I DARE YOU!

There is a fight brewing, a fight for equity under the law.

NOISE IS NOISE and it doesn't matter who is making it - offenders should all be charged and dealt with the same way under the law.

THAT's the FIGHT, that's what this is about.

Riders in Edmonton Alberta are being singled out and treated differently from other road users when it comes to noise.
 The fines are higher, they are pulled into noise check stops, inconvenienced. No other road users are pulled over for noise checks. Why are the fines for cars and pickups $125 but riders pay $250?


This is what Liane Langlois has to say about how things are going for this Fund Raiser that is to fund the court case that is about to set a precedent regarding motorcycle only noise checks:

"In the city, tickets are going fast for the event but the help from our "extended family" across the country on the crowd funding page is a bit slow despite all I've done to try and help everyone else.
It's all good. You get what you put in. If we fail because of lack of support and the laws start escalating, no one can say we didn't try to stop it."

THIS IS TRAGIC PEOPLE -
PLEASE DONATE NOW - $2, $5 whatever you can:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812

I want you to read the information on the M.O.D.E.L. Edmonton site:
www.modeledmonton.com  Educate yourself...it is important for all who ride, NO MATTER WHERE IN CANADA YOU LIVE to get involved.

I don't have a lot at the moment, but I had $10 that I donated.
If every Canadian rider I can touch did the same, the $5,000 needed to fight this fight would be raised in no time.

If you live anywhere near Edmonton, consider attending the fundraiser: http://www.modeledmonton.com/noise-is-noise-fundraiser.html

If you have a business that relies on or enjoys dealing with riders, consider kicking something in for the silent auction or supporting it financially.

If we all did one small thing - got involved in some small way -  the funds needed to fight this fight would be in the kitty already!

I DARE YOU to stand up for the rights and freedoms of all riders. 

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Our Charter says the we all have right to fair treatment under the law - so let's preserve that right by fighting for it!

Every right and freedom that we do not defend is one the government feels it has the right to take away from us.

Our soldiers have and continue to die to defend those rights and freedoms - will it really hurt you to defend our rights and freedoms on our own soil by donating $10? By getting involved?

Is $10 really so much to give to protect our community and its right to be treated like any other road user?

                                     UNITED we RIDE - DIVIDED we Walk.

If you say to me, I live in Ontario, Nova Scotia, BC etc. and what happens in Alberta doesn't affect me - THINK AGAIN.

Talk to people who live in Bathurst NB -talk to people from Fredericton NB, Talk to people in Saskatoon SK...Talk to people in Windsor ON...Talk to people in Oakville ON

I will be monitoring the fundraising on Indiegogo and I will be on your arse until we raise the minimum of $5,000 that M.O.D.E.L. is looking for.

THIS FIGHT WILL SET PRECEDENT!

So if you want this nagging BI#%H off your arse, get out your credit card - or log into your PayPal account and head on over to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motorcyclists-opposing-discriminatory-legislation/x/5510812
AND MAKE THAT DONATION NOW!

For the time being I will step off my soap box and wish you all a great day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider




Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Attention all riding clubs and event coordinators in Canada

Every year right across this great country called Canada, Riders who work for an employer are asked to have their requests in for holidays and long weekends before March 31st.

If having more people attend your event is something you would like to see happen, one of the best ways is to have your event posters done and ready BEFORE March 31st!

We are all busy people and we are all controlled to a degree by the demands of our jobs and employers.

The ideal time to start promoting events is December, January, February and March for maximum exposure and so people can book their holidays and long weekends.

Yes there is still lots of time to promote events after March 31st, but if you want that tourist, that rider from two or three provinces away whose going on vacation in your direction to show up, you need to at least get your event name and date out there by MARCH 31st!

One of the pet peeves that most riders have with event posters is the lack of important information on them.

Too many event coordinators think on a local level, they don't stop to think about that touring rider and the information they are going to need.

You see the CVMG poster on the right? It is pretty decent BUT it assumes that everyone knows where the Westerner Fairgrounds is. At least there is an phone number and email to contact the gent running it and the fact that the area code is in the phone number lets a person figure out this is an Alberta Event.  This particular event is in Red Deer Alberta for those interested.

Every poster should have the name of the event, date and times.

They should also include a street address, the NAME of the town and the PROVINCE

Contact information is vital - for both the event itself and the venue.

A lot of coordinators don't stop to think about that person who might break down or get lost on their way. If it's a poker run, they are going to want to call the venue where everyone met up at to see if they can find out where the first stop is to try and catch up.

If they have broken down they might want to call and get a message to people that they need help or to let others who are expecting them that they will be late, need help or won't be coming.

WHO - WHAT - WHERE - WHEN & WHY is what people need to know FIRST - then you can add bands, and other pertinent information to entice people.

Don't ASSUME anything.  If you are hosting an event do not assume that everyone knows where the Crossroads is or the Big Red Barn or the Western Fair Grounds is.

Think like a tourist when you are making your posters.

We here at Belt Drive Betty Media offer free promotion of all riding club events, charity events etc.

You can add your posters to www.canadianmotorcycleevents.com by registering on our site.

If you have ANY challenges getting your event information and need help - email me at bdbetty@gmail.com and I can help you.

We have a small team of data entry people who can also add events for those who are computer unfriendly.

This is my gift to the Canadian Riding Community every year and has been for 13 seasons!

We work these events calendars hard by reaching out to all of the clubs and coordinators we know and hounding them for the information.

My goal always has been to help the riding clubs and charitable events to get the most exposure they can FOR FREE and that the rider can, FOR FREE use these highly sortable, sharable and MOBILE calendars on their phones, computers and tablets.

When I first started out I did all the work and research myself, now we are a team of five people making sure these events are out there for all to have access to.

We are here to SERVE the riding community and if you want or need some help all you have to do is ASK!!!!

In other news:

An Ontario family is challenging the findings of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit regarding the June 14th, 2014 crash that killed their loved one Clayton Rivet, 29, who was travelling on Queensville Sideroad, near Hwy. 404, in East Gwillimbury at around 11:15 p.m. last June 14, when his BMW sport bike slammed into a York Regional Police cruiser which was making a U-turn.

The Gatekeepers MC has expanded from Nova Scotia to Ontario and the OPP's Biker Enforcement Unit is very aware of them and spreading the word to the citizens of Elgin and Stratford about their presence.

There is a move in Washington state to see the helmet law there be repealed!

Victory is doing its level best to come out with an electric motorcycle before Harley-Davidson dos by the sound of it! They have filed a patent for the name: Victory Charger.


I hope you have a fabulous day!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider







Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Interesting news out of the US as the AMA appears to be embracing MC's

This in from NCOM:

U.S. Defenders Press Release with regards to the AMA - Jan 27, 2015 - U.S.A. - By U.S. Defenders National; www.USDefender.net - More than 50 years ago the American Motorcycle Association is credited with releasing a statement arguing that 99% of all motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, implying that 1% of motorcyclists are not. It is argued that the AMA released this statement to combat rumors that rabble-rousers were disrupting AMA events.  Being the rebellious postwar sort, many individuals that found common brotherhood in motorcycle clubs began to call themselves 1%'ers.

This statement, and its history, has been widely debated and discussed.  But what is certain is that this statement & history have been skewed and manipulated by law enforcement from coast-to-coast to validate unsubstantiated stereotypes about motorcycle clubs, particularly those self-identified as 1%'ers, This has reinforced a separation in the motorcycle rights movement in America between independent motorcyclists and clubs. This statement, and the false separation of our movement, has outlived its usefulness. It is now time to break down the barriers to true unification of the entire motorcycling community.
 

There is no clearer of an indication than recent public statements by representatives of the AMA that the opportunity, willingness, and possibility of true unification is within our reach. The AMA has tangibly reached out to the the club community dedicated to advancing motorcycle rights and fighting motorcycle discrimination. In fact, the AMA has publicly and openly endorsed the movement to end motorcycle profiling and discrimination and has unapologetically separated itself from the 50 year-old statements used to divide hundreds of thousands of AMA members from grassroots efforts being driven by motorcycle clubs nationwide.

In October 2014, the motorcycle club and independent community in California held a Motorcycle Unification Rally on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. The theme of the rally was to unify all of the different elements of the motorcycle rights movement in California and extinguish the false separation fueled by law enforcement's mythologically driven stereotypes. In front of an estimated 3,000 motorcyclists on the steps of the Capitol, Nick Haris, AMA western states representative, publicly endorsed groundbreaking legislation combating motorcycle profiling passed in Washington State in 2011. Nick strongly encouraged the unification of the entire motorcycling community in California in order to replicate Washington's success. This is the first time that I am aware of that the AMA has so strongly endorsed legislation combating discrimination against motorcyclists being driven by motorcycle clubs at the grassroots level.

Nick's public statements in California are not an anomaly. On January 26, 2015 Sean Hutson, an AMA lobbyist from Washington D.C., travelled to Texas to attend and speak at the bi-annual motorcycle rights rally on the steps of the Capitol in Austin. Significantly, this event is organized and hosted by the Confederation of Clubs and US Defenders in Texas. These organizations are primarily comprised of motorcycle clubs fighting for the advancement of motorcycle rights at the grassroots level.

In front of thousands of club members, Sean spoke very directly and separated the AMA from statements attributed to the organization over a half century ago. He also directly endorsed the movement to end motorcycle discrimination and profiling arguing that motorcyclists of all walks of life have more in common than differences. We all love to ride.  In fact, Sean helped draft federal legislation to end motorcycle-only checkpoints because they are misplaced and discriminatory. Importantly, he correctly observed that if the over 10 million motorcyclists in America unified we could stop the practice of profiling and implement a pro-motorcycle rights agenda across the board. Imagine what a powerful movement motorcyclists would be.

The time to unify all of the elements of the motorcycle rights movement in the United States is now. When a massive and well entrenched organization like the AMA extends an olive branch the world is truly changing, signaling that the advancement of the motorcycle rights movement has no ceiling. It is time to solidify the rights base of motorcyclists nationwide so future generations will enjoy the freedoms and privileges that so many have fought, bled, and died for.

   - - -

Respects, Mike  

NCOM Brothers Behind Bars Newsletter Editor

www.onabike.com/brothers-behind-bars/about.htm

So - what are your thoughts on this development?

Have a great day and remember, if you are fortunate enough to live where you can ride, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Ride








Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Interesting times ahead...

Here at Belt Drive Betty Media we are going through growing pains in a big way! AND, that's a good thing!

Ali & Gator

I am in the process of hiring at least two data entry clerks to work on a contract basis from their own homes to take some the stress off of Ali's and my shoulders.

Ali, our web mistress does a great job of keeping things working and moving forward at www.beltdrivebetty.com and all of it's sub sites.  She and Gator are on their first vacation in 10 years,  and I am so happy for them that they are finally getting away - they like my husband and I, never had a Honeymoon!

We are at that point where we need more hands to give both Ali and I some balance in our lives. Both of us have a passion for helping people and both of us are workaholics because we truly love what we do, but there comes a point where you have to put yourself first and fill up the emotional gas tank.

I truly hope that Ali & Gator have the most fabulous holiday, lord knows they more than deserve it.

In the meantime, I will be doing the best I can to hold down the fort and assist anyone who needs help on the site, www.beltdrivebetty.com

I will be training a new sales rep next week, weather permitting and I am hoping to attract more people who love sales to help us grow the free tools we provide to the riding community.  It's an exciting time as this network we have created keeps growing.

We have so many plans for a new and improved experience and I can't wait to see them ALL be implemented! I know that we are looking to hire a part time Joomla expert, so if you know anyone who excels in Joomla CMS, send them our way for a chat!

I have been attending seminars on how to become an effective leader and business person thanks to Community Futures - a wonderful organization that helps small business people like myself to grow in ways that we'd never be able to otherwise.

Community Futures of Alberta are also the presenting sponsor of the Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community contest as they realize the value that rural tourism brings to small business!

I am embarking on my very first webinars geared towards Canadian Event Coordinators!

The webinars are going to help these coordinators by providing the important information on promoting their events and how to deal with a multitude of situations.

If you'd like to participate in our Webinars/Group on Greenrope - please accept our Ebook on Hosting Motorcycle Events as a thank-you - fill in your email to be taken to the form:

Yes, it is a super exciting time of growth with many things on the go around here, stay tuned for information on some of those changes coming soon!

In other news around the world:

According to an article on Gizomodo, the Hells Angels admit to being experts encrypting data in a text message during a rather bizarre trial.  Begin Quote: The Silk Road trial is back on, and we still don't know if Ross Ulbricht is going to go down for the crimes of the Dread Pirate Roberts. Today, the trial focused on DPR's interactions with the Hells Angels, who he allegedly hired to kill a rogue drug vendor. End Quote

Keith Wandell is retiring from Harley-Davidson and his successor is Matt Levatich
Triumph is doing very well in the Indian market having outsold their goal of 500 bikes.
They sold 1,300!

This week's version of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles is out!

Next week is a dark week - we resume again on February 19th.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and if you are not riding out a huge snow storm, if you are blessed to live where you can be riding - please ride like everyone is blind and cannot see you!

For those of you who like me are suffering HUGELY from PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome):
Visit our Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine brought to you by our fabulous sponsors - www.BigBlueInCanada.com and Strip Club Choppers Canada

Join our PMS Support Group on Facebook!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Staying healthy while on the road; Managing Your Weight

I am a 54 year old long haul, female rider who gained a ton of weight while being on the road for 92 days in 2013 and although I had lost some of that weight, I found I put it right back on during my 50 day trip in 2014.

If I want to stay in the saddle into my 80's and beyond, I need to find a way to deal with my weight while on the road. I want to maintain a healthy weight for my frame. That is not 180 or 160 pounds.
I wear a size four and half ring, I am extremely fine boned, and 5' 8" so my ideal weight is 135 pounds. I have 18 pounds left to remove to get to my ideal weight once again.

Although it is not yet motorcycle season where I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta, I was on a road trip to the Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver Motorcycle Shows for the last three weeks. And yes, I was in a CAR!

When I left for this trip, I wanted to ensure that I stayed in the good habits I have gotten back into over the previous 2 months, the ones that have seen me go from size 14 riding jeans to size 10 in 60 days.

Attending the motorcycle shows creates a set of circumstances not unlike riding, where in falling into bad habits becomes very easy.

You get up early in the morning as the shows start at 10 AM, usually you are up to as much as a half hour or more away from the venue, then there is the whole getting there early enough to find parking thing!

The evenings can be even more difficult because you are so tired from being on concrete all day that any thought of working out is fleeting to say the least.

During riding season I get up early to deal with cameras and writing and then spend all day in the saddle and all evening spending time with fellow riders, eating late and not getting to bed until very late. And man do you pack on the weight from this kind of routine.

I would need some self discipline if I was going to stay in this healthier routine! I would need to keep my eye on the prize so to speak.  I want to be a size 5/6 again, I want to feel good and be energized.

Greer Childers Gym Bar

I decided to pack my gym bar from Greer Childers with me. This gym bar breaks down for packing into a nice compact size that fits in my saddlebags or tour pack easily.  I also packed my "Miracle Ball" one of a set of two from the "Miracle Ball Method" by Elaine Petrone.

I start my mornings off with my usual coffee and a fruit smoothie that my sister in-law got me hooked on.  Afterwards, using the Miracle Ball and various isometric stretching exercises, I stretch my body and warm it up, then I put in a fast and hard 15 minutes with the gym bar and then followed that up with a few more stretches to cool down.
 
The results for me have been utterly amazing.

I dropped another 2 jean sizes while on the road and am now wearing size 8's!  In 90 days I have lost 6 jean sizes.

I have more energy, my skin and hair are healthier than they have been in a long time.

And my eyesight is improving!

You read that right, my eye sight is improving.

I stopped in to Hope Optical where Dr. Balisky tested my eyes.

Miracle Ball 

My right eye, my weak eye, has improved so much that my prescription was cut in half and I can now see the TV in our house, menu and all, clearly without having to use my glasses which are for distance.  Cindy Koszegi, optician and owner of Hope Optical was only too happy to make the new lower prescription for me!

I have been thrilled with the results and have had many people ask me for the recipe for this smoothie that I have been taking every day.  I have changed nothing else about my diet in order to obtain the weight loss. The exercising I have been doing is about toning up as I loose the weight.

Here is the smoothie recipe I am using:

In my Magic Bullet - which I intend to take with me on the road this summer, I put:

1 Banana
1/2 cup blue berries
4 strawberries give or take depending on their size (to change things up I will also use raspberries or blackberries) 2 Tablespoons of Greek Yogurt - I prefer the Greek Gods Honey Yogurt
2 Tablespoons of Flax Oil
1 Tablespoon of Hemp Oil
1 measure of liquid Calcium with Vitamin D
1 Tablespoon of Liquid Magnesium (To aide the body in absorbing the calcium)
1 measure of liquid Glucosamine with Chondroitin
2 Small slivers of Ginger
1 Scoop of Webber's Super Greens
1/4 cup or so of Acai Juice


I mix it well, usually for 1-2 minutes and enjoy the heck out of it. This recipe is for one serving.

This is the recipe the way I like it, it's not for everyone, and even if you are lactose intolerant like I am, there is such a small amount of yogurt in this smoothie, that I am fine with it, but again, it's not for everyone.

You can substitute milk, water or other juices that you like to suit your taste.

If you find you are having a bad stomach day, you can substitute pineapple for the strawberries, the bromelian in the pineapple does a good job of settling things down.

The costs of purchasing the ingredients for the smoothie can vary drastically.

As a small business person, I try supporting the small businesses where I can, BUT, the cost of the Webber All Greens for a 300 gram tub is $69.95 at most drug and health food stores.

The exact same brand but 450 grams in size is $24.95 at Costco. That's pretty hard to turn down!

The Liquid Glucosamine and the Liquid Calcium are also considerably cheaper at Costco than the health food stores, and aren't as readily available in drug stores.

The Flax and Hemp oil are about the same price in all stores.

The Acai Juice I have only been able to find at Costco.

The Greek Gods Yogurt is $9.95 for two big tubs at Costco compared to $5.19 on average for a small tub at SaveOn and their affiliated stores.

The fruit and ginger is comparable in price at most grocery stores.

Saddlebag Cooler from Harley-Davidson

I have a plan for riding season to allow me to continue on this healthier routine that involves me using a saddlebag cooler and packing my Magic Bullet and gym bar with me - that will be another article as I research the options available for saddlebag coolers!

I know that I will have to give up some clothes in order to pack some of the supplies I will have to carry but I am fine with that, I'd rather feel good, healthy and energetic and have to do laundry more frequently!


I know there will be challenges and that I will have to exercise a degree of discipline to stay on track, but I believe it can be done! I turn 55 this year and I intend to be riding well into my advanced years, so learning how to manage my weight while on long road trips will be vital to my goals and dreams.

I hope that this article helps those who ride long haul and are of a certain age to discover ways to stay healthy while on the road.

If you have tips or hints for staying healthy while riding for 30, 60 and 90 days at a time, I would love to hear them and share them with others. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa but sharing those tips and ideas will hopefully help others find ways to stay in the saddle for many years to come!

Have a great day and if you are fortunate enough to live in a region where you are riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider



Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Noise is Noise - A Fundraiser

Edmonton was the first city to enact a Motorcycle Only Noise Bylaw back in 2010.

It has caused a lot of grief for a lot of people.  It is a highly discriminatory bylaw as it treats motorcyclists different than it does other road users.  The fine is higher and there are specific motorcycle only road checks for noise that can take anywhere from 1/2 hour to 1 hour of a riders time.

Regarding the fine; under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, cars and other passenger vehicles only pay 115 dollar fine for a noise violation but riders pay $250!

I urge you to watch this interview with Liane Langlois of MODEL Edmonton and to visit the www.modeledmonton.com web site to learn more about the Motorcycle Only noise bylaws in Edmonton and other regions.

MODEL Edmonton has 5 years of statistics and information that make for very enlightening reading.

The major message here is that NOISE is NOISE and everyone who breaks noise laws/bylaws should be treated the same.

Watch for my article tomorrow on the Calgary & Edmonton Motorcycle Shows!

The Beat the PMS Blues Online Show n Shine is getting lots of entries and there are some nice looking rides in there!

This is a free contest for registered members of www.beltdrivebetty.com and there are incredible prizes up for grabs from our sponsors www.BigBlueInCanada.com and Strip Club Choppers of Canada - East & West!

I am on the road to Hope as I have an eye exam at Hope Optical to get my Liberty Sport Glasses ready for riding season!  Cindy a Hope Optical has an Optometrist on staff and she herself  is an Optician who rides with her hubby Rudy.

If you find yourself in the Hope BC region, check her out and get your glasses from a Rider Friendly Business Association member!

Have a great day!

If you are fortunate enough to live where you can be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Technology that could all but eliminate Parked Motorcycle Syndrome?

Imagine a world where snow and ice could be eliminated from our roadways, sidewalks and driveways by using solar panels to resurface them with.

I am intrigued by this technology and these folks, Julie and Scott Brusaw Co-inventors and co-founders of Solar Roadways, do seem to have a pretty good grasp on it and its capabilities:

I am not so sure that the inventors have fully taken into consideration the frost heaves and other challenges that building roads in the North encompasses, but, there are enough places where this technology could make a huge impact, quickly.

As the technology evolves, many, many years from now, it could be utilized in the North, I have no doubt of that!

Think of it, roads that generate electricity, that actually pay for themselves and preventing black outs. These kinds of roadways would make electric cars far more practical.
Sidewalks, parking lots, recreational areas would all become useable 12 months of the year.
Over head power lines would become a thing of the past too and we'd be able to reclaim our vistas!

And if they really did make them intelligent roads, as suggested in the videos, roads that can create a message letting one know of an avalanche, an animal/s or a boulder on the road, well, wouldn't that help save lives?

There truly appears to be an opportunity here. Yes it would mean that oil and our dependance on it would all but vanish, and it would cost jobs, but this new technology would also create all sorts of jobs; perhaps far more jobs on a global level than oil ever could!

Yes it would mean that many jobs like snow plowing and snow blowing would also be reduced, but again, this kind of technology and the infrastructure to make it happen, would create a vast wealth of new jobs not just in manufacturing, but construction, engineering, R & D etc...

Imagine charging stations in parking lots that cost nothing because the parking lot is recharging you!

Imagine the technology that would allow a vehicle to charge as it runs down a solar road.

Imagine millions of miles of roads covered in solar panels created from predominantly recycled materials!

Imagine how much "garbage" we could eliminate from landfills.

I am excited by this technology and it's possibilities in spite of knowing that there will be challenges and problems.  Perhaps the one thing that concerns me the most is that I am not sure about the impact to people and farm lands etc. from the electricity being spread out in this fashion.

Yes, there appears to be many positives to this technology, but it will be interesting to learn what the down sides would be and whether or not they could be overcome.

Here is the Ted Talk that inventor Scott Brusaw gave in 2010, it's very compelling:

I will watch with interest to see where this technology can take us as it is developed.

Perhaps one day, riders in the North and places where snow and ice prevent us from being able to ride year round, might become year round riders.  After all there is an abundance of heated gear offerings that could truly see one capable of riding year round if there were no snow or ice to contend with!

Until then, I along with many others, will be enjoying the bikes that are entered in the Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine.  You can enter your bike until January 30th! It's free to enter but you must be a registered member of www.beltdrivebetty.com - there are magnificent prizes like a BigBlue lift on the line!

Our presenting sponsor, BigBlueInCanada.com provided this article on one of the many benefits of BigBlue - enjoy!

I look forward to seeing many a friend this weekend at the Edmonton Motorcycle & ATV Show!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider