And so begins the destruction of another wonderful summer - UGH

Why did I make the headline sound so gloom and doom?<br /> <br /> Because folks, this is my 16th riding season covering the kind of crap that has come up in the newsfeeds again, it's depressing, demoralizing and discouraging that after 15 years of writing, talking, sharing, no one has gotten off their butt to unite and actually fight for the rights of motorcyclists.<br /> <br /> Somewhere in this country there has to be someone with the gift, the ability to unite people and get them working together to remove the discrimination and disdain that riders experience constantly.<br /> <br /> I am the executive director and founder of the <a href="http://motorcycletourism.ca/" target="_blank">Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association</a>. <br /> <br /> Do you know how many times and how often I am forced to explain why a motorcycle tourism association is spearheading the building of Veterans Memorial Gardens or why I pushed to build the Afghanistan War Monument? It's disgusting that people's minds automatically go to the bad places, the places that sadly, the RCMP and other police services seem to lead them through the bastardization of terminologies that are commonly used in our community and a main stream media that can't seem, or doesn't want to, actually do journalism. It seems that so much of what they do is sensationalized into stuff that it isn't.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b>In the last 36 hours or so, three articles have hit the news that should be disturbing for all motorcyclists.</b></div> <br /> Because of the way sound reverberates in the mountains, the retirees of the Kootenay's are getting tired of all of the noise that motorcycles generate, and we now have a zero tolerance on after market pipes in the Kootenay's.<br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;">"Police throughout the East and West Kootenay </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">will be stepping up enforcement and adopting a zero tolerance policy with respect to motorcycles that have altered their exhaust pipes or installed after market equipment to make the motorcycle louder."  Read the rest of the article <a href="https://www.e-know.ca/regions/east-kootenay/rcmp-announce-new-zero-tolerance-policies/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">If louder was the only reason for the upgraded pipes that many have installed - ok, but truth is many dealerships sell these pipes so that the engine will breath and perform better.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://jekillandhyde.com/EN_CA/home-canada" target="_blank">Dr. Jeckill and Hyde Mufflers</a> are what should be stock on every motorcycle sold. PERIOD.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Quiet mode in town, louder mode when you are on the highway looking for fuel efficiency and performance.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>Loud Pipes do not save lives, they piss people off and make all motorcyclists into villains.</b></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The average citizen doesn't look at me and say, she's running stock pipes, she's a good motorcyclist but look at him, he's got illegal exhaust, he's a bad motorcyclist.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">And even if they did say that, they'd still be wrong cause buddy with a louder exhaust can control the sound, it's all in the wrist.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>They just look at all of us and tar us all with the same noisy, disrespectful brush. </b></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">And so, the us against them, the Loud Pipes Saves Lives group against Riding like everyone is blind Group, the I want to sit on the deck and have a conversation, not scream above the loud pipes groups VS, the OH LOOK AT ME crowd...</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>Respect - our community touts it all the time - but seriously there is nothing respectful about a set of pipes that sets off car alarms for three blocks.</b></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQjVehRd0OBOH5zB8aDkYJC0m1EKRAPnn3oFMkir3lgesqEA_2USC_bx2IquvBUbHZFnAaO2iAYOHw_m_S3at_UUaEu1ed8HPLS1xspWI_Kr2eKQZVP5CT40Z4Xk6gyxTxhmv/s1600/img-3136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQjVehRd0OBOH5zB8aDkYJC0m1EKRAPnn3oFMkir3lgesqEA_2USC_bx2IquvBUbHZFnAaO2iAYOHw_m_S3at_UUaEu1ed8HPLS1xspWI_Kr2eKQZVP5CT40Z4Xk6gyxTxhmv/s320/img-3136.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fire Fighters Club</td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Then there's the whole Three Piece Patch World and how cops have this idea that three piece patches are all property of people who do bad things.</span><br /> <br /> <div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Not all three piece patches are created equally.</span></span></span></div> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">On Whyte Ave in Edmonton a member of the Veterans MC Canada was asked to leave a dining establishment because he was wearing his cut while on a date night with his spouse.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Now we have people concerned about firefighters who have been seen at motorcycle functions with members of the Hells Angels. Read the article: <a href="http://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/real-scoop-firefighter-bikers-riding-with-the-hells-angels?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1528230485" target="_blank">Florian's Knights</a></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The police do not understand the culture of the three piece patch clubs (or they act very obtuse about it) there is a dominant club in every region and if you want to wear a set of patches then you need approval so as not to cause a male dominated piss fight.  </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The dominant wants to know that you are not there to start trouble or interfere in the community and that you are not there to try to challenge their dominance.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The Florian Knights out of the Lower Mainland did what every respectful club does, they said - Hey Motorcycle Community - do you have a problem with us flying these colours and riding together to raise money for charity while being brothers who help each other? The dominant - the Hells Angels said no, you aren't going to cause problems in our community, we have no problem with you.  The other clubs said hey, welcome to the community. </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">End of. </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">BUT....</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The cops use/interpret that to mean, oh, you are in bed with the Hells Angels cause you asked their permission to fly your colours.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">And because you get seen at motorcycle events and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has members present, well, now you really must be in their hip pocket or somehow associated. </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Or god forbid, you were childhood friends with someone who became a Hells Angels Member...</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">OMG that is horrible and against the law that a Hells Angels member could have a friend.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>NOT ALL HELLS ANGELS MEMBERS ARE CRIMINALS.</b></span><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">And then there is the Royal Canadian Legion and their new edict about barring 3 piece patches from their club houses while also stating that it is disrespectful for a motorcyclist to wear his medals on his riding vest....talk to the good folks who attend  and ride in the Ride to Remember at Beechwood Cemetery, then come tell me about disrespect.   </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Tell that to any member of theVeterans Paratroopers MC, of the Veterans MC Canada. I bet you'll get an ear full.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">They want to court riders, they have their own "Club" The Legion Riders, they play a part in the promotion and running of the National Memorial Ride:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.legion.ca/remembrance/promoting-remembrance/national-memorial-ride">http://www.legion.ca/remembrance/promoting-remembrance/national-memorial-ride</a></span><br /> <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you say </span><b style="background-color: #fcfcfc; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">HYPOCRITES?</b><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Read the article: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/legions-ban-club-colours-215354/" style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: museo-sans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" target="_blank">Legions' ban club colours.</a><br /> <div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> <br /></div> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>It is obvious to me that there is another riding season disinformation campaign going on and yet again, many are falling into the trap.</b></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">"All who wear a three piece patch are trouble, you need to use the petty trespass act to get rid of them out of your club house or establishment or you are going to loose your liquor license." says the nice police officer.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">There is a problem with that disinformation campaign....not all </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Three Piece Patches are worn by those who commit crimes.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <b> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Now, I have preached this over and over and over until I am sick of having to say it.</span></b><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Not all who wear the 3 piece patch of the Hells Angels are criminal.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Not all who wear a three piece patch are criminal.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Not all who wear a three piece patch are connected to the Hells Angels.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>Just Like:</b></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Not all priests are pedophiles </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Not all cops are drunks who mow motorcyclists down and flee the scene like Monty Robinson.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Generalizations SUCK. </span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">PROFILING is WRONG, ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Know your Charter Rights and USE THEM PEOPLE.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Please sign my petition. <a href="https://www.thepetitionsite.com/290/964/087/demand-a-reversal-of-the-motorcycle-colours-amp-logos-ban-in-all-royal-canadian-legions-in-canada/" target="_blank">HERE</a></span><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">What say you?</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Belt Drive Betty</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Editor & Rider</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Just a few of the photos from around the Internet that expose the Hypocrisy, Lies and Lunacy of it all:</span><br /> <span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9JBXsXRXMuh6qrzNZqFrM2ggKsEDoXj0sWqY5GYwnEvuewNXoiJ5UTLfWfGaZnsCaCmGYoELGetbwh6MGI4W3GOfppCN0c3DBbhBauAEiWXYtGsUHyRye0ZrVAxJQD7a8boY/s1600/BUR-Patch.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="896" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9JBXsXRXMuh6qrzNZqFrM2ggKsEDoXj0sWqY5GYwnEvuewNXoiJ5UTLfWfGaZnsCaCmGYoELGetbwh6MGI4W3GOfppCN0c3DBbhBauAEiWXYtGsUHyRye0ZrVAxJQD7a8boY/s320/BUR-Patch.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCaj9Cwf-2UFELToeOu3XyWEzQ-C-de-fl9yw0eNw68VJix59fHTbipBZmHevEbqxbngcfskDaSgX7772r3-5oo8xgK_e-fXaktyszcMAE3kk6mIbrUmJW-j7GE75FvwoZamF/s1600/Beechwood.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCaj9Cwf-2UFELToeOu3XyWEzQ-C-de-fl9yw0eNw68VJix59fHTbipBZmHevEbqxbngcfskDaSgX7772r3-5oo8xgK_e-fXaktyszcMAE3kk6mIbrUmJW-j7GE75FvwoZamF/s1600/Beechwood.jpeg" /></a></div>                    At Beechwood Cemetery<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0eOoJMH5NX1uJt_BhryiaxvfeR-jlM8CY-tWLeYast9T6woAHLj_RkBfKWRT819qsyBX5C738PXAVh5W_Fftsis4WISEam3XN_tQ3on3qQGPb3-LVxKuwBq1XGnVP7HIfBxO/s1600/Canadian+Veteran+Freedom+RIders.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0eOoJMH5NX1uJt_BhryiaxvfeR-jlM8CY-tWLeYast9T6woAHLj_RkBfKWRT819qsyBX5C738PXAVh5W_Fftsis4WISEam3XN_tQ3on3qQGPb3-LVxKuwBq1XGnVP7HIfBxO/s1600/Canadian+Veteran+Freedom+RIders.jpeg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSgZ7SQEJwhVptKtGj8weJaA7bQQ2Bb9-IU-matVrkZI5vROFGGFVEt3n-SDK_e88df25UhO6ieT1-VOyt_iC3UO2Kp4r0eyjyQLumYLtsINTez_n_cRysX-JijpdsnyPqZS/s1600/Laying+a+Wreath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteSgZ7SQEJwhVptKtGj8weJaA7bQQ2Bb9-IU-matVrkZI5vROFGGFVEt3n-SDK_e88df25UhO6ieT1-VOyt_iC3UO2Kp4r0eyjyQLumYLtsINTez_n_cRysX-JijpdsnyPqZS/s320/Laying+a+Wreath.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjj-XASMv-Qrp75dvh8VfhfXHmLrGSV9T_zCXHftgSn48YF0gdAY-SvwZ74biJvEh8Bnr4rMwkPnVhccf5M-jExhnqL4n7WZrI-JwrqqimbG4UJh4Nctm0y4rWgOsClfs7BOAt/s1600/Northwall+Riders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjj-XASMv-Qrp75dvh8VfhfXHmLrGSV9T_zCXHftgSn48YF0gdAY-SvwZ74biJvEh8Bnr4rMwkPnVhccf5M-jExhnqL4n7WZrI-JwrqqimbG4UJh4Nctm0y4rWgOsClfs7BOAt/s320/Northwall+Riders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXIfWS2_oK3-xLgyePesjq5RXlgB_NxEUlKfVs0r-VgHg58_5qNqr7hm10Dik4NiA1_PKCazMXRdo3awx9z3VkCOp_ufDLhTTqzMPg7FHNnbMMKxDS7e-QGnifd5PR-yCsCfG/s1600/Sniper+Trapper+Cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXIfWS2_oK3-xLgyePesjq5RXlgB_NxEUlKfVs0r-VgHg58_5qNqr7hm10Dik4NiA1_PKCazMXRdo3awx9z3VkCOp_ufDLhTTqzMPg7FHNnbMMKxDS7e-QGnifd5PR-yCsCfG/s320/Sniper+Trapper+Cane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmrWR8PmG2WNy9MpAKUNViwUYOlj8qbgQKuKXUI06VB5OPc0KvPIfVAfWB_aO3KhA0K0zPHI6jYcdvFWcBy5GPPRDL96MplfD6N5mUperYW3GbevsnKSjSaJxRi76bKpaq8-a/s1600/Soldiers+together.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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And so begins the destruction of another wonderful summer - UGH

Belt Drive 0 9:51 AM

Why did I make the headline sound so gloom and doom? Because folks, this is my 16th riding season covering the kind of crap that has come up in the newsfeeds again, it's depressing, demoralizing and discouraging that after 15 years of writing, talkin… Read more »

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A lucky morning for one rider....

A friend of mine shared this news video from CBC with me about  rider who got cut off.<br /> <br /> In the video below, the rider who is in the left lane, minding his own business.<br /> This black SUV's driver throws on the signals and moves into the left lane, and its very obvious that this driver did not look, or shoulder check.<br /> <br /> How many thousands of times a week do you see this very scene play out be you on your bike or in your car/truck.  People don't know how to drive, they don't follow or seem to even know the rules of the road.<br /> <br /> I feel like every person holding a drivers licences longer should have to rewrite and re drive for their licenses every year. I don't know who is teaching these drivers, who is issuing them licenses but they should all be investigated - these driver examiners. Why else does this country has a TV show called Canada's WORST driver? It's because 90% of people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle, including so called professional drivers haven't got a clue what they are doing. They are too busy doing everything but driving.<br /> <br /> But that's not why I am sharing this video...it would be redundant because, as I said, you all watch this play out daily.<br /> <br /> No, the reason I shared this was the riders reaction. <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Kicking and hitting the SUV until he/she knocked the side mirror off the car.</b></div> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh088lAF-ZQJcek-TBV0nx47I1RNLf176as_0RE6XoYTQhMHtA1aRKz2tWgqBONY90l6JK26LwtnDOOlcOuYOTa6q-oGrDF63OBFt56Q2di4T3ZcBo_U-y-msfoTtgsuIPehqGQ/s320/Video+Screen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Click here to see the video - <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1248699459525/" target="_blank">Road Rage</a> </div> <div> <br /></div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> Now part of me wants to applaud this  rider - if you aren't going to use your mirrors, if you aren't going to turn your head and do a safety check before you move over, then maybe you really don't need that mirror...BUT...<br /> <br /> What would have happened had he lost control while kicking or punching the vehicle?<br /> <br /> I get the fear, the anger, the frustration....<br /> <br /> I really do get it, but you can be DEAD RIGHT you know.....<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> What say you?<br /> <br /> Belt Drive Betty<br /> Editor & Rider<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

A lucky morning for one rider....

Belt Drive 0 7:39 AM

A friend of mine shared this news video from CBC with me about  rider who got cut off. In the video below, the rider who is in the left lane, minding his own business. This black SUV's driver throws on the signals and moves into the left lane, and it… Read more »

Read more »

CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrFzFI6tHW4oXzpzPLVyKumY1pKoGBegq_5CKL5lUZlGy3gthMSlE5DdYkfri_sFF2YRbMU3HKfycQSgmGmGPFMc5XwG8c5a3B4NDpl0JSFRIJwb7Opk_1RxVbO-Ff7iEObM8/s1600/CMRF+Winners+Logo+2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrFzFI6tHW4oXzpzPLVyKumY1pKoGBegq_5CKL5lUZlGy3gthMSlE5DdYkfri_sFF2YRbMU3HKfycQSgmGmGPFMc5XwG8c5a3B4NDpl0JSFRIJwb7Opk_1RxVbO-Ff7iEObM8/s320/CMRF+Winners+Logo+2017.png" width="267" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PRESS RELEASE</span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-6b0533a1-cc7d-61a5-000f-6f1f04a5aece" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~~ For Immediate Release ~~</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">June 4</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 2018</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grande Prairie AB</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – The final round of public voting for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has concluded and the winner, a clear a decisive victor, has been chosen!</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We at </span><a href="http://grandeprairie.albertacf.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #103cc0; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and all of the </span><a href="http://albertacf.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #103cc0; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Futures of Alberta</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> offices along with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Futures Lloydminster</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to congratulate all of the communities that competed in the contest, especially our finalists, Lloydminster and Drumheller. AB,” said Holly Sorgen of Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">  It has become very clear that community spirit is alive & well our country! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Supporting small business and rural initiatives is important to all Community Futures Offices across Canada and we are proud to be a part of this exciting fledgling contest!”</span><br /> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCubcJPXyRjkZUC87McgZXanbw8omNqKlmCFo4qkM_Jg3vp2-3upmPUzkj4qVsPUNxjljx-nPuoGXDC872B0bb2OcyyMsZjp00yKJNeaL7EG2oBZjc4SeIgWnFIhHzsNMTyc5/s1600/CMRF-Lloydminster-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1440" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCubcJPXyRjkZUC87McgZXanbw8omNqKlmCFo4qkM_Jg3vp2-3upmPUzkj4qVsPUNxjljx-nPuoGXDC872B0bb2OcyyMsZjp00yKJNeaL7EG2oBZjc4SeIgWnFIhHzsNMTyc5/s640/CMRF-Lloydminster-sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want to thank all who inspired their community to vote in the final round of the voting for </span><a href="http://riderfriendlycontest.ca/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #103cc0; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lloydminster pulled out in the lead in the late stages of the contest and Drumheller, a much smaller community couldn’t quite rally back.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community from the 2017 Riding Season has been chosen and the community is Lloydminster Alberta!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We want to acknowledge the commitment of all of our wonderful sponsors without whom this contest could not happen:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> EastLink TV, The World of Motorcycling Podcast, Reality Radio 101, Biker Radio, Northern Horizon, Choice Hotels Canada, Alig8r Web Design, Belt Drive Betty Media, Ride Like a Local, Colorado Rider News, Fast Lane Biker, Delmarva Edition, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, and our presenting sponsors, Community Futures of Alberta and Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot! </span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest:</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest was created by Renee ”Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau, founder and CEO of Belt Drive Betty Media.  </span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a rural tourism marketing initiative whose goal is to create awareness of the wonderful businesses and communities that are there for riders to explore. </span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About Belt Drive Betty Media:</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Belt Drive Betty Media is a diverse motorcycle media company founded in 2003. It offers the rider a vast array of ways to connect with the information on the motorcycle community they need. </span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That diversity offers advertisers looking to connect with the Canadian riding community a large number of advertising vehicles to choose from. Belt Drive Betty Media offers TV, web, social media, app and email marketing opportunities.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contact:</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(780) 402-8892</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <a href="mailto:bdbetty@beltdrivebettymedia.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bdbetty@beltdrivebettymedia.com</span></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit our main site: beltdrivebetty.com</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About Community Futures of Alberta:</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For 30 years, Community Futures has been supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta. We are a community driven, non-profit organization with 27 offices in rural areas throughout Alberta. Each office is staffed by local business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In other words, we live where you live, and reap the benefits of a strong local economy created by business entrepreneurs just you! Read about some of the many </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">successful businesses</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we have helped start-up and grow over the years.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We provide a wide range of </span><a href="http://albertacf.com/business-loans-for-rural-Alberta" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">small business loans</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://albertacf.com/business-services-and-programs#bizserv" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">business coaching/training services</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://albertacf.com/free-tools-and-advice-for-small-business" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">business management tools</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also run a number of </span><a href="http://albertacf.com/business-services-and-programs#bizprog" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">specialized business programs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are funded by the Government of Canada through </span><a href="http://www.wd.gc.ca/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #56a68e; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Western Economic Diversification Canada</span></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a total of 269 Community Futures offices across the country.</span></div> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contact:</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holly Sorgen</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #343434; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(780) 814-5340</span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 9pt; text-indent: -9pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holly.Sorgen@albertacf.com</span></div> <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span>

CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

Belt Drive 0 3:06 PM

PRESS RELEASE ~~ For Immediate Release ~~ June 4th, 2018 CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED Grande Prairie AB – The final round of public voting for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has concluded and the wi… Read more »

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