RiderFriendly.com is BY Riders FOR Riders

Many years ago, I was turned away from a motel near Rocky Mountain House Alberta, because I was on a motorcycle.

Then and there I determined I never wanted another rider to ever feel the way I had that day, especially a visitor to my country, or any country for that matter.  The Rider Friendly Business Association® and it's digital directory is the result of that day. Meant to help you find a great rider owned/friendly businesses or specific business like motorcycle repair shops to serve your needs when at home or on the road. 

If we riders support each other, we all benefit!

So, here's a quick run down on the program for the rider.  

Social

• RiderFriendly.com gives the rider access to an easy-to-use, full-feature social media component that lets you connect with other riders. Get creative with your profile page, create events, groups etc... You control your own privacy settings. Chat support available. Let your non-motorcycle friends talk about pot roast on Facebook while you join your riding buddies on a social network MADE FOR YOU!  We also have a Facebook Group if you really insist on staying there... It's the Rider Friendly Support Network Group.

Ride Safe

• All Members of RiderFriendly.com receive the services of the Never Ride Alone Program provided by Intercon Messaging. Members can call the toll-free number and provide the operator with the membership # on the bottom of your digital card (always available on your profile page).

Find Products and Services 

•  Develop a meaningful relationship :-) with the Rider Friendly Business owners. The Rider Friendly Business Association® business members recognize the value the motorcycle community brings and wants to make sure the unique needs of the motorcycle rider are met. RiderFriendly.com does our part by educating the business owners with at our own Rider Friendly University.

Save Money with our RoadTrip Rewards™ program

• Special Events, Specials and Offers/Coupons AUTOMATICALLY display right in your profile page making it handy to check while you chat with your motorcycle buds. Get member savings and discounts offered by our RFBA Members by showing your RoadTrip Rewards™ card on your phone or providing your membership # which is located on the bottom of your digital membership card. Your card automatically displays on your profile page when you are logged into the website. Easy Peasy.  EXAMPLE: Right now Choice Hotels is offering up to 20% off on rooms, worldwide, when you book on their website using our code!

What's Happening

• The latest Busted Knuckle News, Upcoming Canadian Motorcycle Events, News Feeds from the interwebs, all display on your profile pages (as well as any meet up for a ride events created by your friends).  If you are planning on coming up to Canada, we got you covered for the news and event information you need to know!

REFER A Business!  One of the best things you can do is refer your favourite businesses. If you can't find them in our directory, add them and we'll reach out to them and if they become a member, we'll share the love!!!!

Rate & Review a Business: Help your fellow rider, rate and review the businesses you use!  Let's help each other build the best directory and the best social community for riders on the planet!

"Ah.. ok so how much is this going to cost me?"
 IT'S FREE!  Plus if you refer a business you could make some dough!

We know you need to spend your money on stuff for your bike. ;-P 

On your next motorcycle trip be sure to "pack" RiderFriendly.com
"The Smarter Way to Ride"

Next time I'll tell you all about becoming a Rider Friendly Business Association member!

Belt Drive Betty,

Renee Charbonneau

Writer & Rider

Rider Safety, are you prepared?

Rider Safety, Are you Prepared?

Once you are physically riding, rider safety is about a whole lot more than what happens on the road

Being safe starts with preparation. How you prepare is just as important as the skills you need once you are on the road.

Before you get on your motorcycle for the first time each year, keep in mind that 5 to 7 months of inactivity, is not healthy for you or your motorcycle.  

Give your bike a thorough going over and some TLC before demanding it perform, and yourself a good stretch.

Here are a few things you need to remember:

#1 – Check your motorcycle’s fluids, brakes, signals, tire pressures and belt/chain tension.  Check the health of the battery in your bike and your key fob.

Check your saddlebags to make sure you have your tool kit, an extra liter (quart) of oil with you, and a liter of water for yourself to stay hydrated.

#2 – Unless you were lucky enough to ride all winter, YOUR SKILLS ARE RUSTY!!

Practicing in a parking lot to refresh your skills is a good idea. Practice the fast stop and going around an obstacle, your very life depends on your skills.  It’s amazing what a half hour of parking lot time can do to get you prepared for the drivers who have forgotten you exist!

#3 – Pick the time of day you are heading out wisely.

You can ride at pretty much any time of day, the choice is yours. Remember that mornings and evenings are frosty, slippery and can be foggy by rivers and large bodies of water. Let’s not forget rush hour traffic at both of those times if you live in or close to a community or city. 

In March, April and May, the four-hour window between 11am and 3 pm, is generally the ideal opportunity to head out for a little wind therapy. The traffic will be settled, and the roads will be a tad warmer.  If you’re lucky the snow will be gone where you live. (Not this winter where I live, there is still three feet of snow on the ground, insert pouty face here).

Also remind yourself that painted roads surfaces and manhole covers etc. will be frost covered in the mornings and evenings.

As long as you are aware of the potential dangers and remain hyper vigilant, everything is likely to be just fine.

#4 – Dress and pack appropriately:

The evenings get damp and then become frosty. But the afternoons can get very balmy.  You may want to pack a sweater of some sort, a toque, rain gear, socks, long undies, lip balm, water, powdered electrolytes to go in it, and sunblock. Yes my friend’s sun burn can happen all year round.  You’ll want extra gloves especially if it’s cooler out.  If you have heated gear, pack it you will appreciate its warming abilities during spring and fall.  Protect your eyes and face by wearing good sun glasses or goggles with UV protection, and a good quality bandana for your face. You’ll want this if you don’t wear a full face helmet because there is still gravel and sand on the roads, and there will be bugs soon.

You will also want to be on the lookout for pot holes, remember to be mindful of those who are trying to avoid them in their cages.

Stay warm, stay hydrated and wherever you decide to venture off to and please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!!

AND Remember to use the "NEVER RIDE ALONE PROGRAM" sponsored
by Intercon Messaging from Drayton Valley AB.
The "Never Ride Alone Program" can be accessed by being a registered member of Riderfriendly.com and using your membership ID Number in your digital membership card and then calling the toll free number: 1-866-765-6719 - Good in Canada and the Continental US, the "NEVER RIDE ALONE" Program is simple and free to our members to use.

Call in, answer the questions about you, your ride and your journey. Agree on a time to check in, if you don't check in, Intercon Messaging will attempt to raise you on the numbers you left with them, if they can't raise you, then they will dispatch 911 to go find you from your last known location!  Stay safe and enjoy your ride and remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider