A Look Back at 2018 with Bully Enns in Cynthia AB Season 6 Episode 11 Segment 2

Season 6 Episode 11 Segment 2
Bullying Enns & Ubaka
Cynthia AB

Mark Smith, an MLA for Drayton Valley - Devon, was the dunk tank champion for the day.

Mark says, as an MLA, he is fortunate to be able to get involved in amazing events like this and help support raising funds and awareness for good causes.

Mark was a teacher for over 30 years and understands how important it is for our children to feel safe, appreciated, and loved just the way they are.  That's what this event was showing and building community.  Mark says as an MLA, it's all about building trust and community.

Murray Galavan of the Drayton Valley, Brazeau County Fire Department and the Red Knights Motorcycle club was asked by another rider if he could bring out the fire truck for the kids.  He was glad to do it and was there to show the kids exactly what a fireman is all about.

Riley was a young man all dressed up in the firemen gear.  He's not sure he wants to be a fireman but was sure having a great time!

The whole day was centered around the children.  It was a learning experience for all and even life changing for some.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 At The Airdrie Oilmens Assc. Airdrie Bikes and Bulls Rumble on the Runway Season 6 Episode 10 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 10 Segment 3 
The Airdrie Oilmens Assc.
Airdrie Bikes and Bulls Rumble on the Runway 

Freshly turned 18, Riley Gangon is already becoming a seasoned bull rider.  Returning to Airdrie from a shoulder injury, Riley is looking forward to his rides.

Riley pulled a bull of Curtis Sawyers.  Little Red Bull has a left hand pull and Riley says that's important when you're riding.  In the short round, he hopes to pull a bull that has bucked him off a few times.

Riley says the bulls love the rides and are treated like royalty.  Each bull is eager to ride and truly enjoys it.

Tanner, age 5 and Adam, age 6 were loving the mutton busting.  Tanner won the championship this year and was awarded a shiny new belt buckle.  Tanner says it was pretty cool.  He wants to grow up to be a real cowboy but can't remember why.  Adam wants to grow up to be a cowboy because he loves riding the sheep.

Russ Binder is one of the family members that own The Airdrie Airpark who  are hosts to this years event.  Russ brought out his Mercedes and took a few laps on the track and came back with some pretty impressive times.  The Binder family got involved simply because the love the people and all the noise!

Dana Mum of the Didsbury Car Club says they are a group of men and women that like to promote different events and support different services and the suicide awareness campaign.

The do a lot of drag races, show and shines, drive in theaters and a cabaret every year.  6 or 7 events a year to get the community involved and raise awareness

A Look Back at 2018 at the Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2 Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 2

Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 2
Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2

Valerie Kent works in the motor clothes department at Barnes Harley-Davidson.  She loves her bike and going down the road.  Feeling the wind in her hair, going on adventures and meeting new people.  It's all about having a good time.

She's at the Sicamous Summer Stomp and has met a lot of friends so she loves to come back every year.

She has a sissy bar on her bike made by her husband and put together by a friend.  This is her fourth year riding and says her longest ride was over 900 kms.  She has put on over 14,000 kms in the last four years.  She just loves to travel!!

She is blessed to be working for Harley-Davidson because she gets to travel to these events, meet new people and talk bikes.

Ria Schness aka Ria the Welder makes custom sissy bars.  Ria fell in love with bikes at a young age.  She had two neighbors that would take her for rides.  Her boyfriends all had bikes growing up.  Finally four years ago she decided the wait was over and finally got her own bike.  Her longest ride was Kelown to Utah, camped 3 days in the desert, and rode back home.

Ria trades her welding expertise and will trade her custom sissy bars for bike maintenance, paint jobs etc.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 at the Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2 Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 1
Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2

Lauren Kerrison is the merchandise and inventory manager/motor clothes for the Langley, Kamloops and Victoria Barnes Harley-Davidson stores

Lauren loves working for Harley-Davidson.  They are one big family.  She gets to travel a lot and meet new and interesting people all the time.

She loves her department.  Motor clothes follows all the major fashion houses.  She gets to go to two fashion shows a year where the clothes are modeled and she gets to see the clothes in action.  The clothes are designed for riders by riders so they are functional, amazing and built to last.

There is the game of Barnes between the three stores where the highest point earner can win some major prizes including a new bike.  It's just another way to get involved with the community and have a great time!

After we met with Shannon Wammer.  Shannon is the apparel manager and events coordinator at Konquer Motorcycles.  As well as Tim Allen who is the website and events coordinator.

Shannon loves the Sicamous Summer Stomp.  It means she gets to be outside in the fresh air and sun and not stuck in the office.  She loves watching all the riding games and meeting new people

Tim agrees and said he loves to interact with the customers and educate them with their rides, apparel and parts.

Konquer Motorcycles has a new mail order program.  They will meet or beat any online pricing.  You can request a quote by calling, emailing or online.

Tim says the number one ailment during the year is tires.  Please always check your tire threads and air pressure.  Be safe first and replace the tires if need be.  They will help you out with basic service.

Konquer Custom Rides is new for them.  They will be doing custom builds, detailing, service and merchandise.  Stop by!

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 at the Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 1 Season 6 Episode 8 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 8 Segment 3
Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 1

We got to visit with Darby Mills of the Darby Mills Project. This is their second year preforming.  Darby left the Headpins early to start out on her own.  They play some original music, some Headpins music and some really good old school rock covers.

Darby says she turns off the news.  The world is becoming such a crazy place that she has to shut off for awhile.  But don't forget, knowledge and education are so important.

Positive thinking is her way.  Give out what you want to get back.  During her stint doing network marketing, Darby learned that there are always hurdles and challenges in life.  She also lost her mom and husband within 6 months of each other and left her with a lot to reflect on.  She says she is very blessed now to be doing what she loves.  Do what you want to do in life.  It's scary but so worth it in the end.  Find your pat and take those hurdles to get to your goal.  She feels blessed to have the abilities and health to be doing what she loves.  You never know how much time we have left on this earth.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

 

A Look Back at 2018 at the Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2 Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 9 Segment 3
Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 2

Coming near to the end of an amazing time at the Sicamous Summer Stomp, we finally got to meet Mike Smith.  His birthday 29 years ago sparked the idea and 29 years later the Sicamous Summer Stomp is still a huge success.

He's incredibly happy to see the event still going on and loves the line up of great entertainment.  Mike used to be part of the day to day operations and says it was a lot of work.  He takes his hat off to those running the show now.  It takes a lot of volunteer power, the local community and the bikes to make it happen.  He commends the whole community for so many people that come out and help every year.

A great time was had by all.  Renee stayed at Joe Schmucks Roadhouse campground.  If you're ever in the Shuswap, this is the place you need to be!!

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 at the Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 1 Season 6 Episode 8 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 8 Segment 1
Sicamous Summer Stomp Part 1

Ride Like a Local spoke with Steve Hammer, one of the event co-organizers.  Steve started with the Sicamous Summer Stomp in 1994.

This year they had 14 bands booked for the event.  Darby Mills, formerly of the headpins, was one of the performers.  Darby is also a co-organizer and has a voice that can rock!

All original 6 members  have since retired, however, Howard Halek came out of retirement and the proud age of 74 to light the night time bonfire.

So many amazing sponsors make the event happen.  Pubs and distilleries small and large all come together to help with the event.  Twin Anchor Structures has been a major sponsor.  Warner Rentals powers the campground and in return sends a very small bill.

In 29 years The Sicamous Summer Stomp has raised well over 1/4 million dollars just in cash donations alone.  The economic benefits to the community are estimated over 2 million.  All together they believe it is somewhere around 50 to 70 million raised!!

For the 30th year they will be scaling back and going old school.  They will have bike days with in the community with a family day as well.  A great party will still be had at the campgrounds at the end of the night.

All in all it is a great weekend to get together with like minded individuals and have a great time.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The Meaning of LIfe According to Bikers. A book review.

Louise Lewis had this brilliant and inspired idea to get riders from every walk of like, the famous, the infamous and everyone in between, to talk about their philosophy and approach to life.

As a result, “The Meaning of Life According to Bikers” is without a doubt, one of the most inspirational books you could ever hope to read.

Actors, actresses, generals, CEO’s, race car drivers, US Senators, astronauts, nurses, writers, singers, automation engineers, logistics managers and more are all present and give you the most amazing insight into who we riders, as a collective, really are.

I am a member of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units where the motto is “Ride, Have Fun While Helping Others”.
This book embodies that philosophy, but I’d say it takes it a lot further…. “Grow yourself, grow your community, spread your love and generosity and KNOW you are amazing. Don’t doubt your tribe, yourself or the higher power that guides you.”
These are just some of the tidbits that I have gleaned from this read.

As you turn each page and admire the amazing photography and read the stories of inspiration from all those who share this passion we call motorcycling, you will find strength and resilience, kindness, joy, tenacity, love and heroism all represented.  You will find yourself represented here as well.

The question about why we love to ride is often brought up to riders by those who don’t.
And while no one can fully explain the “why” or express truly the kinds of hearts and souls that are drawn to motorcycling, this collection of some 100 or so riders stories, comes the closest I have ever seen.

It is a book that everyone who loves to ride really should read for themselves, for their own gratification and a sense of connectedness, and then they should pass one on to every non rider out there, for this book has the ability to win over hearts and minds.

Renee “Belt Drive Betty”
Writer & Rider

Patience...upgrading never goes 100% smoothly!

We have just finished upgrading our web site's content management system and it's template.
www.beltdrivebetty.com is the online home for everything that Belt Drive Media Media does.

We want our users to have a great experience - BUT...

With a site as large as ours there ARE going to be challenges and issues. (Almost 600,000 pages deep)

We still have content to get re-added, sections that need to be activated and tweaked and it will all happen, but it will take a bit of time.

You can help us shorten the time it takes to make things function as perfectly as technology allows by emailing our web mistress, Ali at ali4evr@gmail.com or by using the chat module on the bottom of the site whenever you see something that isn't working the way it is expected to.

Let her know what browser you are on, what page the problem happened on and any other detail you can.

We ask your patience for the next couple of weeks as we work as hard as we can to get everything the way it needs to be.

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends..

Thanks

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The BDB Club and the Injured Riders Fund ...Riders assiting riders!

The BDB Club is all about we riders.

The Rider Friendly Business Association now has 275 locations where your 

BDB Club card means special services, discounts and or special offers!  

 

People who belong to the Harley-Owners Group, the GWRRA - know how valuable tools like a membership card that is tied to lots of perks and benefits, a directory of businesses that are partnered up to serve you and communication tools like a newspaper/newsletter, powerful event calendars and other rider related communication tools can be.

When I started the Belt Drive Betty web site in 2004 - I had a vision, a dream of a clearinghouse - a place riders could come to find what they needed - everything from event information to help on any number of topics.
I saw a CAA style service geared towards us.

Well folks - every day I get another inch closer to seeing that dream become a reality.

Belt Drive Betty's Little Black Book - The 2011 Rider Friendly Business Association Community Directory is NATIONAL this year.  

We now have business partners eager to serve YOU in every province and territory save Nunavut!

We will have our hard plastic membership cards and activation information for those cards in all of our phone books this year!  There will also be a place for you to record your membership number in the printed book so that if you forget your card - no big deal!

NEW THIS YEAR - We are offering THREE incredible services for you - our members!

BDB Club Support Number 1-866-765-6718 - this is the number our members will use when accessing our support services!

Service # 1:
We have the Intercon Messaging "Never Ride Alone Program"
Are you riding in a heavily gamed region - going on a long trip alone?
Would you feel better knowing that someone is "watching" out for you?

When you call in to the BDB Club Support Number - you tell the helpful operator that you are wanting to use the Never Ride Alone Program - you tell them where you are going, which route you are taking and what time you expect to be at your destination for the day. They will ask you to check in with them periodically throughout the day to create reference points. If you do not call them at the appointed time from your final destination of the day - and they in turn can't get a hold of you at the numbers you provide for them - they will send someone looking for you from the last reference point. Then if something happens - God forbid- and you were to get hit by a deer or have an accident - the probability that help would come, that you could be OK - just went up!

THIS IS A NATIONAL SERVICE - Good for anywhere you are traveling in Canada

Intercon Messaging is a certified 911 dispatch center with messaging services and more.
Our account executive rides and is totally supportive of the riding community!
Intercon Messaging SPONSORS this PROGRAM for OUR MEMBERS FOR FREE!
(Please click on the link above to visit their site.)

Service # 2: Canadian Riders Support Network - THIS IS A NATIONAL SERVICE
Over 400 riders from coast to coast to coast have stood up to say - IF you break down, get jammed up and need a hand while on the road - I am here.
You have three ways of accessing their information.

Your PRINTED Community Directory - Belt Drive Betty's Little Black Book -  for your saddle bags...the web site: www.canadianriders.ca or the BDB Club's Support Network Number 1-866-765-6718 

Your phone book is printed twice a year and we do our best to keep the information accurate. The most current and up to date information will always be available through the Canadian Riders Web Site - you can access that with your web enabled cell phone or your Blackberry.  And of course you can always call into the Toll Free BDB Club's Support Network Number and the staff there can see if we have any riders in the area you are in and attempt to contact them on your behalf.
(Some riders only provide emails for texting etc)
Please note:
All Canadian Rider Members will follow their gut and help you based on their availability, and how they feel when they interact with you. This is a TOTALLY Voluntary Program and Belt Drive Betty Media TM and their partners are in no way responsible for anything other that providing a venue for those who wish to help to get that message out and for those who need help a place to potentially find some.

Our Third Service:

The CMTA's Injured Rider Fund is sponsored IN PART by the BDB Foundation.
(I will explain tomorrow exactly how we sponsor the CMTA Injured Rider Fund)


The Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association is an Alberta Registered Non Profit Association with a mandate to create tourism opportunities and marketing partnerships along with promoting responsible motorcycling and supporting the riding community.

This non profit accepts corporate, small business and individual donations, is non political and non partisan.

The Injured Rider's Fund is administered by a special committee of three riders who assess the applications for assistance.


They will:
Deliver low interest loans and out right financial gifting as fund availability allows
(each application will be treated individually.)

Assist with finding the other day to day practical supports a rider and their family may need like bike storage, transportation assistance etc...


Now - the CMTA does not want to duplicate services so to that end if a rider from BC needs support, then they will be directed to AIM, if a rider from Southern AB needs help, they will be directed to the SA Chapter of FIRRE and if a rider is from Nova Scotia, they will be directed to the Bikers Down Society.

The CMTA's Injured Rider Fund is meant to help in the areas where there are no organized support systems.  Watch for the on line applications and other information to become available in January/February 2011...

So what does it cost to be a member of the BDB Club 

and have access to all of these services? 

NOTHING! IT IS FREE.

Register on www.beltdrivebetty.com to trigger your membership number
You can print off your temporary card right on line...

What is the BDB Foundation? How can you support the Injured Riders Fund as a corporation or small business? As an individual rider?  We shall tell you more tomorrow!

Feel free to get in on the discussion over at www.beltdrivebetty.com in the forums, on my personal FB page or the Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Fan Page or right here in this blog!

Your input and feed back IS GREATLY appreciated - I can't grow if I am not exposed to other ideas and ways of thinking!

In the mean time, have a glorious day. Remember to than God for the gifts in your life, to drink your Biker Coffee Company Coffee WITH your friends (Hoarding is an unattractive trait) and if you are riding today - PLEASE - remember what a lucky bugger you are and ride safe. Ride like EVERYONE is out to get you!

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

A lesson or two learned about the internet ...and in today's news

Although I have been working on the internet for a while now, I am learning new stuff every day.

The power of jokes - I guess it shouldn't surprise me how popular jokes are, with the economy and everything else weighing so heavily on people, humor really is a good medicine. Mark Meyer had sent in a joke about funny restaurant names. Ali shared it with Reddit and I shared it on Facebook and DIggit - I have no idea why that joke caught fire the way it did. It's a great joke - Over 105,000 people have visited our web site to read it, consequently, new people found our site and some are riders who decided to join us as members.

So for all of you small business people who have a web site to promote your business, you riding club groups who want to attract new members - remember to inject some humor into your site, and share it. That's what social networks are all about.

The other thing I am learning is about the difference a good web host and server can make. When you have a good web host who provides your web site with a good environment to run in (server), well, everything runs the way it is supposed to.  Ali and I now know, without a doubt that GoDaddy was not kind to us. Our site on their server would never have handled the traffic we are getting now. Not in a million years!

The internet is a hard place to get noticed on. It takes a lot of work and a lot of patience, learning and willingness to learn with a whole lot of tenacity thrown in - to succeed. Networking, sharing - that is what Facebook, Diggit, Reddit, Furl, Windows Live and all of those groups/social networks are all about.

Belt Drive Betty dot com is all about networking for motorcyclists, I hope you'll join our network and share. We'd love to see you there!

In the news today, Triumph set some world land speed records at Bonneville, the RCMP are labelling motorcycling groups like the Handsome Bastards as Hells Angels puppet clubs and we have more riders who have had accidents again.

Click on the News Link and then choose your province to see what is happening in your region either from the main stream news feeds or through member submissions.
If you know of something you think the rest of the community should know about - log in and submit it.

Here in Grande Prairie we now have 2 motorcycle officers.
Our Toy Run is tomorrow - hoping for good weather and a record number of bikes! It is our 30th Annual this year!

Our AIM-Can Chapter (Scroll to the bottom for all of the event info) is hosting a Fall Social & Membership Drive on October 22nd. The event is sponsored by BJ's Q Club and is Free - Buffet dinner, entertainment...starts at 6:30 PM - hope to see some you Grande Prairie and area riders come and join us!

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!

Belt Drive Betty
National VP - AIM-Can
Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists
www.beltdrivebetty.com

In the news today...

Today's news feed are filled with such a variety of news and for once there appears to be no accidents or deaths to read about.

OCC founder Paul Teutul Sr. is unveiling a chopper in Toronto today...I wonder how these charity chopper billboards get financed? Do the charities actually fork out the cash or are they sponsored? Is this the best way for a charity to spend money all in the name of creating awareness? Maybe - I am after all writing about it...what are your thoughts on the subject?

The Teutul's are also in the news for the Mobil 1 Bagger giveaway in Daytona...

If you had a sport bike stolen you might be pleased to know that a Motorcycle Theft ring has been shut down in Edmonton. The dumbass that spearheaded the ring was passing stolen motorcycles of as American bikes - but in many cases forgot the bilingual factory stickers on them...

In other news, we have attracted some new business partners to the BDB Club. (Log in to access the Rider Friendly directory)

Your savings card is currently good at approximately 160 locations and growing! (Log in to download your card in the Business Section - BDB Club)
If you haven't downloaded your card and printed it off, what are you waiting for?

I hope that if you are riding today you will take a walk around that machine of yours, you'll stay hydrated, you'll ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and that you will use respect with that right hand.

Hope your day is FABULOUS!

Belt Drive Betty

A North Peace Dice Run & a BDB Club Customer Appreciation Run

I enjoy supporting charitable causes but I also believe in supporting our own.
So when I was asked by Mighty Peace Tourism to assist in developing a run for the North Peace I asked the Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists to be involved along with the Ride for Dad and we will be supporting the Peace River Toyker Run.

The Over Night Dice Run will begin in Grande Prairie on July 10th at 6 pm. Riders will meet, roll their first dice and then ride to Peace River with stops along the way for Ride Prize Draws. Once in Peace River both the Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre and the BMC Inns will be providing special room rates and the Sawridge will be hosting a meet & greet with free appies, your final dice roll of the day and some more ride prize draws.

Saturday morning will see us take in the Peace Fest pancake breakfast, and at 11 am we will meet up and take part in the Peace River Toy/Poker Run. A free lunch will be served at one of the stops and the run ends at Maximum Motorsports. The Dice run back to Grande Prairie leaves from Maximum (convenient huh!) and will end up back in Grande Prairie for a BBQ, the last of the ride prizes will be given out and the High Roller will get to find out what their winnings are!

The cost to be involved in the Dice run is $20 plus accommodations in Peace River and if you choose to participate in the Peace River Toyker Run the cost of your hand for that.

The proceeds of the run will be split between AIM-Can and the Ride for Dad and the very best part...the entire run is being filmed for a Motorcycle Tourism DVD that will promote riding in the North Peace!
Then on August 22nd, a number of our BDB Business Partners have teamed up to host customer appreciation runs that will leave from their business locations, converge in Thorsby at the Kountry Kitchen Bakery and then on to Drayton Valley for the V-Twin Diner Show 'n' Shine at the Rodeo Grounds and for those who want to make a weekend of it there is a Kissmania concert in Drayton Valley that night for $30 and free camping is supplied! If you want to enter the show 'n' shine you will only pay $20 as opposed to the regular fee of $25! They have some pretty spectacular prizes up for grabs too like a $1500 paint job, custom made his & hers jackets and more!

There will be a ton of Ride Prizes and the best part - there is NO cost to be on the run.

The businesses that are confirmed to be involved are:

Time Machine Motorsports - Edmonton
Insane Customs - Edmonton
Rose's Front Room - Blackfalds
Handle Bar Hideout - Sylvan Lake
Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge - Rocky Mountain House

We are awaiting confirmation from three other partner businesses.

We'll keep you up to speed on the customer appreciation event as it progress!

Our friend and columnist Layton Park is doing much better -
follow his progress here: http://backroadscholar.wordpress.com/

Our events calendars have tons of worthy events to attend and we do our best to keep them accurate and up to date. Check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

Hubby starts Prednisone Steroid Treatment today...let the emotional roller coaster begin as it is the start to recovery!

If you are fortunate enough to be attending and event or going for a ride today, PLEASE - Ride like everyone around you is blind, stay hydrated and be respectful with your throttle hand....

Belt Drive Betty

A day for some answers?

I stopped in to see Insane Customs in Edmonton and have signed them up as new BDB Partners! Great shop, Big Bear Choppers and all kinds of clothing and gift items...

Layton - our humor columnist underwent the first of many surgeries - he was in far rougher shape than the scans originally showed...follow Layton's progress here:
http://backroadscholar.wordpress.com/

I am heading to Thorsby in a few minutes to hook up with Bruce from Kountry Kitchen Bakery - he wants to advertise with us and he is a rider himself, then hubby and I go to the U of A....Hopefully today we will get some answers on hubby's situation. That would be a good thing. Today will, I hope be a day for some answers!

Chat with you all when I know more about Layton and my sweetheart...until then, stay safe - ride like everyone around you is blind, stay hydrated and use respect with that throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty