Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Improving and honing one's skills

<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday afternoon I arrived at the Alberta Safety Council's rider training facility on the south side of Edmonton.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was excited and nervous - I was about to embark on an advanced rider course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I don't know about you but I have a tendency to become very self conscious when around other riders - especially those who are very seasoned and experienced riders. I also choke on exams.  I put so much pressure on myself that sometimes I just can't breath or relax.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was in a class of 5 riders who would be taught by 2 instructors - after orientation and signing paperwork in the classroom, we headed out to the bikes.  All of us came from different backgrounds and varied experiences as riders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day one was challenging and interesting...and VERY informative, the instructors made it fun and I can't wait until tonight for part 2.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will be doing a write up on the course and what I learned and will share that information with you in an upcoming issue of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the news today is an update on the BC <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1650-bc-rider-down/20711-crash-claims-life-of-local-biker-was-a-big-fan-of-italian-motorcycle-" target="_blank">rider who was killed in Oregon</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is also news of another crash,<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1653-on-rider-down/20713-man-thrown-from-motorcycle" target="_blank"> this time in Ottawa</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/law-a-politics/360-contacts/20710-biker-clubs-claim-civil-rights-violations-in-vegas" target="_blank">Apparently the Mongols are not terribly happy about how heavy handed the police were for their run to Boulder City Nevada</a> and say the reason so many businesses did not benefit from monetary gain was the fact that many opted to stay at their hotel instead of being harassed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are other articles in the news feeds that may be of interest to you as a rider, check them out at<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/" target="_blank"> www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where our work is keeping YOU informed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and through emails...</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone and please, if you are riding - ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!</span></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty,</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i>

Improving and honing one's skills

Yesterday afternoon I arrived at the Alberta Safety Council's rider training facility on the south side of Edmonton. I was excited and...

A busy week....

<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last week was a busy week so I have been off the grid for a while.</span></b></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took in the Midnight Sun Run in Yellowknife NWT and what a hoot that was - however, you are going to have to wait until Thursday's Busted Knuckle Chronicles to find out all about how much fun we had!  I left on Tuesday, rode to High Level and on Wednesday made it in to Yellowknife a couple of hours before the run. I took in Aboriginal day on Thursday and rode home - 725 miles/1167 KM - straight through making it home early Saturday morning!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The photo below shows you what 1450 miles/2300+ KM's worth of bugs looks like. Poor Black Betty never got a bath the whole time I was gone as I was too busy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ9ePkOCTU0SR8PADj73Miekqo4Ujw5o8dlY4w6UVPTCVeLT_iwhEHmHGiqOArbTeRJB3tzeWIhRQlw5rz8X6n0pxvVUg7PuZZlbDewF7PbW9_rb-_lDDLiBVfJmmKDBvzWxb/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My friend Mayzel, who has been helping me out part time had to spend about 4 hours giving her a bath!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I am getting Black Betty packed up to head to Edmonton and the Advanced Rider Training course offered by the Alberta Safety Council. George Billings is going to put myself and other students through the paces and I am excited and nervous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will be video taping my blunders and what I learn along with doing a write up for the Busted Knuckle. I know that as a rider I am an OK one but I want to be a good one and so you will get the chance to laugh at the mistakes I make on that learning curve!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The course runs tonight and tomorrow night:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alberta Safety Council</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4831 - 93 Avenue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Edmonton, AB T6B 3A2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Facility:   ASC Main Site Boardroom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Run Dates:  25-Jun-2012 to 26-Jun-2012</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mon 6:00pm 9:30pm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tue 6:00pm 9:30pm</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In other news, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1650-bc-rider-down/20680-canadian-motorcycle-rider-dies-in-wreck-near-pendleton-sunday-" target="_blank">a BC rider is dead after a crash in Oregon</a>.  </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There were also crashes this weekend that killed riders in <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1653-on-rider-down/20667-motorcyclist-22-dies-in-mississauga-crash" target="_blank"> Mississauga,</a> <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1653-on-rider-down/20637-toronto-woman-68-dies-in-brock-motorcycle-crash" target="_blank">Toronto</a> and <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/home/rider-down/1653-on-rider-down/20628-motorcyclist-dies-after-collision-north-of-uxbridge" target="_blank">Uxbridge</a>. It's been a rough weekend on our community and I hope you will take a moment to lift up some prayers for all who are affected by these wrecks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the weekend we saw a ton of events go off including the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/ontario/296-motorcycle-television/20672-with-vid-more-than-1000-motorcycles-rumble-for-probert-charity" target="_blank">Bob Probert Memorial which had over 1,000 bikes attend.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Manufacturer news, Triumph is getting into the Touring class of bikes <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/brands/1857-triumph/20676-triumph-enters-touring-segment-with-the-new-1215cc-trophy" target="_blank">with it's all new Trophy.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Law & Politics, a former member of the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/law-a-politics/358-contacts/20678-biker-betrayal-leads-to-six-year-prison-term-" target="_blank">Rock Machine is in jail for 6 years after a sting operation</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the US, Boulder city businesses say the Mongols made for bad business as sales were less than a normal weekend, <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/law-a-politics/360-contacts/20679-boulder-city-stays-quiet-with-mongols-motorcycle-club-in-town" target="_blank">apparently many decided to stay home or go out of town at the thought of the potential for violence/chaos.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are many other articles in the news that may affect your day and life as a rider, check it out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where our work is keeping you informed.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and through emails.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have a great Monday,</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Belt Drive Betty,</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Editor & Rider</span></b></i></div>