A Look Back at 2018 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 3
The Future of Motorcycling Part 2

First we spoke with Payton, a 16 year old dirt biker at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.  Payton would love to have a street bike but his Mom has said no.
He loves the KTM sports bike and says he will save his money and take the safety course before buying one.
Payton wants to graduate and become a welder.  He started welding last year and just loves it!

Next we spoke with Filipa Borges Rechlo.  A 35 year old female rider from Lloydminster AB.  Filipa works up in the Yukon as a welder.

Filipa grew up in Ontario where riding was huge  No one in the family rides, although, she knows it's in her blood.

The industry struggles with getting more women and younger riders.  Filipa says women and younger people need to get more comfortable with riding and enjoy it more.  The industry is catering to women by making smaller bikes.  We should all be more encouraging and let them know that they can do it.

Women riding groups are a big help for getting the female riders together and overcoming the fear!

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 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 2

Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 2
The Future Motorcycling Part 2


Back with Amanda Dobby, she had some good tips and tricks for the riding enthusiast:

Always wear your gear!  Sometimes it's hard to find gear for the female rider.  Build awareness and share with others where you get your gear.  Some things may need to be custom made.  Share your finds with others.

Keep your chin and your head up.  Always look ahead, check your mirrors and be aware of your surroundings.  New riders should not have music.  The road needs your undivided attention.  Stay focused.  Watch out for animals.  They pop out of nowhere and it's totally beyond your control.  And stay hydrated!!  Always carry a lot of water and or electrolytes with you on a ride.

The generation of ladies before have paved the way for today's generation.  Now it's our turn to make it bigger, better, and more beautiful.

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 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 5 Segment 1
The Future of Motorcycling Part 2

At the Calgary Motorcycle Show, we met with Amanda Dobby.  Amanda is 33 and one of the co-founders of The Litas.  Wearing a beautiful nose brace from hitting the handle bars on her dirt bike, Amanda showed up as she was not willing to miss the Calgary Motorcycle Show!

Amanda has been riding a street bike since she was 18 (around 15 years).  She now rides a Harley Nightster 1200.  This is her 5th bike and since she originally started with sports bikes as a broke student, she absolutely adores her Harley.

Amanda is a adrenaline junkie.  She always rode with her brother, behind him on his bike.  She always new she needed her own bike so she could be in control.  As a yoga instructor, she finds riding a form of therapy and meditation.  It is a liberating and empowering feeling especially being a woman.

She says that even with the age gap between different riders they always find something in common.  The riding community is always inviting and welcoming so that you may meet many different types of people but the all have a common connection and passion.

She also states some important rules that The Litas always follow.

• Ride within your means.
• Always be safe.
• Know basic bike maintenance.

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 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 3

 Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 3
The Future of Motorcycling Part 1

We met with Sarah from the Harleys Owners Group.  A group that meets about twice a month for different events, functions, and rides.

Sarah, who is 27, is a Muslim woman and motorcycle rider.  She says as a Muslim woman, the riding community has been very warm, welcoming, accepting and inviting.

As for the future of motorcycling, shes says the community that is diverse but comes together with shared interests of wanting to get out together and explore.  In a very polarized and diverse community, the riding people have come together.

Women don't have to be fearless to be brave.

Sarah has bonded with the people in her group because just as she is discriminated against for wearing her hijab, riders from the community are discriminated against because of their gear and the stereotypes placed upon them.

Inclusiveness in the riding community is what keeps is women coming back and passing it on to the next generation.

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 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 2

Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 2
The Future of Motorcycling Part 1

Ride Like a Local finished up their interview with Erin and Lauren of Litas Calgary chapter.
Renee asked them if the had a bucket list, where would they be in 5 years.
Erin states she will be travelling.  But within that 5 years she would like to see more empowerment of women as a collective.
Lauren states within 5 years she would like to see an attitude where all are welcome.  She would like women to feel the sisterhood and be a part of the riding family.

www,thelitas.co/calgary

Next we spoke with Isabella.  A feisty and sweet 7 year old that loves the Litas.  She says her mom is a Lita and her mom says the Litas will be a very good place for her when shes older!

It was time to speak with Rob.  Rob is a 25 year old man working at Heritage Harley Davidson on the South side of Edmonton AB.  Rob has been riding for about 10 years now, and says he was inspired by his dad.  His dad had a bike and together the toured all over the place including British Columbia.

Working at Harley Davidson has given him perspective on the different types of riding and the different styles of bikes and how each one rides differently.

He says his generation is different than that of the older generation.  The younger generation, speaking only for himself, still feel they have a lot to prove.  To ride fast and to be a biking bad ass.
The older generation don't have anything to prove as they have already been there and done that.  Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Both generations still have that sense of adventure and every age loves the comrade of the community.

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 The Future of Motorcycling Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 4 Segment 1

The Future of Motorcycling Part 1
Calgary Motorcycle Show

Litas Motorcycle Club was recently formed in Calgary AB and has chapters in both Edmonton AB and Calgary AB.  Ride Like a Local interviewed the co-founders Erin Woon age 31 and Lauren Reschke age 28.

When asked what inspired the ladies to ride they had this to say:

Erin, who rides a 2015 Harley Sportster Custom XL says "It's me time, a time when I'm not dependent on my spouse.  I can appreciate whats around me.  With social media we tend to forget whats around us."  Erin grew up in a bike family.  Dad was a Harley man.  Erin, who is a transplant from Colorado to Canada said her husband had his first bike.  He encouraged her to get her license and the rest is history.  She states it was the best decision she ever made.

Lauren, who rides a Harley Sportster Iron883, says "It's a time that I am 100% present.  I'm not distracted by the phone or multitasking.  I am focused on the road the experience and using all of my senses.  It's a totally freeing feeling.  Lauren said she was riding on the back of her dads bike and could not see out front.  She knew she needed her own bike so she could be in control and see the view.

Litas has partnered with Calgary Harley Davidson to start doing charitable work.  For now, they make arts and crafts to sell and choose a different charity to donate to each time.  At the Calgary Motorcycle Show, all proceeds will go to Bikers with Autism.  Also close to their hearts are charities that involve animals and women's shelters.

Litas is established in 25 countries all over the world.

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 Calgary Motorcyle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 3

Ill-Fated Kustoms - Motorcycle Parts & Lifestyle Goods

Kenny Kwan, the owner of Ill-Fated Kustoms, fell in love with riding after taking a motorcycle riding course with his friend.  Since then, he has turned his passion into a career,

After a bad motorcycle accident, all that was left of his bike was the motor.  He decided to rebuild.  When trying to source out parts for his mission, he found that most parts were only available in the United States.  He then partnered with a friend to start an online business aptly named Ill-Fated which imported custom parts.

In 2015 Kwan decided to make Ill-Fated his full time business and opened to the general public in Calgary AB.  Since then he has three custom bike builds under his belt.  He sells everything from parts and gear, to accessories and apparel.  He also has a journeyman mechanic for services and repairs.

Visit him today at:  500-321 50 AVE SE
CALGARY, AB, CANADA

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 Calgary Motorcycle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2

 Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2

Women in the Wind

Ride Like a Local sat down with Terry Southwood and Crystal McConnell at the Calgary Motorcycle Show to speak about their group Women in the Wind the Chinook Chapter.

Terry, the treasurer of Women in the Wind has been riding since before having children and steady for the last 8 years.  She credits her brother for influencing her to ride.

Crystal, an avid rider, has been riding since 2013 and bought herself a new bike in 2015.  She credits her son for influencing her love of motorcycles.

The number of female riders has definitely increased in the last 10 years!

Women in the Wind is a group of female motorcycle enthusiasts!  They come for all walks of life, are all ages, and love motorcycles.  The Chinook chapter is the Calgary chapter of Women in the Wind.  There are also over 100 chapters throughout Canada, The United States and Europe.

There are a number of membership benefits such as parties, rallys, social gatherings, meetings held by different chapters, and unlimited friendships made.  But remember, this membership is for women only!

To apply for a membership of to learn more about Women in the Wind, go to https://www.witw-chinookoutriders.com.


Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2
Badlands Harley Davidson

Ride Like a Local ran into our Rider Friendly Business Association Partner, Ivan Karsten from Badlands Harley-Davidson at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.

Badlands Harley-Davidson has been a family run business since 1996.  Ivan and his wife Wendy moved the store from Medicine Hat to 3 Km east of Medicine Hat on the Trans Canada Highway in 2002.

Badlands Harley-Davidson is an award winning dealership with their prime focus being on customer service.  With over 90 years combined experience, they will help you out with all your riding needs.

Badlands Harley-Davidson is very community minded.  Aside from showing their customers all the great places to ride, they are also involved with sponsoring charities such as the annual Santa Claus Toy Run, the food bank, and HALO Rescue.

To get yourself into a new Harley, or to find out more about Badlands Harley-Davidson, please go to https://www.badlandshd.com/.
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 Calgary Motorcycle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 1

Airdrie Oilmens Association

Ride Like A Local was onsite at the Calgary Motorcycle Show to interview Adrian & Frank of the Airdrie Oilmens Association.

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association, started in 2003, is a group of people in the gas and oil industry that are raising money for local charities in Airdrie.  They promote a positive community image of the Airdrie Oilmen's Association in and around Airdrie by directing funds raised back into the Airdrie community’s local charities.  Three of the charities that benefit are North Rocky Community Links ,Airdrie Food Bank , and Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society .

Thanks to some key sponsors and three main events held each year, the Airdrie Oilmen's Association have raised nearly $200K for the charities in their community.

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association is always in need of sponsors and volunteers for the following events:

The Annual Golf Tournament

The White Collar Boxing Event:  Corporate professionals and services employees will be facing off in the squared circle for a fully sanctioned Alberta Ameteur Boxing march all in the name of charity.

Bikes and Bulls:  People from all over Canada and the US join together for Bikes and Bulls.  A weekend of drag racing, show & shine (cars, trucks & bikes), motorcycle and car rally, and professional bull riding.  A full party weekend with live music and free camping!

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association.  Building stronger communities by giving back to the community.

To learn more or to donate, please visit www.aoaalberta.com.

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 2018 Calgary Motorcycle Show

The 2018 version of the Calgary Motorcycle Show is now in the history books.

In all it was a well-attended show but the ravages of the economy over the last few years in our industry sure showed.

Harley-Davidson

Businesses that one expected to see there like Torch Motorcycles, no longer exist and businesses that have been present in the past just can’t afford them at the moment.

Attending a tradeshow is a VERY expensive proposition and while it is vital that the business community market itself, many just can’t afford it thanks to the economy.

Harley-Davidson

The Motorcycle Show really doesn’t have many choices as to potential locations they could move to in an attempt to bring down pricing.  There simply are no buildings in the Calgary region that are large enough or provide the equipment that is needed to host it.

Its disappointing really because the community has so many businesses and groups that really need and deserve the exposure that being out in front of 25,000+ eyeballs can offer.

The show itself was well run as always. Laurie and Brittany do a fantastic job and had lots of media of all kinds, which brought the consumers out, but there were a number of members of the Calgary Stampede show staff that let them down.

Honda

There is a new policy the BMO Centre has in place regarding entrance at doorways.  Only one doorway is open in the back hallways where vendors come in and every vendor, regardless of where their booth is located must enter through door 6 – in the dead centre of the hallway/building. Talk about inconvenient if your booth is in a far corner of the building.

The same policy is in effect for the public.

Everyone must come in through the main doors – ONLY.

The policy is not very friendly to either consumer or vendor. Bottle necks & plugged aisle ways means it takes vendors a long time to get back to their booth if they use the vendors lounge for a meal. It’s really a silly policy and as I said before, it’s one more reason why vendors are not returning to the shows. I provided the show staff with the feedback and I hope others have as well.

The show itself had a lot of variety of marques on hand with lots of new products and new models.

A new motorcycle shop in Calgary, Ill Fated Kustoms had a great display on hand and Kenny, the engineer/builder reminded me a lot of Chika. The same unassuming, humble personality that comes to life the minute he starts talking motorcycles.

As always the Ground ‘N’ Gravity Show enthralled all show goers who attended. While watching these athletes perform you will find yourself holding your breath.

Ground 'N' Gravity Show

SHE Rides Night on Friday had 451 women who took provided by Canadian Kawasaki. Betty Jo of Edmonton was the lucky winner.  There were over 1000 entries to the new Kawasaki Double Take draw and a very large excited crowd gathered at 4:00pm on Saturday to hear if their names were called.  Andy from Crowsnest Pass and Chad from Calgary were the 2 lucky winners of the Kawasaki Z125 motorcycles.

The Motorcycle Shows are a much-needed break from winter and the manufacturers and major parts and clothing wholesalers did a really good job of making their booths inviting and having lots on hand to see.

Oh and MINI DONUTS arrived to the Motorcycle Show in Calgary and for some, that is reason enough to get off the couch and come out!

The Calgary Motorcycle Show

Our booth is all set up and I am looking forward to having a great show!

We have Pat Savage CD's available - so far we are the only distributor in Canada so if you want to save the postage - drop by my booth.  We also have our new clothing line from Ross Screen Print in Nova Scotia - Ross is also the Cabot Trail Biker and he has done a great job with our clothing!

If tourism information is what you are looking for not only do we have our Canadian Community Directory filled with Rider Friendly Businesses & Canadian Rider Support Network Members & Touring Maps but we also have guides from both Yukon Tourism and Grande Prairie Regional Tourism.

Patches and ICE cards - subscriptions for the newspaper - yup - we have lots of reasons for you to stop by our booth - but one of the BIGGEST reasons you need to stop by is the HUG Challenge - which city give the best and the most hugs - Calgary - Edmonton or Vancouver? We'll find out after Vancouver!

OH and by the way - anyone willing to take this PMS inflicted old broad for a boot today - I have a helmet with me and you have to know that if I am willing to ride pillion that I have PMS REALLY BAD!  So...if you are game - I AM!

There are a number of articles you might find interesting in the news feeds today so come on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com to check them out....

I leave you with a few funnies - shared by my friends on Facebook and by email...hope they put a smile on your face....

Have a fabulous Friday!!!!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Calgary Motorcycle Show and PMS

As many of you know I suffer from a debilitating dis-ease called PMS - Parked Motorcycle Syndrome. The only known cure is to see MOTORCYCLES and lots of them. Our Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine has somewhere around 80 pictures in it so far and that sure helps make the symptoms of PMS slow down. There are some GORGEOUS machines in there!

What are the symptoms of PMS you ask?
Well among the many symptoms some of the worst are:

• Excessive daydreaming about last year's rides.
• Anxiousness 
• Constant reading of anything motorcycle related - some have this dis-ease so bad that they resort to reading parts catalogues even though their bike is so blinged out it takes them 2 days to clean it after a ride.
• Sitting on your motorcycle making Vroom Vroom sounds
• Dreaming wild dreams of carving curves in the mountains
• Being grouchy (more than normal)

PMS can also cause another extreme symptom to crop up known as SS Syndrome
For those not in the know - Shiny Shit Syndrome - although a debilitating dis-ease of it's own is also a symptom of MAJOR PMS
You can't walk by anything shiny without reaching for the plastic.

Come to the Calgary Motorcycle Show - or for my friends and fellow PMS suffers from Ontario to the Toronto International Super Show and  get a fix. Temporary though it may be, indulging your SS Syndrome will aide your PMS greatly - once you have indulged in the SS Syndrome the PMS will recede - but a warning - it is only a temporary fix!

I am on my way for breakfast and then to the BMO centre to get srt up for the Calgary Motorcycle Show - come on down folks - I WANT and NEED my New Years Hugs!!!!

I am going to leave you to fend for yourselves in the news feeds today - I have much to do in the next hour and a half - I will be tweeting from the Calgary Motorcycle Show so if I see anything interesting I will be giving a shout out!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Mixed Feedback from the 2010 Calgary Motorcycle Show

While I enjoyed the Calgary Motorcycle Show this year - it was more because of the hugs I was getting than the actual show itself.

Like many, many of the spectators, I felt the show was flat and lacked the depth and breadth we are used to seeing. The show coordinators can not be faulted for how small the show was. Many, many businesses felt they could not justify the costs this year with the economy and the uncertainty surrounding it.

There was no true custom alley this year, there were no real entertainments other than Jason Britton and the Yamaha riding academy. It was a very quiet and uninspiring show.

Heck, there wasn't even any background music.
The most exciting NEW products at the show were the Ironhorse Caddy bag
& although not new - only new to Canada - ROK Straps

In the motorcycle department - Indian caused quite a bit of excitement but I think the

Royal Enfield booth did not generate the excitement the Indian booth did from the comments I heard.

Some spectators felt ripped off and really I can't blame them. The fee for a smaller show was the same as last year and when you add the parking fee the Stampede Centre charges - $12 to the $13 adult ticket and the cost of even a bottle of water $3 - you are spending $30 just to go walk around a much smaller show than last year. A family pass is $35 + parking and any beverages = $65 or $70 bill and in this economy a lot of people felt that was steep. Again though - you can't fault the people who put on the show. The Round Up Centre is not cheap - the costs of putting on the show don't go down just because the show is smaller.

From a vendors point of view - the show was OK. The numbers of visitors was way down. The people who did come were spending money but sales numbers were still off compared to last year.

With the costs of parking $48 for a four day pass, the cost of a booth - a retail booth where you can sell product is $12.95/sq ft, travel, meals and accomodations, staffing, closing down their business location, I heard a lot of vendors are really rethinking what they are doing for next year already. It's a shame what the economy is doing to everyone. It will get better - so I hope they don't not go next year just because this year was off....

The show coordinators busted their butts to provide a great show but when the businesses won't show up and the spectators can't afford to show up...well - what can they do? The MMIC who actually owns the show - they didn't even have a booth at their own show - so what does that tell you? (and if they did, I did not see it and apologize). There were booths that had ZIP to do with motorcycling like the Roughnecks and the Casino - you do what you can to fill the place up as much as you can...you have to pay the show bills somehow.

Some of the noteables missing from the show:  Thug/Precision, Grizzly Leather, MMIC, COHV, Saxon...

I was pleased with the response we got, yet the smaller numbers made the days kinda drag by... The hockey game Friday night kicked the crap out of attendance.

Oh well, maybe next year the economy will have recovered sufficiently for the show to be a better experience - as I said, Laurie, Pam and the rest of the staff did everything they could - they had the economy and the weather against them. After -30 weather, it's hard to be indoors when it's only -2...

If you are riding, you live in a better climate than I do.

Stay safe out there and if you get a chance come check out the on line show 'n' shine over at: www.beltdrivebetty.com

Belt Drive Betty

www.beltdrivebetty.com

National VP A.I.M. Can

www.aim-can.com

Final day of the 2010 Calgary Motorcycle Show

The 2010 Calgary Motorcycle Show will be nothing more than a distant memory by tonight.
The hightlights of the show in MHO were Jason Britton, Indian Motorcycles, Total Control Motorcycle Rider Training (Find out more at the Tech Sox Booth) and seeing Ivan from Med Hat Harley-Davidson,  Damon Nagy from High Prairie (an injured rider A.I.M.Can helped out) and Denise Dolls from Medicine Hat.

Cindy Nobiss and Cindy Robeleski from the newest WITW Chappter in Southern Alberta have been working in the booth with me. Cindy Nobiss is heading up the formation of a NEW AIM-Can Chapter and is our southern Alberta Reporter. We have had a great time promoting ladies riding, the 2010 Rider Friendly Phone Book. Belt Drive Betty dot Com, The Busted Knuckle,  MotoRescue - the new 24 hour road side assistance program for motorcycles, Mighty Peace & Grande Prairie Regional Tourism AND Daryl "Daddy" Makk's Planet Tour.

I have to mention one other highlight of the 2010 Calgary Motorcyels Show - Calgarians give GREAT HUGS and I am wondering how Edmonton is going to measure up...

Well, I need to get in to the shower and get ready for the day. I have about 40 cases of phone books to hand balm into the truck, work the booth and then pack up. Tomorrow and Tuesday will be all about putting the paper together, Wednesday will involve the trip to Edmonton and then Thrusday will be show set up and the weekend MORE HUGS!

The news feeds are super quiet today so I am going to sign off...PLEASE, if you are riding, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you - for the rest of you, I hope you will come and scope out the bikes in our on line show n shine - heck maybe you'll consider entering, we just added some more prizes to the list of items that are up for grabs!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

A good day...

Yesterday was a good day at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.

Ali posted a Hug Meter on our web site over at www.beltdrivebetty.com I am trying to fill it and will be doing the same thing in Edmonton and Red Deer - why? Well, I love hugs, and I work alone in my office and spend 95% of my time alone. When I am at these shows I love to see as many friends as possible so that I don't feel so isolated - hugs and wonderful words shared between friends are something you can draw on when you feel blue, lonely...so far my hug meter is at 125, come on Calgary - I KNOW there are more of you that I need a hug from...

There are some outstanding looking machines on display - Royal Enfield and Indian are both at the show along with the usual big brands but what surprised me were the businesses that weren't present - THUG Motorcycles/Precision Frame was not present - a Calgary based Custom Manufacturer and they were no where to be seen....The show is smaller this year - the economy has definately affected it, however it is still a fabulous event and worth the attendance just be sure that if you do come down you either take the C train or you pack the vehicle full-full-full because the Stampede Park is charging an ARM and A LEG for parking.

I hope and pray that Laurie and the team find a new venue for the show because the prices are getting outrageous at the Stampede Park and some of their staff are SOOOOO rude, many are friendly but some.... As a matter of fact I think I am going to make that suggestion to Laurie and her team that they move the show if possible...there aren't however too many places around that can hold or accomodate the needs of a show that size so perhaps it is because they (the Stampede Park) feel they have a monopoly they feel they can gouge.

In the news: 
Polaris has a new Electric Quad out.

Our girl Flo and her Conga III for Breast Cancer hit the news even though Facebook and MSNBC Don't know it! It's really quite funny how asking us girls the color of the bras we wear could spark so much interest in a cause but it has and it is wonderful! If you are on Facbook, Flo has started another little campaign aimed at bending the warped minds of men with as much confusion as possible - much to the delight of all of us gals!

Troy Lee is producing so Steve McQueen Tribute helmets...

BMW and Triumph are both boasting record sales in Canada.

If you are lucky and blessed to live where you can ride, PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. For the rest of you/me included we'll have to make due with the motorcycle shows and the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine...get in on the action - I live seeing what my friends ride!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

On the road again

A couple or three more hours and I am on the road to Calgary. I am so looking forward to it now that I am packed and almost ready to go.Why am I finally excited now? I just remembered one of the best things about going to the shows besides doing business...HUGS, I get lots and lots of hugs from friends I don't get to see as often as I would like, so while I will miss hubby and my own bed...I am getting pumped up big time!

Our Show 'n' Shine seems to be a pretty big hit so far. The new method of displaying the pictures of bikes, the mini forum, the commenting and ability to add info to your bike...wow - Ali did a great job getting that thing tweaked!

She and I sure appreciate the feedback on stuff - our web site: www.beltdrivebetty.com is YOUR home, YOUR site - we are just the stewards...

Danni from the Chrome Divas phoned me yesterday to tell me that Lise, the gal we put the plea out for a bone marrow donor - well the transplant has been a success and her prognosis is so favorable...to who ever the angel of mercy was who donated..THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

In the news today: Harley is introducing 12 models of bikes in to India.

Garmin has added Satellite radio to their GPS units

An interesting article out of the States on Motorcyclists and Health Care Tax - it's worth a read...

A lot to do in the next couple of hours so I am signing off...

If you are riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. Everyne else, come join our FREE show 'n' shine, visit me in Calgary and stay safe and warm!

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M. Can
www.aim-can.com

What a weekend

Our phone book got held up in customs for three days, then got held up by avalanches in the pass but the truck driver called last night and he is here in Calgary and I am looking forward to being able to get them into the hands of riders today.

I have been gathering signatures to help our brothers and sisters in Ontario fight to squash Bill 117.
I remembered I had the petition at 1pm yesterday and in 5 short hours was able to gather about 250 signatures.

If our gathering signatures does nothing else for this community than help foster a tighter sense of community I think it's well worth the effort. The guys and dolls that live in Ontario need to know they have our support and I encourage every rider out there, no matter where you live in Canada to sign the petition. We can not let this law go in to effect - if it passes in Ontario it is only time before that fight will come to all of our door steps.

To read the Bill: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2098&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill


To sign the On line petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/Cruise08/petition.html
Anyway - I have a truck driver to meet so I'd best go run through the rain locker and get ready for the day!

Stay safe and warm and if you live in Calgary - enjoy the warm weather and come visit us at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.

Belt Drive Betty

The Calgary Bike Show

Well - I seem to have some really rotten luck - our rider friendly directory was held up in customs and has not yet arrived in Calgary - the trucking company promises they will have them here for me today.

I pray they arrive today as I have a lot of people I want to show them to.

The guys from the Veterans Canada MC are working with me in the booth and so far so good!

Our booth is not in a good location but we are doing the best we can with what we have.

The weather is at least nice here in Cow Town - so that's a major bonus!

I'll pop in and touch base with you all tomorrow - until then,
Stay safe and warm....
Belt Drive Betty

On our way to Calgary Motorcycle Show

My buddy Barry - our Red Deer area reporter and I are on our way to Calgary and the MMIC Motorcycle Show.

The roads are treacherous and since he is a professional trucker - yah - he's driving so we have a hope of getting there in one piece!

I hope to see a ton of riders out in spite of the weather!

Come see us at the Busted Knuckle Booth! I can't wait to see old friends and make new ones!

Stay safe and warm

Belt Drive Betty

Good to be back

It's good to be back in Alberta but I sure got spoiled with the weather in Toronto.
I hear that it's supposed to be a glorious weekend in Calgary and I am looking forward to that.
The drive from Edmonton to Blackfalds wasn't much fun in the blowing snow.

We have been having some issues with adding our events to the Calendar courtesy of GoDaddy and are hoping that will be resolved by them today. I wished when these big companies were upgrading stuff they'd communicate that with people.

Communication seems to be such an issue - I can't fix what I don't know is broken and get frustrated when people don't tell you they are having proiblems until they are so frustrated that they give up - how can I help you if you don't talk to me?

We have a pretty open door policy round here - if you are experiencing any challenges - talk to me...

Any way - I have to get to work on the calendars and see where we are at with them....

Have a safe and warm day....

Belt Drive Betty