Travel in 2020 and the changes that COVID-19 has brought to our world has made hosting events a challenge.
One has to get creative if there is to be any joy being spread! Here in Northwestern Alberta COVID-19 is a topic that has sucked the oxygen out of the room, just like it has everywhere else.
Alberta has entered stage two re-opening and has started to allow gatherings of up to 200 people out of doors. You have to be physically distanced, temperatures have to be checked and they want you to control the flow of human traffic to avoid people coming into contact with you.
Some of our cities have made masks mandatory, others are not getting into the great mask debate so far.
It was under these odd circumstances and the rather restrictive guidelines that one of Alberta's largest grassroots motorcycle rallies was able to host one of it's most integral ceremonies.
Bob Ross, President of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association and one of the founders of the Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park jumped through a lot of hoops to make the Fallen Riders Memorial service happen.
The Run to the Hills Memorial Rally would normally have been held July 17-19, but of course, large gatherings are still a no no, and music is a definite forbidden fruit.
On the Saturday of the rally, there is always a memorial service and roll call to remember the fallen in the motorcycle community. Never before has there been a need to have approval to host a memorial service. Thankfully Alberta Health Services approved the memorial ceremony with up to 200 people.
2020 has been the one thing I wished the Cancel Culture would CANCEL!
Mother Nature is obviously having some kind of episode with PMS, she is one cranky old bag!!!
In spite of the mixed bag of weather that swirled around me as I rode from Grande Prairie to Two Hills, a 7 hour ride, I managed to stay dry only getting rained on as I pulled into the event.
100 riders came out to remember their fallen.
It was an emotional ceremony with many sobbing as they paid their respects. Sadly we have lost a lot of riders in the last year here in Alberta. As Pastor Wes read out the roll of our fallen, the sun started to break through and the rest of the day was beautiful.
If you ever find yourself in Alberta (if they ever reopen our border), you need to visit Two Hills Alberta, and spend some peaceful moments in the chapel, or on the wrap around deck looking out over the rolling farmland and the Two Hills Golf Course.
Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta is a place to remember and reflect, for friends, family and motorcycle family members alike. It is a tranquil and unique spot built by riders with rider's families in mind. Find them on Facebook
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Editor & Rider
