Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through Our History - Special Feature

Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual & Transgender Month - Also known as Gay Pride Month is almost over.

So what does the LGBT community and it's celebrations have to do with motorcycling in Canada?

The recent publicity surrounding Bruce Jenner and his becoming Caitlyn has drawn much fire from society in North America as most people today just simply don't see what Bruce, now Caitlyn has done as news.

That is the acceptance factor of today. It's no big deal.

But imagine being a Grand Prix Motorcycle Racer and struggling with your identity in the 1950's.

Canada has had some rather famous people, who are transgender, come out of the closet so to speak.

Jamie Lee Hamilton - a Vancouver politician, aboriginal people's advocate and an advocate for sex trade workers. Born in 1955 as James Arthur Hamilton, her parents were both political activists.
In 1970 she was the first youth to be treated in Canada for gender identity disorder.

Jenna Talackova - born in 1988, raised in Vancouver, she began gender transition at 14 years of age. She completed he sex reassignment surgery at 19. She is best known for her role in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada Pageant when the Canadian pageant committee attempted to disqualify her. However, Donald Trump's office issued a statement reversing the Canadian organizers decision. She placed in the top 12 of the pageant.

Alec Butler - born in 1950 as Audrey Bulter, this Cape Breton native is an award winning playwright and filmmaker.

Aaron H. Devor - born in 1951 as Holly, Aaron is an internationally respected expert on gender, sex
and sexuality who teaches at the University of Victoria in BC.

Michael, now Michelle Duff

But did you know that before most of these people were born, before they declared that they were born in the wrong body and decided to do something about it, that a Canadian motorcyclist had also done the same thing?

In fact, this motorcyclist is one of the very first persons in Canada to have their gender reassigned.

The first Canadian person whose documentation is complete and verified was Dianna (Clifford) Boileau in 1969, her reassignment was completed in 1970.

Born Michael Alan Duff in 1939, the Toronto

native married twice and had two boys and a girl.
In 1984 Michael became Michelle and her gender reassignment was completed in 1987.

Michelle went on to become an author of young adult title books, is a children's writer and a photographer.

Michelle - Michael Duff had an incredible racing career, one that spanned 14 years from 1955 to 1969. Hers is a fascinating story, one filled with exotic motorcycles on exotic tracks surrounded by equally exotic people.

At 13 she caught the bug for riding by sneaking her brother's motorcycle out of the garage.

By 15 she was racing competitively.

In 1964 she won the Belgian Grand Prix becoming the first North American to win a World Championship Grand Prix and the first rider to lap the Spa race course at 120 MPH on a 250 Yamaha.


The following video from the National Film Board, Ride for Your Life, deals with the near fatal crash Michael had in Japan in 1965 and why he wanted to get back on the track.

Ride for Your Life by Robin Spry, National Film Board of Canada

In spite of the fear that Michelle had that she might not be accepted by race fans or competitors, Michelle has found acceptance from both fans and colleagues.

"Make Haste Slowly" is her autobiography.

She is a captivating writer and if you love motorcycles, her story is one you'll want to delve into deeper. If you'd like to read more on her story and the glory days of Grand Prix racing in Europe, visit the references below.

If you are blessed to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Research for this article:
zagria.blogspot.ca - A Gender Variance Who's Who
Michelle-Duff.ca
TTWebsite.com - Michelle Duff - A career with a twist
National Film Board of Canada (http://www.nfb.ca/film/ride_for_your_life/)
IJMS (International Journal of Motorcycle Studies)





Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Motorcycling in Canada, A Ride Through Our History - Part 1

1895 Roper Steam Velocipede - thevintagent.blogspot.ca

Throughout the centuries, man has endeavoured to expand his world through the use of machines.

Man’s ever-innovative and inquisitive mind, coupled with his need to find new thrills and adventure, means the development of the motorcycle was inevitable. The early years of motorcycling are fascinating as they offer up some of man’s most bizarre experimental machinery!

Sylvester Howard Roper built the first motorcycle in 1868. It was powered by a steam engine, and was demonstrated at fairs and circuses.

Many modern motorcycle features, including the twist handgrip throttle control,  evolved from the innovations on this machine.

By the late 1880s, motorcycle development became influenced by the internal combustion engine that had arrived on the scene.

Hildebrand & Woflmuller developed the first production motorcycle in 1894, and theirs was the first vehicle of its type to use the term “motorcycle”.

Hildebrand & Woflmuller
Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition

Hildebrand & Woflmuller
Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition

In 1901, Royal Enfield revealed its first motorcycle; it came with a 239 cc front-mounted engine and a belt drove the back wheel.

From 1901 on, the burgeoning sport of motorcycle racing fueled innovations at a fast and furious pace and as a result, hundreds of motorcycle companies sprang up around the world.

Even Canadians got into the act of producing motorcycles.

The CCM (Canadian Cycle & Motor Company) produced the Lightweight Motor Cycle from 1908 to 1911, there are only three known left to be in existence and one of them is at the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition in Vancouver.

Canada Post

In 1912, Toronto's Mercer Street was home to the Hendee Mfg. Co production plant. (In 1928, Hendee Mfg. Co. became known as Indian)

During the First World War, motorcycles began to replace horses on the battlefield. Dispatch riders carried communications pouches and performed reconnaissance missions.

Triumph Motorcycles provided the allies with over 30,000 of its newly created Type-H bikes in World War I. Dubbed by many as the first “modern” motorcycle, the Model H by Triumph was the first motorcycle to be produced without pedals.

1922 Triumph Model H Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles

By 1920, Harley-Davidson had become the largest manufacturer of motorcycles with dealers in 67 countries, although it lost that spot for a number of years to German owned DKW in early 1930.

After World War II, as part of the reparations for the war, Harley-Davidson in the US, BSA in the UK and MMZ in Soviet Union were given the plans for the DKW RT125.

In the US the motorcycle became known as the Hummer, in the UK as the BSA Bantam and in Soviet Union as the M-1A Moskva.

Although many manufacturers in the US had sprung up to build and sell motorcycles, by 1931, only Harley-Davidson and Indian were still standing.

From 1931 until Indian closed its factory in Springfield Mass., and Royal Enfield took over the name in 1953, Harley-Davidson and Indian were fierce competitors.

From: harleyhummer.com

Here is a short list of some of the oldest American motorcycle marques:

• Indian (1901-1953)
• Pierce Arrow (1901-1913)
• Curtiss (1902–1910)
• Harley –Davidson (1903-present day)
• Excelsior (1907-1931)
• Iver Johnson (1907-1916)
• Henderson (1911-1931)
• Ace (1920-27)
• Crocker (1936-1941)

The early 1900’s were an exciting time for the fledgling motorcycle community in Canada and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles played a huge role in that excitement and the growth of motorcycling as a sport and a pass time.

In 1907, Vancouver BC became home to the very first gas station in Canada; it was an Imperial Oil station. This would prove to play a significant role in the growth of motorcycling in Canada, and BC in particular, as the lower mainland of BC and Vancouver Island became hot beds for the sport.

• In 1912, the Victoria Motorcycle Club became one of the first motorcycle clubs in Canada.
• In 1913, Fred Deeley Sr. moved to Vancouver from Bromgsgrove England. In 1914 he opened a bicycle shop. He began importing BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Co) motorcycles.
• In 1917 he began importing the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It was around 1922 when the bicycle and motorcycle portions of the Deeley business became separate entities.
• Fred Deeley Jr. founded the Lions Gate Motorcycle Club in 1922 and took over operations of the motorcycle division of Fred Deeley Motorcycles in 1925. Today the Lion’s Gate Motorcycle Club is known as the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club.
• In 1935, 15-year-old Trev Deeley joins his father’s business as an apprentice mechanic.
• In 1953, he takes over the business. Today, Trev Deeley Motorcycles is the fourth oldest Harley-Davidson dealer in the world.

Without a doubt, motorcycling in Canada would not have evolved into what it has today if it had not been for the Deeley’s, Fred Sr., Fred Jr. and Trev.

Some historical tidbits on the expansion of motorcycling in Canada:

• 1919, the first retail dealership in Alberta opens up in Edmonton
• 1936, Prairie Harley-Davidson opened up in Regina Saskatchewan under the helm of Grant Budd.
• 1945, London Ontario becomes home to a Harley-Davidson dealership thanks to Percy Poole.
• 1949 Laurent B. Groulx opened Pont-Viau Motorcyclettes in Ville de Laval, Quebec, Quebec’s first Harley-Davidson dealership.
• 1969 was a year that would change many things in the Canadian Motorcycle Community. It was the year that Honda Motorcycles officially entered the Canadian market!
• 1973, both Yamaha Motors Canada and Suzuki Canada are founded.
• 1973 is also the year that Deeley Harley-Davidson became the official importer and distributor of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Canada

I hope you enjoyed this little history lesson.

I also hope you will join us as we begin the quest to find Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community.

Community Futures of Alberta, 

Belt Drive Betty Media, EastLink TV and a whole host of motorcycle media sponsors have gotten together to create over $60,000 in marketing packages to be shared by 12 communities!

The Grand Prize is a $35,000 marketing campaign!

It truly will be a contest of Exploration, Discovery & Community Pride! 

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Resources for this article:
The Vintagent
Wikipedia
Wilson, Hugo (1995). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. Dorling-Kindersley
Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
Hope 1842 dot Com
Harley Hummer dot Com
Honda Canada
Yamaha Canada
Suzuki Canada
Ian Chadwick dot Com
Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Allan Johnson, CVMG
Terry Rea, Motorcycle Historian





Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Darren "Willy" Williams, a good friend, father, husband, son and CAV Member - gone from us.

Being Belt Drive Betty means I get to know, ride with and care for a lot of people.
It also means that often times when tragedy strikes, I have to say goodbye to someone I loved and cared about.

Today I, along with my brothers and sisters from CAV mourn the passing of Darren "Willy" Williams.

He and 7 of his brothers were riding in Picton County Ontario when a Mazda Miata crossed the centre line and centre punched three of the 8 bikes, 2 riders were killed instantly and one is in critical condition.

Darren was one of the riders who was killed, the other rider who died, his name has not yet been released and neither has the name of the person in ICU. Next of kin need to be notified.

Here is what is in the news about the crash: http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/06/21/fatal-motor-vehicle-collision-in-prince-edward-county


Tracey, Darren's wife and Alisha and Michael, his children are in shock needless to say.

Darren had just become a grandpa for his first time and he so loved his little man Aiden. 

He only got enjoy being a grandpa for about 11 months.

At the 74th Crusaders Club House

Darren was the kind of friend you could call out of the blue and he always made time for you. I had first met him at the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby Nova Scotia in 2011.

I was blessed to spend some quality time with Darren in Greenwood NS and rode with him to Yarmouth in the driving down rain in 2013 on my Military Support Conga. 

We had stopped into the 74th Crusaders clubhouse to say hi just as the rain started.  When we made it to Yarmouth, Willy and I shared some time with a couple of the young folks who helped fundraise for the Yarmouth Memorial.

Trying some Tomato wine at the Yarmouth Farmers Market

The next morning, Joe and Willy took me to the memorial and then Joe and his wife Jo, Willy and I went the the farmer's market in Yarmouth - it was so foggy that Willy couldn't head back to Greenwood until mid afternoon. It was a wonderful time, one that I will forever carry in my heart.

He had given me some very special veteran's vest extenders, they were special before his life ended, but now they are just that much more special. I will always wear them with pride and remembrance.

A special gift made even more special

My heart breaks for my CAV family and the families of those affected by this horrible crash.

Please lift a prayer for willy's family and friends....

As soon as we have information on the other rider who passed and the rider in ICU, I will let you know.

It's father's day today. Look at that grumpy old man you call dad and hug him with all your might and remember to say I love you, with meaning and do it often because you never know when it will be your time to leave this world.

Darren, Jo and Joe at the Yarmouth Farmers Market

Jo, Joe and Willy at the Stanley Lobster Company

I miss you dad - Happy Father's Day

My dad, Jim McColeman at 8 Wing Trenton

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

So what the hell is Belt Drive Betty Media anyway....

I have been asked by the brand new sales people that I am in the process of training "What the hell is Belt Drive Betty Media anyway?

Belt Drive Betty Media started out as The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, a little black and white newspaper meant to serve the North Peace regions of Alberta and BC. It was packed with event information, something that 14 years ago was sorely missing on the internet or anywhere else.

Over the years, through listening to the riding community and what they wanted for tools, information and support, we began creating things like the Never Ride Alone Program, taking over the Canadian Riders Support Network, building a Rider Friendly Phone Book, Apps and a whole lot more!

Yes, since 2003, Belt Drive Betty Media has evolved into a full fledged Media Company offering a wide array of services and properties to get one's message out on or find the information you are seeking.

Our Web Sites:

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We have many blogs that I am now looking for riders to share their stories on.

Travel BC by Motorcycle

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Oh and let's not forget our App available for Download in the Google Play Store, by QR Code and soon to be in the Apple App Store.

And our phone book's PDF Download

Until today, putting this list together for my sales reps, I never really realized just how much territory we cover! 

Interested in networking with us?

Membership in the Rider Friendly Business Association start at $129.95 per year and offers a host of benefits to the member business. 

Be you a Small Business, a Travel Destination Office or District Marketing Office, National Brand/Chain or an Event Coordinator, we have membership levels and advertising packages to suit your needs!

If you are interested in working with Belt Drive Betty Media: 

In Eastern Canada, contact Chantal Senecal for more information

In Alberta, contact Marnie Thibodeau

In BC and for National Advertising contact Nanette Jacques

If you currently work with us, or have been recommended to us, you can expect, over time to have one of these lovely ladies reach out to you!

Have a fabulous day and if you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.