One BIG Announcement

I am a very proud gal today - my dream of being able to provide "CAA/AMA" Style services to the rider has come true!We now have a comprehensive Road Side Assistance Program that will knock your socks off I hope!

Best Roadside Service offers service in French and English - coverage all over North America and their 6 service calls can be dedicated to ONE person or SPLIT between spouses!

• Towing up to 75 Miles (120 Kilometres)
• Battery and Jumpstart Assistance
• Flat Tire Service
• Lost Key and Lockout Service
• Up to $100 for a Locksmith
• Out-of-Gas Fuel Delivery
• Personal Assistance
• Trip and Routing Service
• Full Concierge Service
• Hotel and Travel Discounts
• 6 Service Calls per Year

All of these benefits for $89.50 per year!

The service is transferable from your car, to your pick up to your motorcycle!

It has taken some time to find the right company to work with and I am so proud to be partnered with Best Roadside Service.

This special offer is only available to our members - just one more reason the become a member of the BDB Club (Bikers Discount Buying Club) Membership is FREE and comes with a ton of perks including the Discounts and special services from our own Rider Friendly Business Association!

Compare these prices and services to CAA or AMA and I am sure you will see the benefits to you immediately - the first benefit is the cost - the second benefit is that if you are in a relationship/marriage you can split the calls with your spouse!

I am so excited about this service for you, our members! I will continue working hard to find the right products and servies to offer you to make your life easier and more rewarding.

We are accepting donations for the victims of the Australian Floods - please - if you can help:

Australian Flood Victims - All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross

The CMT Injured Riders fund has $120 in it folks - we are looking to make that amount $25K so come on out the Edmonton Motorcycle Show and purchase a patch and help us build that fund!

No Interest loans meant to assist you during the time between the crash and insurance funds coming in...

Congratulations to Motorcycle Tour Guide Nova Scotia on their recent award at the Toronto International Super Show!

I am off to the Edmonton Motorcycle show today and for the next three days. I am accepting Hugs! Calgary did pretty fine considering the weather and the hugs were pretty top drawer people so let's see if Edmonton can top Calgary!

Have a fantastic day folks!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor &a Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Ontario Community May Deam Motorcycle Events Harmful to the Environment

Well folks - we are under siege over loud pipes, we are often harassed by police services who fear we may all be members of 1% "gangs" and now we are going to be harassed by the city of Kingston who thinks we are not good for the environment.

Their initial concerns were over a boating event but after discussions the motion was made to hold all events using city facilities to an environmental standard: The poker run, a weekend long event in which large power boats travel from Kingston to Prescott and back, came under fire two years ago from Kingstonians concerned about the pollution resulting from the event. It was estimated that the 74 boats participating in the 2010 event emitted between 100 and 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide. A report commissioned by the city also indicated that attendance had declined from 14,400 spectators in 2009 to about 9,000 in 2010.

Councillor Brian Reitzel asked that staff and the environment committee carefully weigh their recommendations before returning to council, some time late in 2011.

He noted that important charity events like the Ride For Dad, which involves more than 650 motorcycles on a single day, could also be considered unsustainable. Kingston Whig Standard

I wonder about  politicians and their desire to make a mark or reputation for themselves. I wonder is common sense is ever used in these kinds of decisions - I guess only time will tell.

If  you read the news you will see more US states like Florida are wanting motorcycle noise to be targeted...folks - we as a community need to get our act together - we need to start working on protecting our community from unfair and unwarranted attacks - at least that is my humble opinion...what is your opinion, I would deeply love to hear it.

We are collecting donations to be sent in to the Red Cross to help our fellow riding community in Australia - those poor people...if you can spare $5 - please consider donating - these people are devastated.

We don't just help those abroad that need help - we riders help so many causes right here at home - one cause I am asking you to support is the CMTA Injured Riders Fund -  it is meant to provide repayable NO interest loans to those who suffer a crash and need a bit of help until insurance kicks in....buying patches, donating, buying a CMTA Injured Riders Calendar....there are many ways to get involved and remember, one day it could be you needing that wee bit of a helping hand!  You will be able to buy the CMTA Charity Calendar from Death Wobble on Saturday at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show!

There is a whack of news over on www.beltdrivebetty.com Come on over and get caught up with what is happening here in Canada and around the world!

Have you checked out our Beat the PMS Blues on Line Show 'n' Shine? If you haven't and suffer from PMS, there are some fine rides in there that will help abate that horrid, horrid dis-ease! If your ride isn't in there, why not? It's free to enter and we have some fabulous prizes to give away!

I am going to sign of on a final note....We have a HUGE announcement for all of our members coming tomorrow morning! I can't wait to share with you all this incredibly exciting news....

I hope you all have a warm and safe day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Parked Motorcycle Syndrome & SS Syndrome

So, how many Edmontonians are going to come to the Edmonton Motorcycle Show this weekend?

The weather has been so unkind to the show managers across the country that I hope and pray that Edmontonians show up in full force regardless of the weather. The vendors and show managers work so hard to provide a great experience with something for everyone.

The SS Syndrome (Shiny $hit Syndrome) that accompanies PMS can be abated by making sure you have your charge or debit card ready - there are so many wonderful offerings for that ride of yours.

If you can't attend the Edmonton Motorcycle Show perhaps you will go and ogle the bikes that have already been entered in the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine. We have over 130 pictures in there already and I am hoping for many more. The dis-ease of PMS can only be reduced by seeing lots of motorcycles so our on line show 'n' shine and the motorcycle shows are a great way to put it at bay!

In major Canadian News, the IMBBA is getting geared up for the International  World Cup Ccompetition in Laval Quebec in April of 2012.

 “The IMBBA challenge is truly the first time Canada has to shine on a global market, with the rest of the world having to come to our door to compete, I feel it is long overdue, Canada’s commerce along with community and press from all these countries merging in Laval, Canada to photograph bikes that have never been seen before in public is exciting” said IMBBA’s Canadian representative and Master Bike Builder and Hall of Fame celebrity, Bob McKay.

In Other News:

Police forces in the USA are embracing the Zero motorcycle for stealthy patrols!

In Pennsylvania they are re introducing legislation to bring back helmet laws. 

In Calgary Alberta and alderman is concerned that if Calgary does not have a race facility it will be seen as lacking

On Vancouver Island the hunt is on for a rider who has not been heard from in a week. If you have seen William Norman Lumley - please get in touch with the police.

I hope you all have a warm and safe day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

A Biker Grandma that rocks it!

Dorothy Seabourne is an inspiration to everyone who wants to learn how to live life to the fullest. At 70 years old her passion for riding is as strong now as it was 30 years ago when she discovered it.

800,000 Kilometres, 7 bikes later, the Swiss Alps, Italy, the Autobahn, Big Horn Mountain and every kind of weather mother nature can throw at a rider later and this Grandma says: "I don't stay behind anything." Her Silver Ghost with its powerful V6 engine rides so smooth, she'll be going 140 km-h and it will feel like 120.

Confidence is a two-way street. You need it to ride. And you get it from riding."

She and her fellow Motor Maids love to ride, they live it and breathe it and when I am their age - I want to be that strong, that empowered and that in love with life.

I have a big day ahead of me and I am feeling a wee bit under the weather so I leave you to fend for yourself with regards to the news of the day. We have 127 pictures in the show 'n' shine and while they help the PMS I need more medication!!!!

Have a fabulous day and please drive with consideration and respect - that weapon you are driving can and will kill if not driven with courtesy.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Horror, tragedy and triumph

I had planned to write about the Calgary Motorcycle Show and what a great time I had, that will have to wait for the newspaper now. If you subscribe to the Busted Knuckle Chronicles you will be able to read all about it. If not - you'll have to wait until next week when the paper is made available to all members of our site. (Depending on tomorrow's news feeds I may yet give you a sneak peak of what I got to see and do!)

Today I want to talk about the shooting of Avid Motorcyclist & Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the Saddletramps in the USA.

Why did young Jared Lee Loughner, (22 years old) target Giffords for assassination? No one really knows - and they may never know. He was obviously troubled and angry, that's all we know right now.

The congresswoman has been the target of vandalism in the past, and although by many accounts she is considered a moderate Democrat, some of her positions on various topics have earned the wrath of some people.

Pima County Sheriff, Clarence Dupnik is exceedingly upset and very vocal about his feelings:
The sheriff blamed the vitriolic political rhetoric that has consumed the country, much of it centered in Arizona. "When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," he said. "And unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has become the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."(From the Huffington Post)

It appears that the ads of various politicians including Sarah Palin and Jesse Kelly have become so toxic and promote violence with guns and yet, these politicians do not seem to see the connection between their attack ads featuring the cross hairs of a gun pointing at Giffords Office or asking voters to point an M-16 rifle at her office...and the shooting of Giffords -I am dismayed - as I am sure many Americans are, that a troubled young man was allowed to go undiagnosed because of a failing health and metal health system, was allowed to legally purchase a weapon - but I am far more dismayed at the way these politicians in the USA talk about each other & the horrible attack advertising that is allowed to go on.

 In my humble opinion - far too many of the politicians south of the border are radicals and equally as scary as any terrorist might be - in fact to me they are scarier because they hold positions of power and authority and appear to have no conscience, morals or sense of right and wrong.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the congresswoman, her constituents who voted for her and most of all to the United States of America - You are a country in crisis, you appear to have lost your moral compass - at least a good number of your politicians appear to have - I am scared for you. You are rapidly loosing the respect of many countries in the world because of the actions of your politicians and tragedies like this one place emphasis on the ills of your political climate the way nothing else can.

My heart also goes out to the rest of the victims and their families in this incident. Why a nine year old girl had to perish for bad politics - well - what can I say - it is horrifying and tragic.

Also in the US - the Saddletramps are making the news again - but this time for a triumph of spirit.

Not long ago, a vehicle killed 4 members of this riding club and now they are, as part of their own healing, reaching out to a family of a toddler named Izaiah - back in October, the toddler and his grandfather were out for a walk when they were hit by a car driven by a teenager driving drunk.
Izaiah is now blind and paralyzed from the waist down. This riding club has lost so much and yet is finding so much by reaching out and giving back - My hats off to you - in my eyes and heart - you are heroes!

I would love for your thoughts and feedback on these contentious and tender issues - please join the discussion on our fan page: Belt Drive Betty  & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, in our forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com or right here in my blog.

Our Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n' Shine has 116 pictures in it - and while that is a great number - my doctor (mechanic) says that if I am to see a full recovery from the dis-ease called PMS, I will need more medication!!!

If you can help out by entering our Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine - PLEASE - I need some relief!

For the rest of the news of the day - please visit www.beltdrivebetty.com!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Story continues below

Calgary Motorcycle Show and PMS

As many of you know I suffer from a debilitating dis-ease called PMS - Parked Motorcycle Syndrome. The only known cure is to see MOTORCYCLES and lots of them. Our Beat the PMS Blues on line Show 'n' Shine has somewhere around 80 pictures in it so far and that sure helps make the symptoms of PMS slow down. There are some GORGEOUS machines in there!

What are the symptoms of PMS you ask?
Well among the many symptoms some of the worst are:

• Excessive daydreaming about last year's rides.
• Anxiousness 
• Constant reading of anything motorcycle related - some have this dis-ease so bad that they resort to reading parts catalogues even though their bike is so blinged out it takes them 2 days to clean it after a ride.
• Sitting on your motorcycle making Vroom Vroom sounds
• Dreaming wild dreams of carving curves in the mountains
• Being grouchy (more than normal)

PMS can also cause another extreme symptom to crop up known as SS Syndrome
For those not in the know - Shiny Shit Syndrome - although a debilitating dis-ease of it's own is also a symptom of MAJOR PMS
You can't walk by anything shiny without reaching for the plastic.

Come to the Calgary Motorcycle Show - or for my friends and fellow PMS suffers from Ontario to the Toronto International Super Show and  get a fix. Temporary though it may be, indulging your SS Syndrome will aide your PMS greatly - once you have indulged in the SS Syndrome the PMS will recede - but a warning - it is only a temporary fix!

I am on my way for breakfast and then to the BMO centre to get srt up for the Calgary Motorcycle Show - come on down folks - I WANT and NEED my New Years Hugs!!!!

I am going to leave you to fend for yourselves in the news feeds today - I have much to do in the next hour and a half - I will be tweeting from the Calgary Motorcycle Show so if I see anything interesting I will be giving a shout out!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Travel

There is nothing more that I love than a good road trip, I love the sights, the people and the adventure.

Today I head out on the 10 hour drive from Grande Prairie to Calgary, then next week Edmonton and then to Vancouver. I am excited - I always get butterflies of excitement roaming around in my tummy - it is the anticipation!

I have my wireless Bluetooth speaker for my car, all of my trade show gear is packed and being shipped in to the various shows, rooms and places to stay are all organized, meetings lined up with different people...it's exciting and nerve wracking!

Year end is all but wrapped up at the office with the books ready to go the my CA when I return and although I have not accomplished everything I wanted to before I leave, I am pleased with what has been accomplished.

I am looking forward to making two very major announcements as to the benefits of BDB Club membership and two very exciting new offerings...just waiting for the paperwork to be completed...might even be in time for Friday morning. One of the major benefits to membership this year is the Never Ride Alone program hosted by Intercon Messaging. Perhaps had the rider in California that died because his phone could not provide his location been a part of the Never Ride Alone program he might not have perished.
(My prayers go out to his family and friends)
The other two benefit announcements will be equally as important to riders I hope!

The Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine has taken off nicely - it seems that there are others out there who are suffering from the same deadly dis-ease that I have and like me, seeing motorcycles helps them deal with this little known dis-ease. Either that or they like winning great prizes.

There's lots in the news feeds today so make sure you visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to get your daily fix.

I need to get on the road so all of you wonderful people have a fantastic day and for you Calgary and area riders - HUG O METER time! Remember to stop into my booth at the Calgary Motorcycle Show and give me my New Year's Hug! For those in Toronto - stop in to the Ride for Progeria Booth and see Amanda Lynn or the Ontario Chrome Diva's Booth for subscription specials. I am donating $5 from every subscription sold to the Ride for Progeria and their marketing efforts as well as to the Ontario Chrome Divas and their Cancer fund raising efforts.

Until tomorrow...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com