Service and Sacrifice - the hallmark of the Heroes Highway Ride

This past week has been one of the busiest I have had in a long time. I flew in to the Toronto Pearson Airport last Sunday, was picked up by Lou DeVuono of the Heroes Highway Ride and whisked off to the BAN event. After watching with much dismay the way in which the testing was done, completely falling out of the J2825 protocol, Lou and I headed to Port Perry.

one of the tests being conducted at the BAN event

The next morning I got on the gorgeous motorcycle lent to me for the week by Classy Chassis in Lakefield. The 103 Screamin Eagle and I took about an hour to bond but bond we did.

You could not wipe the grin off my face - what a great machine to ride!

We met up with Graeme Hume and Howard Galganov and the 4 of us headed to the Poconos to meet up with riders from the M25 - a Christian Motorcycle Ministry and members of the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance. Our destination was to be Ottawa and the Never Again Ceremony on Parliament Hill.  I had the great honour and privilege of riding with Trapper Cane, the National President of the CAV (Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units).  Trapper took some time with me when we were on the Hill the night before the Never Again rally to talk to me about the buildings on Parliament Hill and what they housed and symbolized. I was in awe of this man's knowledge and love for our country.

Trapper Cane - a grizzled veteran who told
an amazing story of an Auschwitz Tattoo

The day of the Never Again Rally dawned bright and sunny and saw somewhere around 450 riders and about 500 non riders take the Pledge of Never Again - No more Holocausts, No more genocides - I urge you to read this coming Thursday's Busted Knuckle Chronicles for the full story!

After the moving ceremony on Parliament Hill 175 motorcycles made their way towards Trenton. 50 of them would stay on to take part in the Heroes Highway Ride.  As we headed towards CFB Trenton memories flashed in my mind's eye of being a little girl, my dad so handsome in his uniform, holding me in his arms on this very base. I was amazed how little has changed on the base but as we would find out at the dedication services for what will become the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial, many big changes will be happening at CFB Trenton.

After another moving ceremony, we riders were invited to take part in a BBQ at the Junior Officers Mess - it was wild having the members of the military serve us and thank us for being there and for supporting them.

Graeme Hume delivered an emotional speech of welcome
to all of the riders and what the
Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial means

Friday it rained all day and I and my room mate, Joyce Kaufman - an American Journalist, radio and TV show host took advantage of a down day. She did her writing and photo editing and I did the same and also got all of the articles that had come in for the paper edited and off to Darryl our layout artist. Finally done all my work at 8pm I was able to visit with a friend from Belleville and later took some time to visit with the various people who joined the meet 'n' greet in the Loyalist Room of the Holiday Inn.

Joyce Kaufman - a vocal freedom fighter
and journalist that I came to know, love and respect immensely

I finally had the opportunity to meet the world renowned author Don Norris - what an honour. The man is so talented and so warm.  I also had the distinct pleasure and honour of meeting Darlene Cushman. Darlene is a Silver Cross mother who lost her son in Afghanistan in 2007 and she and I spent a great deal of time talking and sharing. I can not express to you what a valiant and amazing woman she is and hope you will read the coverage of the Heroes' Highway Ride and Darlene's story about why this ride is so important to her in the June 14th Edition of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

L- R Lou, Darlene and Trapper Cane

While the number of bikes coming in from outlying areas for the event were down, hampered by the violent storms of Friday night, I was gratified to see three parking lots at the base be filled with riders - as I walked around, talking to people and taking photos - I was on the lookout for any police profiling activities.  I had been promised by the organizer of the HHR that inspite of the fact that this ride was going in to Toronto and would have a huge police presence that the police had agreed to allow any Canadian, any rider who came regardless of patch to attend and show their support of the troops and would for this one day leave their agenda as police officers behind.

I am happy to report that no one was hassled or profiled as was evidenced by some of the three piece and one percent clubs that were present. The concerns that many had over the safety of the event due to the riders being broken up into smaller groups to leave the base did not materialize and while the display of the bikes may not have been as impressive as a solid procession, the ride went off with only one hiccup.

That hiccup involved somewhere around 25-30 bikes who had jumped out ahead of the lead group of bikes - apparently they were waiting at one of the rest stops to get ahead of the ride. The OPP moved the group of riders to the centre lane in order for the main parade of bikes to go by and and as these riders slowed down - they caused - unfortunately a car and a truck to end up in a collision behind them, but from what I hear no one was hurt.  I was way back of the front of the group so I never saw what transpired and sooner than go on hearsay and speculation I am waiting to hear from the OPP as I have a call into them to find out exactly what happened and why.

When we arrived in to Toronto, the Toronto Metro police had the express lanes shut down on the Don Valley Parkway and all 2,500 - 3,000 bikes arrived safely.  We were greeted by a display of the military, fantastic vendors, wonderful music and an incredible show - with Lou receiving the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for his work in recognizing the troops. (He was nominated by Wayne Johnston of the Wounded Warriors and Mike Blais of  the CVA.)  Several members of the CAV were also award the Diamond Jubilee medal for their work in supporting veterans.

Darlene Cushman gave an amazing and heartwarming speech about what the Heroes Highway Ride means to her as a Silver Cross Mother and there was not a dry eye in the place. Comments swirled around me about how people just wanted to hug her.  Her pain and loss was so palpable.

I do not want to dilute the coverage of the event in the Busted Knuckle so I will leave you to exploring on Facebook and in the many other social networking sites to see the photos and videos that other people have taken.

It was a proud day to be a biker, a Canadian and a human being.

I am editing videos and naming photos for the rest of the day after I take that pretty, pretty machine I have been riding for the last week back to Classy Chassis.

There are so many people that I need to thank including the guys and dolls of Classy Chassis, Mackie H-D for their amazing efforts to get one of the bikes from South Carolina that had broken down - repaired - they even lent that rider a bike so he could take part in the HHR - all of the vendors, the musicians, my brothers and sisters from the CAV, Howard Galganov, Joyce Kaufman - the list goes on and on - amazing people doing amazing things to help each other, and to support our troops - I want to thank Lou and his wife Anne, Graeme and his wife Ann, the members of the Canadian Forces at CFB Trenton - the work, love and dedication that was portrayed were nothing short of miraculous.

Congratulations to all who did their part - for one day you were all Heroes in my eyes - thank you for making the 4th HHR fabulous.

I have already heard some of the plans for the 5th Annual Ride - which will be again changed up this time leaving from a smaller community like Whitby and turning around to end up in Trenton - I do not wish to betray any confidences about the 2013 ride until Lou and Graeme are ready to have the information made public but rest assured that the HHR's 5th ride will be unparalleled in the experience it will offer the rider and the military personal that it will honour all.

The news feeds are quiet so far this morning and Ali will be checking up on them later today to ensure that as we find out about the things that can affect your day and your life as a rider are made avaialbe to you as soon as possible.

Visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our job is keeping You informed.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by some of the zaniest people in the world - my Facebook and email friends!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

motorcycle news | motorcycle news canada | canadian bikers | canadian riders

Female Ride Day

Today is International Female Ride Day and Marissa Baeker of MotocyGalz has a great article on Vicki Gray, it's founder.  Hope all you ladies will get out today and do some riding!

There is a great article on the new motorcycle safety laws in BC by Neil Johnston of One Wheel Drive. In it he expresses the fundamental flaw in the new laws and how they affect every rider who happens to find themselves on uneven surfaces - especially dual sport riders.  To say the law is unfair and ill conceived is an understatment!  It's a great article filled with a ton of information and I encourage you all to read it.

Saskatoon is rethinking their stance on motorcycle noise and looking for ways to encompass other vehicles in it's noise net!

In Oklahoma the motorcycle officers there got a grant to offer FREE rider training! Man would that ever be nice to see here in Canada - imagine every rider having great training and how many lives that could save!

For those of you who love good music, check these gals out - Scarlett Jane - Russ Brown - a Motorcycle Lawyer from the USA turned me on to these Canadian gals from Toronto.

I fell in love with their music when I heard their songs Wild Fire & Oh Darling and look forward to hearing more from these gals when they release their new album "Stranger" this month.
They kick off a national tour this month to celebrate the release of their album and I urge you to check them out at the venues listed below.

Sat. May 19 – Times Changed  w/ Andrew Neville (Winnipeg, MB)

Mon. May 21 – House Concert (Swift Current, SK)

Wed. May 23 – Wunderbar w/ The Low Flying Planes (Edmonton, AB)

Thurs. May 24 – The Whistle Stop (Jasper, AB) One of our RFBA PARTNERS!!!

Fri. May 25 – Nancy O’s (Prince George, BC)

Sat. May 26 – The Packing House (Spences Bridge, BC)

Sun. May 27 – The Railway Club (Vancouver, BC)

Tues. May 29 – Buds Bar (Invermere, BC)

Thurs. May 31 – The Ironwood w/ Picture the Ocean (Calgary, AB)

Fri. June 1^st – Nanton Auditorium Hotel (Nanton, AB)

Sat. June 2- Ye Olde Jar Bar (Medicine Hat, AB)

Sun. June 3 – Kergano’s (Moose Jaw, SK)

Wed. June 6 – House Concert (Marathon, ON)

Thurs. June 7 – House Concert (Dubraiville, ON)

Fri. June 8 – Loplops Lounge (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)

Sat. June 9 – Espanola Curling Club (Espanola, ON)

Sun. June 10 – House Concert (Foleyet, ON)

Tues. June 12 – Café/Bar Zenob (Trois Rivieres, QC)

Wed. June 13 – L’Argo (Quebec City, QC)

Thurs. June 14 – Vintage Bistro w/ Gordie Sampson (Hampton, NB) 

Fri. June 15 – Vintage Bistro (Hampton, NB)

Sat. June 16 – House Concert (Bedford, NS)

Sun. June 17 – The Carleton w/ Steven MacDougall of Slowcoaster (Halifax, NS)

Wed. June 20- Plan B (Moncton, NB)

Thurs. June 21 – Hunter’s Ale House (Charlottetown, PEI)

Fri. June 22 – The Dunk (Breadalbane, PEI)

Sat. June 23 – The Red Herring Pub (St. Andrew’s, NB)

Sun. June 24 – Bistro 610 (Woodstock, NB)

* June 30- July 1 – DAUPHIN COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

* July 6-8 – MARIPOSA FOLK FESTIVAL
* Sept. 21 – Oct. 4 – HOME ROUTES CONCERT TOUR

I also want you to know about a couple of contests we have coming up on www.beltdrivebetty.com 
Both contests will have tickets to the Eric Church Concert at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis - and both prizes are courtesy of Russ Brown!

One is a photo contest called show us your DIRTY GIRL and the other will be a written contest where in you will tell us why YOU deserve to win tickets - watch right here in my blog and on www.beltdrivebetty.com for all of the details!!!!


I have been under the weather with a rotten cold that does not appear like it wants to leave any time soon.  I get sick so seldom but when I do it generally knocks me flat on me arse of a bit - this time is no exception!

I plan on getting out for a ride today, even if it's just a blast to Sexsmith (25KM) but I think in order to do that and have the energy to hold my bike up and the ability to be alert at all -  I am going to have to have a nap at some point today!  I love naps, I generally get up, like today around 3-4am, but about 1pm, a nap is needed. When I get up from an hour's snooze I can go hard for at least 5 or 6 more hours.  Anyone else out there enjoy naps?

What are your plans for the day and the weekend? I plan on doing as little as possible in an effort to make this cold take a hike...I have trips to Charlevoix Quebec and Toronto coming up and want to be healthy for those two fantastic rides.

There are many other articles in the news today that may affect your day and life as a rider, check it out at www.beltdrivebetty.com, where our work is keeping YOU informed!

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by my wacky friends on Facebook and through emails....laughter - it does a body good!

Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Bankruptcy, New Models, New Gadgets and New Music - our community has a lot going on!

The news feeds today are filled with a variety of interesting topics.

Our good friend and talented singer/musician Carson Cole has released his latest album "Kick Start"

Garmin has come out with a new GPS unit for motorcyclists.

A Vancouver Island man has "created" a new adventure tourism business involving ice riding.

Auto Journal Group has filed for bankruptcy protection. "Motorcycle magazine Motomag has seen its last issue printed after losing money every issue for the past two years. Crépault says he tried to save the magazine with an editorial overhaul in May 2009, but major advertisers still wouldn’t buy space. He has worked out a deal with publisher LC Média for subscribers to receive a competing title, Moto Journal, instead. Crépault is also working on a new online version of Motomag which he feels will be successful" Masthead On Line

KTM will be unveiling its electric motorcycles in Tokyo.

Moncton New Brunswick is examining the potential of getting rid of the RCMP and going with its own municipal force - seems to be a popular topic for discussion in a lot of regions these days.

And last but not least - Harley-Davidson is in the news yet again as it's stock is taking a huge jump over rumors and speculation that a take over is imminent.
This is the second time in less than a month that tales - rumors and innuendo have been swirling and I wonder if this is publicity campaign is being done in an effort to generate capital to pay the new CEO his rather substantial wage...(Being written with tongue in cheek) Seriously - what is with all of the rumors...

The discussion on my Facebook page over the Helmet Laws in BC has been lively and interesting - join us! We'd love to have you wade in on that topic and any other that catches your fancy!

If you are riding today, PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you, everyone is out to get you and use respect with your right hand...

Have a great weekend everyone. I'll talk to you all on Monday unless there is something urgent in the news feeds that needs to get out there as I am taking Sundays off for the next while.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor- The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.beltdrivebetty.com
A MAX Award winning web site!
National VP - A.I.M.Can - Watch for our new name coming soon!
www.aim-can.com
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.canadianriders.ca
www.riderfriendly.ca

Interesting - perhaps, Exciting????

OCC - the very name conjurs up screaming matches, arrogant fits of temper and egos as big as the universe...for me anyway.

Paul Sr has a band...aptly named the OCC Band and their first album which features if I read right, three songs from the band and 14 songs that are Paul Sr's favorites from other bands.

The band is made up of staffers from OCC - from the limited amount of  clips I was able to listen to, they sounded awesome! And yeah, I am surprised. I really didn't know what to expect.

Royal Enfield is coming to Canada...Rob from Bullet Motorcycles in Edmonton is the new Canadian Distributor!

There's lot of sports news today so be sure to cruise that section of the web site (www.beltdrivebetty.com)

I have a lot on the agenda today  - this learning gig can be hard on the head...

Oh and by the way - I am a quitter! Still a non smoker...

Have a great day and if you are one of the lucky who live where you can be riding, please ride safe.

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

Music Therapy

I find myself facing some huge challenges at the moment, hubby and the MS (the prednisone has him and everyone around him on an emotional roller coaster), Lori leaving tomorrow for Drumheller to be with her man for the summer and a growing business that is demanding a lot of time and focus. I know that this too shall pass and that things will improve...but there are days where that is hard to remember.

So when I can't ride my bike to clear my thoughts and brain I listen to music. It seems to help me keep my spirits up and helps me to focus and concentrate on the things I can change and do. Music lifts my soul almost as well as my motorcycle.

What do you do when life feels out of control?
When you can't ride your motorcycle to put things in perspective - what do you do?

I am always looking for ideas to help me stay on task and focused. Your comments, thoughts and ideas would be very appreciated.

In other news, our web site preview will be delayed a couple of days as Ali works out a couple of new kinks that surfaced - the good news is, it's gorgeous and
I can't wait for you all to see it.

The Canuck Chicks Conga is well under way...I hope you have been following these gals on their adventure!

If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and use respect with that throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Don't forget the Roadhouse in Rosedale this weekend

Jayne's throwing a party and when she roast a pig, well.....Good food, good people and great music, what a combo.

Jayne has this to say about the bash....

We've beat this route to death, but its a nice easy route. from the roadhouse to Delia from there down over the ferry to John's bar, from there to Newcastle and back to the roadhouse. About an hour after that we will have supper....the band will start at 8 p.m. till whenever. Cost for the poker run and supper is $20.00 and the tickets can be purchased at the bar. I am hoping this is an informal gathering so we can all get a chance to visit as we know this will be the last hurrahhh for most of us till next summer. We will do our best to find a warm place for everyone to sleep even if it means a foamie and a sleeping bag on the floor.