Some news....

Well, the appointment at the U of A brought us the news. Mark has relapsing, remitting MS and of the 2 categories of this type of MS it is the mildest. Dr Penny Smythe said once she gets the MRI report at the end of the month she will be able to give us a definite but from his history she believes that once he comes out of this attack it could be another 7 - 10 years before another one hits - so while it's not the best news it is far from the worst...MS is a pretty bizarre disease and while she can't say for 100% - the fact she doesn't want to put him on the awful Beta Interferon drugs that cost an arm and a leg is encouraging. His treatment will be Prednisone Steroids.

Layton Park our Backroads Scholar underwent surgery and from what Myrna, his wife says, he is doing much better - Layton's quirky sense of humor is in tact and that's a really good thing. You can follow Layton's progress here: http://backroadscholar.wordpress.com

If all goes reasonably well I will be back on my motorcycle next week and heading to New Norway for the big Soldiers Tribute ride. I look forward to being around my fellow CAV members and the rest of the military boys and girls! It should be a fabulous time.

Don't forget to send your event stories in to us at www.beltdrivebetty.com
We are still running the McCool's Street Bar & Grill Logo contest for 2 more weeks - so get your logo submission in! Our Great Canadian Day Ride's Contest is on going and we need your entries!

I'll sign off for now and want to remind you to PLEASE: Ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and be respectful with tat throttle hand!

Belt Drive Betty

A day for some answers?

I stopped in to see Insane Customs in Edmonton and have signed them up as new BDB Partners! Great shop, Big Bear Choppers and all kinds of clothing and gift items...

Layton - our humor columnist underwent the first of many surgeries - he was in far rougher shape than the scans originally showed...follow Layton's progress here:
http://backroadscholar.wordpress.com/

I am heading to Thorsby in a few minutes to hook up with Bruce from Kountry Kitchen Bakery - he wants to advertise with us and he is a rider himself, then hubby and I go to the U of A....Hopefully today we will get some answers on hubby's situation. That would be a good thing. Today will, I hope be a day for some answers!

Chat with you all when I know more about Layton and my sweetheart...until then, stay safe - ride like everyone around you is blind, stay hydrated and use respect with that throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Home for a night and back on the road....

Well, through sleet, snow and rain, high winds and sunshine! I made it home last night and am just getting ready to head to Edmonton with hubby for his appointment at the U of A tomorrow!

I am sure glad I came home as the old boy is having a tough go of things.

Our humor columnist - Layton Park - is undergoing surgery today and I will do my best to keep you updated on his progress. Apparently he was dehydrate and basically rode off the road!

Other that that - I need to get packed so please people - ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, remember to stay hydrated and be respectful with your throttle hand!

Belt Drive Betty

Your Prayers Needed

Our friend and humor columnist Layton Park went down in Ely Nevada.
From what his wife Myrna tells us he's in good spirits but has a collapsed lung, a number of broken ribs and his left arm is not in good shape.

He is in hospital in Reno Nevada and his wife is going to keep everyone up to speed with his condition and progress via his blog: www.backroadscholar.com

We have no details on what caused the accident, we only know the old boy is in really rough shape.

Your prayers for his full recovery would be deeply appreciated.

Unfortunately the news feeds today are filled with more fatality and accident reports over on www.beltdrivebetty.com

Please ride safely people - you are, each and everyone of you very important.
Ride like everyone around you is blind and please use respect with that throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

Winter in June

I'd sure like to know what bee is up Mother Natures Bonnet...
This cold, snowy, rainy crap can leave anytime...

I am heading to St Albert today to stay with friends tonight, ride to Redwater tomorrow morning and heading home Monday morning.

My daughter is staying with hubby right now, she moved in to the spare room until I can get home so at least I know hubby is being looked after.

I hope and pray that this gloomy weather won't prevent people from attending the events that are on for this weekend like the Ride for Dad in Calgary, after the theft in Vancouver at their Ride for Dad it would be wonderful to see a lot of riders come out and help this cause along.

No matter where you are riding to today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can't see you and use respect with your throttle hand - PLEASE.

Belt Drive Betty

Thieves - they are despicable

If you read the news feeds on www.beltdrivebetty.com on the Busted Knuckle News Page you will see that some low life or low life's have stolen somewhere around $22,000 from the Ride for Dad.

I know that times have been tough but really - stealing from a charity that helps so many people???

It sickens me and I hope the creep/s get caught.

In other news I am having to rearrange my riding schedule as hubby has taken a turn for the worst. Mike "Ironbutt" Bergeron, our Southern Alberta Rep will be taking my place at the Calgary Ride for Dad, Barry "Ladyslayer" Koenig our Central Alberta Rep will work the Ride for Sight in Olds along with Mike for me.

Barry will also be doing the OCC Chopper ride in Edmonton on Monday at Alberta Cycle for me after he gets back from the Border Rally in Lloydminister this weekend.

I will still be at the Redwater Ride for Hunger but heading home immediately after.

It is not often that my husband asks for help or admits that he needs it so I am going home - family first.

The rest of my riding season will depend on what the neurologist at the U of A tells us on Wednesday. It's a waiting game now and we'll just have to wait for some test results.

I know after spending time with Mike, he'll do a great job with ad sales and event coverage so I am leaving here with things in good hands.

If you are riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and please use respect with your throttle hand.

Belt Drive Betty

So much going on as the season heats up!

Right now we are getting an average of 3 - 4 new events to add to our on line calendars and that's daily folks!

Our membership on www.beltdrivebetty.com is climbing fast too!We are at almost 2,000 members!

I have a surprise for all of you too!
Not only have we been moving the website and all of the info to a new server and host but our wonderful gal Ali has been tweaking the web site - wait until you see it - it is phenomenal - and it loads so nice and fast!

Ali tells me she'll be ready for it to go live tomorrow or Saturday so check in....
I truly hope you are all as pleased with the site as I am, she has out done herself.

I also want to welcome another new BDB Partner Business, Mark's Work Wearhouse in Drumheller - Terry sells Frogg's Toggs!

Today is going to be primarily spent laying out the paper that goes to print on Monday with a stop in at McCool's for another great meal. Mike is flying solo today and going to some businesses in Airdrie so we'll see how he does! He has the right spirit!

I am going to let you all go for now - have a FABULOUS day - ride like everyone around you is blind and please, use respect with that throttle hand!

Belt Drive Betty