Is this Discrimination or Something else?

UPDATED

I want you to watch the video linked here
with an open mind and really listen to the conversations that take place.

I found a way to download the video!

The gentleman who posted this video is Bill Crawford and I came across it on the Boycott Esso Open Group on Facebook.

I'd love your opinion but only if you truly watch the video before you wade in please.

Here is what I observed - you may see it differently:

1) The older gentleman apparently raised his hand to a female rider

2) The older man's son intervenes

3) The son attempts to explain that so many bikers in his parking lot make other customers not want to stop

4) The station offers a restaurant among other services

5) The riders from this group frequent this station while on runs to fill up their tanks and from the coffee cups I see being held, purchase other products and take a rest break

6) The riders are not obstructing any of the pumps, they are not obstructing the propane lane as far as I can see and they do not appear to be blocking any of the entrances.

7) The main rider, John of Motorcycle Enhancements seems to be very calm, very well spoken and tries very hard to make this young man understand that although people ride motorcycles they are business people, family people and they drive other vehicles too - he tries very hard to explain that they are customers - period.

8) It appears to me that this is the first time the riders hear they are not wanted there.

9) Even though some of the riders were vocal and upset, there were two riders who shook hands with the young man and did their best to make this young man and his father see reason.
I am not sure they were very successful, but they did try.

I contacted Esso about this situation and offered to send them the link to this video and asked them for a response on this situation not just as a customer but as a reporter.

Their standard protocol for customer complaints is to open a file and take your complaint, but you as a customer, are not entitled to know if there has been a resolution to your concern or not.

The lady I spoke with expressed that this is their normal method of handling customer complaints, but when I told her for the 3rd time that I was not just a customer, but a reporter and that I wanted a follow up call with the resolution to the issues at hand she said she'd give me a number to their media relations.

I told her thank you very much but I have that number and I also let her know that as a customer I would be boycotting Esso wherever and whenever humanly possible, because as a customer, I should have a right to know if my complaints or concerns are truly being dealt with and that since this is their policy for the handling of customer concerns, I did not wish to do business with their company.

If as a customer who purchases their product, I can't at least know that they really did deal with the issue and what the outcome was, then they show me no value as a customer and I would rather give my hard earned money to a company that places more value on their customers needs and concerns.

I am going to cut up my Esso Extra Card and shop elsewhere - not just because of what I see in this video, but because of Esso's customer complaint and concern resolution strategy, I simply don't feel valued as a customer.

I will shop at those Esso stations that I know for a FACT support the riding community, but if I am in an area and have a choice, but don't know if the Esso supports riders for sure, I will choose the other station every time.

I want to be valued as a customer - period. 

NO MATTER WHERE I BUY MY GAS or the products I use in my day to day life.

If you want to test what I say for yourself you can call:
1-800-567-ESSO (3776) ... my complaint file number is # 02337590
The station in question in this video is located in Campbellville Ontario

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Here is the information from the rider who filmed this:
Hi Betty. I originally posted this on John Cosentini's event page. My reason for posting was to highlight the issue at this particular station but also to profile the positive process of resolution between the gas station owner's son and John, our ride leader, talking out what could have been a much worse situation.

To clarify a few things: the gas station owner did not raise his hand to a woman. He grabbed the hand and phone of a male biker in the group as he was recording the store owner taking down plate numbers and recording the bikes with his phone. The biker then grabbed him by the neck. That was broken up and that is when I started recording, the owner's son had his dad move off and John started talking it out with the owner's son. 

The other misrepresentation is that there is a lot of space on the property - there isn't. It is a small corner lot in a very popular group riding area and while there are a few parking spaces on each side of the property the place where the bikes were parked was off to the side but not in designated parking. The owner and son are clearly frustrated by the groups of riders that stop for gas and don't leave right away. 

I don't think this was an isolated incident. When the owner first came out to complain, many off us moved our bikes into designated parking spots or off his property altogether. Some were away from their bikes for the moment to either get a drink or go to the washroom. While the owner was perfectly in his right to ask the bikers to move off his property, the angry and aggressive manner of his approach got the backs up of a few in our group and things escalated emotionally fairly quickly when he came back right away to take down plate numbers and pictures of the bikes. 

The riders who were away from their bikes had no time in between to get back to their bikes and move them. I guess the lessoned learned is that if you are in a larger group riding together it would be better to find another gas station with a greater amount of space that can better accommodate a larger group of bikes. I should also point out that this is also where the Ice House Restaurant is located and they are very biker-friendly and supportive of the biker community. Whether or not you decide to boycott this gas station or not, please continue to take your business to the Ice House Restaurant as you pass through Campbellville. The owners and staff at the Ice House appreciate their biker business. 

It has been a popular stop for bikers of all kinds for years. They have parking along the front and side of their building. I, for one, will continue to fill up at that gas station on my own or in a small group, but will find a bigger gas station if I am part of a large group in the future. Hope that helps to clarify a little bit!  Bill Crawford

Former Canadian Custom Builder hits the big time!

Congratulations go out today with the formal announcement from the History Channel that Len Edmondson of Azzkikr Customs will now star in a TV Show called Biker Battleground Pheonix.

Len moved his shop from the lower mainland of BC to Phoenix Arizona because there was more demand for his work from American customers than there were from Canadians.

For him, it was the best move of his life, for Canadian riders it is our loss, but now we can cheer him and his team on as they go head to head with Paul Yaffe, John Shope, Kody NcNew and Brian Jenkins.

I have met 4 out of 5 of the custom builders that will appear on the show, and they are all super talented, so I for one will be tuning in to see who comes out on top! How about you?

Here is the Press Release from History:

HISTORY GOES FULL THROTTLE IN NEW SERIES “BIKER BATTLEGROUND PHOENIX”

Biker Battleground Phoenix Premieres Tuesday, July 1 at 10 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY – History is going inside the cutthroat world of custom bike building, giving viewers a never-before-seen look at how adrenaline, craftsmanship and rivalries determine who’s who among the country’s top custom bike builders, in the new series BIKER BATTLEGROUND PHOENIX premiering Tuesday, July 1 at 10 PM ET/PT. Following five of the most talented and ambitious bad boys of the custom bike business in Phoenix, Arizona, viewers will witness how the competitive rivalry between these shops are sometimes fueled by respect – and sometimes not –proving that skills and hard work doesn’t always pay off and sometimes scheming wins the prize.

In the desert city of Phoenix, Arizona lives a subculture unknown to many – the custom bike building capital of the world. A place where shop owners compete day and night for customers who are willing to pay upwards of $150,000 for a fully personalized Bagger motorcycle. Choppers and Cruisers are out and Baggers are in. In this dog-eat-dog world, design ideas are money and top custom bike shops compete around the clock, for both business and bragging rights. BIKER BATTLEGROUND PHOENIX follows five of the most determined and hungry shop owners, from the well-established ‘Godfather’ to the young up-and-comers. When passion and egos collide in this world, the explosion is heard throughout the city.

Meet the bikers of BIKER BATTLEGROUND PHOENIX:

PAUL YAFFE - Yaffe Originals/Bagger Nation: Considered the ‘Godfather’ of the group, Yaffe is the founder of Yaffe Originals and Bagger Nation custom motorcycle shops. The first in the bagger game in Phoenix, he claims to have spawned the entire bagger craze when he started Bagger Nation, which is now valued at $10 million dollars. As a maverick builder, he is known for taking an average bike and transforming it into a head-turning, street-scorching custom piece. While his critics might claim that he is past him prime and no longer lives up to his hype, his business has continued to flourish. A former mentor to John Shope, Yaffe brags that he taught Shope everything he knows.

JOHN SHOPE – Dirty Bird Concepts: The self-proclaimed “King of Baggers,” Shope is known for having a hot head and cool designs. Starting as an artist and sculptor before entering the custom bike business in the 80’s, he began modifying, building and fabricating custom Harleys. He entered the bagger game under Paul Yaffe’s tutelage, only to outgrow him and become his premiere rival. Shope says Yaffe is the Michael Bolton and he is the Motely Crue of the biker world. Shope now run his own hugely successful business - Dirty Bird Concepts – where he builds custom baggers and parts.

LEN EDMONDSON – Azzkikr Customs: Originally from Canada, Edmondson started an extremely successful multi-million dollar construction business in Vancouver, which he ran for nearly 30 years.  He sold the business and created Azzkikr Customs pursuing his real love, motorcycles. Having won many “Best Bagger” prizes, he is known for his contemporary, artistic flare and classic lines. But accolades aren’t enough for Len who wants to be number one in the custom bike world. To compete with the best of the best, Len moved himself to Phoenix, just down the street from John Shope. The two builders are friends but only until the competition gets tight and then it’s ALL business and both men plan to win. Len’s deep pockets pose a threat to all of builders who cannot afford to compete. He has never made an American build bike until now and he’s determined to bring his mountain of cash to bury the competition.

KODY MCNEW – Voodoo Customs: McNew’s name says it all: a new-comer to the custom bagger scene. In 2013 Kody was the surprise winner at Sturgis taking top honors in the “First Place Build” category and the prestigious “Best of Paint” awards in the Easy Rider’s Bagger Show. With those wins under his belt, McNew and his shop Voodoo Customs rose overnight from relative obscurity to become one of the strongest contenders on the scene and he has no problem claiming that he could beat more experienced builders Yaffe and Shope.

BRIAN JENKINS - Hatred Customs: Jenkins, a former friend of John Shope, is the founder of Hatred Customs. A loner and a rebel, Jenkins disassociated himself from the Web and social media sites, only having recently joined Facebook in order to advance his shop. He moved to Phoenix from Baltimore, MD in 1992 to work construction, where he started a successful excavating business.  Jenkins lost everything when his business went bust as the Phoenix economy crashed.  While he had always had custom street rods and other bikes, Jenkins tried his hand at real estate before customizing his first bagger in 2007. The bike was such a hit that he opened his own shop and continued making custom rides. Jenkins’ latest bagger has won six top awards in the last six shows it has been featured in, including winning “Baddest Bagger 2013” in Arizona and Reno. While he remains a relative underdog, Jenkins is unique among his rival builders because he can brag that he is the only one who hand crafts every single part of his bike – literally from scratch.

BIKER BATTLEGROUND PHOENIX is produced by Adjacent Productions for HISTORY. Bryn Freedman is executive producer. Julian P. Hobbs and Elaine Frontain Bryant serve as the executive producers for HISTORY. Phil Lott, Travis Shakespeare and Jane Tranter serve as executive producers for Adjacent Productions.

So, does this sound like a show you'd tune in to? I'd love to know!

That's what is fit to print in my world today, hope you have a wonderful day and remember to please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you, and consider dressing for the slide and not the ride.


Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Helmets

Helmets For Both Safety & Style

Since the inception of the motorcycle in the early 20th century, riding gear has not only protected riders from the dangerous elements of on-road traveling, it's also helped distinguish the mark of a true motorcyclist from the rest of the pack. Protecting the head and often lending itself to a stylish décor, the helmet has long since been one of the most iconic pieces of riding gear among enthusiasts. Without careful consideration, you could purchase the wrong size and really give yourself a headache. Selecting a helmet that doesn't suit your needs can also be quite uncomfortable, given the circumstances, so it's best to shop around and educate yourself on what makes a truly great motorcycle helmet all worthwhile. This single piece of protection could end up saving your life one day, either from an unsuspecting crash or by maintaining proper vision and security when out on the road.

A Helmet for Any Occasion

For riders dedicated to their passion, it's not uncommon to find a garage full of various gears for any type of adventure and situation. I, myself, have a shelf full of many different boots, from Alpinestars to Dainese. The whole industry is consumed with tactical equipment designed specifically for one purpose, many purposes or every purpose. I suppose it really has more to do with how you enjoy the ride, but helmets are no different than any other piece of motorcycling gear. A full-face helmet is encouraged for those dangerous situations. You know the types – full throttle, tight corners and blistering speed. If I wasn't wearing a full-face every time I pulled laps at the local track or braking through a curvy mountain road, I wouldn't feel comfortable. But a full-face helmet isn't the perfect choice for every occasion. When I want to cruise and feel the wind slap graciously against my face, I'll choose an open-face, classic design. You really can't beat the bare bones experience of riding a motorcycle, but then again, every situation calls for a different piece of head safety.

Helmets

Matched Safety & Sophistication

Before we dive into the specifics of these dome protectors, you should consider how often you ride, how dangerously you ride and what type of bikes you ride before making a final decision. Of course, there's also the possibility that you could own multiple helmets for many different scenarios, but let's imagine for a moment that you are a one-gear type of person. Whether you're on a budget or really just need that perfect head protection for all situations, consider what you actually seek out in a helmet. For cruisers and chopper enthusiasts alike, a nice half-face helmet should do the trick. You still want to live life close to the edge, feeling the breeze as you rip down the highway at 80 miles an hour, but you don't necessarily need the enclosure of a full-face helmet. Besides, many of the skull caps out there are designed with the same sophistication and safety as head gear from yesteryear.

Bikes's Helmet

Complete the look and ride with confidence, because the helmet you choose actually speaks louder than you could imagine. With that said, a full-face helmet just goes so well with sport bikes and the ever-popular naked bikes. Not only does a complete enclosure keep your head protected in dangerous situations and warm in cooler months, the appearance can be mysteriously sinister when racing down the open road. But we all know that looks aren't everything, so you really have to find a helmet that fits right, feels comfortable and will last a lifetime. Make sure that any piece you select is rated by the Department of Transportation and rated for motorcycle travel, because security simply cannot be replaced when accidents occur. 

Full-Face Street Riding

Worn by everyone from Nicky Hayden to your neighbor, full-face helmets have been a sport bike tradition for decades. What originally began as a mock design for an astronaut suit, the full-face has become an iconic image for motorcyclists who like to push the very limits of their bikes and their bodies. When you're getting super low to the ground on a hairpin turn, you can't afford to let the slightest mistake or miscalculation causes a shaving of your chin. Considering many of today's top sport bikes feature such small windshields for crouched riding, a full-face also acts as a perfect shield from on-road debris, such as bugs, pebbles and other wind-carrying objects. But by far the greatest feature of the fully enclosed motorcycle helmet is the customizable visor. For warm, sunny afternoons flip down the visor to shield your eyes from the blinding light. If you find yourself consistently riding in low light or foggy conditions, simply use a lighter shade of visor for better vision. Determine which condition best fits your riding style, from off-road MX to city streets, and there's a perfect full-face waiting to protect your mug from danger.

Full face Street Riding Helmets

Multi-Purpose Modular

For riders who want the comfort of a half-face design and protection of a full-face, modular helmet have become increasingly popular choices. Designed specifically to allow cyclists to simply flip up the lower face plate of the helmet, you can now easily turn any day on the bike into an enjoyable journey. Imagine the convenience of being able to leave your helmet on while answering your cellphone on a quick pit stop. If the day's ride gets a little too hot, there's no need to carry two helmets around when you can just customize the modular's appearance to better suit your needs. Communication is now made much simpler, and you won't need to rely on bulky, expensive electronics just to say hi! But everything comes at a price and modular really only works for those who absolutely need to switch between a half- and full-face design with minimal effort.

If you could see my garage, you'd probably think I was obsessed with helmets. It's not even about brand and model loyalty, either, because every manufacturer has their own design quirks that make them such iconic pieces of motorcycling gear. Helmets are embedded in the riding culture like leather jackets and metal-toe boots.

Kiara Wilsn

Sobering News

I spent the weekend in Salmon Arm BC with the BC Lone Wolves at their Show 'n' Shine and Motorcycle Awareness event and I had a ball while there.

Watch this coming Thursday's Busted Knuckle Chronicles for the low down on that show!

The drive down had some tense moments with inclement weather. The trip saw me in snow, freezing rain and sleet a good portion of the way and from Mount Robson on nothing but rain until Clearwater.
The trip home was uneventful until I hit Valemount and from there until 40 K from Jasper I was in snow, from the Hinton/Grande Prairie turn off to 15 K before Grande Cache the road was glare ice!

It was a harrowing trip and I am glad to be home safe and sound.

While I was in Salmon Arm I was able to finally meet my Lawyer, Rodney Chorneyko and he and I had a frank discussion about the Sturgis North, Ray Sasseville, Joan Hansen libel/slander lawsuit.

We will be sending out my response to their offer to settle soon.  They want a $250,000 gag order on a journalist/publisher and editor - ME and that goes against the freedom of speech laws in this country. If I fail to agree to that they are going to petition the courts for a gag order on me until this lawsuit is settled - the good news is I get to talk to the judge if they try that, so it their request for a gag order will undoubtably fail. If I was to accept their current offer to settle, I set a dangerous precedent for all journalists in Canada so fight I must and I will.

I am not allowed to share with you my response letter as of yet, as the other side's lawyer hasn't gotten it yet, but let me assure you that my counter offer to settle is very fair minded.

The bad news is, I need to raise another $50,000 if this lawsuit doesn't get settled before then as it will drag out for a long time. As it stands, right now I will need to raise another $5,000 to see this through to what I am hoping will be the end of this stupidity. But, if it goes past this letter that the lawyer sends out, then it will take upwards of $50K!

My attorney advised me that I will never get anything from these people and that even if I was to counter sue, I would be completely wasting my money. He sighted the Michael Smith suit, where in Michael won a judgement for $70,000 lawsuit against Mr. Sasseville and has not been able to collect on it.

He explained that he does not want me throwing good money after bad and that there is no such thing as true justice - that ours is a legal system and not a justice system.  He said there would be no justice for the little people who have been hurt financially by this event and it's coordinators unless somehow the RCMP were to be willing to open an investigation into these people and he does not see that happening either.

So, there you have it - the new goal for my defense fund is now $50K on top of what I have already spent!  I have to be prepared for going long haul on this. To do otherwise would be fool hardy!

I can't do that without this community helping me.

If you support me, and it turns out they accept my counter offer and this thing is finally over, anything after the lawyer is paid off and Ali is given some money for the bike we sold, then the funds will be put to use is such a way that the biker community will appreciate!

I hope you will join us for the Freedom of the Press Poker Run and Silent Auction May 24th at Blackjacks in Nisku AB - Kickstands up will be at 10 AM for the Poker Run and the 50/50 draws & BBQ will begin at 3 pm at Blackjacks.  We will also be raising funds for Doug Jenson who was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease - he needs an electric hospital bed and lift - about $8,500 in equipment!

I am looking for vendors and silent auction items - so contact me at bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces) if you'd like to take part!

My husband is on his way to the U of A to go see his MS Neurologist as the Prednisone does not seem to have stopped what's going on with him the way it has in the past.

Please keep him in your prayers because although you all are a great support system - he is my rock and without him, I will be lost!

Have a great day everyone,

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider