And so begins the destruction of another wonderful summer - UGH

Why did I make the headline sound so gloom and doom?

Because folks, this is my 16th riding season covering the kind of crap that has come up in the newsfeeds again, it's depressing, demoralizing and discouraging that after 15 years of writing, talking, sharing, no one has gotten off their butt to unite and actually fight for the rights of motorcyclists.

Somewhere in this country there has to be someone with the gift, the ability to unite people and get them working together to remove the discrimination and disdain that riders experience constantly.

I am the executive director and founder of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association.

Do you know how many times and how often I am forced to explain why a motorcycle tourism association is spearheading the building of Veterans Memorial Gardens or why I pushed to build the Afghanistan War Monument? It's disgusting that people's minds automatically go to the bad places, the places that sadly, the RCMP and other police services seem to lead them through the bastardization of terminologies that are commonly used in our community and a main stream media that can't seem, or doesn't want to, actually do journalism. It seems that so much of what they do is sensationalized into stuff that it isn't.

In the last 36 hours or so, three articles have hit the news that should be disturbing for all motorcyclists.

Because of the way sound reverberates in the mountains, the retirees of the Kootenay's are getting tired of all of the noise that motorcycles generate, and we now have a zero tolerance on after market pipes in the Kootenay's.

"Police throughout the East and West Kootenay will be stepping up enforcement and adopting a zero tolerance policy with respect to motorcycles that have altered their exhaust pipes or installed after market equipment to make the motorcycle louder."  Read the rest of the article HERE.

If louder was the only reason for the upgraded pipes that many have installed - ok, but truth is many dealerships sell these pipes so that the engine will breath and perform better.

Dr. Jeckill and Hyde Mufflers are what should be stock on every motorcycle sold. PERIOD.  
Quiet mode in town, louder mode when you are on the highway looking for fuel efficiency and performance.

Loud Pipes do not save lives, they piss people off and make all motorcyclists into villains.

The average citizen doesn't look at me and say, she's running stock pipes, she's a good motorcyclist but look at him, he's got illegal exhaust, he's a bad motorcyclist.  

And even if they did say that, they'd still be wrong cause buddy with a louder exhaust can control the sound, it's all in the wrist.

They just look at all of us and tar us all with the same noisy, disrespectful brush. 

And so, the us against them, the Loud Pipes Saves Lives group against Riding like everyone is blind Group, the I want to sit on the deck and have a conversation, not scream above the loud pipes groups VS, the OH LOOK AT ME crowd...

Respect - our community touts it all the time - but seriously there is nothing respectful about a set of pipes that sets off car alarms for three blocks.

A Fire Fighters Club

Then there's the whole Three Piece Patch World and how cops have this idea that three piece patches are all property of people who do bad things.

Not all three piece patches are created equally.

On Whyte Ave in Edmonton a member of the Veterans MC Canada was asked to leave a dining establishment because he was wearing his cut while on a date night with his spouse.

Now we have people concerned about firefighters who have been seen at motorcycle functions with members of the Hells Angels. Read the article: Florian's Knights

The police do not understand the culture of the three piece patch clubs (or they act very obtuse about it) there is a dominant club in every region and if you want to wear a set of patches then you need approval so as not to cause a male dominated piss fight.  



The dominant wants to know that you are not there to start trouble or interfere in the community and that you are not there to try to challenge their dominance.

The Florian Knights out of the Lower Mainland did what every respectful club does, they said - Hey Motorcycle Community - do you have a problem with us flying these colours and riding together to raise money for charity while being brothers who help each other? The dominant - the Hells Angels said no, you aren't going to cause problems in our community, we have no problem with you.  The other clubs said hey, welcome to the community. 

End of. 

BUT....

The cops use/interpret that to mean, oh, you are in bed with the Hells Angels cause you asked their permission to fly your colours.

And because you get seen at motorcycle events and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has members present, well, now you really must be in their hip pocket or somehow associated. 

Or god forbid, you were childhood friends with someone who became a Hells Angels Member...

OMG that is horrible and against the law that a Hells Angels member could have a friend.

NOT ALL HELLS ANGELS MEMBERS ARE CRIMINALS.

And then there is the Royal Canadian Legion and their new edict about barring 3 piece patches from their club houses while also stating that it is disrespectful for a motorcyclist to wear his medals on his riding vest....talk to the good folks who attend  and ride in the Ride to Remember at Beechwood Cemetery, then come tell me about disrespect.   Tell that to any member of theVeterans Paratroopers MC, of the Veterans MC Canada. I bet you'll get an ear full.

They want to court riders, they have their own "Club" The Legion Riders, they play a part in the promotion and running of the National Memorial Ride:
http://www.legion.ca/remembrance/promoting-remembrance/national-memorial-ride

Can you say HYPOCRITES?

Read the article: Legions' ban club colours.

It is obvious to me that there is another riding season disinformation campaign going on and yet again, many are falling into the trap.

"All who wear a three piece patch are trouble, you need to use the petty trespass act to get rid of them out of your club house or establishment or you are going to loose your liquor license." says the nice police officer.

There is a problem with that disinformation campaign....not all Three Piece Patches are worn by those who commit crimes.

Now, I have preached this over and over and over until I am sick of having to say it.

Not all who wear the 3 piece patch of the Hells Angels are criminal.
Not all who wear a three piece patch are criminal.
Not all who wear a three piece patch are connected to the Hells Angels.

Just Like:
Not all priests are pedophiles 
Not all cops are drunks who mow motorcyclists down and flee the scene like Monty Robinson.


Generalizations SUCK. 

PROFILING is WRONG, ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL.

Know your Charter Rights and USE THEM PEOPLE.

Please sign my petition. HERE

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Just a few of the photos from around the Internet that expose the Hypocrisy, Lies and Lunacy of it all:

                   At Beechwood Cemetery

A lucky morning for one rider....

A friend of mine shared this news video from CBC with me about  rider who got cut off.

In the video below, the rider who is in the left lane, minding his own business.
This black SUV's driver throws on the signals and moves into the left lane, and its very obvious that this driver did not look, or shoulder check.

How many thousands of times a week do you see this very scene play out be you on your bike or in your car/truck.  People don't know how to drive, they don't follow or seem to even know the rules of the road.

I feel like every person holding a drivers licences longer should have to rewrite and re drive for their licenses every year. I don't know who is teaching these drivers, who is issuing them licenses but they should all be investigated - these driver examiners. Why else does this country has a TV show called Canada's WORST driver? It's because 90% of people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle, including so called professional drivers haven't got a clue what they are doing. They are too busy doing everything but driving.

But that's not why I am sharing this video...it would be redundant because, as I said, you all watch this play out daily.

No, the reason I shared this was the riders reaction.

Kicking and hitting the SUV until he/she knocked the side mirror off the car.

Click here to see the video - Road Rage 

Now part of me wants to applaud this  rider - if you aren't going to use your mirrors, if you aren't going to turn your head and do a safety check before you move over, then maybe you really don't need that mirror...BUT...

What would have happened had he lost control while kicking or punching the vehicle?

I get the fear, the anger, the frustration....

I really do get it, but you can be DEAD RIGHT you know.....

What say you?

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

PRESS RELEASE

~~ For Immediate Release ~~

June 4th, 2018

CANADA’S MOST RIDER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

Grande Prairie AB – The final round of public voting for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has concluded and the winner, a clear a decisive victor, has been chosen!

"We at Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region and all of the Community Futures of Alberta offices along with Community Futures Lloydminster to congratulate all of the communities that competed in the contest, especially our finalists, Lloydminster and Drumheller. AB,” said Holly Sorgen of Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region.  It has become very clear that community spirit is alive & well our country! Supporting small business and rural initiatives is important to all Community Futures Offices across Canada and we are proud to be a part of this exciting fledgling contest!”

“I want to thank all who inspired their community to vote in the final round of the voting for Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest.

Lloydminster pulled out in the lead in the late stages of the contest and Drumheller, a much smaller community couldn’t quite rally back.

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community from the 2017 Riding Season has been chosen and the community is Lloydminster Alberta!

We want to acknowledge the commitment of all of our wonderful sponsors without whom this contest could not happen: EastLink TV, The World of Motorcycling Podcast, Reality Radio 101, Biker Radio, Northern Horizon, Choice Hotels Canada, Alig8r Web Design, Belt Drive Betty Media, Ride Like a Local, Colorado Rider News, Fast Lane Biker, Delmarva Edition, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, and our presenting sponsors, Community Futures of Alberta and Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot!

About Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest:

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest was created by Renee ”Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau, founder and CEO of Belt Drive Betty Media.  

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is a rural tourism marketing initiative whose goal is to create awareness of the wonderful businesses and communities that are there for riders to explore.

About Belt Drive Betty Media:

Belt Drive Betty Media is a diverse motorcycle media company founded in 2003. It offers the rider a vast array of ways to connect with the information on the motorcycle community they need.

That diversity offers advertisers looking to connect with the Canadian riding community a large number of advertising vehicles to choose from. Belt Drive Betty Media offers TV, web, social media, app and email marketing opportunities.

Contact:

Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau

(780) 402-8892

bdbetty@beltdrivebettymedia.com

Visit our main site: beltdrivebetty.com

About Community Futures of Alberta:

For 30 years, Community Futures has been supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta. We are a community driven, non-profit organization with 27 offices in rural areas throughout Alberta. Each office is staffed by local business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

In other words, we live where you live, and reap the benefits of a strong local economy created by business entrepreneurs just you! Read about some of the many successful businesses we have helped start-up and grow over the years.

We provide a wide range of small business loans, business coaching/training services and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

We also run a number of specialized business programs, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.

We are funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada

There are a total of 269 Community Futures offices across the country.

Contact:

Holly Sorgen

Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region

(780) 814-5340

Holly.Sorgen@albertacf.com

KILOMETRES FOR KIDNEYS

June 23, 2018 the The Kidney Foundation NABT Branch is pleased, excited and proud to announce the first annual Kilometres for Kidneys Motorcycle Poker Run Fundraiser.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to Kidney disease or any disease knows what is involved when dealing with something so unfortunate. The costs to keep things going when you’re down are high but still need to be looked after. 

All money raised on this day will go towards assisting kidney patients and their families in Northern Alberta and the Territories by providing short term emergency financial assistance. The funds raised will help with medical equipment, medicine, food, gas, rent, and utilities to individuals who experience financial stress due to their illness.

So if you and your riding friends are looking for something to do on June 23, 2018 and are in the area of Nisku, AB perhaps you may consider attending. Even if you’re not in the area you should consider this ride.

Starting at Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room, 2110 Sparrow Drive, Nisku AB T9E 8A2.

Registration $40.00, includes breakfast and lunch, ride is all day from 8am-5pm.

It’s going to be a great day of riding, sharing, making friends, and plenty of fun for everyone!!!

Visit www.Kidney.ca/NABT-PokerRide to get yourself registered!!!!!

Ride Safe and have a BLAST!!!!

Rider Safety, are you prepared?

Rider Safety, Are you Prepared?

Once you are physically riding, rider safety is about a whole lot more than what happens on the road

Being safe starts with preparation. How you prepare is just as important as the skills you need once you are on the road.

Before you get on your motorcycle for the first time each year, keep in mind that 5 to 7 months of inactivity, is not healthy for you or your motorcycle.  

Give your bike a thorough going over and some TLC before demanding it perform, and yourself a good stretch.

Here are a few things you need to remember:

#1 – Check your motorcycle’s fluids, brakes, signals, tire pressures and belt/chain tension.  Check the health of the battery in your bike and your key fob.

Check your saddlebags to make sure you have your tool kit, an extra liter (quart) of oil with you, and a liter of water for yourself to stay hydrated.

#2 – Unless you were lucky enough to ride all winter, YOUR SKILLS ARE RUSTY!!

Practicing in a parking lot to refresh your skills is a good idea. Practice the fast stop and going around an obstacle, your very life depends on your skills.  It’s amazing what a half hour of parking lot time can do to get you prepared for the drivers who have forgotten you exist!

#3 – Pick the time of day you are heading out wisely.

You can ride at pretty much any time of day, the choice is yours. Remember that mornings and evenings are frosty, slippery and can be foggy by rivers and large bodies of water. Let’s not forget rush hour traffic at both of those times if you live in or close to a community or city. 

In March, April and May, the four-hour window between 11am and 3 pm, is generally the ideal opportunity to head out for a little wind therapy. The traffic will be settled, and the roads will be a tad warmer.  If you’re lucky the snow will be gone where you live. (Not this winter where I live, there is still three feet of snow on the ground, insert pouty face here).

Also remind yourself that painted roads surfaces and manhole covers etc. will be frost covered in the mornings and evenings.

As long as you are aware of the potential dangers and remain hyper vigilant, everything is likely to be just fine.

#4 – Dress and pack appropriately:

The evenings get damp and then become frosty. But the afternoons can get very balmy.  You may want to pack a sweater of some sort, a toque, rain gear, socks, long undies, lip balm, water, powdered electrolytes to go in it, and sunblock. Yes my friend’s sun burn can happen all year round.  You’ll want extra gloves especially if it’s cooler out.  If you have heated gear, pack it you will appreciate its warming abilities during spring and fall.  Protect your eyes and face by wearing good sun glasses or goggles with UV protection, and a good quality bandana for your face. You’ll want this if you don’t wear a full face helmet because there is still gravel and sand on the roads, and there will be bugs soon.

You will also want to be on the lookout for pot holes, remember to be mindful of those who are trying to avoid them in their cages.

Stay warm, stay hydrated and wherever you decide to venture off to and please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!!

AND Remember to use the "NEVER RIDE ALONE PROGRAM" sponsored
by Intercon Messaging from Drayton Valley AB.
The "Never Ride Alone Program" can be accessed by being a registered member of Riderfriendly.com and using your membership ID Number in your digital membership card and then calling the toll free number: 1-866-765-6719 - Good in Canada and the Continental US, the "NEVER RIDE ALONE" Program is simple and free to our members to use.

Call in, answer the questions about you, your ride and your journey. Agree on a time to check in, if you don't check in, Intercon Messaging will attempt to raise you on the numbers you left with them, if they can't raise you, then they will dispatch 911 to go find you from your last known location!  Stay safe and enjoy your ride and remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The changing world of motorcycling and our Rider/Reader Surveys

We have three surveys we are collecting information from.

One for the European Rider, one for the American Rider and one for the Canadian Rider.

Take the European Motorcycle Rider's Survey HERE

Take the American Rider's Survey HERE

Take the Canadian Rider's Survey HERE

Our goal is to find out about you, as a rider and as a traveller and what news and information is important to you.

We want to know about vacations & the kinds of attractions that interest you and a whole host of things as we get geared up for a major shift in our company.  We are growing our network of people who contribute to the information we offer. We want to make sure that we are growing in a direction that appeals to you the motorcyclist.

The world of motorcycling is changing right along with the rest of the world.
We baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 (I was born in 1960), are, sad to say, a dying breed.

Our ideas of tradition, like how you get your road handle, mean nothing to the younger rider.
They simply think our traditions are outdated and as irrelevant as our beloved GeezerGlides.
They laugh at the stories but you can see in their eyes they think you are crazy.

Were we any different when we were their age? Yeah - NO.
All though it was a lifetime ago, I remember thinking my parents and their peers were idiots who were ruining the world.  I was young and I knew it all and was going to change the world for the better. And then reality hit me, as I started maturing I realized that I could only do or change so much, that I could only influence so much.

I am sure that if someone in their 20's today, stumbles across this blog post 20 years from now they will read it and sigh realizing that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Here are a few traditions from my parents and grand parents eras that we no longer adhere to:

• Plastic seat covers on the good furniture - we never implemented that tradition in my house.
• Eating fish on Fridays, after Fukashima, I don't eat as much fish as I used to unless it's farm fish. And even then I am iffy on it so, the tradition fell to the wayside.
• Passing beers between racing cars with kids in the back seat, that's a tradition we modified and then finally let go. We ditched the kids in the back seat because we didn't have kids as early as they did and as the roadways got busier and drinking and driving laws got tougher, we weren't as inclined to drink and drive much less speed while doing so.  The invention of the Motorola radio also slowed those traditions down.

With the changing of traditions and attitudes spurred on by youth, social media and technology we are seeing huge shifts in what riders want by way of riding experiences and the kind of riding they want to do. 

The world is open to our youth in ways it was never open to us. 

When I was 18 and 20, heck even 30 a lot of the distances that we could afford to ride were determined by what was in our pocket for money. It's really no different today, but what is different is that a lot of these young people have massive debt from higher education institutes and a lot aren't finding jobs that allow them to move out on their own.  That has slowed their entry into motorcycling, or has restricted them to smaller bikes due to financial constraints.

As a company, we want to find that balance and a way to provide a broader range of information that appeals to the younger and older reader alike. We want to ensure that we are uncovering the kinds of experiences that you want to partake in and that you are finding the service and support you need when travelling.

It is our hope that you will take our survey.  It shouldn't take you much longer than 5 minutes and if you decide to leave us your email, your name will go into a draw for coupon from Choice Hotels for 10,000 reward Points. That should get you a hotel stay anywhere in the world that Choice is.

#RiderFriendlyContest

And don't  forget to vote for your favourite community in Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest - final round of voting starts May17th!

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

Lloydminster VS Drumheller in Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest

Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has come down to the two HIGHEST vote getters in the last round of voting.

Lloydminster, the Border City is squaring off against Drumheller and the Dinosaur Valley.

I spoke with Drumheller's Mayor Heather Colburg and she is apparently planning on issuing a challenge to Gerald Aalbers the mayor of Lloydminster!

If Drumheller wins Mayor Aalbers will be expected to show up for Motorcycle Madness and if Lloydminster wins, Mayor Colburg will travel to the Border Bike Rally!

Oh folks, this final round is going to be exciting!

Don't forget to vote for your favourite community at riderfriendlycontest.ca every day starting May 17th and running to June 2nd at midnight MST.

Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is brought to you by Community Futures & the Rider Friendly Business Association

#RiderFriendlyContest

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