Wind...

The wind is both friend and foe...

Yesterday a rider in central Alberta died when his motorcycle went off the road - his passenger is apparently going to make it....The wind can be both friend and foe.

As I am preparing to head out from Swift Current the wind is gusty wildly and the article in the news of www.beltdrivebetty.com serves as a reminder of what that kind of wind can do.

I am heading to Calgary and before I get on my trusty steed I am saying a prayer that the lord will keep me safe today...

If you are riding today - please stay safe...
Ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you and use respect with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

The BAD Rodeo - Estevan

It turned out to be a wonderful day, both on the weather front and the turn out for the 2nd Estevan BAD Rodeo.

The temperature was 28 degrees, well over 100 bikes turned out, the games were a blast and I had a ball.

I don't want to use what Berge terms my "gift of gab" too much today as I don't want to spoil what I am planning for the paper that will come out on June 11th, because it's going to be something special...so watch for "Betty Goes to The Dark Side...or is That The Light Side" in June 11th's paper...

I want to thank Scube, Keith and Marty for everything.

I also need to thank Berge for my Blogger Award. I need to pass it on to 8 people, and I will do that tomorrow....right now I have the June 4th paper to finish!
If you are looking for an event to attend check out our web site at www.beltdrivebetty.com - registration is required but it is also FREE.

Ride safe, like everyone around you is blind and PLEASE, be respectful with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

On the road to Estevan

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

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

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

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

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

Belt Drive Betty

My road trip so far...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belt Drive Betty

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

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

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

Accidents happen SO quickly...

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

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

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

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

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

Belt Drive Betty

The headlines...

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

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

What are your thoughts on that subject?

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

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

Belt Drive Betty

Mother Nature has messed up...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Belt Drive Betty