The pros and the cons...

Social networking, Facebook in particular appears to be like the rest of us when it comes to this social networking thing. They appear to be making the rules as they go.

Although there are FB sharing tools everywhere - if they don't like the link or the article you are sharing they make it so you can't see it.

If you become "popular" with 5,000 friends - guess what - they cut you off.
I have been at the point of not being able to join a group - cause I am a member of too many groups in their eyes for at least 5 months now. I have not been able to "like" another page in about the same length of time.

Now I can't add any friends - only confirm those who had accepted previous requests or referrals. remember - I have only been on Facebook for 10 months in any kind of earnest way - 1 year since I set things up but only 10 months of active use...

I joined Facebook, kicking and screaming. My web mistress ORDERED me to join and create a group, a personal and a fan page. So I did that - now the group page is closed - what a pain to maintain that was...my personal page is there but has hit the growth wall and now I have to work my fan page and my personal page together...- what the heck happened tot the social in social network marketing?

Well - for those of who who are interested - once our community phone book is done and off to the printers I will be working my own Facebook style of components a lot harder on www.beltdrivebetty.com

I am going to get two groups going over there for sure: the RFBA one and the BDB Club one.

You can start your own social networking group on www.beltdrivebetty.com - it's free and works almost like Facebook and the best part? It just us riders over there!

So while Facebook decides my public fate on the amount of friends I can have and I finish this community phone book - I hope you my friends will join me either on my fan page or better yet, don't make a girl work so hard - become a member over at www.beltdrivebetty.com

Instead of helping a big corporation, how about helping a little owner operator..join us - our sharing tools are free and the only restrictions will be when our server starts to cost more - and even then - if we can attract the advertisers that won't have to be an issue either...

So for all of you who love "crackbook" so much: http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1484667758435&sk=messages#!/pages/Belt-Drive-Betty-The-Busted-Knuckle-Chronicles/201980414908  that's the link to our fan page...

For those of you who wouldn't working on building a "bikers" community on www.beltdrivebetty.com

Our NEW Groups components are done BETA testing and are ready for you to use!
They are brand new and clean and all they need is you - your pictures, your videos, your laughter and sharing...to become a home - so come on and help us grow our own community where the only restriction on how many people you can have as friends is going to be how many advertisers we can attract to help us grow! Go on your profile tab and then to community groups....Join us - WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU THERE!

Remember all BDB Club members have the ability to print off their membership card for savings at close to 300 Canadian Businesses and use the NEVER RIDE ALONE program from Intercon Messaging for FREE!

Let me know your thoughts on social networking for we riders - what is important to you?
Photo galleries, sharing tools, videos etc - what makes a social network work for you?
I'd LOVE to have you in on this discussion!!!!

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Thank YOU

To the young men and women of our country who have given their lives in service to this country.....And I do not just refer to those who have lost their lives, but the ones who come home who live with tortured minds and souls and those with broken bodies too....

Thank you.

If not for you, I would be riding around big gaping holes in the pavement where a bomb had landed, or I'd be in hiding when a band of insurgents came to raze my town or I'd be being beaten...

If not for you the kids of my community/country would be begging for food or learning how to kill to protect themselves.

If not for you, the horrors of war would be here - in Grande Prairie AB or Toronto ON or Vancouver, or Churchill...

Your willingness to lay your life down for this country will never be forgotten.

And to the families of our soldiers an even bigger thank you for supporting your soldiers decision to defend this country even though you know it will forever change them.

THANK YOU.


Every day needs to be Veteran's Day - Every day, people who live in relative freedom should be remembering to say Thank You ...

Two little words to go with two short minutes - on the 11th day of the 11 month at the 11th hour - for two short minutes FEEL THANKFUL - FEEL GRATEFUL and remember that today a mother is missing her son or daughter, a wife is comforting a restless child who misses her daddy and a father is consoling his son as he feels the loss of his wife...

Remembrance day is a day of GRATITUDE for we, the people who benefit from those who have chosen to serve us and our country.  Think of where we would be if it were not for them.

With love, honor and respect... Thank You - to all of the Veterans and our serving personnel. I am humbled by the depth of your love and respect for this country.

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Publish Post

More decisions to make...

Since the news feeds are nice and quiet other than for sports, I thought I'd take some more time to ask you for feed back on glasses and goggles.

You have all been so helpful in talking about the jackets, chaps, boots etc...and I appreciate ytour taking the time to talk about good gear with me.

Now - glasses...I have some from an outfit called Chaotic Choppers - hands down they were the best glasses I have ever owned but they were expensive - $300 a pair. They had interchangeable lenses and were ultra light weight made from CNC machined aluminum.

Chaotic Choppers is not around from what I can find out and sadly though the frames and lenses are great still the nose pieces are buggered on both pairs and I can't seem to find anyone who can re foam them.

So - I am in the market for a really good set of glasses and or goggles - now I have one more kink yet to deal with. I was just prescribed glasses...so how do you deal with that?

I wear a half helmet...any suggestions?
What should I be budgeting for this particular purpose?


That's all I have for now...I would LOVE your feedback on this topic...you can join the discussion here in my blog, on my Face Book or in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com

By the way - have YOU voted on our photo contest photos? No - well I hope you will take 5 and go vote - some lucky human being is gonna win wither two nights hotel or $150!

In the News today:

On Vancouver Island a spokesman for the HA finds himself facing charges

The Old Bike Barn offers some winter storage tips

In Milan Italy the EIMCA show has wrapped up

In Sports, Rossi rides Ducati

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Riding Boots...

The news feeds are once again very quiet and so today I am going back to the topic of gear and am asking you about riding boots.

During the January and February bike shows I will be looking for new gear to replace my tired stuff.

So - I wear braces on both feet. The mechanical ankle makes it super tough for me to wear very many kinds of boots.

My requirements are zippers, preferably outside of the boot not inside. Lace ups are a must to adjust the tension. They must be ankle height minimum.

My one season old Harley boots have just about got a hole worn in the back of the left heel from the heel toe shifter. While I only use that shifter rarely, it holds my foot in place and helps take the strain off of my weakest knee...the left one.

If any of you have suggestions as to what boot I should consider trying I'd appreciate it.
Out of all of the riding gear I have to choose this winter - this is the one investment that for me - it's one of the MOST important...

I'd also be curious about the footwear you have invested in and why - because by your sharing, some rider who reads this blog and the comments might find some solutions to their footwear decisions.


There is one thing of interest in the news for Albertan's. If you live here and you enjoy road racing your future may not be too bright.  Stratotech has announced that it is up for sale. So that will mean NO road racing in Calgary or Edmonton...what a freaking shame that would be.

The track in Edmonton - if I remember right from the article is worth like 7 million dollars (that might be what it had cost to build)  Anyway - whatever the price tag is - I think it would be phenomenal to see this track be bought - I think all of those high powered machines out there that need a place to play, that is safe and free from outside factors as much as possible. A place where people can test their limits and that of their machines...

So everyone, let's pray that the Stratotech park gets purchased by someone who really loves motorsports.

And this one is for ALL Canadian Riders...Cycle Source Magazine is running a survery on their site and our very own Mark Mazerolle of the BMHS Bike Klub in Moncton is up for the man of the year award.

I would take it as a personal favor if you would consider taking the time to fill out the survey and vote for Mazz - the work this man does with the kids of the Bike Klub is inspiring. http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=57dada25-661e-431e-9cce-9f250d20353a

That's it for me today - final proofing and layout of our 2011 phone book - the next 5 days - that's all I do...

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Drunk Driving is OK for some in BC is seems

While BC has just implemented the toughest drinking driving laws in Canada - it appears that the  BC court system wasn't involved in that decision making process.

You see, there is a shortage of judges, cases are so backed up that a police officer in North Delta got off of drunk driving charges because of too many delays.
The right to a speedy trial being the argument.

So tell me something folks - is it me or is there something fundamentally wrong with this picture?  The entire food and beverage industry in BC has just been decimated by this new .05 rule, where in your vehicle is impounded and you face a 72 hour suspension and in total it is going to cost you somewhere around $5K to insure your vehicle AND get your steering papers back ....and yet drunk drivers are seeing their charges stayed because of court delays?  Is the there some kind of time delay for those who are killed by drunk drivers or whose property is destroyed?

Seriously - is there anything right with this system?
I guess this is why they are opting for road side justice in BC and giving the RCMP such sweeping powers - their court system is broken.

If you read the entire article that is linked in the first paragraph you will also see that cocaine traffickers are getting off on their charges for the same reason....court delays.

Folks is there such a thing as a Mike Holmes for broken political and judicial systems?
If there is - we need to find that person and get them in to rip, tear and pull hair and "Make it RIGHT" cause this travesty of justice...this HAS to stop.

That's my two bits on the subject...what are your thoughts? I would love you to wade in on this topic...here in my  blog, in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or on Face Book!

In other news:
In Alberta a rider was killed by Cochrane

In Ontario the OPP claim that the Outlawa MC is rebuilding near Peterborough

The Welland MC Club held their big year end banquet

Husqvarna has a new concept bike on the show block that will make your head turn...

If you are riding today, you luck dog...PLEASE ride safe, and put on an extra few for me K cause - yah this sucks being without my ride, it sucks harder than you know.....

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

So, how ARE YOU going to remember? November 4th - 11th

This is Remembrance Week. With our soldiers in such desperate need in this country, we the people they protect...we need to do what our government doesn't appear to be - we need to show them our thanks, we need to honor them and THEIR FAMILIES.

I have made three personal decisions:
1) To send a box out for the Chosen Soldier Program for Christmas
(http://www.trevlac.biz/Chosen_Soldier.htm)
This program offers the soldier a few creature comforts not provided by the Government. Things like word search books and hand sanitizer, baby wipes, licorice...little things that can mean soooo much. One box serves a group of 12 soldiers on average.

2) To write to my MP to ask for reform of the New Veteran's Charter

3) To attend an OUTDOOR Service on November 11th

That's how I intend to honor and support my troops, and how I intend to remember.

What are you doing? I want to hear from you.
Join the discussion either on Face Book, in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or right here in my blog.

In other news:
The Creed - the band - is suing Yamaha

Harley-Davidson strong arms more American employees

In Ontario - the Poppy is coming to a motorcycle plate near you!

A second young man in Nova Scotia has died as a result of a crash

In Revelstoke BC a new dirt track opens

If you are riding today, you luck dog...PLEASE ride safe, and put on an extra few for me K cause - yah this sucks being without my ride, it sucks harder than you know.....

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com

Supporting our troops means....

Supporting our veterans.

It is tragic - to me at least, that our veterans - people who have laid their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, to attempt to gain freedom for those who are oppressed - are being treated the way they are by the military bureaucracy and our Federal Government.

I encourage and beg all of you - please find out what initiative is being promoted in your region to assist our veterans in getting the poorly and unfairly crafted "New Veteran's Charter revisited. Let's get out and stand behind the men and women who make it possible for us here in Canada to live in relative peace and freedom.

Here is the link to the New Veterans Charter - Services and Benefits: 
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=information-canadian-forces/services-benefits

Our Veterans - IMHO deserve to be treated with honor and respect and part of that respect is paying them decently for their service, both while they are in service and after they come home. If it is a drain on the federal government's coffers then I recommend highly that our MP's take a cut in their pension and that they not be allowed to draw a pension until they have served at least two tours of duty - two elections.

If you need to understand the changes that have taken place, find a CAV FULL member, or a member of the Defenders (Or any military member retired or active)  and talk to them about the changes and how unfair they are and how they affect the people who serve US.

This weekend in Trenton a number of military personnel - some of them CAV members are going to be protesting the New Veterans Charter and asking for changes.
If you can, join them - please.

If you can't - then please take a moment to write your MP.
Demand that your MP either pick up a rifle and head over seas into a place of conflict or get off their butts and do the right thing by our vets.

In case you are unsure of who your MP is or how to contact them:
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E


For those of you who are unsure of what to write and what to ask for here is my letter to use as a guide (just substitute the name of your MP):

Dear Mr Warkentin,

I am writing to you as a citizen of Canada.
I am asking you to please force the re visitation of the New Veteran's Charter.

The men and women who sacrifice their lives and the quality of their families lives, deserve far better treatment than is being offered in my opinion and I ask you to please ensure that these proud men and women never have to grovel or beg to get the assistance and help they need when they come home from combat or peace keeping missions.

It is because of their courage, their dedication that we here in this country live in relative peace and freedom. It is because of their willingness to put their lives on the line that you and I do not have to fear suicide bombers or dodge gun fire in our streets on a daily basis. It is because of their courage and their willing hearts that you and I can sleep peacefully at night. Our biggest worries are how we are going to juggle our schedules to attend the upcoming Christmas parties, ensure the kids get to hockey practice and how we will pay our bills.

It is because of them that we do not truly know fear in this country.

I beg you to take a lead in ensuring that the men and women who serve our country are given the medical health benefits, the mental health benefits and financial and practical aides they need and DESERVE. A widow/er should NOT have to pay inheritance tax or beg for benefits. A soldier who has seen too much and or comes home broken on the outside as well as the inside - PLEASE take the lead to ensure that he/she gets all of the help they need to ensure a certain quality of life.

A soldier should know when he/she signs on for the job the their Government VALUES their service and recognize their contribution to a safer country. They should not have to fear their government.

If we as the taxpayers - who actually make up the Government of Canada - are not prepared to look after these people when they come home - then we should not be asking them to lay their lives on the line. Make no mistake though, there is far, far more to a soldiers sacrifice than the mere laying their lives on the line.

For every soldier who comes home wounded - either physically or mentally (spiritually) there is an entire family that is affected - you are not dealing with but one person but many and if you are not prepared to support that family as much as the soldier than you have NO right to ask the soldier to go lay their life on the line. It is OUR duty to protect their families, just as the soldier protects ours.


I ask you to please aide in the reforming of this poorly crafted peice of legislation that does not assist in keeping our country stong and free. How will we ever attract the right caliber and quality of people to defend our country and it's freedoms and rights if we are not prepared to pay for their service in a fair and equitable way?

If you are not prepared to take a lead in reform of the New Veteran's Charter, then please sir, feel free to go to basic training and take a soldiers place. I will be more that happy to send your unit a care package as part of the "Chosen Soldiers" Project this Christmas.

I thank you for your consideration of this request and await your answer, which I expect by way of action, not by response to this letter.

Yours in Support of our Troops,

Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau
Member 3 CAV Supporter Member
Grande Prairie AB

Well folks, like every day - I hope you will wade in on the days topic and share your point of view - I would be VERY interested in your thoughts on  this topic.
You can do so here in my blog, on Face book or in the forums over at www.beltdrivebetty.com (for BDB Club members only)

I want to congratulate LJ James and Chuck D on 2 years of Biker Lowdown Radio. They are doing a great service to riders everywhere by having a place you can voice your opinions and share information on the various issues that affect the riding community from around north America and the world! Congrats on a job well done you two, I am honored to be a sponsor and a fan! (http://bikerlowdown.com/)

There is a ton of news today over on www.beltdrivebetty.com
For those of you who subscribe to our newspaper, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, today is paper delvicery day - we have some great stories this week!

And for members of our web site - Voting kicks off in our Ride like a Local Photo Contest. One lucky rider will win either 2 nights hotel or $150 cash! We have a ton of GREAT photos!

If you are riding today, you luck dog...PLEASE ride safe, and put on an extra few for me K cause - yah this sucks being without my ride, it really sucks.....

Belt Drive Betty
Rider & Editor

The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com