Belt Drive Betty's Blog

It's OVER for Nashville Bike Week

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It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Nashville Bike Week is a non starter.<br />
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With the arrest of Mike Leffingwell/Axle for changing his name illegally and failing to appear, this man who had charges in 4 states and for whatever reason decided not to deal with them, has left his event in dire straits.<br />
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The Loretta Lynn Ranch had pulled out as the host venue back in <br />
February, then a farmer not far away pulled out, then the Gaylord Opryland Hotel pulled out and now the last hope that this event might go off has also pulled out.<br />
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A man named Stan Chiras of the  American Rebel Mudpark was going to take the event over as he owns 500 acres that is an actual event venue and a man with a lot of special event experience.<br />
After 11 days of waiting for financials = transparency, he decided that if he couldn't get the paperwork to know what has gone on, he'd best back away.<br />
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So now Nashville Bike Week is without a leader and without a home.<br />
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Stan Chiras of American Rebel Mud Park is going to be hosting a FREE 10 day event on his property for anyone who bought tickets to Nashville Bike Week. It won't be as grand an event, but it will have bands and entertainment and camping and if you bought a Nashville Bike Week ticket/package he's going to do his best to honour them as far as the spaces for toy haulers etc.<br />
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<b>Here is the official statement from Stan Chiras of American Rebel Off Road Park:</b><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">"After discussions with State and local officials, and consulting with legal counsel, American Rebel Off Road Park is withdrawing as a venue for Nashville Bike Week and Superflow Entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It became obvious that with the time remaining until the event date, there is no way to meet the promises made by Superflow Entertainment to its customers.  <o:p></o:p></span>There was also no feasible way to meet the statutory guidelines required by the State of Tennessee for permitting an event of this size.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When I entered into discussion with Nashville Bike Week my intent was to contribute to saving this event for the over 4000 fellow bikers who had already paid in advance for this event.  I deeply regret this could not work out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who paid for this event to come to Tennessee and enjoy our hospitality and all that our county and State has to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">You’re welcome to come and stay here at no charge."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Stan Chiras <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">American Rebel Off Road Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.armudpark.com/">http://www.armudpark.com/</a></span></div>
(931) 722-5058<br />
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I had hoped that Mike Axle was not another like the one we have had in Canada who has, sadly, resurfaced to try another event. However, it appears that Nashville Bike Week was nothing more than one big scam.<br />
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I was angry at those who were phoning venue after venue and getting the owners to turn their backs on signed contracts.<br />
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Part of me wanted to believe in that this guy was sincere. He did not conduct himself the way the other person I have experience with did. He never dodged me.<br />
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And then there's the whole thing about Canadian law and US law which are very different from each other.<br />
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Had I done to the Canadian event (that went this same direction in BC), what the Americans have done to Mike Leffingwell/Axle and Nashville Bike Week, I'd have been thrown in jail.<br />
ANYWAY...They were right, these detractors and Mike is another like the one from BC....the one who is hosting an Oilfield event now.<br />
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I am sad that things went this way but, our community has been known to attract some unsavoury people.<br />
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So sad for so many. I am beyond being angry anymore - I feel deflated.<br />
There goes my big trip of the season, time to reorganize - with the workload I have, not a bad idea...<br />
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If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.<br />
<br />
Bet Drive Betty<br />
Editor & Rider<br />
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It's OVER for Nashville Bike Week

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Nashville Bike Week is a non starter. With the arrest of Mike Leffingwell/Axle for changi...

Calling all East Coast Riders - Heck - ALL Riders ACROSS Canada

Today I had the pleasure of meeting, over the telephone, a business man who is making dreams come true.<br />
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His name is Dimitri Neonakis and he owns a successful small business on the east coast.<br />
An avid pilot, he got the idea to take kids with special needs up in his small plane, inspired by being up in the blue with the clouds, to give them something exciting, different and interesting to try. <br />
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<b>Here is a short video from CBC Halifax:</b><br />
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Dream Wings is only 10 days old, but already Dimitri and his now growing list of pilots want to expand what they are doing. His efforts have garnered a ton of volunteers, including his children!<br />
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Not only do Dimitri and his pilot friends want to challenge pilots in other communities to do something wonderful and free for children with special needs, he is also challenging the motorcycle community to get involved!<br />
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You see I told Dimitri about the Anti Bullying "ride a kid to school" campaigns that have started right across Canada, by my two of my friends, virtually at the same time, Keven Ellis from Hamilton Ontario and Steve Enns in Edmonton AB. <br />
I am proud to say I know these two men, and how their efforts caught the news headlines.<br />
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Now, right across the country motorcyclists who find out about kids who are being bullied are taking these kids to school and picking them up after school. Sometimes with 7-8 bikes, other times with 30, 50. <br />
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The goal is to let kids know that bullying is not accepted, not tolerated and that the kids being bullied do have friends.<br />
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When I told Dimitri the story, he was moved to tears and said you know, we need to get your community involved in this.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19264482_10212191785244110_2419944917543421048_o.jpg?oh=b9068ccb9d15b6a5b3414cab4d5e980b&oe=59D68011" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19264482_10212191785244110_2419944917543421048_o.jpg?oh=b9068ccb9d15b6a5b3414cab4d5e980b&oe=59D68011" width="240" /></a><br />
"If we could get people who have motorcycles <br />
with sidecars and trikes to come out and take some of these children for a small ride, what excitement they would get.<br />
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We could hold a fair and call it Planes, Trikes and Cars for Kids - and get people with exotic cars and the Fire Department with a rig - can you see how much fun a day of giving like this could be?" said Dimitri.<br />
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Oh yes Dimitir, I can!<br />
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So there, you have it folks - Dimitri Neonakis - Halifax Nova Scotia - you can find him on Facebook:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dimitri.neonakis">https://www.facebook.com/dimitri.neonakis</a><br />
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Please reach out to Dimitri to find out the intricacies of what you need to do, like releases to be signed etc...<br />
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Let's help Dimitri's efforts called "Dream Wings" REALLY take flight! </h2>
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Let's get the power of the riding community behind this man and help him expand it to other modes of fun transportation and to expand it right across the country...</h2>
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I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!</h2>
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Pass this post along to every rider you know, because he wants riders to join him in his efforts to bring a smile to child's face right there in Halifax and all throughout Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.<br />
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I intend to see if we can get a day like this coordinated in Grande Prairie AB - what a wonderful way to light up a child's day.  Good idea?  What say you?<br />
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If you are blessed enough to be riding today, PLEASE ride like everyone is blind and can not see you!<br />
<br />
Belt Drive Betty<br />
Editor & Rider<br />
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