Laws in the US - a change for the better for riders? Maybe....

From Motorcycle-USA and the AMA this morning comes word of a bill in the house committee on transportation that has the potential to change motorcycling in the USA and, if passed it would be for the better!

The bill calls for renewed funding for motorized trails and a ban on motorcycle only check points....let's cross your finger that by some stroke of good fortune - common sense will prevail.

It would be wonderful to see some of these positive changes take root and to see our community be treated in a more equitable manner!

Now if only we Canadian riders could get our heads together and have a ton of people share in the elbow grease perhaps we could see similar changes be considered here!

Communication and a united front and effort needs to be applied...am I a day dreamer or what!

In Other news...

In Ontario the  South Coast Tourism Alliance has just released it's 2012 version of their Crusie the Coast Map!

In Quebec, they are gearing up for the MMIC show this weekend and Harley will be there...

Moncton is gearing up to host the Atlantic Motorcycle Show Feb 10-12th

Horse Thief Hideout in Invermere BC is the place for the first annual Backwoods Blues event May 18,19,20 2012 - tickets have just gone on sale!

Out of Texas comes word on the lawsuit between The Republic of Texas Biker Rally Inc. and Bikinis Bar & Grill, it seems they have reached a settlement in their trademark infringement lawsuit!

In Pennsylvania a Harley Dealership was swarmed by police  to break up an argument between rival "gangs' . Apparently as many as 100 bikers were involved.

There is a TON of other news out there today on new bike models and information on the 110th Anniversary celebrations for Harley-Davidson...check it all out at www.beltdrivebetty.com

I leave you with a few giggles and inspirational thoughts from my friends on Facebook and from emails...I really do have a great circle!

Have a fantastic Thursday and remember to cast your vote for your favourite bike in the Beat the PMS Blues Online Show n Shine!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Biker TV is all grown up and set to thrill!

From it's humble beginnings, nothing more than a vision, a dream shared by a small circle of people, Biker TV was born.  It struggled to find it's centre, to convince Canadian businesses and riders that there was really a need for a Canadian program of this nature -  but the team never varied from it's vision, it's dream and today were are treated to a show that has evolved into a delight for the Canadian Motorcyclist.

Biker TV has just announced that Jordan Szokes will be hosting a racing news segment, Wally Bezler of the Fairview Campus at GPRC will be hosting a tech segment and Terry Rae of the Deeley Harley-Davidson Museum will the you for a walk down memory lane.  With rally and ride segments, fashion reports and great riding - Biker TV is your place to tune into what happened in 2011 and what's going to be hot in 2012.

Hostess with the mostest - Heather Ireland, Canada's very own Road Queen takes you on an zig zag trip across this magnificent land of ours. Season 8 begins on March 3rd on CTV Two  - 11:00 AM SATURDAY'S & 11:00 AM SUNDAY'S...hope you tune in and support Canada's only real show about the Canadian Motorcycle Scene!

In other news:

Quebec riders will be celebrating as should all Canadians...according to the report from Dealer News,
Laurent Prémont is building a $15 million dollar, 23,000 square metre Harley-Davidson dealership complete with a museum, & restaurant. Slated to open this summer in Quebec City, the dealership will also feature a drive-thru information service, a 22-bench motorcycle workshop and storage space for 450 motorcycles.

In southern Alberta police have arrested members of the Outlaws   

The Hells Angels are making news again as their World Run location has been chosen for 2012, they are Spearfish bound and the police services are preparing.

In Canadian Motorcycle Sports, the WEC looks back at a year of firsts and looks forward to a year of many more firsts.

There are many more articles that may be of interest to you over at www.beltdrivebetty.com, come check them out and then join our site with our new Facebook connect tool -  this level of free membership has some restrictions but allows you to vote on the bikes in our 2012 Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine amongst other things! We call this membership Level the Test Rider.

If you have been following our web site overhaul, you will see many improvements have already taken place but many more are in store for you in the weeks ahead.

We have some new apps we will be launching in March amongst other things so why give us a test ride...you might just decide to join us as a full fledged Bronze member - Bronze Membership - which is also free, involves you giving us some basic personal information like a mailing address, and allows you to take advantage of of the free rider support tools we offer like the use of the BDB Club Hotline.

Hosted by Intercon Messaging, you can call toll free to resolve membership issues, access the Canadian Riders Support Network while on the road and  the Never Ride Alone Program from Intercon Messaging!  Being a full fledged Bronze member also has some other great benefits like the BDB Club card which is good for special services and discounts at some 250 businesses AND you also qualify for the special pricing on our own Roadside Assistance Program hosted by Best Roadside.

Our Roadside Assistance program gives you six calls, is shareable with your spouse or significant other at no extra fee...and allows you to use it for your car, van or SUV, pick up and or motorcycle - you are covered no matter which of your vehicles you are using!  With most of the same benefits as CAA or AAA you are covered in Canada and the USA and can be served in English, French or Spanish and is only $89.50 a year USD! We have the BEST pricing on Roadside Assistance - compare what is offered by Best Roadside and CAA or AAA and I am sure you will agree!

I will leave you with a few giggles shared with me by friends on Facebook and from emails...laughter truly is the best way to start your day.

Have a fabulous HUMP day everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Writer

A mixed bag in the news today...

The news is filled with some odd articles today... there is an article on the RCMP from BC pulling out of a training program. 

Begin Quote: David Eby claims a police force in Arizona, that trains Canadian officers in drug recognition, is accused of racial profiling and refusing services to people who don't speak English." End Quote

Mr. Eby is the Executive Director of the BC Civil Liberties Association.  I wonder what prompted such a move and for it to be made public? Is the RCMP in BC gaining a conscience?  Read the article and then tell me your thoughts - I would LOVE to hear them!

Under US Law & Politics comes a bizarre story about texting and driving not being illegal in Virginia and now they are proposing to repeal the law where in two motorcycles are not allowed to ride side by side...hmmmm

Under Business and Industry News comes word of yet another Trademark challenge for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally...this challenge comes from Renegade Classics Corp.


There is a first ride review on the Victory Hard Ball from Motorcyclist Online and a write up on the
2011 SUZUKI GSX-R600 from SuperBike in the UK...

Today is the last day to get your bike entered into our 2012 Edition of Belt Drive Betty's Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine - we have tons of wonderful prizes to give away and it's free to enter so what ARE you waiting for?

I leave you with some giggles shared by friends on Facebook, through emails etc...hope they put a giggle in your day too...

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Home in one piece....

This was the view through the windshield on my way home yesterday (Sunday Jan 29th) - and this is what the good portion of the highway looked like - I felt safe enough to take one hand off of the wheel here to shoot a picture - I used my Drift Video Camera that was dash mounted and then took the photo from it, I never lined the shot up, just took it and hopedI which it did - the drive was horrendous to say the least. ( For those who are wondering, I used my new Drift HD 1080 camera, dash mounted to take this photo by using the remote that it comes with. I was unsure if the camera was still on at this point but hit the remote and low and behold the photo worked out! My hand was off the wheel for about 2 seconds, just long enough to push the button - I thought I was going to shoot video but apparently had it on camera mode!)

I had a ton of running around to do in Edmonton and area on Saturday and made it to Whitecourt and had something to eat and fuelled up the car - I was back on the highway at 6:30 pm...until then the roads were pretty decent but 5 KM out of Whitecourt it became horrendous with freezing rain and blowing snow.  Travelling at 70 KPH I finally made it to Fox Creek - normally a 45 minute drive - it took two hours - no rooms there with the oil patch having gone crazy while I was away - so I tucked in behind a snow plow and arrived at a friends home in Little Smokey to wait it out for the night - the photo above was taken at around 11:30 AM on Sunday morning. It had taken a hour to travel from Little Smoky to Valleyview...

So why am I writing about bad winter weather driving in a motorcycle blog? Well you see the drivers that I encountered during this horrid weather are the reason I am writing about this experience because truly, these are probably the same people who are responsible for many of the near misses, crashes and fatalities experienced by many motorcyclists - these people lack any kind of empathy or common sense.

Passing on a double solid line, driving way too fast for road conditions, thinking they are invincible in there semis and their 4 x 4's...

I can not tell you the number of times I was buried in slush, blinded by blowing snow from vehicles passing and almost cut off by people cutting back in too fast for the road conditions. There was lots of room and really no need for cutting anyone off. At the speeds some of these people were travelling, one wrong move and many people had the potential to get hurt - I simply do not understand the wisdom...

I am beginning to really dislike many motorists - I have good Michelin Ice Tires on my Neon - but it is still a little car and gets pulled harshly by the slush and snow ridges - I tend to be a cautious driver and attempt to always be as courteous as possible by finding places to pull off and let others by and the like, however on a 2 and three lane highway and me being in the slow lane - there really was no reason for the antics I witnessed and in some cases experienced.

PEOPLE -  you need to learn to slow down and be far more courteous out there for you see, many of the drivers who did pass me, ended up in the ditch farther on down the line, including three semis - what did your speed and rude behaviour really get you?

Oh and to the dude in the Jeep by Jasper on Friday who did the same thing, passed in a stupid place, cutting me off and generally driving too fast for the road conditions - I was the lady who waved at you in the ditch while the tow truck was winching you out.

I hope he gave you a good bill and added a stupidity tax or surcharge! In my world I have learned that slow and steady win the race - I made it home because I took my time and was cautious - what right do you have to risk my life by your impatient and dumb choices?

Now on to the news of the day...

In Holland - Dutch police are getting tough on outlaw bikers...

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), demand for new harley's is high

In Florida they are discussing the opportunity to extend Biketoberfest

In South Dakota, two Hells Angels are convicted of assault

There is also an interesting article on Helmet advancements under the Lifestyles - Rider Safety & Training category.

I leave you with a few giggles from friends on Facebook and from emails...

Have a great Monday everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

How you can make a difference....

I got word late last night that KISS FM (http://www.1075kiss.com/) in Vernon hosted a poll to see if the Mayor of Vernon BC, Rob Sawatzky, should support Sturgis North - sadly I did not get the notification to rally the troops until it was too late - however, if like most riders you are tired of being tarred with a brush that is not yours to wear - there is still something you can do to show support.

You can email the mayor of Vernon to express your support for this event: mayor@vernon.ca

Ray Sasseville and Joan Hansen of Sturgis North are doing everything in their power to pay people back after the losses that were suffered at the 1st Sturgis North event in Salmon Arm - if this event is not supported or allowed to go ahead - they will never be in a position to make things right and in my humble opinion they deserve the opportunity to attempt to make things right for everyone.

The fact of the matter is that the Hells Angels seldom pose a problem at a public event - they are far smarter than the cops or politicians give them credit for being...

The poll of Kiss FM had the following results:
82% in favour of the Sturgis North event and 18% not in favour...
All systems are green for go for this event - but the more support from the public, the better.

With bands like The Guess Who, Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd, Edgar Winter and the Stampeders already booked - this should prove to be a fun and well attended event - let's just hope for all concerned there are not more DEA and Anti Biker Units present than there are spectators and that we as a community will be allowed to have some fun without the scrutiny that we riders were put through last year. Your support NOW has a chance to make that happen.

Someday we riders will be able to attend an event and not be treated like second class citizens but that will only happen if this community starts getting vocal!

There are other articles of interest over at www.beltdrivebetty.com

Don't forget that entries for the 2012 Beat the PMS Blues online Show 'n' Shine are only accepted until midnight MST on January 31st - if you aren't entered you can't win!

I leave you with a few giggles that have been shared with me by friends on Facebook and through emails...

Have a fabulous Friday and weekend!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

ARE YOU SERIOUS????

The Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally & Music Festival is front and centre of a blatant fear mongering article by the CBC.  

Were there members of the Hells Angels at the Sturgis North last year? Yes - did they cause trouble? NO - in fact a really stupid woman who was fighting with her boyfriend caused more ruckus and BS than anyone there. I know because I dealt with her when she wouldn't quit attacking the man who kept trying to walk away from her.

The ridiculous article will fuel the Anti Biker Units and the RCMP to swarm the event and cost the event coordinator tons of money for enhanced policing and will put a damper on the event as every rider who attends will be put under police scrutiny - UNFAIRLY - AGAIN.

The main stream media is so often used as pawns but the police services and yet again, it appears that the CBC would rather create sensationalism as opposed to report on the real news.

I shake my head at this inane report that sees the mayor of Vernon all worked up and concerned that unlawful people might enter his town as a result of the event....

In other news:

Abbotsford BC is getting geared up for Motopsycho Mania - here is the link for your chance to win tickets: Win Tickets To Motopsycho Mania In Abbotsford

In Virginia they are getting ready for a fight to do away with motorcycle only check points - wouldn't that be wonderful if they are successful!

In South Carolina there is another fight brewing over the H-D spring rally - the dealer wants to make it 10 days and now Horry county is considering banning all vendor permits and the ABATE is not happy with the dealership...

There are many other articles in the news feeds that may be of interest to you - visit www.beltdrivebetty.com to see what might affect YOUR world!

I leave you with a few giggles shared by my friends on FB and by email...

Have a fabulous Thursday and remember - get your show n shine entries in!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

In the news...

The news feeds are filled with all kinds of interesting articles, some that we really need to pay attention to!

The one of particular interest is the bill that is in the State Senate House in Florida - It's known as the Stiffer Penalties Bill.

If passed this law will maThe news feeds are filled with all kinds of interesting articles, some that we really need to pay attention to!

The one of particular interest is the bill that is in the State Senate House in Florida - It's known as the Stiffer Penalties Bill. 

If passed, this law will make the penalties for injuring riders much more severe. If you get caught following too close the fine is $100, if you rear end a bike and injure someone, the offence becomes a misdemeanour and will result in a fine, jail time and license suspension. Causing death is a far stiffer penalty.

American Bikers Aiming Towards Education has been working towards seeing this bill get passed for over 9 years and is frustrated that it has not yet passed.

The fact that this bill is in the senate is a great thing - it will not only protect the motorcyclists but other motorists and bicycle riders as well but why has it not passed as of yet? I am unsure of what may be holding it up, this is one story we will be doing our best to follow as it could all be the framework for a similar law to be introduced here in Canada.

It is my fondest hope that more Canadian riders start lobbying for our rights to be protected by the law instead of us always being subjected to preferential treatment in an unconstitutional way...

In other news:

In BC - Sturgis North is awaiting the finalizing of their contract with MotoPlex Speedway and Event Park for their event to be held July 18-22.

The Speedway is located on the old Kamloops Highway between Vernon and Falkland.

In Ontario - the Heroes' Highway Ride has HUGE news to share with everyone...

Also in Ontario, the 4th shooting suspect in the case of a Hells Angels member and a woman who were shot in London has been caught.

In Orlando Florida - BACA raised over $8,000 for their fight against child abuse.

There are many motorcycle reviews and other articles that may be of interest to you in the news feeds over at www.beltdrivebetty.com

You have one week to get your entries into our Beat the PMS Blues Online Show 'n' Shine. We have incredible prizes up for grabs including a Leather Jacket from Underground Heads, a $100 Keg GC from Dalton Timmis - Home for Chrome Insurance, Gift Certificates from Ernie O's, a Drift Camera and a weekend camp out for 12 at the Bunkhouse Resort in Haida Gwaii BC.

There are many other prizes up for grabs as well folks - it's free to enter and a great way to have some fun while we are daydreaming about riding.

I will leave you with a couple of jokes shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email...

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider