on Monday.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Riders suing Clark County in the state of Nevada
In the news today is a story out of Las Vegas regarding a class action law suit over Nevada's helmet law.
The law suit was filed against the county and 5 of its cities.
The suit alleges that the agents (police) have an on going pattern of issuing helmet tickets that are not supported by probable cause and that the tickets violate the civil rights of those who are suing because they are issued as a pretext for invading liberties and civil rights.
It is estimated that the suit could represent as many as 40,000 riders. The Nevada state helmet law has been in effect since 1972.
We here in Canada also have similar cases where the police services stop people for supposed violations only to be questioned extensively about their tattoos, patches and stickers.
I have been calling for riders here in this country to become united and now would be the time.
We have some unsettling things happening like true 1% MC's now sporting one piece patches. Why are they doing that? Well - an educated guess would be that they are tired of being targeted over their three piece patches. It goes entirely against patch protocol and ethics, however with so many LEMC's sporting three piece patches with no prospecting period and muddying the waters of who is who, I guess they feel justified in breaking with tradition.
The sad truth is though, that by wearing one piece patches, the true 1% MC's are going to make it so that EVERYONE who wears a one piece patch will probably start getting pulled over and questioned...NICE huh - NOT.
I would love your feedback on what you think about this turn of events. If all 1% MC's went to a one piece patch what would happen to our community and how it is percieved? Join the discussion on Facebook, in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or right here in my blog...
In other news:
In Ottawa the police there raided a suspected Hells Angels clubhouse.
Some good news out of BC...Frank Mazzei who was involved in a crash in Saskatchewan about a month ago is out of coma. The well known and loved Nanaimo Philanthropist is walking, talking a small amount and even able to write some!
ON TV - "MythBusters" puts motorcycles "Green" effect to the test.
There are many other news items that might affect your day, I hope you will check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com we sift through the news so you don't have to!
I hope you are enjoying your provincial news letters and your national newspaper today and that you will take our Riders Survey!
Have a fabulous Thursday...ride safe and with respect please.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
The law suit was filed against the county and 5 of its cities.
The suit alleges that the agents (police) have an on going pattern of issuing helmet tickets that are not supported by probable cause and that the tickets violate the civil rights of those who are suing because they are issued as a pretext for invading liberties and civil rights.
It is estimated that the suit could represent as many as 40,000 riders. The Nevada state helmet law has been in effect since 1972.
We here in Canada also have similar cases where the police services stop people for supposed violations only to be questioned extensively about their tattoos, patches and stickers.
I have been calling for riders here in this country to become united and now would be the time.
We have some unsettling things happening like true 1% MC's now sporting one piece patches. Why are they doing that? Well - an educated guess would be that they are tired of being targeted over their three piece patches. It goes entirely against patch protocol and ethics, however with so many LEMC's sporting three piece patches with no prospecting period and muddying the waters of who is who, I guess they feel justified in breaking with tradition.
The sad truth is though, that by wearing one piece patches, the true 1% MC's are going to make it so that EVERYONE who wears a one piece patch will probably start getting pulled over and questioned...NICE huh - NOT.
I would love your feedback on what you think about this turn of events. If all 1% MC's went to a one piece patch what would happen to our community and how it is percieved? Join the discussion on Facebook, in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or right here in my blog...
In other news:
In Ottawa the police there raided a suspected Hells Angels clubhouse.
Some good news out of BC...Frank Mazzei who was involved in a crash in Saskatchewan about a month ago is out of coma. The well known and loved Nanaimo Philanthropist is walking, talking a small amount and even able to write some!
ON TV - "MythBusters" puts motorcycles "Green" effect to the test.
There are many other news items that might affect your day, I hope you will check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com we sift through the news so you don't have to!
I hope you are enjoying your provincial news letters and your national newspaper today and that you will take our Riders Survey!
Have a fabulous Thursday...ride safe and with respect please.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Taking a gamble...
The hosts of Sturgis North took a gamble when they decided to host a motorcycle rally in the Shuswap, why do I say that? I know you are thinking, what an ideal place to host an event: beautiful scenery, incredible riding, great weather most of the time...
Well, to be honest any motorcycle event is a gamble - you are battling mother nature, family and other life commitments and a host of other challenges like volunteers actually showing up to do what they said they would. The millions of tiny minute details that go into hosting ANY event is daunting but an event the size and scope of Sturgis North - mind boggling.
They faced huge opposition, obstacles and like every event coordinator out there, learned the hard way about people and their loyalties, learned that dreams sometime need to be pulled back to a more manageable level.
How do I know these things? From having been an event coordinator and I can tell you first hand that being an event coordinator/host is no task to be undertaken by the faint hearted. You ride the emotional roller coaster of having people do unspeakable and horrible things to you to having the most amazing, uplifting help and guidance and support from others. You need to be rock steady in your belief, vision and commitment, but most importantly, you need the motorcycle community to "rally" around you - will the motorcycle community rally around Sturgis North in 2012?
I empathize with any coordinator that looses money hosting an event. The news that Sturgis North is coming back for 8 days, in spite of loosing money, with all events being consolidated to the Neskonlith Indian Band lands is HUGE. It appears that they have been listening to the feedback from vendors, participants and sponsors and to be taking everything to heart and it appears they have already begun to make the changes necessary to make the 2012 event a success.
The fact that for their first time they got somewhere around 35,000 people is hugely impressive, and if they revise their pricing and layout to be more user friendly, then I feel the riding community will get behind it again. Like every western rider, I am excited at the thought of a major event here in the west. We need an event that we riders can embrace.
A partial recipe for this to happen, I believe is:
Better entertainment
Everything consolidated to ONE main venue
Rodeo games, show n shines, swap meet
A vendors village area that you don't have to pay to get into
Less police presence
Lower fees to attend
What are your suggestions to make Sturgis North bigger, better and an event that would be considered, like it's name sake in the south - a MUST do event? I know that they would probably love to hear them and I know I WANT to hear them...
I would also like to hear feed back on the Great Canadian Bike Rally in Merritt - do you feel that these two events should go head to head again next year? What could the Great Canadian Bike Rally do better to become the MUST attend event of the year?
If you went to both events, which one did you enjoy more?
Was there anything that one event did better than the other?
Should these two events consider somehow being more cooperative with each other?
I have an enquiring mind and would LOVE your feedback! Join the discussion on Facebook, in our forums or right here in this blog!
As an entrepreneur and a motorcyclist I am a bit of a natural born risk taker. But what about you?
Have you ever bet on life in the fast lane? Betting on sports events is not unlike being an event coordinator, motorcyclist or a small business owner....you take an educated risk: you gather the facts, you take a course of action, and once the event begins, the doors open to a venture all bets are off! Your only chance for an edge is education!
Have you ever bet on life in the fast lane? Betting on sports events is not unlike being an event coordinator, motorcyclist or a small business owner....you take an educated risk: you gather the facts, you take a course of action, and once the event begins, the doors open to a venture all bets are off! Your only chance for an edge is education!
MotoGP and similar races are the epitomy of the razor’s edge that riders race upon in order to be successful, squeezing out every last bit of horsepower they can with just fraction of inches sometimes the difference between success and failure. As a result there are many who enjoy betting on the races.
Like a gambler that might play casino online games for high stakes, a motorcycle event coordinator or small business owner, being a sports bettor is not for the faint of heart. There are plenty of disappointing finishes that litter the landscape alongside the victories. There’s plenty of stats and data online from past races to help you make a smart wager - what racers do well on particular tracks, which teams are running well recently, and other trends but knowing the stats won’t guarantee a win as anything can happen once a race starts, making a choice by your gut alone is not really the best way to bet on any sports event. You wouldn't decide to host an event or open a business without some knowledge of what it takes, what the risks were and what your chances of success are.
Using the correct
I want to draw your attention to some items in the news today:
In Edmonton Alberta, two riders are dead following two separate crashes.
In Ontario, sweeping discrimination regarding the Hells Angels back fired when bureaucrats backed a bar owner and his license.
Also in Ontario, the CMC rode to the rescue!
For the rest of the news that might affect your day or life as a rider, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com - we sift through the news so you don't have to!
Well folks, back at it for me...you have a fabulous day and if you are lucky enough to be riding today, PLEASE, ride like everyone is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Helmets, your opinion needed
There is an article from the Record, where in the writer expresses why they feel that helmets need to be for all - no exemptions. I want to know how you feel about helmets.
Quote: This is a complex subject because most Ontarians like to respect and accommodate an individual’s religious faith. The Sikhs, moreover, have made their request in an entirely reasonable way. However, the Sikhs’ request conflicts with the traffic act’s worthwhile goal of protecting motorcycle riders who are using the public roads and highways. Setting the religious argument aside, surely few people would deny that a helmet offers solid protection to a motorcycle rider and can prevent injury or save a life in a collision. The law is needed — and justified — for this reason.
Yet despite this need and justification, two provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, have set aside the safety issue and granted exemptions to Sikhs, allowing them to drive motorcycles without wearing helmets. Should Ontario do the same? No." End Quote
The writer goes on to say that the Charter right of Religion is different from safety laws and that the Charter affords them the right to practice their religion, just not to ride without a helmet. Quote: Ontario’s helmet law does not in any way prevent devout Sikhs from practising their religion. It would seem to prevent them from riding a motorcycle. But while causing annoyance or disappointment, this hardly violates the Charter of Rights guarantee that everyone in Canada can follow their own faith." End Quote
This person who wrote in brings up some very valuable points and it is my hope that they gave their point of view to their MP and their MLA.
For me, this issue has always been one where in an adult should have some choice BUT, they should also be prepared to pay for that choice - special insurance with a sticker for their plate saying they have paid for the privilege to ride with no helmet. My reasoning is that under the Charter, YOUR rights stop where they INFRINGE on mine.
So just because you want to ride helmet less doesn't mean that universal health care should be paying for your care if you are involved in a head injury crash - driving up my taxes, you should have your own insurance for that purpose. And I also feel that there should be a sticker placed on your plate so the police services are not wasting man power pulling people over who have paid to ride with no helmet. It would be simple and easy - but it might be expensive...
I think that as adults we should be allowed to choose which risk level is right for each individual and their families.
If you can not afford the insurance and have to rely on the universal system, then wear a helmet - sorry.
I guess part of me is just fed up with rules and laws that restrict and constrict the right to choose, the right to enjoy...we are adults and if we are old enough to decide who represents us in Ottawa - a pretty big choice - then we should be allowed to have some say in how we want to live our lives. I think the recent practise by governments in attempting to make criminals of as many people possible through ever more encroaching laws and regulations is sad, I think we deserve better...
Speaking of helmets - our partners at RevZilla want to share with you some info on helmets and other great gear....visit them at: Visit RevZilla for the top selection of MOTORCYCLE JACKETS
Well, I'd best get back to work...I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic...join us in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or on our Facebook pages...I'd love to hear from you.
PLEASE...ride like everyone around you is out to get you and have a fabulous day!
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Monday, September 26, 2011
Toy Runs, Shootings and Protests, it's been a busy weekend...
Information and news coverage is already coming in from the various toy runs held this past weekend.
The Edmonton Toy Run was a resounding success by all reports - Mother Nature cooperated and 5,000 riders came out to support the 630 CHED's Santa's Anonymous Campaign. George Billings of the Edmonton branch of the Alberta Safety Council was very pleased with the turn out and said that the Edmonton Police were not a problem, in spite of the Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw.
The Grande Prairie Toys for Tots Parade, while still a success, was far smaller this year than in previous ones. In the past the Toy Run has seen upwards of 700 riders come out, this year that number was somewhere around 200. Last year's toy run and the fact that the RCMP wouldn't block intersections or allow the Toys for Tots group to block intersections making the event very unsafe, and the fact that there was an exceedingly heavy presence of RCMP and a check stop at the top of the park, are contributing factors to the run being poorly attended this year. The weather was also cool here in Grande Prairie and that no doubt also played it's roll in seeing lower numbers.
The Toy Run was a very short one, but did have a police escort this year. The parade travelled from Muskoseepi Park to 100 St, turned left and went straight to the Army, Navy & Airforce Veterans Club. The police were, unlike past years, friendly, polite and helpful so I guess the smaller parade route is a small price to pay for some much needed cooperation.
In Prince George BC the toy run was a record breaker this year as Mother Nature cooperated and a record numbers of riders turned out!
In Nevada, there was a shooting at a casino in Sparks that left Jeffrey Pettigrew, 51, president of the San Jose, California, chapter of the Hell's Angels, dead and two members of the Vagos in hospital. A fellow Hells Angels member is currently in custody because he was caught on video firing a weapon, however police have not charged him with anything but weapons possession offences as they have no proof that the bullets fired by the member hit any of those injured or killed.
In England, bikers took to the M1 to protest proposed EU laws that will hold motorcyclists to different standard than other road users. In all 67 protest rides took place around England yesterday.
There is also a report out of Edmonton AB that 2 riders are in hospital after a crash.
That's what we know so far about this past weekend, for the news as it comes in visit www.beltdrivebetty.com , where we scour the news so you don't have to!
Don't forget to order you charity calendars folks - when ordering cuts off on October 31st - that is it - there will be none available for sale outside of the pre sales so...
If you are a lucky dawg and riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Until tomorrow,
Belt Drive betty
Editor & Rider
The Edmonton Toy Run was a resounding success by all reports - Mother Nature cooperated and 5,000 riders came out to support the 630 CHED's Santa's Anonymous Campaign. George Billings of the Edmonton branch of the Alberta Safety Council was very pleased with the turn out and said that the Edmonton Police were not a problem, in spite of the Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw.
The Grande Prairie Toys for Tots Parade, while still a success, was far smaller this year than in previous ones. In the past the Toy Run has seen upwards of 700 riders come out, this year that number was somewhere around 200. Last year's toy run and the fact that the RCMP wouldn't block intersections or allow the Toys for Tots group to block intersections making the event very unsafe, and the fact that there was an exceedingly heavy presence of RCMP and a check stop at the top of the park, are contributing factors to the run being poorly attended this year. The weather was also cool here in Grande Prairie and that no doubt also played it's roll in seeing lower numbers.
 |
| GP Toy Run - not many bikes |
 |
| But lots of spectators! |
In Prince George BC the toy run was a record breaker this year as Mother Nature cooperated and a record numbers of riders turned out!
In Nevada, there was a shooting at a casino in Sparks that left Jeffrey Pettigrew, 51, president of the San Jose, California, chapter of the Hell's Angels, dead and two members of the Vagos in hospital. A fellow Hells Angels member is currently in custody because he was caught on video firing a weapon, however police have not charged him with anything but weapons possession offences as they have no proof that the bullets fired by the member hit any of those injured or killed.
In England, bikers took to the M1 to protest proposed EU laws that will hold motorcyclists to different standard than other road users. In all 67 protest rides took place around England yesterday.
There is also a report out of Edmonton AB that 2 riders are in hospital after a crash.
That's what we know so far about this past weekend, for the news as it comes in visit www.beltdrivebetty.com , where we scour the news so you don't have to!
Don't forget to order you charity calendars folks - when ordering cuts off on October 31st - that is it - there will be none available for sale outside of the pre sales so...
If you are a lucky dawg and riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Until tomorrow,
Belt Drive betty
Editor & Rider