Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Service 2020

Travel in 2020 and the changes that COVID-19 has brought to our world has made hosting events a challenge.

One has to get creative if there is to be any joy being spread! Here in Northwestern Alberta COVID-19 is a topic that has sucked the oxygen out of the room, just like it has everywhere else.

 

Alberta has entered stage two re-opening and has started to allow gatherings of up to 200 people out of doors. You have to be physically distanced, temperatures have to be checked and they want you to control the flow of human traffic to avoid people coming into contact with you. 

Some of our cities have made masks mandatory, others are not getting into the great mask debate so far.  

 

It was under these odd circumstances and the rather restrictive guidelines that one of Alberta's largest grassroots motorcycle rallies was able to host one of it's most integral ceremonies. 

Bob Ross, President of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association and one of the founders of the Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park jumped through a lot of hoops to make the Fallen Riders Memorial service happen.

 

The Run to the Hills Memorial Rally would normally have been held July 17-19, but of course, large gatherings are still a no no, and music is a definite forbidden fruit. 

 

On the Saturday of the rally, there is always a memorial service and roll call to remember the fallen in the motorcycle community.  Never before has there been a need to have approval to host a memorial service. Thankfully Alberta Health Services approved the memorial ceremony with up to 200 people.

 

2020 has been the one thing I wished the Cancel Culture would CANCEL!

Mother Nature is obviously having some kind of episode with PMS, she is one cranky old bag!!!

In spite of the mixed bag of weather that swirled around me as I rode from Grande Prairie to Two Hills, a 7 hour ride, I managed to stay dry only getting rained on as I pulled into the event.

 

 

100 riders came out to remember their fallen. 

 

It was an emotional ceremony with many sobbing as they paid their respects. Sadly we have lost a lot of riders in the last year here in Alberta.   As Pastor Wes read out the roll of our fallen, the sun started to break through and the rest of the day was beautiful.

 

 

If you ever find yourself in Alberta (if they ever reopen our border), you need to visit Two Hills Alberta, and spend some peaceful moments in the chapel, or on the wrap around deck looking out over the rolling farmland and the Two Hills Golf Course.  

 

Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta is a place to remember and reflect, for friends, family and motorcycle family members alike.  It is a tranquil and unique spot built by riders with rider's families in mind.  Find them on Facebook

 

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Wayside Fallen Riders Memorial Park to hold 2 services on July 18th

Hello everyone! Sadly due to the current state of things we will not be having the traditional Run to The Hills Rally this year, however, we will still be having the annual memorial service and roll call. 

Because of the restrictions put in place due to the Covid 19 we will be having 2 services at the Wayside on July 18th, 2020.

The morning service will take place at 11 am and the afternoon service will be at 2pm. 

We hope to see many of you in attendance as we pay our respects to the many friends we have lost in the last year.



Run to the Hills Memorial Rally
Two Hills, Alberta

Watch for updates on our Facebook Page. 

Things are heating up!

Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is about halfway through the second public voting phase. Over the last number of days we have seen a horse race between Kaslo BC and Two Hills Alberta erupt.

When I checked in this morning at about 8 am,  the race in the western "conference" was just as tight as it has been from the beginning.

Two Hills was in the lead with 2,689 votes and Kaslo was on their heels at 2,683 votes.

It's 9:50 am as I write this and for about the 24-5th time, the lead has changed yet again with Kaslo at 2,713 votes and Two Hills at 2,711.

Things are starting to heat up out East too.  Moncton New Brunswick is holding on to a slim lead with Digby Nova Scotia closing the gap.

One of the most rewarding things about this contest has been seeing all of the articles and hearing the various radio interviews that these communities are generating.  These little communities that don't tend to get a whole lot of notoriety are all garnering some great press.

The one thing a lot of rural communities struggle with is how to catch the attention of tourist.
They don't have big budgets and they have a shortage of man power to help them get the press and attention they need.

A contest like this truly does give them all a little shot in the arm, some notoriety, and instills a sense of community pride in the riders and other community members. The voting proves it!

These communities are vying for the title "Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community 2015"
The top prize is a $35,000 marketing package that will be put together for them by using the inventory provided by our sponsors.

TV, Radio, Print Media, Digital Media, Social Media - they get it all and all from other riders who own media outlets!

Which communities are going to slug it out for that title? Well, we'll know in about 14 days time.
Only one community from the West and one from the East will meet up in the next round...

But PLEASE remember folks, places like Kaslo BC, have their faction who really don't like the constant rumble of bikes and I just hope and pray that the selfish few don't ruin it for the rest of us.
Loud Pipes, among many other things, annoy many people in the places we want to ride most, so PLEASE ride with respect. Remember we all have to share this earth. Consideration and respect, please riding with both at the fore front of your mind.

We, all riders, have a lot to be grateful for in this country. We are blesses with so many place we can ride to that do truly want our business.  In many of these places we riders make new life long friendships...Blessed - that truly is a good word for this community of Riders here in Canada.

In other news, a couple of local businesses here in Grande Prairie have some stellar offers on the table right now...

There is a Mastermind being held in Grande Prairie on March 18th for anyone who might be interested, $49 for this three hour seminar.

One of our advertisers, Happy Trails RV is giving away $1,000.

All you have to do is like and share their post on Facebook and fill out the form:

And our Rider Friendly Business Partner, Bear Creek Funeral Home is celebrating the achievement of Eunice Friesen - and her volunteer recognition award.

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, and please consider dressing for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider