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!

PTSD - the shame, fear, anger and misunderstandings and RIDING!

Airdrie Bikes & Bulls

PTSD is a dreadful dis-ease.

It can come on so hard, so strong, so fast that you simply can't function in any coherent way.

Sometimes you know what your triggers are and other times you get caught so off guard by a trigger that you didn't know existed that you feel foolish or worse.

The outbursts of a PTSD survivor can be almost as disturbing to witness and or deal with as the outburst from a person with Tourette Syndrome.

For the person inside of the PTSD episode, it can be scary, frightening, embarrassing, horrifying, mortifying - there are a lot of words you can put to how the person in the moment feels. As the whole thing blows up out of control, the person inside of the episode almost immediate begins berating themselves, at least that's been my experience.

I was diagnosed back in the late 90's and I gotta tell you that the supports for civilians suck.
The drugs put so much weight on you that your self esteem goes in the toilet, they mess with your innards and make them unhappy and unhealthy.

The drugs, they are the absolute worst part, next to a health care system that is over burdened. Continuity of care is challenging especially in the north where doctors from other countries who seek to immigrate to Canada are "requested" to work here for their first 5 years.

Motorcycle Ride to the Reynolds presented by Honda Canada

Many leave here for warmer climes and bigger cities with larger population bases for customers.

At least for veterans, there is some attempt at a cohesive support program, there is truly little for the civilian.

One of the hardest things to deal with from my perspective is the shame one feels when you get to a point that you can't control your tone of voice or the anguish or anger with which you speak.

Since May and the first anniversary of Fort Mac I have struggled hard with PTSD.
I am winning, but I have had a few occasions that I am not overly proud of.



Being around others who judge you, who can't deal with or accept you because of the PTSD can make life, interesting.

3rd CAV Rally 

Many people turn on you once they experience a PTSD episode with you, those who don't, those are the ones you hang on to.

It can be a very lonely way to live.

This is my way of reaching out the Military Minds Rolling Barrage as they complete their trip - across Canada to raise PTSD awareness...although I have not always gotten along with the way their organization uses dark humour publicly sometimes, I do appreciate the work that they do.

I salute all who work to help people understand the invisible would called PTSD.

That work benefits everyone with PTSD or those who love someone with it.



Now onto other more pleasant topics.

In the last few weeks I have not been on the computer much.

Hence why I have not updated this blog for a bit.

I have actually been out riding.

Pipes Education event at Harley-Davidson of Edmonton

I am finally coming out of the fog of adrenal fatigue and while I can now work 6 days a week again, I am still only able to work between 8-10 hours a day, sometimes I can manage 12.
When you are used to being a one person crew that worked 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week, it's rough. I miss those highly productive hours.
HOWEVER as I mentioned, I have been riding and enjoying every mile I have put on and there have been a few.

I went to the  Run to the Hills Memorial Rally, Airdrie Bikes & Bulls, spent some time with the Military Police in Dundurn Saskatchewan, and I attended the 3rd CAV Rally, I went to Drumheller for a day with a friend and I rode Lucky Highway 13 to create videos with.




I spent time in Wetaskiwin at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum for the Motorcycle Ride to the Reynolds presented by Honda Canada and got one heck of an education on motorcycle pipes from the gang over at Harley-Davidson of Edmonton.

Military Police, Moose Jaw

I promise I will bring you up to speed on all of those events and a whole lot more in the coming days and weeks.


Please folks, if you are lucky enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.  We have lost enough people in our community - please be safe and hyper vigilant.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Ride to the Reynolds and the 1000 Motorcycles that came out!

The Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin Alberta hosted their first Ride to the Reynolds and based on its success I am positive a second one will be planned for the future.

According to the people manning the gates, 1000 motorcycles came through!

Honda Canada was on hand with an amazing display of rare 1950's and 60's Honda motorcycles. Some were only released in Japan and others were only released in Canada. The privately owned display of 40 motorcycles was absolutely impressive.

Honda Canada also had demo rides of their new models which meant that you got a great feel for how far technology has come on their motorcycles.

The rides were booked solid and many were disappointed to find out there were no more seats available.  

Veer from Honda Canada said that next year they will have more bikes and more ride captains so that there would be less disappointment. 

Those who got to test the new rides out all came back with grins on their faces and the comments were more than positive.

The rides in the parking lot were almost as impressive as the rides inside the museum and the diversity of rides and riders was equally incredible!

Inside the museum, Stan Reynolds' collection of cars, motorcycles and machinery is stellar. 

The variety of them boggles the mind especially when you realize that this museum only represents 4% of this amazing man's collection. 

His foresight of the importance of these conveyances means that we all get the opportunity to see very rare and incredibly restored vehicles.

The restoration shop is visible to the public and you can gaze over the various vehicles as they are being worked on.

The Reynolds-Alberta Museum is a place that you can spend days, not just hours. I spent the whole day there and only got to see about 1/3 of the displays. I never got to go to the aviation building and only got to take in part of the White Glove Tour.

Although Cynthia Blackmore, the marketing manager of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum plans on another event in 2017, I encourage you not to wait until then to go take in this very impressive collection. 

The Honda Canada display will be there until October.

Reynolds-Alberta Museum
6426 40 Ave, Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Phone: (780) 312-2065
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000 and enter (780) 312-2065
http://www.history.alberta.ca/reynolds/default.aspx

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The long road back to good health & the Ride to The Reynolds

Hi all, It's been a long road back to feeling well since Fort Mac, but thanks to a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I seem to be on the road to a full recovery.

I am so far behind on my writing and other work from being so sick, that I think I am first!
I have also only been on my motorcycle about 6 times this year.
I won't even crack 10,000 KMS this season when I normally ride 20-30,000.

It's been a hard season, physically and emotionally but the good news is, this weekend I get to ride and I am so looking forward to it.

I feel strong inside and my soul is so ready to reconnect with DOC!

This weekend I will be heading to Wetaskiwin and the Reynolds-Alberta Museum for the Ride to the Reynolds.

Honda Canada will be on hand with motorcycles from the 50's and 60's, some of them are supposed to be very rare! I am so looking forward to that. I love old motorcycles.

Honda Canada is also going to have their "Come Ride With Us" program there so that people can try out the new Honda's and learn about the new technology behind the brand. It should be a very interesting contrast!

Not only will there be special motorcycle only parking, but every rider and passenger gets in for free.

It's been a lot of years since I have gone to the Reynolds Alberta Museum and I am looking forward to the exhibits, the White Glove Tour and the Collection Storage Facility Behind the Scenes Tour.
I am looking forward to interviewing some of the riders and featuring these grand old dames (the motorcycles, not the riders) on our TV Show "Ride Like a Local".

Saturday August 20th is going to be a busy day, and I am so up for it.

Make sure you bring cash if you want to partake in the specials in the Cruisers Cafe or purchase a trinket in the gift shop because there is no ATM on site!

Wherever you might be riding to this weekend, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Visit www.riderfriendly.com for all of the details

Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through our History - Part 9

Honda in Canada

The Honda Motor Corporation Ltd. based in Japan, was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda.

In the field of motorcycle manufacturing, it is the largest public multinational corporation in the world. Since 1959 it has held the top position in the manufacturing of motorcycles and internal combustion engines.

In 1946, Japan was trying to rebuild from the effects of the Second World War.

Honda, a talented mechanic began manufacturing piston rings before turning his attention to motorcycles. He had realized that there was a need for an affordable means of transportation and began grafting war surplus two stroke motors into bicycles. The initial shaky start due to his lack of training in metallurgy in the production of piston rings gave way to his passion for engineering.

The first motorcycle that featured a completely Honda designed motor and frame was produced in 1949. By the 1960’s his motorcycles were up against the best on the racetracks of the world.   

Figure 1 - Honda's 1st Prototype

Figure 2 - Honda's First Motorcycle, 1949, Model D

Honda ventured into the Canadian history books in 1969. With hard work and perseverance they slowly gained the trust of Canadians. Over a period of time Honda gained respect in the marketplace as well. In 1986, Honda built a car manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario. In 1998 a second plant was built at the same site and in 2008 Honda completed its third manufacturing facility. On May 2010, Honda Canada moved to their new Gold Certified Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Head Office in Markham, Ontario which is now home to approximately 600 associates. Today Honda employs almost 19,000 Canadians and buys goods worth 1.1 billion from Canadian suppliers!


Honda has turned its vision towards providing a sustainable growth for the future. Blue Skies for Our Children embodies the vision of keeping the environment in mind for the future generations so that they might find the joy of free mobility along with sustained development. The challenge of sustained development encompasses numerous energy and environmental issues. The most important amongst them has been the reduction of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. In June 2011, Honda pledged to reduce CO2 emissions from automobiles, motorcycles and corporate activities by 30% by 2020. There have been significant advances towards achieving this end. These technologies include natural gas vehicles, hybrids, fuel cell electric along with new energy creation and distribution technologies like Honda’s original solar cell.

A socially responsible and engaged corporation, Honda Canada started the Honda Canada Foundation to enhance the social well being of Canadians. The focus of the foundation is to provide grants in the areas of education, engineering, the environment and safety with a focus on youth.

Even back in the beginning of its emergence in the UA and Canadian cultures, Honda showed its social responsibility in other ways. They had a rider’s manual that explained the operation of their motorcycle and asked people to be socially respectful.

Image 3 - 1962 Honda Owners Manual

One of the most successful marketing campaigns in history started in the US. Honda had suffered a number of recalls, and the owner of the first Honda store in California, Kihachiro Kawashima, had to take back every bike he had sold. He had a bunch of 50cc scooters in the back of the shop and decided to get them out on the sales floor. 

His ad campaign “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” saved the American market and paved the way for the Canadian market to have a successful launch. 

Image 4 - Honda's Ad campaign in the 60's

Although Honda has a varied stable of machines, the CBR and the Goldwing, two very different machines, are probably the best known of all of Honda's motorcycles.

The CBR is dubbed by Honda as the ultimate handling machine and many a CBR rider will tell you that is so, however GSXR riders will tell you something quite different!

Today, Honda Canada plays a big roll in all manners of racing and their motorcycles are well respected for their reliability, their socially responsible exhaust systems, their power and fuel economy.

I hope you enjoyed the brief look into Honda Canada, next up we look at Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki!
 

Research for this article:

Wikipedia

Honda Canada

Honda Canada Foundation

Petrolicious Productions

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-honda-motorcycle.html

http://www.obxmotorcycle.com/hondacyclehistory.html

Images:

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Honda%27s+first+prototype+motorcycle..&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=847&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI4cWP56jpxwIV0o-OCh26ggfV&dpr=0.9#imgrc=qJCF2ObJ8oA4AM%3A – image  1 of 1^st prototype motorcycle

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Honda%27s+first+motorcycle,+a+1949+Model+D+(Dream)&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=798&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIisjVkazpxwIVzlCOCh1PGw4F&dpr=0.9#imgrc=U851AG23OxVxbM%3A – 

image 2- a 1949 Model D (Dream)

Image 3 - 1962 Honda Owners Manual

http://www.petrolicious.com - Image 4

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