Biker Trials & Biker Feuds in the news

It's a wild and woolly day in the news!

In Montreal Superior Court Justice James Brunton refused a motion by the crown council to streamline the 5 mega trials where 124 members of the Hells Angels are charged with 22 murders.

Prosecutors failed to apply the new federal initiatives aimed at speeding up the mass hearings. According to the justice, the new rulings only apply to single trials. Two out of the five trials are already under way, with Brunton presiding over the trial of the Hells Angels in Sherbrooke QC and another is trying the Angels from Quebec City. Two of the other three trials are slated to begin in June of 2013 and the final one not until June 2015.

In California, the largest Biker Feud in ten years started at a Starbucks in California last year and satirist BC Bass had some fun with it in the Bennington Vale Evening Transcript yesterday.
He weaves a tale about bikers who get into a pissing contest over who has the right to hang out at a Starbuck's coffee shop. He has quite a way with words.

The real news is that there was a feud that started at Starbucks - the bloodshed started in January 2010, when the Hells Angels' and Vagos fought outside the downtown Santa Cruz Starbucks, using hammers to bludgeon each other before the police arrived. According to accounts in Visordown, Business Insider, MSNBC and many other sources, Santa Cruz Deputy Police Chief, Steve Clark said that: "The Vagos brazenly came in and tried to cement their presence. It was a pretty strong play on their part to establish themselves as the premiere club." He added: "Only in Santa Cruz would you have biker wars over who is going to control pumpkin spice lattes."

Since then, there was a gunfight between the two clubs in Arizona, the president of the San Jose chapter of the Hells Angels was shot to death, the Sergeant -at- arms of the San Jose Chapter was shot to death by a fellow HA member because he believed the Sergeant-at-arms failed to protect the president.

Wow - I wonder if that's why so many Timmy's locations really don't seem to like riders hanging out at their coffee shops?

In other serious news, a police officer in Indianapolis who was reportedly/allegedly drunk while on duty and struck motorcyclists that were at a red light killing one and injuring two others had a blood test that was administered two hours after the crash with a reading of 0.19% The results were disqualified for use in bringing a charge of drunk driving because standard procedures were not followed, but is being allowed to prove the charge of criminal negligence.

In Stugis SD, a group of business people are attempting to have the Sturgis Rally & Black Hills Trademarks quashed. The group - "Concerned Citizens for Sturgis" is taking their case to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Begin Quote: “People have been using these marks for years,” Mortimer said. “There are so many people angry. This is their livelihood.”

The petition will be heard by a judge who will evaluate the petition on the legalities of the trademark registration, he said. The case will be decided on facts, not emotion, he said.

“We’re saying they lied on their applications,” Mortimer said.

It its petition, CCS alleges that “for many years the terms “Sturgis” and “Black Hills” are and have been used for goods and services by non-licensed third-parties,” including many members of CCS, in connection with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, not only in Sturgis, but throughout the area." End Quote

Apparently, this past summer during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the SMR Inc approached vendors marketing goods with one or both names demanding that vendors register their products for the right to use the Trademarks sparking the challenge.

Now for some bizarre personal news.... A gal in the Okanagan calling herself Bare Knuckle Betty has started a motorcycle clothing and touring company. I have been fielding calls from people asking me if this gal is somehow connected to me and the answer is an unequivocal NO. From the calls and letters I have been getting, I understand that her use of the name Bare Knuckle Betty in conjunction with the items she is selling and the runs and tours she is promoting is causing some confusion in the industry.

I did speak with the gal in question who claims that she has had the nickname for 8 years, however no one else that has called me or written to me to ask about this situation had ever heard of her being called that until she met me and many of the people calling/writing are long time residents of the area and belong to the motorcycle industry/community in one way or the other

So if a gal calling herself Bare Knuckle Betty comes calling to your business please note that she has NOTHING to do with Belt Drive Betty Media which is a registered trade markor the Busted Knuckle Chronicles which is a copyrighted publication of Belt Drive Betty Media.

What a wild day in the news - it's no wonder we riders can't seem to get it together to protect our own or our rights - look at the feuding....geez!

What are your thoughts on these topics? I would LOVE to know...

In other news:

Jesse James is back on TV, with a Bike Builders challenge to air in December between Jesse and the Paul's Sr & Jr.

SOA star Kim Coates has found himself being approached by real bikers who, while they love the show have some issues with some of the details but the Saskatchewan native can hold his ground!

In Guelph Ontario a call to tone down the rhetoric on Noise has been issued by Greg Mercer of the Mercer Retort column in the Guelph Mercury Paper.

For all of you speed nuts, the results are in from the Bonneville Salt Flats!

There is a ton of interesting news in the feeds today, so check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.

Have a safe and fabulous weekend.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor &a Rider

A widow's pain and a chance to win a $500 gift card

There are challenging issues for riders to look at - there always will be I guess, seems to be the nature of our lifestyle. My heart broke for the widow of a Bracknell England biker.

You see her husband and the father of their three children was killed by a driver who made a right hand turn (the equivalent of a left hand turn here). Although the driver of the Mercedes was charged and convicted with careless driving causing death, all he got was a suspended sentence, 15 months prohibition from driving and 150 hours of community service. The widow, Nicola Hazel, is furious. Her three daughters have to grow up without a dad and she is asking the same question that Shirley Plourde's family in Nova Scotia is asking - is that all a human life is worth? (The driver who killed Shirley got a $160 fine)

And I quote: After sentencing, Nicola, who has three children with Steve, said: “As a family we feel disgusted and outraged that Mr Donne has escaped a prison sentence and only received a 15-month disqualification from driving and 150 hours’ community service.

“Is that all a man’s life is worth?

“As for the 36-week suspended sentence, I see that as nothing.

“We feel a custodial sentence and at the very least a three to four-year driving ban would have acknowledged Nicholas Donne’s complete lack of humanity and remorse, both immediately at the scene of the accident and for the past 15 months of hell he has put us through.

“In court he lied under oath to try and blame a dead man for his own actions – a man who he knew was no longer here to defend himself.” End Quote

So you see folks, these injustices do not just happen here in Canada or in the US - they happen all over the world, it's sad but true that it appears that we riders, our lives and our families are not considered very valuable in the courts eyes - the laws do not really express justice. Civil court is the only place this gal will get any compensation to raise three daughters, I find that so hard to swallow. It appears to me that the "Justice" system is not just broken here, but everywhere. We are not isolated in these occurrences.

I wonder if there are any solutions out there? Is there anything we as riders could do to turn the tides, see some changes happen... What would happen if 600,000 voices united for this one cause? If we all wrote our MLA's, our MP's...They might not listen to one person, but 600,000, I think there is a good chance they'd listen then... I wonder what we could, how much positive change could we effect if we all decided to take ten minutes...

What say you? Join the discussion here or on Facebook, Twitter or our web site! I'd love to hear from you.

I feel frustrated sometimes that there are so many challenging and sometimes painful things that we need to discuss and work through, so I find it refreshing when there are really good and positive things to balance it out with and today we have a few great things to share!

Our good friends at RevZilla have a wonderful contest going on right now. Your chance to win a $500 Gift Card...the rules are really simple:

Entry 1 (Required): Leave a comment to their blog (http://bmwmoarally.com/) about what touring or adventure riding means to you. Keep it short, 2–3 sentences max. Limit 1 comment.

Entry 2: Tweet: “I’ve entered http://bmwmoarally.com/motorcycle-adventure-blog-contest hosted by www.revzilla.com”. (let us know in the comment section you tweeted). Limit 1 tweet.

Entry 3: To gain an additional 10 more entries, write a brief blog post (at least 3 - 5 sentences) that links to http://bmwmoarally.com/motorcycle-adventure-blog-contest and to www.RevZilla.com. (let us know in the comment section you posted). Limit 1 post.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, October 30th. The winner will be chosen at random using www.random.org and will be announced Monday, October 31st.

If you don't have a blog you can post your comment here to fill requirement 3!

Spend 10 minutes to fulfill the requirements and you could find yourself with $500 to spend on great gear - now that's a pretty good gig if you ask me! I don't know how many of you have ever checked out RevZilla but they really do have a great selection of gear and you can use your gift card towards tires and other accessories!

Today is paper day for many of you, the National Weekly Newspaper, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles get's delivered via the weekly provincial and regional newsletters we send out every Thursday, 48 times a year. The newspaper features stories from across the country, stories submitted by riders just like you and the newsletter has all of the last minute stuff, from your province or region that didn't hit the paper.

In January of 2011 I had set a target of 5,000 registered members & newspaper subscribers on our site by December 31st, 2011.

We are at 4,330 members! SOOO close! Ali and I have been offering free newspaper subscriptions & membership at www.beltdrivebetty.com for every rider who joins our Canadian Riders Support Network. The support network is all about making your information available for fellow riders to contact you if they get jammed up while on the road. We have helped a few riders through this network and think you'll find it's comforting to know that no matter where you travel in this great and vast land, there is a good chance we can find you some help along the way.

Our wonderful sponsors - Intercon Messaging man a 24 hour rider support line (1-866-765-6718) that can assist you finding some support & if you like they can also track you during your travels - just so someone knows where you are and can send help if you don't check in. There are travel specials and other great informational tools for our members and we can even help you find the events you want to travel to and check out. Heck - we even have fantastic special pricing on Roadside Assistance for our members!

So - if you think being part of a support network is something you could do, that you might find valuable - we say thank you by adding you to our web site membership so that you can take advantage of the free classified ads we offer, the daily news feeds, the jokes, all of the other great information our web site has and all of the benefits like the Never Ride Alone Program, the Discounts PLUS the free newspaper and newsletter that is delivered in one tidy email every Thursday.

Join us as we continue on the path to greater information, communication and a bigger sense of community right across this fair land. It's free - just register at: http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/canadian-riders/apply-to-be-a-canadian-rider

In other news:

Polaris has bought a minority stake in Brammo Inc - the Electric Motorcycle Company.

An American Barber goes on a Spirit Ride every September...it's truly a wonderful story about giving and paying it forward that I encourage you to read!

Michigan is one step closer to a new helmet law

A 1894 Roper Motorcycle is expected to set a world record for its selling price when it goes to auction in January - there is only one other known Roper and it is on display at the Smithsonian!

H-D Shares are up on unconfirmed talk that Harley-Davidson might be the subject of a leveraged buyout

I wish you a wondrous day...

Until tomorrow,

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

Insulting and deplorable, veterans not allowed to wear a poppy? Seriously!

Before I get into the topic of the day, I have a situation that I need to share with you regarding customer service complaints.

A gentleman emailed the paper to complain that he resented us advertising for a business that does not return phone calls or answer it's phone. We forwarded the email to the advertiser to handle. We here at the paper have no idea what goes on in another's place of business and if there is a problem with getting messages and returning calls, the owner needs to know so that they can fix it.

Well apparently, the discussion between the potential customer and the business owner was not favorable from the customers point of view and now we are being threatened, maligned and bashed by this customer for handling his email with "such little couth" as to forward it to the business owner.

Let me make an obersvation....

We sell advertising, we do not run these businesses. As a newspaper service I am responsible for the interactions between myself and my customers - I am not responsible for the businesses who advertise with us, I have no control over them or the way they do business. Try calling the Sun, the Journal or any other newspaper with a customer service complaint about an advertiser and see what happens. As with the RFBA, which this business is not a member of...we will assist in remedying customer complaints by putting the two parties together and then stepping out of the way.
We are not referees but we will do what we can to help, always have, always will.

We could treat you this way, but we value all of our businesses, subscribers and web site
users and take your concerns seriously

Ali and I work hard - 16-18 hours - 7 days a week doing the work we do within the community in an attempt to bring value to it.

I feel that being taken to task for putting two people together to resolve an issue in the right way - being threatened with this man taking his issue with how we handled his complaint - public - is insulting to the work that Ali and I do.

And I quote: "I will be very verbal about your handling of my concerns to the public also." End Quote

I care about this community - every advertiser, every subscriber and every visitor to our web site.
No one is more or less valuable than the other. And I know Ali feels the same way.

If you have a problem with a company, before you email or call me with a concern or issue, I want you to be clear on what you want as a resolution.

If all you need to do is vent, I can listen. If you want something resolved - I will faciliatate by putting you and the other party together. If you need to find fault and bash some one - pick me, I have big shoulders and can handle it, because as long as you are beating me up then you are leaving someone else alone.

Now that I have that off my chest, let's get to the serious news of the day.

The Legion is threatening a Veterans motorcycle group with legal action over the use of a poppy in a crest.

This is obscene and morally wrong in my humble opinion. The poppy may be a registered trademark but this is one trademark I highly believe has no right to exist.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance and the Legion makes a lot of money off of it - money that they say goes to veterans and their families.

And I quote: "But it's also a registered trademark, owned and so closely guarded by the Royal Canadian Legion that a motorcycle club of veterans isn't allowed to include a small one in its own logo without lawyers threatening legal action.

Capt. Michael Blow, president of the Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders (CVFR), who devoted 35 years of his life to the military, has one in his club's crest. It's a little difficult to see, but it's there." End Quote

Can some one tell me where on God's Green Earth should a veteran be denied to wear the symbol of remembrance?

If these people were making money from the poppy - I could see the lawyers, but they are not.
If the poppy was prominent in the logo, I could see the lawyers, but it is not, if the poppy was identical, I could see the lawyers but it is not. Further - NO WHERE on their web site does it state that you need permission to use the poppy - no where does it say it is a registered trademark...

And I quote:
"Legion secretary Bill Maxwell agreed it might not sound fair, but there's a reason for the trademark.

"Normally, for personal or private logos, we don't authorize use of the poppy. The poppy trademark was registered in 1948 to ensure that it would never be used for commercial or personal gain or used inappropriately."

He added the image on any logo in the country would most probably not be approved for that reason.

"That's because it's not being used as a symbol of remembrance, but as part of a logo." End Quote.

See the image below and you tell me why that itty bitty tiny little poppy should not be allowed to be present in this logo....seriously.

This, in my humble opinion is the most disgusting treatment of a veteran that I have read of and I have heard/read of plenty of sad tales....this one makes my stomach turn - that one of God's most perfect creations, a flower, a symbol of remembrance should be denied to a veteran, what a sad, sad state of affairs. Look closely at the logo and tell me that the entire logo is not a symbol of remembrance.

I am undertaking a one woman boycott of the poppy and the Royal Canadian Legion.

The crap that happened in Orangeville earlier this summer, where motorcycle riding veterans were forced to leave a Legion Show 'n' Shine and now this - how much more insult does this community intend to take?


From the Royal Canadian Legion's web site:

Canada's Largest Veterans Organization

Legion is the largest of the many veterans Organizations in Canada with over 340,000 members
Member categories—Ordinary, Associate, Affiliate; open to all Canadian citizens and Commonwealth subjects; app. 40,000 members of Ladies Auxiliary; "Military Member-At-Large category for serving members of the CF
Legion is non-profit, dues-supported, no financial assistance from any outside agency
Since inception in 1926, Legion strives to secure adequate pensions and benefits for veterans and their dependants, dealing directly with Federal Government
Major responsibility for the perpetuation of "REMEMBRANCE" in Canada through the Annual Poppy Campaign reminding Canadians of the 117,000 men and women who gave their lives in the wars and military missions around the world
Poppy funds collected are used for assistance to veterans, ex-service members and their families who are in need
Legion supports programs for seniors, community, housing, Long Term Care, youth, education, sports, Cadets, Guides and Scouts


There are 5 pages of poppy trade marks in the CIPO data base - here is the Legion's:

If like me, you find this situation to be untenable, please write them and tell them so.

The Royal Canadian Legion
Dominion Command
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON
K2L 0A1

Phone: (613) 591-3335
Fax: (613) 591-9335
e-mail: info@legion.ca



As an update to this editorial - here is the link to the ACT to RESPECT THE Royal Canadian LEGION
http://www.legion.ca/_PDF/Manuals/Act_to_Incorporate_E.pdf

The last revision was in 1981 - I think it is long since past the time when this act is ENTIRELY overhauled.


Here is the letter I sent:

To whom it may concern,

I read with much dismay that the Royal Canadian Legion is threatening legal action against a motorcycle riding group of Veterans because there is an itty bitty tiny poppy depicted on the helmet of a soldier kneeling - over top of the caption "We Will Remember Them."

I think that the Royal Canadian Legion owes this 35 year veteran a huge apology.

While you may have a poppy trademarked, you do not own a veterans right to wear a poppy in remembrance.

The money you raise by selling poppies is meant to support veterans causes and it is my belief that you could have handled this situation with so much more dignity and care than through a letter from a lawyer.

If the poppy was identical, if it was a focal point, if they were making money off of it for personal gain - I might be able to see the point behind a lawyer but none of the above is the case.
The group in question raises funds for the same causes you do and the members are veterans themselves.

You might end up being right legally - which I doubt, but morally you are a disgrace to this country and every veteran you profess to serve.
I will personally be boycotting the Royal Canadian Legion, am calling for others to write to you and I will be boycotting the poppy because I refuse to aide your organization in it's efforts to look good as fundraisers and community people.

I will donate to the same causes with out making you look good. I support my troops - ALL OF THEM.

In Other News:

In business news, Harley-Davidson target of leveraged buyout? MAYBE...

In the US - the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has put forth their strategy for 2012 (We NEED this type of organization in Canada)

In Nova Scotia the 2011 Motorcycle & Scooter show should be a real hit

There is a ton of other news in the feeds that might affect your day or life, I hope you will check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to.
Have a great Wednesday and PLEASE - write the Legion and support our veterans.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Business Incubator for Vets

I am sure that many Canadian Veterans can identify with coming home after serving their country only to find they have no employment and for many their physical and mental injuries make keeping employment when they do find it challenging to keep the job as many employers do not neccessarily understand PTSD and other handicaps that our vets come home with.

In the US, where unemployment is sitting at about 30% for young veterans, it's a discouraging situation.
Step in VETransfer. A business incubator - "VETransfer itself doesn't provide financing; rather, it connects clients to investors who are looking to support veteran entrepreneurs. The staff also helps vets with business plans and navigating government regulations, in addition to giving them free Internet access and office space."
Many of the Vets starting their own businesses are looking to employ fellow vets and that would be a wonderful situation for many!

If, after two years this incubator is successful in helping vets create and maintain businesses the VA will look at starting up other such services.

I have not had any success finding a program like that here in Canada for our vets. I wonder if anyone has considered this idea here.
The only information I have found on business incubator services is on an organization called CABI.
While they are not geared specifically for Veterans, I wonder if they might not be able to offer some assistance and perhaps be convinced to add the extra assistance that veterans would need.

If there are any Canadian Veterans who read my blog and know of resources out there that I have been unable to find, I would appreciate hearing from you. Our community is filled with military veterans and I am sure some outreach and assistance finding thins kind of information would be hugely valuable to them.

In other news:

Motorcycle Noise is still making headlines in St Johns NL & in Guelph Ontario...we may be putting our bikes to bed or riding in a limited way, but those that do not love the noise our machines make, have not forgotten us.

In the US - SuperTrap has acquired JayBrake

A Michael Jackson Tribute bike is unveiled

Suzuki has debuted it's new GSX-R1000

And in TV news - a new internet based horror series called Chopper is released just in time for Halloween.

There are many more articles in the news feeds that may be of interest to you over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news so you don't have to!

I hope you have a splendid Tuesday and please, if you are still riding, ride like everyone is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A tragic weekend...I am so sad I am numb.

Our community has had a number of tragedies occur over the weekend. Italian MotoGP racer Marco Simoncelli died from injuries sustained in the Malaysian MotoGP. He lost control of his Honda four minutes into the race in turn 11, his bike regained some grip and swerved across the track into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Simoncelli's helmet came off as a result of the crash, he was taken to hospital and died 45 minutes later. He was 24 years old.(Edwards needed to have his shoulder reset but was otherwise fine, No reports of Rossi being injured) My heart goes out to Simoncelli's family, friends and race team, it is a sad day for all involved and the only solace that anyone can find at a time like this, I believe, is that he died doing something he loved. God Speed.

The Love Ride in the San Fernando Valley was marred by two separate crashes. Two riders were injured when they reportedly crashed into each other, both are recovering in hospital. The second crash, which happened about an hour after the first one and in almost the same location as the first crash, saw a rider and his passenger die. According to the report in the LA Times, it is thought that the rider was splitting lanes and ended up getting run over by a semi. It is unclear if the rider and his passenger were trying to catch up to the ride or not. The Love Ride has been taking place since 1984 and has never had a fatality before. Again, my heart goes out to all who are affected. God Speed.

In San Leandro California, a para transit bus driver is in custody for what appears to be an intentional ramming of a member of the Hells Angels. The spokesman for the Hells says he feels it was a road rage incident. George of the Nomads is dead and 31 year old bus driver Eddie Hall who tried to flee the scene is in custody. For all who loved George, my prayers and thoughts are with you.

In PEI a 72 year old driver was charged with impaired driving and leaving the scene of a crash, according to the report, the driver of the van ran a stop sign, he got out of his vehicle, looked at the riders, got back in his vehicle and left. The rider was airlifted to hospital and his female passenger perished. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.

Tragic news here in Grande Prairie that does not involve motorcycles but does affect the city I live in in a very large way. 4 members of the Warriors Football team were killed when a 21 year old driver crashed his pick up into the car the teens were in. Brendan Holubowich, 21, of Grande Prairie faces 11 charges in all, including four counts of impaired driving causing death, one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. Holobowich is due to make his first court appearance Oct. 31 in Grande Prairie. Matthew Deller, 16, Vincent Stover, 16, Walter Borden-Wilkens, 15, and Tanner Hildebrand, 15, all of Grande Prairie, were killed. The fifth and lone surviving occupant of the car, Zachary Judd, remains in critical-but-stable condition in an Edmonton hospital. Words escape me, I have done nothing but pray this morning for all those affected by these sad circumstances. When you add this news to the suffering that is going on in Turkey after a 7.2 earthquake it makes for a very sad start to the week.

I can only imagine the pain and heartache and I pray that those left behind find the love, courage and strength they will need to go on with their lives without their loved ones.
I find it very hard reporting on such sad incidents and am grateful for the rays of hope and joy that are out there.

In Pueblo Colorado the Toy Bowl was a roaring success with the Bikers beating the Law Enforcement team: Pueblo Bikers United 49, Law Enforcement 28. This flag football game is part game, part rally and part reunion. According to the Pueblo Chieftain: "The Toy Bowl, of course, is the annual "toy-raiser" to collect toys for needy families at Christmas, so there aren't any losers in this annual contest. It just so happens that one team will outscore the other every year. And then brag about it for 12 months." The article goes on to state that over 1160 people filled the stands and that over the 32 years that the Toy Bowl has been held the score is 16 to 16. It will be a Merry Christmas for many chidden as a result of the efforts of the two sides.

I pray for all who are hurting today and I give thanks for all who have reached out in love to help those who are hurting. 

For the rest of the news that may affect your day, week or life, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news, so you don't have to.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider