3rd Annual Ride for Mom

The 3rd Annual Ride for Mom took place at Blackjacks Roadhouse on May 11th, 2019.
300 motorcycles participated under beautiful sunny skies and 24 degree temperatures!

Krysta Shields, Kevin O'Connor and Tyler Grant are the Ride for Mom.
Krysta is the manager of Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room.  Kevin is an Alberta Sheriff and Tyler is the social media guy for Blackjacks catching as much of the action to share with everyone and helping to build the reputation they have as Alberta’s Best Bike Bar.

The Ride for Mom is one of the fastest growing events in Alberta and the reason is obvious, Blackjacks Roadhouse hosts the most incredible Two Wheel Tuesday Ride Nights anywhere in the province and they do it by supporting different causes and charities every week with their $6 burger sales and the best food and service around. (They work hard to serve so many in such a short space of time every Tuesday!)

There are a few other reasons this event is so fast growing - the Shields Family themselves are renowned around the northern half of Alberta for their giving natures and their sense of being in service to others. Just ask anyone who has benefited from their generosity at their free Christmas buffet where they give up their Christmas to feed others! (Never mind everything else they do and they do a lot of charitable work, every last one of them.)

Then there is the ride itself and everything you get because of the sponsors who supply the free breakfast, the free patches, the water at all the stops, and the signage. The sheriffs and the RCMP who help keep things safe, and the Victim Services offices who help out. You get a ton for your $30 entry fee including door prize tickets!

And finally, there is the cause. Ending Domestic Violence.

The Ride for Mom supports:
Edmonton Domestic Violence Shelters Engage (EDVSE) to help end domestic violence.
Six Edmonton-based organizations that advocate for survivors of domestic violence, for their organizations, and for the sheltering response: La Salle, Lurana Shelter Society, WIN House, Wings of Providence, Sage Seniors Safe House, and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.
Because of the hard work of the board of directors, and Krysta Shields in particular, 100% of the proceeds raised go towards the needs of Edmonton Area shelters.

The Ride for Mom helps build strong families through education and awareness of exactly what the impact of domestic violence is on women and children.

Having all of the first responders and victim services all involved in this ride, brings the message home loud and clear that there are women and children that need all of the support they can get and that domestic violence needs to be stopped.

Guardians of the Children, BACA, Bullying Enns, UBAKA, Protection for the Unprotected, Bikers are Buddies and many other children’s rights advocacy groups were on hand lending their support to this cause.  On hand were some of the regional ladies riding clubs like Babes on Bikes, Women in the Wind, & Pink Motor Sisters!

To the communities of Millet & Breton, your hospitality was amazing and East Parkland Bible Church I was told the time there was fantastic.
To the staff of Blackjacks Roadhouse and the volunteers from Brunch for Broads, the ATB, Klondike Insurance and the EDVSE, thank you for another amazing day!

To all who rode, thank you.
Whether you realize it or not, you probably know someone who is dealing with domestic violence and the support shown, the dialogue that is started is critical to ending it.

Ride for Mom https://rideformom.ca/

 

Blackjacks Roadhouse is proud to be partnering with the Edmonton Domestic Violence Shelters Engage (EDVSE) to present the First Annual Ride for Mom® on May 13th, 2017.

The goal of the Ride for Mom is to end domestic violence in all its forms through educating, empowering, and challenging all members of society to stand with women and not against them. We encourage everyone to break the silence and help the Ride for Mom be the voice for victims too afraid to speak for themselves. As a community and as a society, we cannot remain silent on this issue. Our silence is a form of condoning violence towards women, children, and seniors.

On May 13^th, 2017, the day before Mother’s Day, Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room in Nisku, Alberta, will be hosting the First Annual Ride for Mom®. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with kickstands up at 10:30. Online registration for the ride, and ride pledge forms, are available at www.rideformom.ca.

Edmonton Domestic Violence Shelters Engage (EDVSE) is comprised of representatives from six Edmonton-based organizations that advocate for survivors of domestic violence, for their organizations, and for the sheltering response: La Salle, Lurana Shelter Society, WIN House, Wings of Providence, Sage Seniors Safe House, and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.

Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room: Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room has been supporting motorcycle riders and their charities for the past several years. They host a weekly “Bike Night” from May until September, where they have poker runs and 50/50 draws with proceeds going to various charitable organizations. Over the last five years, Blackjacks has raised over $60,000 to help support those in need around Edmonton and area.

Media Contacts:

Krysta Shields                                                                                Christie Lavan

Marketing & Sales                                                                        Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters

Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room                                    (780)-456-7000 ext.222

780-701- 7295                                                                               Christie.Lavan@acws.ca

krysta@blackjacksroadhouse.com

A Canadian Built Production Motorcycle?

DATELINE: November 19th, Blackjack's Road House, Nisku AB.
WHO: Williams Custom Bikes of Canada
WHY: Unveiling of Canada's first Transport Canada approved production motorcycle since 2007, the Irv Special 100
WHAT: Under $18,000K Motorcycle that has great customization options
WHERE: www.williamscustombikes.com

Sven Bernard

The day was filled with anticipation. Every time I walked by the main stage, I had the urge to peek under the covering. That light piece of cloth was the only thing shielding this motorcycle from my view.

As much as I wanted to peek, I didn't.

Finally it was 9 PM and Sven Bernard the Manager of Williams Custom Bikes of Canada bounded on to the stage.  He talked a bit about the history of the company and used a rather entertaining powerpoint presentation to make his points. Williams Custom Bikes of Canada has been around since 2003.

Located in Heisler AB, they started out importing bikes, but decided after a number of years that with the Canadian dollar and some of the challenges the industry was going through, they should take a different tact.

They'd build their own motorcycles, right here in ALBERTA!

Now these bikes are not flat out customs where every part and piece possible is made in house.
These are production bikes and they are Transport Canada approved and bare the mark MADE IN CANADA!

Sven introduced Irv Williams, the CEO of the company and Irv spoke to everyone about how excited he was to see the bike, as it would be his first time too!

Irv Williams

Irv Williams is a heck of a guy. He's from Fort McMurray and he's one of those unfortunates who lost his home and all of his toys including his motorcycle. But he is the consummate business man and a jovial one at that.

Travis Blakko is the head mechanic/builder. Some of you who follow the custom motorcycle scene might remember his shop in Lethbridge, AB. He brings years of custom building and modifications experience to the table.

After having the key players in the team up on stage, it was now time to unveil the Irv Special 100.

Travis (L)    Irv (R)

What a good looking machine!

This hardtail looking machine is actually a softail.
The custom frame for this motorcycle was designed and built in house and the jigs are set up and ready for production!

  

I had the opportunity to give the saddle a little warm up, the sprung solo saddle has a gel pad in it, making it very comfy. I would want 6" pullback risers to bring the bars in to me, but other than that small change, it fit pretty well and I'm not quite 5'8". (I am told that's not a problem, having 6" pullbacks!)

The bike seems pretty well balanced.

The Irv 100 Special comes equipped with a 100" (1640ccm) Ultima V-Twin engine, 6 speed transmission, Mikuni Carb, primary belt, secondary chain for ease of maintenance and repairs.
GPS Tracer by “Spot” installed. (Always know when your Bike is moved and if stolen recover it quickly.)

And it comes with a kicker and electric start!

This bike was "designed" to be the do it yourselfers dream. 

Easy to: do oil changes, access the electrical, battery etc.

Williams Custom Bikes of Canada has 6 motorcycles in total that will be in their line up by late 2018.
Their cafe racer and their 70's style trike will both sport their very own, completely designed and engineered in house, inline 4 engine!

The company is offering the rider a 2 year factory warranty extendable to 5 years.

For an extra $200 you can provide them with the paint code of your choice and they will paint your bike, in YOUR color!

They also offer another innovative service,  if you want your bike to be airbrushed or wrapped, they'll supply you your tins, ship them back when they are done, and 14 days later you should have your personalized bike in your driveway.

They offer accessory packages as well, that include windshields and saddle bags etc., and they offer this bike in a 2 up model with two kinds of two up seats to choose from.

The Irv Special 100 retails at $17,995 for the solo and $18,495 for the 2 Up version.

Get in on the Pre Order Offer:

If you like what you see you can pre-order your bike with the factory before the 31st of January 2017 and put a deposit (or pay in full) on it, they will discount your purchase price by $2,000. Production of the Irv Special 100 starts February 7th, 2017.

We'll do our best to bring you updates on this new venture for Williams Custom Bikes of Canada!

Your opportunity to sit on these bikes, talk to the builder and the team is:

Calgary Motorcycle Show: January 6-7-8

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show: January 13-14-15

The Vancouver Motorcycle Show: January 20-21-22

In the mean time, check out their web site: www.williamscustombikes.com

PS: I am looking very forward to the press ride in the spring.

www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Wheels for Our Wounded - A small but successful event

When it comes to hosting a motorcycling fundraiser, Mother Nature is one of the major contributing factors that dictates how many will attend your event. The next factor of course is that there are only so many weekends in a year making it so that one has to choose which cause means most to them.

With the double whammy of some pretty bizarre weather that skirted around Nisku, and the fact that there were 8 other events, we were pretty happy to have 30 paying riders and another 100 or so people who came, donated to the cause and then went to other events.

With the help of the gals from the Charity "Brunch for Broads", our 50/50, silent auction and swag sales were taken care of.

The Frezenberg unit of 3 CAV provided the manpower for our card stops.

Rob Truscott, my right hand man, made sure that everyone had what they needed as far as the volunteers were concerned. He also set up a scenic poker run meant to take everyone to the Mallard Duck in Andrew, the Big Lapel Pin in Willingdon, The Pysanka (Giant Easter Egg in Vegreville and the Giant Sausage in Mundane.

Joey Carothers made sure the gals from Brunch for Broads had everything they needed.

Clarence and Ken from Blackjacks Road House in Nisku had the parking lot cleaned, barricaded and tents set up for our vendors in no time flat.

Lunch time was a BBQ on main street in Canada's Most Rider Friendly Community of the 2015 riding season, Two Hills Alberta.

I was excited because Harley-Davidson of Edmonton had given me a gorgeous 2016 Ultra to ride as I had made the executive decision to drive to Edmonton with all the materials for the poker run.

With this battle I have with adrenal fatigue, and the fact that I had just gotten off of a gruelling but rewarding time in Fort Mac, the last thing I wanted was to get sick. I know my immune system is run down from all of the smoke, lack of sleep etc.

Having that brand new bike waiting for me to test ride, well that made up for the drive down in my cage. And what a beautiful bike it turned out to be! I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and it didn't take as long as I would have thought it would to figure out things like the stereo and other controls.

My Ultra is a 210 American model, and the only thing about it that resembles the the 2016 I rode was the basic shape and stance.

Nothing about this bike is familiar and yet everything is.

If you are looking for a new touring machine, you just might want to take the new Project Rushmore Harley's out for a test ride. I have been told the Ultra Low is awesome for the ladies, and the Road Glide and Street Glide that I tested I loved.

One of these days soon, momma needs a new bike, with so many to choose from, I foresee a lot of test riding in my future.

Anyway, back to the Wheels for Our Wounded event.

People headed off in this self guided poker run in groups of varying sizes, myself I rode with Tammy Tiedemann one of the Fort McMurray evacuees who managed to escape by riding her motorcycle.

Tammy and I enjoyed our saddle time together and pulled in to Two Hills around 1:15PM.

That's when we found out that one of the riders had crashed.

We didn't know who, just that it was a lady rider.

The rider was fortunate in that she had the best possible crew of riders around her.

According to James Shandro, who was riding in a car with our photographer, Attila Csapo, every rider was perfectly spaced and were all able to stop in time and safely.  James who has been a trauma nurse took charge of the scene and because of everyone falling into a task like directing/holding traffic, aiding James by getting him the exact coordinates of their location, Fire & EMS were able to arrive in record breaking time. The crash happened just outside of Two Hills.

When Bob Ross from the Run to the Hills Rally arrived with the lady rider's bike, I jumped in the truck with him and he took me to the hospital.  Once there, I was able to talk to Juanita's husband Steve.  The poor man was a mess emotionally. He had been behind his wife when the crash took place and witnessed it all.

It wasn't long before STARS Air Ambulance was on scene at the hospital, but it took almost two hours to stabilize her enough for air transport.

We knew she had a broken collar bone and clavicle, a punctured lung, broken ribs and other damage along with a head trauma.  I have been reluctant to write about our event or her crash until we knew at least somewhat, what Juanita's prognosis might be.

While the road to healing fully looks like it may be a long one, I am happy to report that Juanita did wake from her coma and recognizes family and friends and while her speech is still somewhat impaired, she is speaking. She had surgery to repair her collar bone which went well and so for now, things are looking very hopeful.

The events of the day kind of took some of the wind out of everyone's sails. Carson Cole did his best to lift everyone's spirits with some of his best old songs, we finished off the 50/50 sales, enjoyed an amazing meal and had a few presentations.

Because of the generosity of so many we raised just over $2,900 after expenses.

That brings us to $3,500 towards the wheelchair accessible scooter we want to get built for Eric Magill, a retired Warrant Officer who lives in Trenton.

Rob Truscott, Pres CLR Kevin Jones,CLR member Paul Lewis
presenting $370 from sales of Wheels for our Wounded
merchandise from the CLR fundraisers and a donation of
$500 from the CAnadian Legion of Riders of the Battlefords

I want to make a special thank you the Canadian Legion of Riders, they had taken some of our coins and patches from last year and sold about $380 and then they donated $500.  The Alberta Blue Knights donated $200.

Martin Fuchs won the $500 top prize for best hand and donated $250 back and then one the afternoon 50/50 and donated $100 of that back.
Dan Hopkins won the morning 50/50 and ended up dating the $95 back to the cause.

Our farthest rider was Cheri Lewis from Prince Albert SK and she took home the $50 gas card.

Bob Hamel won our prize for worst hand.

I want to thank Clarence, Krista, Ken and all the staff of Blackjacks.
Carson Cole for keeping people entertained, Bruch for Broads - you ladies are incredible, Attila Capo for doing the photos and our vendors and riders - you made it a rewarding day in spite of the circumstances.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. BDB

Here is the photo gallery of our day:

I hope you have a great day and please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider