Love is but a dream for many...

While today is Valentine's Day - the day of love, there are many who are lonely and alone.

It is sad to think that can be true, but it is.

For those who have not realized their true love, have faith, do not despair for I am here to tell you that love can come later in life.  My good friend from the Edmonton CMA, Brian Dyksley found love...meet his lady, his wife - Michele: (Congrats you two!!!)

I myself never found my true love until I was in my 40's - meet Mark - the most patient, gentle and caring man in the world:

Yes, for those who think love stinks - remember - “For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.” - Ivan Panin

I wish you all a wonderful day of love and even if it isn't the kind of love you are looking for, know that you are loved and make a difference to your friends. I hope you count me one of yours...

Please join my new Personality page on Facebook - It's where you'll be able to keep up with me as I embark on my most aggressive riding season ever - the Bikers United In Remembrance Conga.
10 provinces, 2 territories, 16 states and close to 40,000 KMS! Raising funds and awareness for great military charities across both borders in the Great Military Riding Club Challenge!

We will have all of the forms and pledge sheets, riding map and information ready to go by March 30th!

And don't forget that this is the 11th Anniversary of The Busted Knuckle Chronicles and we will be celebrating all year long!

The news feeds are filled with stories today - please check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

I leave you today with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via e-mails:

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Writer

A dream can mean coming out of the darkness of mental health issues...

Today is National Mental Health Day and for those who suffer from mental health issues, having a dream, being fired up and excited are not emotions they generally feel.

Medric Cousineau is a retired Captain from the Air Force. He was a recipient of the Star of Courage.
He has a wonderful wife - a beautiful bevy of daughters and suffers from PTSD.

Medric knows and understands what it is like to have a dark cloud fill your brain, to feel hopeless, helpless but that cloud of gloom has lifted from his life and he now ha a dream, a passion, a fire and he is eager to share that with others.  So what happened? Why the change, the shift? (Read his Press Release)

Enter one gorgeous lady into his life. Thai, a Golden Retriever PTSD Service Dog.

Last year the Royal Canadian Legion in Eastern Passage NS sponsored Medric to go to Kansas and get a CARES service dog. We here at the Busted Knuckle Chronicles helped out with a donation of patches for Medric to sell to aide him on his trip.  That trip was a game changer, a life saver, for Medric and his family.

Medric, Thai and Medric's training partner Brenda Andersen(who happens to be blind)
 and her service dog - Noble 

Medric and Thai after over 1000 Km's of long walks

Thai has brought into his life, a way for Medric to control the dark moments. Stay Calm and Walk the Dog...it's simple, it's effective and he and Thai have already walked over 1,000 Kilometres.

Medric is so thrilled with the changes in his life - and so is his family.
In fact, they are so pleased that Medric now wants to support other veterans in their quest to a semblance of sanity - normalcy if there is such a thing.

Vic Remillard was a veteran of Afghanistan, he lived in the NWT with his wife and their 5 children.  Sadly for Vic and his family, he couldn't live with the pain in his brain, the darkness and he took his life last July.

I had introduced Kristy (Vic's wife) to Medric via emails and it was decided that a Foundation would be started in Vic's name and although the family has not had the time to get that foundation set up as of yet, there are going to be some positive things come out of Vic's suicide.

I also introduced Kristy to Lou of the Heroes Highway Ride, as one of the hopes of the Remillard family is to have Vic's remains taken down the Highway of Heroes.

My Conga this year is centred around remembering the sacrifices of our military of the allied forces - it is called Bikers United in Remembrance.  We are going to be raising money and awareness for three causes - one was to be helping the Remillard family in raising money for service dogs.

It has been agreed to by all parties that the funds I raise this year will go to Medric and his "Long Walk to Sanity" and his efforts to raise the funds for 50 dogs for 50 vets in 50 days and be donated in Vic's name. The other two causes we are supporting will be the Military Police Relay Ride for Blind Children and VETS - Veterans Emergency Transition Services.

At the Heroes Highway Ride on June 1st 2013, you will get to meet members of the Remillard Family as Vic's ashes are taken down the Highway of Heroes, you will get to meet Medric and his service dog Thai and you will meet a ton of people who are working hard to keep the memories of those who are gone from us alive, to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country...

You are going to meet people who are living out their dreams - pursuing their goals and working for the betterment of humanity.

Join Medric at Paws Fur Thoughts on Facebook  follow him on Twitter @pawsfurthought1
Or follow his blog on our web site...

The riding community is filled with passionate people, and when they embrace a cause - they do miraculous things and I am so grateful to be in the position to share with you the dreams, the ideals and the goals of so many fabulous people - and they are fabulous because of their warts and bumps not in spite of them.

Do you know of any other community where so many people who share similar goals can come together and work long distance this way?
Work together, share, and celebrate each other and their goals?

In my world, Dreams and Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and they ride all brands, all models and all colours of motorcycles... Our community is blessed and as a result, our world is a better place.

As we get ready to begin the 11th Anniversary celebrations of The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, Canada's ONLY weekly newspaper for motorcyclists I want to offer up a quote I shared today on the Newspaper's Facebook Page - for you all to ponder:

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I dared to dream of a community that communicated with and supported each other the way we used to when we were a much smaller community and guess what, we are doing that - sharing, communicating and working together...Pat Savage dared to dream of a Travel Show for the riding community - and it's happening.  A baker in California dreamed of being the best cake maker in the business and found another passion (that of riding) thanks to his dreams...

Lou DeVuono and Graeme Hume had a dream of celebrating our military here in Canada with a ride and rally that would be free for Canadians and others to attend...the HHR is one of the largest rides of its kind in Canada.

 Medric dreamt of finding a way out of the darkness and he now has another dream - helping others find the way out. 

What's your dream?  What steps are you taking to see it come true? If you want to share it with the rest of the community - get in touch with me.... bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces)

Let's rally the riding community around the dreams and goals of those who are working diligently to make a difference... Join me on Facebook at our brand New Fan Page.

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

Have a fabulous day and remember - today is Mental Health Day - never judge another as you do not know what their journey is all about or how heavy their burden really is...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Dreams - Part Three

Over the last couple of days I have shared a few stories about dreams and how they are coming true for people.

Today I want to share another story about a person with a dream, a passion, a fire...Larry P Scerri.

I have known Larry for a good long while now. Way back, before he and I had kind of lost touch with each other, Larry used to send me some of his poetry to share with those who read the Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

Well, life happened, time passed, and one day, out of the blue, Larry was back in my life.
It's funny how bad pennies and friends do that..in and out of your life and you pick up where you left off without missing hardly a beat.

Larry sent me his book "Asphalt Range" to review and one as a gift for our Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine as a prize.

For a long time Larry - the "Ironhorse Writer" dreamt of having a book of his American free verse, rider poetry published.

Well, his dream has come true.

He has this book that is about 170 pages long. It's filled with poetry from as far back as 1998. It's written in chapters and every chapter's name makes you think of the different stages in life, our interests and how they change over time. The one constant through it all, the love of the open road and the wisdom it has to share with each of us.

"With the CD version, (entirely recorded by Larry), once you get through the credits for the publishing house, it was pleasant to listen to as it truly carried the cadence each poem carried"...

To read his poetry on one's own (without benefit of the CD), well that is a whole different experience...his poems hold the rhythm of life, of the road in them and your soul really identifies that.

They are poems filled with tidbits and pearls of wisdom and whimsy.

I found some of his poems profoundly moving.

For me, "Basically Black" was such a poem. It's simple and honest clarity speaks straight to your heart...

Another poem that I found particularly poignant - one that moved me deeply was "Brotherhood"

His depiction of two old soldiers, old road warriors, one dead, the other left behind and a lifetime of memories shared in only a few lines...the ending of that poem had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eyes.

Poem after poem he takes you on a ride - and you know this man has ridden all of his life, has felt, experienced, tasted - become - the rhythm of the road...

The "Asphalt Range" by Laurence P. Scerri, published by Flash Productions, is a book that I think many a ride will appreciate. It's honest...just like the road.

My hats off to you brother of the family Wind...you are living that dream....

If you are interested in ordering the book, click here

To find out more about Laurence P Scerri, click here


The news feeds are full of interesting and strange tales today...

In BC - the coroner has released findings from a crash on the Malahat

In Arizona, riders are tackling the issue of harassment by the police

In Iowa, they are trying to push through a helmet bill aimed at teen riders

In Utah they have dropped the helmet bill

In Sacramento a pick up truck driver was found guilty of using his truck as a weapon against a motorcyclist

In Milwaukee, a police officer is suspended for 30 days after crashing his personal motorcycle into a light pole while drunk

In the EU - new restrictions on motorcycles for youth come into effect

In sports, the Circuit of Americas is launching VIP packages to bring fans of MotoGP closer to the action at the Austin TX event

In MotoGP action, Nickey Hayden is disappointed but Bradley Smith is elated

There are many other items in the feeds that may be of interest to you, check them out at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

Our Name the Beaver Mascot contest is going well - have you cast your vote for the best name yet?

Our Online Show n Shine is waiting for your votes for the BEST motorcycles in each class...

Next week we will be launching a story of epic proportions - it's all about our veterans and service dogs - this is something I think many of you will want to be on board for.  Watch for the launch on Tuesday, Feb 12th - Mental Health Day!  I urge you to like the Paws Fur Thought Page on Facebook so that we can keep you in the loop of this innovative approach to mental health!

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via E-mail..laughter - what's life without laughter?

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Amazing stuff happens when you work towards your dreams

Yesterday I shared with you the information about my good friend and brother of the family wind, Pat Savage and his dream of a Travel TV Series all about motorcycling. Well, Pat Savage, a talented guitarist from Ontario is going to be coming back home to Canada to do some filming for that show and he and his band are going to be available to play gigs as well.

If you have an event with a decent budget, I recommend that you consider The Pat Savage Band as the entertainment this year (and his TV Series - The Savage Roads).  I for one would love to see his trip home to Canada be the roaring success it deserves to be and that the US portion of his swing be equally amazing.

If you are interested in having Pat & his amazing band play at your event anywhere in North America and who knows, be a part of the Savage Roads TV Series - drop him a line - (fix the spaces) patsavageband @ gmail.com !

It is exciting that the riding community is breaking through a lot of barriers in so many positive ways.  The riding community is filled with people working on and living their dreams.

And sometimes, it is the motorcycle that helps you find the highway in the strangest of ways...

Case in point - there is a bakery in Orange County California called Charm City Cakes West, whose owner is known as the "Ace of Cakes".

4 years ago a baker by the name of Duff Goldman, built/baked a full sized Ducati motorcycle cake.
According to the article written by Moto Journalist, Susan Carpenter, the cake had working lights, spinning tires, even a speaker that mimicked its wha wha wha whoom exhaust, and as a bonus, Duff Goldman was given a real Ducati.  You seriously need to read the whole article - what an amazing and wonderful story it is...

Dreams - they come in all shapes and all sizes, as do the people who dare to dream.

Have you ever woken up and just known, that somehow, you were blessed? That things have turned a corner for you?

As I go through my regular morning routine of e-mails, news feeds and coffee, I have come to feel and realize just how blessed I truly am.

Like every small business owner out there, there are times when I question what I am doing.
Those times when cash flow sucks or deadlines make you feel choked.
Those day to day tasks that take the life out of you...and you wonder to yourself...

Does anything I do or say make a difference to anyone?
Does what I have to offer really have any value to anyone? Does it serve people in a way they need?

I am positive that I am not alone in re-evaluating my dreams - of examining them to make sure they align with your core values.

Other times, well you just know that what you are doing does have value and meaning for others.
It is those times that we small business owners and every human being out there lives for.

I have been utterly blessed.

11 years ago, I had a dream of creating a clearinghouse of information for riders - a place that would help them make the most of their riding season, to feel connected as brothers and sisters of the family "Wind"and to get the support and help they needed to live their dreams.

I am so humbled by the team that has gathered around me - those whose ideologies, dreams and needs seem to be parallel to mine.

There is Ali - the amazing woman who waltzed  into my life to save my web site from an unscrupulous web designer and who has grown and learned and become one fabulous web designer not to mention a valued friend.

Ali's hubby Don who pitches in with Data Entry and Calendar management.

And Darryl, the American rider who has been helping us with layout for the past two years.

We now add Brent Schultz, also from Ladysmith BC to our web development team and he is already proving himself to be a valuable asset.

Stephanie Arnold-Coffin has begun helping me out with administration...and how much help that has been I can not begin to tell you!

Without these people, I could not do what I do. I could not be living the dream I do.
And all of the above people know that I am rooting for them in their dreams and as long as our dreams remain parallel - well - then we are all working for what we want out of our lives - our own dreams...

Then there are the people of the community - the volunteer reporters, the people who share what is happening in their lives, their communities and help us feel connected to each other.

Quentin Kerfoot, R. Jeff Legrand, Liane Langlois, Kevin Jones, bad Uncle Monkey, David Page, Kate B., Chuck Pearce, Lou DeVuono, Medric Cousineau, Kate, Kalye and Lisa Perry...Mike Bechard, Robert Whaley, Bruno Gauweiler and so many more....

Without the people who saw value in sharing their events, their stories, their causes etc...we would not have the sense of community we enjoy today, one I pray will get larger and stronger and deeper with each passing year.

And how about our sponsors - advertisers if you will - an amazing bunch of business people who understand the need of the motorcycle community to connect and communicate.  Like any sponsor they do so with the hopes you will give their business a shot to earn your business - and don't forget most of them are riders living out their own dreams....Again, with out these people we as a company can not give back into our community!

PLEASE if you can, support them - acknowledge them and their contribution.

Yes, I am a blessed woman - I had a dream, I worked at it, shared it, nurtured it and here I am today, living it.
But no matter how big and wonderful any dream is - you can't do it alone - it truly does take a community to raise a child and the child the rider community has raised is the Busted Knuckle Chronicles and www.beltdrivebetty.com

We never celebrated the 10th anniversary for the paper - The Busted Knuckle Chronicles.

I wanted to be different and have an 11th Anniversary Party Year.  

Hey, there's our new slogan - Belt Drive Betty Media - where doing things differently is what we do best! LMAO

Next week is the beginning of our 11th Anniversary - the year we laugh...the year we share...the year we remember and hence why my Conga this year touches all 10 provinces and both rideable territories and 16 states and why it supports our veterans and their causes...and why I have a Beaver Mascot who need a name - please go vote - hint, hint...

A rider is a rider, is a rider no matter where in the world we live.  We are ALL family and sometimes we don't agree or see eye to eye, but we share a common bond - the love of the motorcycle and we are a different breed of cat...and like any family, when we need each other - we come together...

Family WIND - I need you.

This is our Anniversary - our Birthday if you will - and it is going to be an amazing year filled with giving and sharing and riding and I can't wait to take you all on this journey with me - the meet you, hug you, share the highway, share your communities and a bit of our souls with each other.

11 years...that have been filled with good times, bad times and in between times...
11 years - none of which could have happened without you...

It's a party and you are all invited - Next week we begin the celebrations...

Join us for a year of contests, prizes, special offers, special tools for your riding season....register at www.beltdrivebetty.com - it's free!

I sign off saying thank you to the lord my God, to my husband, to my colleagues, to my friends, to my community....you make me feel so very blessed.

I have to share with you a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and by e-mail.

Laughter is good for the soul!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Savage Roads...Hold on to your handle bars!

It's been a busy morning already. The news feeds are full today and it was interesting reading about what's going on in our community around the world.

I love this part of my job, sifting through the e-mails that have come in over night, drinking that first warm and aromatic cup of coffee and low and behold, there is an e-mail from my friend and brother, Pat Savage.

The man is stoked, pumped, excited, invigorated and he has so much reason to be!

The e-mail I received from him was all about the pilot episode for his upcoming TV series, The Savage Roads.  The email talked of his dream finally coming true - all of the challenges that the Savage Road threw at him, to bring him here - to the precipice of a dream come true...

I can't wait until I am allowed to share this pilot episode with you all!

What a treat, very, very well done!

I enjoyed the scenery, the music, the people, the places - my feet are so itchy to ride!

Congratulations to my friend, Pat Savage - brother I am so very deeply happy for you!
You have worked so hard to get here and I am rooting for your success because I believe you truly deserve it!

Speaking of feet that are itchy to ride, to explore...

We have what I am hoping, will be the final revision to the 2013 Conga - Bikers United in Remembrance.

10 provinces, 2 territories, and 16 states - 99 days on the road.

The Conga this year is a Military Riding Club Challenge.

Our Sponsors include:
Our Presenting sponsor - Johnny Pag Motorcycles Canada
along with Johnny Pag Motorcycles - USA and Johnny Pag Motorcycles International.

Pair-A-Dice Trikes - Sunnybrook AB

Amsoil Dealer - KAT Enterprises from Red Deer

Bike Magic - Dean Meikle

There will be many more sponsors to list and thank now that the schedule is pretty much set!

We are going to be giving away TWO - Johnny Pag Motorcycles, military themed!

The winners will be the Military Riding Clubs in both Canada and the US that bring the MOST people out to meet me!

One motorcycle for the Canadians, and one motorcycle for the Americans!

It's a Pledge Ride - every rider who comes out to meet me is asked to bring $20 and the name of the Military Riding Club they are throwing their support behind.

The funds we raise in Canada are going to be split between 3 charities here in Canada
The same will happen with the US!

We want to create awareness and raise funds to make a difference in the lives of our veterans!

We will be filming, and riding (for my own TV show that will air on Eastlink Cable beginning in June and the spin off show that will air on YouTube in October)...with the people who come out to join me.

In return for your pledge money you will be  given a gift - a token of our appreciation...AND, it is my hopes that you will get to meet my Beaver Mascot - we don't know what her name will be yet but she's a cutie - created for me by Paul Jamiole!

Some communities are already set to throw fundraising parties - in Edmonton AB there is a Fund Raiser set for Fandango's on July 7th...

Sunnybrook AB is gearing up for a party on the 15th of July...

Some riders down Calgary way already have an escort - and a ride set up and the same in Dallas Texas!

I can't wait - I am stoked to be doing something to give back to those who have given soooo much for the rest of us!

I hope you will join me somewhere along the way - be it for an hour, a day, a week or more!!!

Here are a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook & via e-mail!

I am going to sign off for now - have a fabulous Wednesday everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A celebration of brotherhood - embracing life

There is a heartwarming and emotional article from Great Britain.

It is a story of friendship, brotherhood - love and life.

The story tells of a man named Carl who is dying of cancer and who expresses to his friend, Daryl, that he'd like to share a last ride before he dies.

Daryl's motorcycle had been stolen and recovered but was in serious need of repair - he goes to a bike shop called Fast Lane Motorcycles - tells them about his friend and why it is important to get his motorcycle fixed as quickly as possible.  He also expresses to them that he has found a track day in Spain to take his friend for a last ride, but is having trouble finding a bike for his friend to ride.

Low and behold, the shop owners have a race ready bike that they lend to him for Carl to ride. All they asked was if somehow the bike got crashed to bring all the bits back...

Hmmm...read the article in Daryl's own words - what happens will put a smile on your face for the whole day...

I have no idea who you people are who run No Limits Trackdays in Cartegena Spain or the men who run Fast Lane Motorcycles, nor do I know Daryl...but I for one think you are the best examples of brotherhood a person could have...Carl - you are a lucky man, though your life may be a short one, you have the best friend in the world... may you enjoy the rest of your life knowing how loved you are!

What say you? Is this  a wonderful affirmation of brotherhood or what?

The news feeds are relatively quiet so far today but there are a few articles that may affect your day or life as a rider, to find out more, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping You informed!

Round one of voting has begun in the quest to find the PERFECT name for my Beaver mascot.  Help me out folks - it only takes a few moments and I'd sure appreciate you helping me out!

Voting has also begun for our sixth annual Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine - who will win?  Your vote may be the deciding one!

For all of you Grande Prairie and region riders - if you'd be interested in winning 4 VIP tickets to see David Wilcox in concert on the 22nd of February - complete with your first beverage, a plate of appetizers and a meet and greet with the man himself - email me at bdbetty @ gmail.com (fix the spaces) and I will tell you how to enter!

I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...laughter makes a Monday better!

Have a great day and a phenomenal week!
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Should you be fired because your spouse is a clubber?

That is the question being asked by a woman who was fired from her job as a human resources technician in Kingman AZ.

According to the article:
The termination notice stated that the city had "great concern" Summerson was associated with an "Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG)" that works as a "support club of the Hells Angels."

"Your association with an OMG coupled with your access to sensitive employee information has our law enforcement, legal, dispatch and judicial system employees very concerned with regard to their personal information," the notice said. End Quote

Should someone be fired because the police claim that a club is affiliated with one of the "Big Clubs"?  I wished articles like this expressed what the employee's work record was like and whether or not they were good at their job.  Sometimes I wonder at the people who do the reporting...how did the police come into play in her firing?  Has she ever done anything to cause concern?

I wonder...what say you on this topic?

In other news:

KTM's CEO just bought Husqvarna from BMW

Author Alex Caine claims that there is a turf war brewing in BC

In Ontario, the driver involved in a fatal crash is found not guilty

Want to use your smart phone without taking your gloves off?

You help is urgently needed - there are over 120 suggestions for names for my Beaver Mascot!  Help us find the RIGHT ONE!!!

We here in Grande Prairie have a couple of things to celebrate...
New Owners and New Name for our Harley-Davidson dealership! Mighty Peace Halrey-Davidson will be opening it's doors soon!!!!

David Wilcox is coming to town on February 22nd and we are going to be giving away some VIP Tickets!  Watch our web site: www.beltdrivebetty.com and our Facebook Pages for more information!!!!

I wonder how many riders think this is a great invention?

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Belt drive Betty
Editor & Rider