Monty Robinson - He is the poster child of EVERYTHING that is wrong with the RCMP

The news is filled with the word that Monty Robinson will not do jail time for perjury. The former cop who was the senior officer in the tasering of Robert Dziekanski  and who killed a motorcyclist is the poster child for everything that is wrong with the RCMP.

After the things that I have witnessed during the Summer Stomp, Sturgis North and The Great Canadian Bike Rally - I feel very comfortable with that statement.

Arrogant, manipulating, bullying - that sums up the MAJORITY of the officers I saw during the three aforementioned events and Monty Robinson is the epitome of that and more.

Too many Canadians are scared of the RCMP - too scared to exercise their rights, and many do not know their rights.  They opened their saddle bags for officers when they didn't have to, they emptied their pockets and allowed searches because the officers intimidated them.

After this ruling wherein a man who killed someone, perjured himself and has been what others term a bad apple - I have zero faith in the system. 

I am calling on all taxpayers, all riders - we NEED to be heard, we NEED to do something so please, won't you fill out our police harassment/profiling form if you have experienced any questionable conduct by police officers anywhere in Canada and or send us your statements about what you have witnessed.

It is time that we force the people WE PAY to do their jobs, do them without bullying and profiling - it is time to send a message to our government....I am not sure about you but

I AM FED UP AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE.

We need a class action lawsuit against the RCMP and we need to mount a charter challenge.

If we have no evidence we can't go forward so people - it is time to loose the fear, time to forget the complacency - it is time to take our country back - it is time to force the justice system to do the right thing - it's time for change - meaningful change that can only come from us - the taxpayers.

If we do not protect our rights and freedoms - the ones our soldiers die for, that their families sacrifice their family lives for - we are disrespecting their memories and sacrifices. If we don't do this - our lifestyle - that of the motorcyclist/biker/rider - will disappear and we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

And that's my two bits worth.

As soon as I am home and we can set up a proper bank account and CA to oversee it we will begin collecting money to hire a lawyer - it's gonna cost - HUGE but we can and must do this.

Sign me an angry taxpayer.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Women & Motorcycles - The Precious Metal Gala

Trev Deeley Harley-Davidson and Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada pulled out all of the stops for their Precious Metal Gala last night which was held at the Salt Building in Vancouver.

Ladies of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and ethnicity converged on the Salt Building to find out more about motorcycling and to support the Re-think Breast Cancer Charity.

The Goddess above - a live woman actingas a
Greek Goddess was a huge hit with the ladies -
she freaked a few out when she changed poses!

support the Re-think Breast Cancer Charity

We ladies were treated to the Jump Start motorcycles where you could get on a bike and learn how it feels. Mounted on a live roll, the sportster and softail that were on hand for ladies to fire up and put through the gears were a big hit. Gals hiked up their dresses and climbed on board the ride of their choice and a Deeley gal taught them the basics of shifting. With the bikes rumbling away and fans running to simulate the feeling of being on the open road, the ladies were all smiles.

Christine of the Hawgs & Baggers Den group and one of our area reporters for the Busted Knuckle Chronicles got on the soft ail and put it through its paces!

Above: Ladies testing out the bikes

Inside there were makeup stations, watches from Toy Box, eyebrow, foot massage and hair stations where ladies could try various products and or purchase them with portions of the proceeds going to the Re-think Breast Cancer charity.

There were tons of giveaways from Harley-Davidson including Boots and gift cards to lingerie gift cards and everything in between.

We heard from a breast cancer survivor and were entertained by a fabulous acrobat - her performance brought the house down!

There were all types of delectable munchies being brought around by gals with loaded trays and a full bar serving up wine, beer and coolers.

The cupcake table

The action was non stop and included a fashion show of the latest in H-D riding apparel along with their newest Pink Ribbon line and their casual lines.

It was a wonderful way for ladies who already ride to connect with and share their reasons for riding with those who are curious about motorcycles - I spoke to many ladies who would love to ride and I think I even managed to convince a few that they really need to try life behind the bars!

The looks that the ladies were getting from the males and others who were passing by were priceless and I dare say the event was a huge hit with the ladies.

I hope that the next time they decide to do one of these galas that we will see the Pink Ribbon clothing line available for sale on site and that there will be more guest speakers who ride sharing their stories of WHY they ride and what they love about the empowering feeling riding your own brings.

I enjoyed the evening immensely and encourage all ladies who are curious about riding their own to get out to a Garage Party near you to learn more!

There is a ton of interesting articles in the news feeds today and I encourage you to check them out and see what might affect your day and or life as a rider at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping YOU informed!

Have a fabulous Friday everyone! I am off to Hinton to meet up with the Military Police Relay Ride and escort them into Jasper...hope to see some of you on the road or in Jasper!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Sturgis North 2013 is in the planning already - what will it hold?

To say I am shocked would be putting it mildly but apparently Mr. Sasseville and his crew are going ahead with the 2013 version of Sturgis North.  Read the article in the Vernon Morning Star.

After what I witnessed at Sturgis North 2012 and the heavy handed police presence, I am very surprised that this event will move forward.

BUT - according to the article in the Vernon Morning Star, the police are happy with the event as nothing major happened but apparently here were lots of complaints about noise and drinking at the Stomp....hmmm  I will need to check in with the organizers of the Stomp and the local RCMP to get the skinny on that! I do know from others that there was a harsh police presence there and a check stop at 8 am one day.

Their poker run was subjected to a police check as were the poker runs from the Sturgis North event, but other than that, I only saw one squad car and was told that two officers did a walk through.

Sturgis North however had such an oppressive presence that one entrepreneur has begun making patches about having survived the Cop Fest.

Now I promised to give you MY impression of Sturgis North 2012 and the Saturday night festivities.

The "Biker Build Off" left a very flat taste in my mouth.  Having hosted, helped and covered many a custom build offs and custom shows, I was underwhelmed with the motorcycles in the show and not because they weren't top quality machines - which they all were, but because we have seen many of the machines several times over the course of the last three or so years. Very few of the bikes were new to the show circuit.

The best part of the show was having old friends like Roger Goldammer, Matt Hotch and Paul Yaffe judging - Jim Shope was also on hand as were Tom, Pee Wee and Angela of Bker TV to visit with.

The term "Biker Build Off" leads one to believe that bikes will go through final fit and finish on stage or in front of the show goers, this was nothing more than a custom bike show/competition in my humble opinion.

After having talked to the builders and seeing how little traffic they got, the organizers are going to have to completely rethink and rework their venue layout to make any of these people happy enough to attend again to show off their machines. But hey, what do I know!

They are going to have to do some major negotiating with the RCMP and Liquor Control Board too because I dare say that the "Beer Gardens" was little better than a travesty and I doubt that many people will want to stand to enjoy their beverages again.

The camping I am told will also need some major work for people to want to stay in the"dust bowl" . Since I never went to any of the public camping areas all I can do is repeat the comments from the riders who stayed there. It's nothing more than hearsay until write ups and photos start being posted)

I know they (Sturgis North) faced a lot of challenges, a new venue, extreme police enforcement and extreme sanctions on their liquor license. They also have a ton of debt from last year to pay back so if they are going ahead with 2013 it will be interesting to see if those businesses and individuals who were left out of pocket from last year will get paid now.
(There are many articles in the news feeds that address the debt from last year - just search our site or Google)

The winning bike, from Freakshow Choppers, a bike we have seen many a time over for the last three years - it's gorgeous, it deserves to win in a custom bike show, but a "Biker Build Off" implies new motorcycles, something as to yet unseen in the show circuit.

I witnessed too much and have heard to much to feel good about their chance for true success with the riding community. To me, it was more like a music fest than a rally and perhaps that is what they are going to focus on next year - the music, it is the one thing they did really, really well, but the rest of it? Not sure how the riding community is going to embrace this thing. It depends on many, many things.

The photo of myself with Paul Yaffe after the trophy presentations at around 8 pm

I guess time will tell, perhaps they are banking on the short memory span of we humans and our  basic forgiveness and understanding and or curious natures. Our Pride -  We all have high hopes that Western Canada will have a large rally that will see our American friends come visit our gorgeous country - it's a pride thing.  I get that. Big time!

Having said that, in my mind, unless there are HUGE negotiations with the RCMP, the Liquor Control Board and the vendors, builders, sponsors and unless they take full advantage of the speedway which has SOOOO much potential I just don't see it being a big hit as a rally. A Music Fest - yah, I can get that.

 The night time concert on Saturday at about 10pm as I was leaving for Joe Shmucks and to collect the rain gear I had lent Chance at the Riverfront Pub in Grindrod.

Decent crowd to see the big bands and overall attendance in vendor alley was the best it had been on Saturday.

I have been wrong before, many a time, and I could be wrong this time but I know this:
I will not sponsor this event again.  I was disgusted and discouraged with what I saw, heard and experienced on so many levels.

Merritt also had it's challenges - the police were oppressive there, and some of their events were cancelled on the Friday and their beer gardens were cancelled at the rodeo grounds which really upset people, but over all, people had a lot of fun. I think they got rattled a bit with all of the new hurdles that they had to jump through, and it caused a bit of disorganization. But, it was a good event and it may have been destroyed.

It is not easy to host an event that the RCMP deem to hold high risk and obviously they deem large motorcycle rallies a risk in BC. Still - they could have used a far more "community policing" attitude.

All three events had club presence, I wonder if that was the difference between the three events that experienced extreme police pressure and the one in Sicamous, where there was none and yet, Invermere had a small club presence same size as Merritt, one booth so, that can't be it - can it?

Will either of these events be a success in 2013?
Will the Stomp go ahead for it's 24th year - an event that like Merritt is run by the locals?

Well, I guess that depends on how many of you riders go out to support them.

I am willing to give the Great Canadian Bike Rally an extra kick as a sponsor, I know how sincere and hard working the coordinators are - but they are unsure if they will continue on unless something is done about the police and their conduct.  That will be determined at a meeting later in August. (There is an article on this subject in the news feeds under Travel/BC Events) I will support the Stomp and their Charity - the Hospice. Again, we will have to wait for word from the organizers as to what the date will be in 2013.

So for now, we are left with the knowledge that Sturgis North is a go, in Vernon for 2013.

Guess I might have to pay for a one day ticket to go see if it turns out OK - I know I will not be welcomed back as a sponsor - not just because I won't offer to be one, but because I sent an email telling them how disappointed and disgusted I was. I was called a backstabber and two faced - I was informed that I have been bad mouthing them for months and no one in the industry likes me or would support them if I was on board - so I am persona non gratis with them, which in truth is more than fine with me.

Like every rider I can find the positive too - the people. For me, events are a way to connect with my fellow rider, regardless of ilk. I do not care what patch you wear and don't wear.  What I care about are your kids, your parents, your lives, the stories we share about rides, rallies and businesses, of triumphs and challenges being a rider.  And so I understand why many will say they had a blast - no matter which event they attended.

Don't think for two seconds that I didn't have fun, I loved seeing my old friends, be they the celebrities of our communities or the regular every day rider, the one that has a job that's not so glamourous or the life that is what we deem - average or blessed without the aide of an audience other than our friends.  I am blessed to be part of both as are many in our community!

I feel honoured and humbled to have the time I do with every rider I meet - so many of you do become members of my chosen family. And all of you are members of my extended family. I do not have to agree with you or you with me for us to find common ground and to be able to respect our rights as individuals. The art of agreeing to disagree and keep relationships that you really value alive without hurt feelings or resentment is one I work very hard at.  I DO VALUE your opinions. Your experiences, and your friendships. And I do get why many will say they had fun.

In the end it's all about perception. It's about being willing to lay down $500, 600 or $1000 to spend time with friends in camp instead of taking in the event you paid for.

It comes down to expectations, customer service and atmosphere and whether or not that is important to you.

The concept and vision for Sturgis North that was shared with me over two years ago was one I believed in. It's execution to date is to me, far from what that real vision was. They might get there - I am not saying they won't.  Hard work, perseverance and vision are what it takes and Mr. Sasseville is nothing if not tenacious.  Will his team be able to truly pull off his vision? Time will tell.

I might be excluded from something that could be huge in the riding community but at the end of the day I have to stay true to my own ethics, beliefs and path and so I will never sponsor this event again as long as the existing show management is in place, it's a personal thing.

Could they ever change my mind? That depends on many things and this could be fodder for another of my rants, somewhere down the line.

Just remember this:

If you riders buy tickets - no matter the price, no matter the event, and just complain about them and the quality - then the show/s will be a success - because as long as you lay your money down and accept less than stellar customer service and experience - the show will go on.  If you just complain about the police presence and don't do SOMETHING like write me a letter or fill out our Harassment form and become a part of the movement to protect our rights and freedoms, then nothing will change.

If you were not happy, as so many profess to be, then you will do either one of four things:

1) You will try again for year three to see if any of the shows promises will come through and because you really like some band they are going to bring in.

2) You will bitch and whine about the prices, quality and service from last year, but cause all of your buddies were there, you had fun and so will get in on the early birds tickets to see if it will be as bad as last year, but will still be looking forward to being with friends at the same time.

3) Get involved in someway; either pitching in as a volunteer, getting involved as a sponsor or give the events your feedback - your honest feedback so they can improve or at least have ammo to take to the police etc when the time for negotiations come around.

4) You will decide to try something different, a sober riders rally, a Christian Riders Rally, a rally in support of our veterans, a rally in support of finding the cure for some illness that has touched your life,  a rally from your manufacturers riding club or just going on a ride, alone or with friends -  a nice, leisurely one visiting our Rider Friendly Business Partners - some of the best rider owned and rider specific businesses in Canada!  And the riding in the regions these businesses are located!

So my questions for the days are:

Did you attend any of these events this summer - Sturgis North, GCBR, Sicamous Burn Outs, The Stomp, Horsethief Hide Out.

If you did what did you enjoy them for - the music?
The friends, old and new?
The activities?
The other entertainment aside from music?
The riding/poker runs or other?

Did you experience any motorcycle only stops?
Did you see, experience or witness any harassment, discrimination or oppression?

What was your over all impression?

If you think I am being too harsh or too rosy in my impressions or observations of any of these events - I dare yah, change my mind! I'd love to see you try! Looking forward to your take on things!

There is lots in the news feeds today that may have impact on your life as a rider, check out what's new on www.beltdrivebetty.com

I want to take this time to wish Gator, Ali's hubby a very Happy Birthday - Mark and I love yah!!!!!

I am off to Summerland and Wheel 2 Wheel Motorcycle Care, to go get a new front moccasin on Black Betty and then head into Vancouver and the Trev Deely Precious Metal Fest at the Salt Building in Vancouver!

I am stoked about that! See you on the road!

Please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider


Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Police harassment is over the top at BC Rallies

The RCMP have become a joke - a cruel and unnecessary one that we tax payers need to stomp on.

I have heard so many stories of absolute harassment and discrimination between the Great Canadian Bike Rally, Sturgis North and the The Stomp that I am sick to my stomach.

Bikes that are legal in Alberta, where they are licensed and inspected being ticketed for infractions in BC.

Riders blowing .02 being given 24 hour suspensions.

A woman, 83 years old having her face smashed.

Poker Runs being jacked, every bike being searched and the riders being violated.

Motorcycle only check stops - supposedly safety stops that were done in unsafe locations on the highway causing near misses with motor homes and other vehicles.

Biker Enforcement Units and Gang Squads everywhere harassing and generally making riders feel unwelcome.

I AM SICK TO DEATH OF THIS STUFF - have you had enough?

If you have then I urge you to fill out our police harassment and profiling form on www.beltdrivebetty.com

At the Sturgis North Bike Rally, the police presence was so stifling that many people simply left. Those who stayed have expressed their great displeasure at the heavy handed and snarling attitude of these officers and their conduct.

Merritt was not much better. The Stomp experienced some police pressure as well however being held on private land and with no liquor license ensured less presence than the other two rallies, but still the police had to jack their poker run.

According to an article in the Merritt Herald only 40 tickets were issued and that while that number was higher than a normal weekend it was far less than the now defunct Merritt Music Fest - so how are the police going to justify what they have done to the riding community?

The first year of the Merritt Bike Rally was mellow and quiet, so why did the police bring in so many extra officers?  Why was the police presence so oppressive? Why were they so rude and unwelcoming? Why were they harassing people for walking down the street or across parking lots? Why - I want to know.

So, my mission for today is to start phoning the various police departments to see what their answers are to my questions. How far do you think I will get? Will there be any honest answers? I know what I think,I want your thoughts.

The RCMP have become a group of people that I no longer respect or trust. Their public conduct at events and the information that is available about them in the news makes me sick.

Why are RCMP officers given the power to be judge and jury at the roadside?

Why are they always using intimidation and disgusting behaviour - did no one ever teach them that you get far more with honey than vinegar?

I know their job can be dangerous and tough - but seriously, the majority of people are pretty respectful so why not start out giving the person in front of them the benefit of the doubt?

Why start out being hostile?

What purpose does it serve?

Time and again, they bring in all of these extra police to "manage" us and then report that we were for the most part respectful? Why is all of this money wasted and yet our governments report that they can not fund our education and health care systems better?

So how do we force the RCMP to get back to  community policing - policing that makes sense, that does not treat everyone as if they are some sort of criminal?

We, the taxpayer, the citizens of this country need to start a thoughtful and measured campaign that protects our lifestyle and our freedoms - if we don't do it, who will?

If we don't stand united on this one issue, the issue of the police targeting us for special treatment, the police harassing and demeaning us - we will be legislated right off the highways.

If we don't do it then every soldier who has ever fought for our rights and freedoms is being dishonoured by us. It is our duty to preserve and protect our freedoms, rights and lifestyle.

We have become a police state, a state where the men and women who wear the badge that says to Serve and Protect use their badge to harass and profile us.

Are you going to take a stand to preserve our rights and freedoms? Are you going to fill out the police harassment and profiling form when you get stopped and hassled? Are you going to be ready with a few dollars to fund our national law suit and charter challenge?

Do you love riding a motorcycle? Do you like attending events?  Do you want to see our lifestyle continue?

I sure hope so.

There are many articles in the news today that may affect your day or life as a rider, I hope you will check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

Please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

My impressions of motorcycle events in the North Okanagan/Shuswap

I had planned on doing the Prince George HOG rally but my bike needed a new starter bendix which prevented me from riding there and I had wanted to go to Ashcroft for the CMDRA Drag Races on Sunday but rain and high wind stopped me - I don't get my new front tire until Wednesday but the good news is I did get to attend 3 out of 5 events that I had planned.

The first event I took in was Sturgis North. Like many a rider and vendor, I had high hopes for this event. I had been promised by the organizers that the new venue would bring about many positive changes. But as I rode into the venue I was saddened to see that the organizers did not appear to have learned much from their first rally.

The layout was awful in my humble opinion. The Motoplex Speedway was the ideal venue but they did not utilize it well. Instead of having all of the vendors ring the tracks oval they opted to put the vendors in front of the event and if you did not buy a pass to attend the event they were charging $20 to visit the vendors.  Now, I am not sure of their rational but the question I have to ask is...Would you pay $20 to go to the mall?

What you see here is the vendor alley on the left with vendor camping in the background on the far left, the parking area and the ticket booths with the main entrance into the racing oval and stands in the forefront.

I spoke with many of the vendors who were disappointed in the traffic that came through vendor alley. Many expressed that it was an utter waste of their time to be there especially on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday was not much better and Sunday was horrible - so much so that they pulled out early.  There were some who were very happy however because their products drew a lot of interest from those who did attend.  Many show goers were questioning why there were 7 support booths in the vendors alley and if that was the reason the BEU (Biker Enforcement Unit) and so many other police units were present.

The custom builders who attended expressed to me that they were disappointed as they got very little traffic, one builder from the lower mainland said he couldn't even sell a tee shirt to help with his costs to attend as there was simply no one to sell to.

In the background you can see the builders area and part of the main stage, in the middle right, the "lovely" beer gardens  and in the foreground, the concrete stands.

In this photo, to the far left in the background was Western RV and their bike line up, to the right in the middle the main stage and production booth and again the concrete stands. These pictures were taken at about 5 pm on Thursday.

The music stage was professionally done and as a result was the jewel of the event however I felt so bad for the bands that played during the day as there was barely a handful of people to watch them.  Many expressed to me that since pillows and the small legless chairs you can get for sitting in bleachers weren't allowed and sitting on the concrete stands in that heat, again with no shade, made them hold off until the night time music.

Many of the riders I talked to that were camping, were frustrated by the quality of the camping areas. I did not venture up there to see that first hand but I am told it was not pretty.

The story in the beer gardens was depressing.  Apparently the Liquor Control Board put severe restrictions on their liquor license and as a result there were no chairs or tables allowed in the beer gardens. There was not much in the way of canopies to cover the area and the extreme heat of the sun and the heat of the asphalt made it unbearable to be in it during the day. The slope of the track made standing to enjoy a beverage painful for people like myself who wear braces and many who have no handicap expressed displeasure as well.

The organizers had a tent frame with hose attached to mist yourself, however it was placed in front of the port o potties causing people to have to slog through water to use them.
The gate nazi's (the paid security) were also checking everyone for support gear and motorcycle club patches - another restriction of the liquor license meant those items were not allowed and neither were umbrellas.  The presence of the police was oppressive to say the least.

The beer gardens at about 8 pm on Thursday

My question on to the organizers would be - who did they piss off in the Liquor Control Board or the RCMP that such severe sanctions were placed on them? I was in Merritt last weekend and even though there was a support booth there and way too much police presence, they were allowed tables and chairs in their beer gardens...

Then there were the poker runs for the various charities - the word from the pub owners and the riders who participated was that every ride got jacked by the cops who were apparently not stopping cagers ONLY bikes and were utter jerks.  So again I have to ask the question - who did the organizers piss off?  You could not go in and out of the venue without being checked by the cops it was utterly depressing and disgusting - the show of force and their hostile attitudes had many riders vowing they would not be back.

The story in Sicamous however was totally different.

I attended the Sicamous Burn Out Competition and what a PARTY!

There were four police officers who walked around chatting with everyone and they were polite, welcoming and quite enjoyable to be around compared to Sturgis North. The beer gardens had tents, chairs and tables and picnic tables, the entertainment was utterly fabulous and the street was lined with vendors - the free event was extremely well attended!

FMX Jumping

There were stunt riders and FMX jumpers, a skills competition and of course the burn outs and the Nitro Drag Bikes.  And the was SHIRLEY - Sicamous has the most amazing ambassadress in her. This 70 something gal was walking around handing out Welcome to Sicamous cards and hugging the attendees and thanking them for coming to visit their flood ravaged region.  Hi can tell you that at least 30 riders told me that Shirley deserves the front cover of the Busted Knuckle - I am thinking they are right!

Skills Competition

 A Quad Stunter

West Coast Stunt Team

The Beer Gardens

 The Band in the Beer Gardens

Mother Nature was kind enough to hold off on the rain until the show ended at 4pm.  My thoughts automatically went to those camping in Vernon and how they would fair....
My hats off to the CMDRA, Drag Specialties/Parts Canada and the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development for a FABULOUS TIME!

My accommodations for the night were provided by Joe Shmuck's Roadhouse. This is MY FAVORITE place to stay when I am in the area. The food is fantastic, the waitresses are so friendly, there is ample parking and motorcycle ONLY parking.  The rooms are wonderful, air conditioned and have great beds. There is tons of tenting space and room for about 8-10 motorhomes - the place was filled!

I love staying here because of the atmosphere and location! Visit their Ad on Our Site to get their contact info by clicking HERE
You can't miss their Riders Welcome banners that grace the entrance either!

I had an opportunity to spend some quality time with Chance from the Riverfront Pub in Grindrod and ended up lending him my PINK rain gear - and he needed to get back to his pub where they were having live entertainment so he wore it - covered by his hoodie of course!

I met tons of riders over supper, many telling me their thoughts on our Rider Friendly phone books and sharing their horror stories over Sturgis North and the police presence.

I met Roger from Cherrie Customs in Kelowna and got an invite to come check out his shop which I intend to do later this week.

After dealing with the charging of electronics and the clearing of memory chips I headed out with Mark Pearson, the owner of Joe Shmuck's and a ton of his riding friends, they were just going for a guided tour of the region, I was heading to the Summer Stomp to see what was shaking out there.

As I pulled into the Stomp, Mark and his friends continued their journey.

Now, last year the Stomp could not get approval for the land they had been holding their rally on so it didn't happen. This year they got a very late approval for a new piece of land to use.
I was so happy to see about 800-1000 people were present. There were campers, tenters, trailers and motorhomes everywhere!

These guys and gals decided not to get a liquor license and so it was a BYOB party, one which through some very proactive thinking, ensure no one had to drink and drive!

You see, they had an agreement with the Hideaway Pub's Liquor Store in Salmon Arm and a shuttle service. You could place your order for beverages, paying a really tiny fee for the shuttle driver of $1 per item ordered, with the gals from the Hospice - the main charity for the Stomp, the shuttle would bring it in to the main tent and they would announce the orders had come in.  You could then take it back to your camp or if you did not have a cooler, they would give you tokens and keep your beverages cold for you.

They also sold ice and had a hot beverage swapping program!  What innovating and creative thinking!

My riding buddies from the BC Lone Wolves

Vendors Alley and the Food CourtVendors Alley and the Food Court

 Bull Riding

Scads of people taking in the action

There was a mechanical bull riding competition, rodeo games and a band along with a poker run and pancake breakfasts each day at the Legion just up the rad!

They had multiple vendors which included about 7 or 8 eating options. Everyone was in a great mood until the poker run came back which swelled the crowd to somewhere around - my guess is 1,100 people.

You see their ride of some 100+ riders was stopped in a road block and again, no cars or pick ups were stopped, ONLY bikes.  Apparently one rider was charged for some "safety" violation and that was it, but, where the stop occurred, a motorhome came around a corner, and had to anchor out and swerved into the oncoming traffic lane to avoid the motorcycles.

Needless to say that my short speech on standing up for our rights was well received.

You see we have a Police Harassment form on our site. I am asking every rider who was jacked up to fill out a form. We need every photo, every video and every statement from riders right across the country that we can get as we get to take a stand for our rights and freedoms as they are guaranteed under the charter.  If we do not fight for our lifestyle we will loose it. If we do not protect our freedoms and right, the same ones our soldiers fight and die for, then we disrespect their memories and sacrifices and guess what, no one else is going to work to preserve them for us if we don't do it!

PLEASE - if you were stopped at an event, on the highway - take the time to fill out a form so we can mount a class action lawsuit and a charter challenge - we have to folks, or be legislated out of existence and or be persecuted, harassed and maligned forever.

Tomorrow I will give you my impressions of Saturday night at Sturgis North along with my opinions on the "Biker Build Off", I will also be delving into the issues with the RCMP more so stay tuned.

For the other news and information that may affect your day or life as a rider, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our job is keeping YOU informed!

Ride safe please everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider