Run to the Hills Memorial Rally - All the fun you can have with crayons and beer!

I rode in to Two Hills Alberta on Friday, June 13th at about 2:30 PM.

I had stayed in Camrose the night before in order to be fitted for a gown for a ceremony that I will be part of in September.
Ladies, if you are in need of a formal gown Tish's Fashions & Finery in Camrose is the place to go! Wow what incredible service - but more on that another day, I promise.

Back to Two Hills and my reason for being there, the Run to the Hills Memorial Bike Rally....

In Beaver County, just before the little community called Viking, there was BRAND NEW black top, about 10 K worth, not a whisper of wind and amazing blue skies.
What a happy, happy place to be!

I pulled in to the grocery store in Two Hills to meet up with my girlfriend Laurie from Fort Saskatchewan. She had picked up the order of Scavenger Hunt Maps that Staples had printed for us.  All 20,000 of them, her poor little Ford Thunderbird sports car!

Well, we set about dropping off maps to lighten her load and then went to the Two Hills Inn for some Chinese for lunch. Lemon Chicken and Special Fried Rice! As usual the portions were so huge that Laurie took enough leftovers home for her and her hubby to have for super!

Although the Two Hills Inn is an old building, Julie and her hubby, Chow, have renovated all of the rooms and they are really decent rooms, with individual air conditioners, bathrooms, albeit small ones in each room, comfy beds and a really good price point.

After our scarf, we headed down to the rally site at Galeta Park and dropped off a ton of the maps in the beer gardens so that the various advertisers could pick up their share of the maps for distribution.

There had been vicious rain the night before but low and behold, there were motorhomes, toy haulers and tents everywhere. Easily 300+ people were already here!

Laurie and I headed over to the Junction Inn which is where I would be staying this year for the rally.

I had my favourite room, #107 on the ground floor.

Laurie had to head back to Fort Saskatchewan so we said our good byes and I proceeded to get settled in my room when all of a sudden the thunder hit and a few minutes later, so did the hail. That was followed by 2-3 minutes of a total deluge, an absolute down pour....

On Friday night the rally serves up a welcome dinner as part of your rally fee, and this year was no different except that lightning had knocked out the power to the better part of the entire town for about an hour and as a result dinner was late getting underway.

Josee Milroy and her team of volunteers including Twiggy did an amazing job serving up ham, veggies, lazy cabbage rolls, buns, salad....

Music got underway with Anthony Poirier the one man band and people started coming in from their soggy campsites to listen to him. The Steven Spencer band came on at about 10 pm and rocked the house out.  When my time to hit the hay came I took the shuttle sponsored by Wing Shot Guiding Service over to my motel room and closed the door on an amazing day.


Weather people don't seem to have a very good handle on the weather, it had been calling for partly cloudy and 22 on Saturday, but that never materialized until Sunday. (At least everyone had a nice ride home weather wise!) The sun finally came out late Saturday afternoon/early evening, but the temperature never hit 22 and the wind was cold and bitter.

In spite of Mother Nature's hissy fit, the riders just kept coming, and coming and the unofficial head count was about 485 people registered, down from 700+ of the year before, but still an admirable and respectable number!

Of course the poor ice-cream vendor didn't sell a lot of ice cream, but the mini donut vendor did a decent trade. MJ Hearing didn't do big business, but the Golden Gopher Tattoo Studio & Cafe in Derwent (Reneta and Dana) worked their fingers off until the wee hours of the night on both Friday and Saturday and Dana was tattooing on Sunday morning!

Tara Allen was on hand with her massage studio and there was a gal there selling skull candles - Wicked Wanda was selling her leather gear and managing sales of the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally gear and Wayside Fallen Riders Park gear and The Bear Biker Wear was also on hand as usual - Bear and Penny are a joy to be around!

Lots of bikes entered the Show 'n' Shine, mud and all, about 350-400 took in the roll call with Pastor Wes as the of 28 names of lost love ones were read out after a short sermon and there were about 40 brave souls who went out on the poker run.

While people were out on the poker run, I helped Bob get the rodeo games set up and generally ran around for him, pitching in where I could.  You see Bob is the Vice President of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association that I am executive Director of and so we help each other out, a lot.

After the rodeo games, which were shorter than normal thanks to the wet ground conditions and the ensuing safety concerns, I caught up with some good friends and was invited for a feast of corn, roasted potatoes and baked BBQ'd pork chops. Joey Carruthers Csapo, you rock!

There was a wedding happening, but word throughout the campground was that the wedding party did not really want the rest of the rally goers to attend, so many just stayed in the camping area while the wedding party were riding around honking their horns and revving their throttles letting everyone know they were part of the wedding.

The wedding party held a dinner and the $10 per plate they were asking for went to the Rally as a thank you for providing them the venue, music, etc....again, because a rumour had circulated very few from the camping area attended which sadly hurt how much the rally earned, but it is what it is and I know Bob was grateful for the gesture!


There were a whole host of wonderful people from the community of Two Hills doing security - the Fire Department, town and county had a number of volunteers working their butts off and the gals that were running the bar were phenomenal.

Heck earlier in the day the mayor had come out to welcome us all and to thank Bob and the whole Rally Committee for everything they do through the motorcycle community that aides Two Hills town and county so much.

The Fire Chief for the county, Brad Straty rides and volunteered in security, and one of the longest serving members of the Ag Society, Cleta Dieken attended the rally on her bike. Sherry Baker, the manager of the Junction Inn loves riding and volunteered on the shooter bar, Deb Tupetchka a town councillor was on the gate with her mom handling registrations.  In fact county employees and volunteers from other organizations in Two Hills were all taking part in helping this rally succeed.

Out of all of the volunteers though, Ricky is probably the best loved of all them all, as this man who has his challenges, is the most friendly ambassador a community could ask for and as usual he was out keeping the grounds clean. Ricky's smile, hugs and hand shakes are well received by all!

Throttle Up was the band for Saturday evening and man, those guys managed to pull people out of the campground in large numbers!

After Miss Charlie Vegas, the burlesque dancer did her routine - which was incredible given the small stage for her to perform on, I brought Rita around with me to sell raffle tickets.

Well that little beaver ended up being a real money maker and together we made over $300 for the Memorial Rally's coffers in about an hour and a half!

One of Bob's volunteers is a gal named Sue Tchakuk and when I asked, she brought me 8 boxes of crayons. She liked this idea I had of holding an adult colouring competition!

We divided the crayons up into beer glasses and started handing out the scavenger hunt maps, you see Road Trip Rita is featured on the back of the Two Hills Scavenger Hunt Map!

The prize for this contest?
A shot of Jack Daniels....

What we didn't expect was the number of people who coloured my beaver and the number who actually submitted their creations for judging!

Bob Ross chose the winning entry by Sharon and Nadine.

I laughed until I cried at the good old fashioned, tongue in cheek adult humour.

My face and tummy hurt from laughing so hard.

Afterward, we danced, and we had fun and we laughed and that's why everyone loves this rally - everyone has FUN - there are no fights, and

Ricky - The BEST Volunteer

when people do get a tad carried away as they are want to do sometimes, they all listen to Bob and they knock it off.

There are no attitudes and no campgrounds left dirty for someone else to clean.

And you know what...this rally attracts that kind of respectful person, no matter their age.

This year saw all kinds of young, fresh faces, and they exhibited those same qualities, and that says al lot about what the rally committee, the town and county of Two Hills is doing right, TOGETHER. Promoting a welcoming attitude based in respect, and they get that respect back.

Funny how that works huh!
The Run to the Hills Memorial Bike Rally in Two Hills Alberta, Canada's FIRST Most Rider Friendly Community winner!


This is a rally you need to come and experience.

WARNING....it will steal your heart and cause you to be a repeat attender!

To see more photos from the rally  visit this link: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPJz_mT9oyzDGxKOJ8TL2ULkDo1EThH09M9N8wr

And to see some of the burnouts and other videos visit this link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXAWHZhbbRFoHLQcPLFR0yTHb3GZoxGYv

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

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Erika Oldale AKA Biscuit's Chicken makes a Cameo Appearance:

The Grand Opening of Wayside Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta

Mother Nature provided a picture perfect day for the Grand Opening of Wayside Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta on July 16th, 2016.

Wayside Memorial Park, a place of peace and reflection is situated on just under 2 acres of land and was formerly a provincial rest area.

Located on highway 45, it’s only a short half-kilometer putt into Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community of the 2015-riding season, Two Hills Alberta!

An enormous amount of work has gone into the park with trees having been planted, the old cook house converted into a chapel replete with a wrap around deck for hosting BBQ’s, meetings and memorials.

There are two outhouses on the property, both of which have had a facelift. One has been made wheelchair accessible. All of the existing buildings have new roofs and fresh paint. A new storage shed holds enough tables and chairs for 100 people, over and above the seating available on the deck.

A new gravel driveway wraps around the chapel, and it is anticipated that the driveway could be paved by next year when the Fallen Riders Monument is unveiled during the 10th Anniversary Run to the Hills Memorial Rally in 2017.

Bob Ross, coordinator/cofounder of
Run to the Hills Memorial Rally and
Wayside Memorial Park

Bob Ross and his cofounder Mark Kussmann were both on hand for this very special dedication, however Bob is the one who spoke about the park and it’s meaning with Mark preferring to stay behind the lenses of his camera.

Pastor Wes and his wife performed the dedication and then Town of Two Hills CAO Elsie Howanyk served as the emcee introducing the dignitaries who were on hand to commemorate the park and congratulate Bob for this impressive accomplishment.

Acting Mayor of Two Hills, Sonny Rajoo

Acting Mayor, Sunny Rajoo made a very emotional and moving speech where he welcomed all of the riders and spoke of Bob’s determination and hard work and the support that the community, both its residents and businesses have offered to the accomplishment of opening the park.

He thanked Bob Ross, Mark Kussmann and the volunteers that are involved with the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally, those who got in on the voting for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community and those who have stepped up to embrace the riding community.

Town of Two Hills CAO Elsie Howanyk

As Sonny expressed it has been a win – win situation for all. The businesses benefit from the traffic, the community benefits from the beautification of a park that was once an eyesore, not to mention other supports the rally has paid for like toilets at the Ag Society grounds and a defibrillator for the arena. And lastly the riding community benefits because it has a welcoming community and a gorgeous park to remember our fallen.

The Reeve of Two Hills County, Allen Sayler 

The Reeve of Two Hills County, Allen Sayler mirrored Acting Mayor Rajoo’s sentiments suggesting that the benefits of having more riders coming to Two Hills more frequently has benefited the entire county and region.

MLA David Hanson

MLA Brian Hanson of the Wildrose Party said that he was proud to have been born in Two Hills and was glad to see that it has finally gotten recognition for its friendly and accepting ways.

Conservative MP for the region, Shannon Stubbs is strongly tied to Two Hills with an office there, not to mention Shannon also lives in the Two Hills region. She too expressed her gratitude to Bob, Mark and the riding community for embracing the Town of Two Hills as the special place it is.

MP Shannon Stubbs

The very attractive chapel and memorial park are ready and waiting for riders and their families alongside riding clubs to come out and use them.

You can call Bob Ross at (780) 603-3008 or email him at runtothehillsrally@yahoo.ca to have the chapel opened for you or to discuss your needs for tables, chairs, camping etc. for a memorial you may wish to host.

The Fallen Riders Monument that will be the focal point of the park will be unveiled during the Run to The Hills Memorial Rally, July 14th-16th, 2017.

To see more photos of Wayside Memorial Park, the gorgeous little chapel and the dedication ceremony visit: https://plus.google.com/+BeltDriveBettyMC/posts/LDJi7cypbKm

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

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

SaveSave

Run to the Hills Fallen Riders Memorial Work Bee is Sept 19th!

Starts at 10:00 am. Food and Camping Available

Contact Bob Ross for more info

runtothehillsrally@yahoo.cauntothehillsrally@yahoo.ca

http://www.runtothehillsbikerally.com 

http://beltdrivebetty.com/head-shave

Bob Ross of the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally in Two Hills Alberta and I speak about the Rally, the Memorial Monument and the Park that is meant as a place of reflection for the riding community to go to to remember their loved ones who have been lost. I have agreed to get my head shaved when we reach our target of a total of $10,000 - $1,200 that was already raised at the rally and a further $8,800 that will bring us to the total of $10K - these funds are needed so that Bob can apply for some of the grants that are available. If you ride and you would like to see a monument that you can go to, to reflect on the life/lives of those in our community that have left this world, please consider donating to the headshave so that we can have a special place of reflection. runtothehillsrally@yahoo.ca is the PayPal address for donations and it is also the email address where you can volunteer your services and time to do some work at the Wayside Park...

The Eighth Edition of the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally

Two Hills, Alberta is a small north-eastern community of around 1,500 people.

There is a motel, gas station, grocery store, pharmacy and a number of restaurants and convenience stores. They have a hospital, an active fire department, an RCMP detachment and pretty much any other amenity you could ask for.

Two of those amenities are Geleta Park and the Ag Society fair grounds, the home of the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally.

Campers started showing up 6 days early for the rally as they wanted to stake their claim to the campsite they wanted, nestled in among the trees! When I arrived on Thursday night before the rally, I was amazed to see over 100 people already there, all anticipating the fun and memories they would be making.

Friday was brutal, high winds and rain, but true to form the die hards just kept rolling in and over 200 people bellied up to the table for an incredible pig roast. Porky’s BBQ from Ashmont Alberta cooked those pigs to absolute perfection!

The beer gardens was filled with people enjoying the music from Black Crimson and The Marshall Lawrence Band and the beverages being served by a group of local ladies with wonderful senses of humour.

There was an unusual scavenger hunt that took place as well and those who took part had to do some crazy things like kissing Bob Ross’s arse! It was all a part of the stag and stag-ette for a couple who had met at the rally the year before.

Laughter and smiles filled the arena.

Scott Mackenzie

Saturday morning dawned with beautiful sunshine and the riders just kept coming in. The show ‘n’ shine was a marvel with lots of motorcycles and antique vehicles for people to ogle, but one motorcycle and rider stole the hearts and minds of every rider there. 10-year-old Scott Mackenzie and his Honda 50! This little man was the first one entered in the show ‘n’ shine and the pride he exhibited in that handed down motorcycle was palpable. He spent about 20 minutes cleaning and shining it up and then he talked to other riders about their motorcycles. Not one rider present wasn’t impressed with this young man as he rode his motorcycle out of the show ‘n’ shine taking away three trophies!

After the Show ‘n’ Shine, Pastor Wes took the pulpit and said a prayer over the riders and their machines that were going to be participating in the poker run. He also delivered the roll call of 17 names of riders who had fallen in the last year be it to motorcycle crashes or medical issues. Out of those 17 names, 4 of them were friends of mine.

Pastor Wes soberly reminded the riders as to why we were gathered for this rally, to build a monument to all riders who have lost their lives. So many riders have their ashes scattered to the wind and there is no marker of their lives other than the memories we carry in our hearts. The monument and fallen riders is why this rally is held and he wanted to ensure that fact was not lost in amongst the good times and laughs.

The poker run takes people throughout the county of Two Hills and the small businesses that support the poker run were appreciative of the 75 or so riders who participated.

When everyone returned to the grounds, the bike rodeo started and the fun began in earnest with riders and their passengers showing off their skills in competitions like the slow race, the keg push, honey I’m home, the pantyhose race and the burn out pit. The stands were filled with spectators and the howls of laughter and cheers of support were loud and raucous.

Casey Werney and Laurie Ellison

After the rodeo, Casey Werney and Laurie Ellison became man and wife in the first wedding to ever be held at the rally. What a hoot that was! Casey was delivered to the ceremony site via a hearse supplied by the Forsaken Souls RC and yes; he was in a coffin! Laurie was delivered to the ceremony site on the back of Shawn Hamel’s motorcycle. During the exchanging of rings, everyone noted the little balls and chains that were attached to the rings and that brought a lot of giggles from the crowd.

The maid of honour, Josee Milroy had cooked up a fabulous turkey dinner that cost $10 a plate with the proceeds being donated to the memorial.

When I found out how much money was still needed to be raised to get the memorial built, I offered to have my head shaved if we could raise the $10K needed to make a serious dent in the construction of the memorial and getting the park ready for visitors. I had told everyone the minimum I would shave my head for was $2,000. We were all slated to be on stage for 11 pm. At 7 pm, after that big turkey dinner, I went and laid down in the camper I was staying in, supplied by Robbie and Ian of the Dark Horse Café in Dewberry. I had had too much sun and was sick to my stomach. No one came and got me and so I missed seeing Ted from the Protection for the Unprotected get his head shaved for kids with cancer.

I had only raised just shy of $1,200 because of having to lie down. When I woke up to a quiet campground around 1 in the morning, I grabbed the bag of cash and beetled down to the arena with a pounding headache. The band on stage when I got there was that Wayne Allchin band, sadly I missed the Tom Hammered band.

I donated the cash I raised to the memorial but did not shave my head. I took some flack for that but at the end of the day, I had set a goal and did not meet it. I will be hosting an online fundraiser where I will shave my head and donate my hair once again to Locks of Love. The last time I shaved my head, 5 years ago at the Grande Prairie Toy Run I raised over $2,000 and donated enough hair to make three wigs for little girls. I intend to donate it again – but, the goal truly is to help see this memorial and the gardens get built and so after Bob Ross figures out how much more he needs to get the job done; that will be the goal I set. I personally have over 25 names I want to see on the memorial, friends who are no longer with us. I want a place where I can go and reflect on their lives, the memories and the meaning their loves brought to mine. I am determined to help Bob reach his goal.

It will be filmed for airing on YouTube so that people will be able to see that the hair really did go!

Sunday was a day of mixed emotions. Unlike previous years where people packed up and were gone from the campsite by 10 am, this year many campers stayed until well into the afternoon, no one wanted to have to say goodbye.

I stayed on in Two Hills as Bob and I had meeting with Community Futures and a few other stakeholders in the region that also want to do what they can to see the memorial become a reality. You see the first 5 years of the rally, Bob lost money; money he had to put in from his own pocket to ensure all of the bills got paid. It took 4 years to negotiate the lease for the Wayside Park on the edge of town. It’s been a long road.

In the last two years, new roofs were put on the outhouses and the old cook shack that is being converted into a chapel and the buildings have gotten a coat of paint.

Bob has amassed a ton of sidewalk paving bricks, the concrete culvert that will serve as the base of the monument, the arch for the gate and a number of other items that will be used like folding chairs and tables, but there is a ton of work to do to the grounds.

Bob wants the landscaping done, flowers and trees planted, a deck on the chapel where people will be able to host BBQ’s and meals to support memorial services and then of course there is all of the brickwork for walk ways and the paving of the driveway to be done.

The last big ticket item is the metal sculpture for the top of the monument that needs to be done and the bronze plaque to commemorate the park.

I was so proud of the people who attended the rally – they left their campsites immaculate and the only clean up that needed to be done was picking up garbage that the high winds from Friday had scattered along the fences and to have all of the equipment put away and the concessions scrubbed down. I also helped Bob clean up at the arena. Did you guys and dolls realize this man is literally a committee of 1?

Did you realize that he has NO help to do the cleaning and putting away of equipment? Neither did I, so I am glad I was able to stay and help him over two days to get everything whipped back into shape.

This rally has become one of the best rallies in Alberta with close to 400 people attending a far cry from its humble start 8 years ago when 40 people came out.

It’s well run with events taking place on a reasonably tight schedule that ensures no one is bored!

It’s a true riders event, one that is pure in its intent and purpose: To see riders have a place of reflection!

The Run to the Hills Memorial Rally is a MUST attend event that gives back to the riding community, a community that is too often wrapped up in helping everyone else but themselves.

Plans are already well underway for the 9^th Annual event and it is my hopes that the numbers swell to 800 or a thousand so that the memorial can become a reality and the riding community can celebrate the lives of those we have loved and lost.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor and Rider

www.beltdrivebetty.com

www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Setting the Record Straight About Shaving my Head for the Run to the Hills Rally Fallen Rider Monument

Last weekend I attended the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally, a rally that my company, Belt Drive Betty Media has sponsored since day one.

When I found out that Bob was short on money to truly get things cranking for the Fallen Riders Memorial, I told him that I don't have much for money but I have a lot of hair so I would solicit donations and when we hit the target of $10,000 I would shave my head.

$10,000 was the goal I had set from the beginning, because if Bob is going to apply for grants, he needs some matching money.

Right from the beginning I said I would NOT shave my head AT the rally unless I raised a minimum of $2,000.

Saturday night, after being in the sun all day, I went to lay down for a while. I had asked to be woken up, but no one came to get me.  I woke up around 1 am to a very quiet campground, I had a pounding headache from getting too much sun but I grabbed the bag of money, just shy of $1,200 and beetled down to the beer gardens.

I donated the money to Bob on stage and told him, I didn't hit the mark, but that we'd continue working at raising the $10K that was needed, that this was not over.
You see, if I had shaved my head for so little, we'd have nothing to work with to hit our mark so....

Bob and I met with Community Futures and they have agreed to help him fill out the grant applications and include letters of endorsement for the monument and park.

Bob didn't have a Pay Pal account for the Rally, so I helped him get it set up and now we are ready to raise the other $8,800 that is needed for Bob to have the funds to apply for the matching grants that are available to see the monument get completed.

Today we officially launch our Run to the Hills Memorial Headshave Fundraiser to finish raising the money I had set out to raise for the memorial and park.

That's the goal, $8,800 - once that is reached, I will go to my hairdresser in Grande Prairie with video camera in hand and have her shave my head so that the hair can be donated to Locks of Love to make wigs for little girls with cancer.

If it takes us 2 weeks or 6 months, I don't care, I will shave my head when we reach the target.

Here is a video from Bob from the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally and myself that explains what the rally is all about and why the Memorial Monument and Park need the funds to be completed:

Donations to the memorial can be made directly to Bob Ross of the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally via Pay Pal: runtothehillsbikerally@yahoo.ca

When Bob tells me we have hit the mark, I will get my head shaved.

So come on folk, lets help him get this memorial built - our community needs and deserves this place of reflection.

Oh and don't forget that Bob needs volunteers to help do the work - the first work bee is slated for the weekend of September 19th - there will be pulled pork sandwiches, beverages and camping for all who can help out. We need carpenters, bricklayers, landscapers, and hands to help the trades people get the job done!

You can email Bob at runtothehillsrally@yahoo.ca to let him know how you can help!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider





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