On the road to Estevan

The skies are dark and overcast looking but regardless I am on the bike and heading to Estevan in about an hour.

I got 10 pages of the paper done yesterday and am feeling pretty good about that!

There is so much going on this weekend and my prayer for every event coordinator is for blue skies and great attendance.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, check out our events calendars at www.beltdrivebetty.com - membership is required but it is also FREE!

Ride safe everyone...like everyone around you is blind and can't see you and PLEASE, be respectful with that right hand...

Belt Drive Betty

My road trip so far...

I left home Wednesday morning and while it was windy the first few hundred kilometers were very pleasant - until I got to Whitecourt.

A storm from the Rocky Mountain House region had blown in and the winds were gusting wildly - at times it felt as if the front end of my bike was coming of the pavement. The rain felt like tattoo needles on your face. Ah, the first major ride of the season when your hide and your butt are not yet seasoned up!

I got in to St Albert and stayed with my good friends Kat & Glenn. Yesterday, Kat rode with me as far as Vermillion. The first few hours while cool (we left St Albert as 7:30 am) were wonderful!

The winds picked up around Lloydminister and I was riding leaning right most of the way to Moose Jaw. 850 kilometers - not a bad day of riding at all!
I enjoyed my ride so very much.

I am now in my motel room in Moose Jaw after having dinner with our printer Fraser and his wife Judy. I am working on the upcoming issue of The Busted Knuckle Chronicles and checking emails. In the morning I head in to Estevan, a couple of hours from here. I am really looking forward to this event.

No matter which event you attend this weekend - PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and be respectful with that right hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Charity Runs, it's not easy riding in large groups

The CF event in Regina was marred by an accident that sent two people to hospital with serious injuries. One rider hit the rear end of another bike. Approximately 400 bikes turned out for the event.

Group riding in urban traffic situations is NOT for the faint of heart or the new rider. Yes it is sharp to see or be a part of a long string of motorcycles going down the road however, the riders participating had best be on their game.

Accidents happen SO quickly...

The number of rider deaths this season is of grave concern to me and I think that Quebec's idea of banning anyone under 25 with less that 5 years of riding experience from riding high powered sport bikes just might be a really good answer to reducing a number of those deaths. I'd like to know more details about what is being proposed as I think it just might be an idea whose time as come.

If you get a moment, come check out the news feeds over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where we have over 800 motorcycle events in the calendars and tons of interesting reading on the motorcycle community in Canada...

Two days later that I hoped but I am hitting the road today on my way to Estevan SK.

Hubby appears to be doing better, our daughter in back from her camping trip and is prepared to stay with him if needs be and a great network of friends will be keeping an eye out on him for me. I have been very conflicted about leaving but he assures me that all will be well. I am putting my faith in the universe that it will be so.

If you are lucky enough to be riding today, PLEASE ride like everyone around you is blind and use respect with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

The headlines...

There have been some interesting things in the news for riders today.
Quebec is banning high powered sport bikes to anyone under 25 and those riders have to have more than 5 years of riding under their belt! Check out all of the headlines we have posted on the Canadian riding community at www.beltdrivebetty.com

Saskatchewan is going to a graduated licensing system...hmm do I detect a trend here?

What are your thoughts on that subject?

I personally think it's about time. I think rider training needs to be mandatory as well. The more riders we can keep safe the better off our community will be. Motorcycle awareness starts with rider awareness in my mind.

Have a wonderful Monday, ride like everyone around you is blind and be respectful with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Mother Nature has messed up...

There must be something wrong with Mother Nature!
She gave us a fabulous weekend and when you consider on Monday we had 4 inches of the fluffy white stuff...see what I mean...somethings wrong but OH SO RIGHT!

My baby is getting a bath today - she sure needs and deserves it and then I am going for another wonderful ride.

Yesterday I rode out to Bezanson, TeePee Creek and Sexsmith with a group I have never ridden with before. One gent on a VMax was riding like a jackass and I was so impressed with the others I was riding with, Mark and Andrew chewed this guy a new one and told him he didn't deserve to hold a motorcycle license! He was told to leave the group and NEVER think about riding with us. He was also told if he was seen riding like that by any of us the he'd wished he hadn't been! Hooray!(Yes I also had a few choice words for this 40 something show off maniac, but I can't repeat them here)

Like I said - I was pretty proud of these riders for being the real McCoy - they just love to ride and don't want jerks destroying it!

On another note, Grande Prairie is adopting a 91 decibel sound restriction - they are going to be targeting - YES motorcycles but also diesel trucks, so it might be a good time to learn some respect with that throttle hand...
Oh and another thing being adopted here - a 45" restriction on headlights so all of those lift kits on the 4 x 4's around here are going to have to be removed!

It is too beautiful of a day to sit here in front of a computer - my baby awaits and so does the wash bucket!

Ride like everyone around you is blind and ride with respect...stay safe

Belt Drive Betty

Some major decisions made...

After much frustration applying for loans and being turned down because they don't accept the kind of collateral I have to offer - (primarily www.beltdrivebetty.com)
And applying for grants or trying to incorporate, I have decided to make our BDB Club a full fledged Mutual Benefits Society - non registered.

All of the businesses listed in our on line directory will be being called over the coming weeks and months ahead and if they choose not to work with us, their business information removed from our phone book. It's time to treat what I do more like a business than a non profit, since certain government agencies do not recognize what we do for motorcycling...

We provide huge benefits to our member businesses and the riders of our community - so if your business is listed and you haven't joined our association, we will be contacting you!
Joining is easy - just email me! (bdbetty@gmail.com)

Ride like everyone around you is blind and please show some respect with your throttle hand...

Belt Drive Betty

Riding Safely....

When was the last time you had a refresher course on riding?

When was the last time you and your buddies stopped to have a beer and it turned in to 3 or 4 and you still got on your bike and rode home?

When was the last time you rode a little too swiftly and had a scare?

We all have lapses in judgment - we are human and therefore not perfect.

I ask these questions because of all of the deaths and accidents I see in the news feeds daily right now.

Riding a motorcycle is so many things, exhilarating, refreshing, mind clearing and DANGEROUS.

Taking extra risks like riding too fast or drinking and riding is just plain old unwise, we know it and yet...

When was the last time you told someone you thought their behaviour on their bike was unacceptable to you and gave the community a black eye?

When was the last time you told someone that you didn't want them to loose their license and you phoned for a cab for them or wrestled their keys from them?

When was the last time you looked down at your speedo and decided you needed to slow down?

I ask these questions because thinking and riding is the most important thing you can do, for you, your friends and your community.

Part of motorcycle awareness is awareness from the rider - awareness of their own vulnerability. Riding is dangerous, please don't add to the risk factor, I for one want you around...

Please ride like everyone around you is blind and please be respectful with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty