On the road to finding Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community!!!!

The judging portion of Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is now over and the finalists have been announced!

Holly Sorgen and the crew at Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region did a fantastic job of weighing and evaluating the 66 nominations that were received!

The 12 communities that will move on to the first of three voting rounds are:

West

1.       Two Hills, AB

2.       Fruitvale, BC

3.       Kamloops, BC

4.       Kaslo, BC

5.       New Denver, BC

6.       Nisku, AB

Runners Up:

Estevan, SK

Flin Flon, MB

East

1.       Moncton, NB

2.       Manitoulin Island, ON

3.       Port Dover, ON

4.       Summerside, PEI

5.       Digby, NS

6.       New Liskeard, ON

Runners Up:

Carbonear, NL

Centreville, N

6 of these communities have already won a $1,500 marketing package from Belt Drive Betty Media- which 6 will be determined when the final votes are counted beginning February 26th.  All votes cast will go through a rigorous vetting before they are included in the final totals.

The 6 communities that "win" in this round move on to phase 2 of the voting on their way towards being named Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community! 4 will be guaranteed to win a $2,500 Marketing Package supplied by Belt Drive Betty Media & the sponsors of the contest! 

The final two will duke it out for the  $10,000 runner up prize and the Grand Prize $35,000 marketing campaign and the right to call themselves....Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community of 2105!

Visit www.riderfriendlycontest.ca to find out more!  

Help the community you would like to see win....Voting begins Monday February 8th, 2016 at 10 AM MST.

At this time we want to acknowledge all of our wonderful sponsors - without them we would not be able to host a contest like this!

Congratulations to the 12 communities that made it through the judging portion and a heartfelt thank you to all who took the time to nominate their community!  It's wonderful to see riders and community leaders showing so much pride in their wonderful communities!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A Vancouver Island Rider & Community Pillar under attack

For those from Vancouver Island, the Cumberland area in particular, Jean Cameron is an icon, a pillar of their community.

This hard working barber/hairdresser was the brawn behind the 7 year old Cumberland Motorcycle Round-Up.

Cameron had cancelled the event for 2016 due to issues with the local police force and now finds herself in the most bizarre of situations.

You see, last week, a mountie on bicycle patrol took down a 14 year old who was riding without a helmet and on the sidewalk. From what I have learned talking to the locals there, this young person had just gotten his bike out of the bicycle repair shop. Apparently the 14 year old would not give the officer who tried to stop him his name and he was rude. That's when the officer decided to take him down.

Watch the video here: 

See another news article here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/arrest-of-youth-on-vancouver-island-sparks-controversy-1.3425366

Instead of following the young man home when he refused to stop or answer the officer in a civil manner, this officer decided to tackle the young man who, remember, was helmetless, risking this young man hitting his head on the pavement. 

It is unclear as to why the officer chose this type of take down, instead of, as I said, just following the young man home OR going to the repair shop to find out who he was and addressing the 14 year old's parents.

The 29 year veteran of the RCMP involved in this take down is a corporal, which has me questioning what his conduct record looks like that after 29 years in the force he's still a constable. But that's just me - I question everything.  

Now back to the situation at hand...Jean was called out of her salon by a bystander telling her that a child was being beaten by a man. Jean came outside and saw a man in a neon vest with a choke hold on this young man as is evidenced in the video below.

By all accounts, from the bystanders who have spoken out, they say the officer went too far.

He was dealing with a minor, who although he is 14, is small for his age and looks more like 12 or so I am told and Cumberland is after all a very small town of only 3,400 people.

Ms. Cameron has been handed an order to appear in court and a judge will decide if she should be charged for obstruction of justice/interfering with a police officer.

I spoke briefly with Ms. Cameron who was reluctant to talk about the issue for fear of further reprisal. All she could tell me was that this man had this slight youngster, in a choke hold when she came out of her salon. She felt that the child was scared and that is why he was struggling against the officer.  Jean tried to calm him down so the officer wouldn't hurt him anymore and she admits that her language was at times colourful as she berated the man for taking down a minor in this fashion.

I have met Jean Cameron a few times and I have seen how the kids in this community look up to her and turn to her for advice and guidance, she really is the aunty to every kid in the community.

Based on the video, the comments from most locals and what I know of Jean I would say she felt she was doing what was right, protecting a child in her community.  The police see it differently.

I have called the RCMP, but as of this moment, the official statement that is in the video is all they are offering.

Jean can not afford the legal fees and so the folks in the village of Cumberland have started a defence fund for Jean.

If Jean is charged, she will need a lot of financial support. 

If she is not charged, any funds raised in excess of the legal bill will be donated to YANA for sick kids.

If you can afford to help Jean fight what is viewed as an injustice please send your donations to:

1st Credit Union 

Box 138, 

Cumberland BC  V0R 1S0 

The cheque should be made out to Cresslyn FAY & Terry Morrison and in the memo, Jean Cameron Defence Fund

OR you can donate by Electronic Mail Transfer to:

cumberlandhotel123@gmail.com That's cumberlandhotel ONE TWO THREE @ gmail.com

Perhaps body cameras should become part of an officers uniform?

If you are blessed enough to be where you can ride today, PLEASE remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you and please consider dressing for the slide and not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

An unpleasant chapter finally closed!

As many of you have noticed, I have not been blogging as much as I normally do.

There are a number of reasons for that.  I have been dealing with a number of very time consuming and draining issues and late yesterday I got news that the most draining of them all has finally concluded.

On December 22nd of 2013, I along with 6 others were slapped with lawsuit papers by Ray Sasseville, Joan Hansen and Sturgis North.

Bernie Aubin, Steven Hammer, Vince Lewis, the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of Sicamous and the City of Sicamous and myself found ourselves embroiled in a nuisance, shot gun lawsuit where in among other things, libel and slander were the predominant complaint.  It did not take very long for the City and Mayor of Sicamous to have the case against them dropped.  A few months later, the case against Bernie, Steve, Vince and the Chamber was dropped, leaving me the only one left to fight the case.

Over the course of the last two years I have seen the lawyer for Sturgis North et al be suspended, not once but twice. I attended the BC Securities hearing against Ray, his wife Edith and his accountant, Norm Keller. The result of that hearing was just recently announced.  Ray Sasseville was banned from trading for 5 years and fined $10,000, his wife was banned for 1 year and fined $5,000 and Norm Keller, their accountant was banned for 1 year and fined $5,000.  Click here to read more about the bans and fines.

Ray attempted to settle with me a month before his failed Merritt event by offering me passes and some cash to promote his event, he said that if I agreed, he'd drop the case.  In all good conscience, I could not and from that point forward all communications ceased.

My attorney, Rodney Chorneyko hit wall after wall attempting to move this case forward toward resolution.  In September of 2015, we finally got in front of a "judge" however, while the "judge" agreed the case could be quashed for want of prosecution, she did not like the way my lawyer had served Joan Hansen.  You see when Gerhard Pyper, their attorney was suspended, Ray filed to become self representing, Joan however, did not.

So, because Mr. Pyper was suspended a second time, Joan's file was in the hands of the BC Law Society.  It took several attempts to finally have Joan file as self representing, but the minute we were notified that it was done, Rodney served them all again and the culmination of that effort took place yesterday.

A consent dismiss order was signed and the lawsuit is now ended. I will not be getting any of my costs back, but then, even if I did get an order for costs, Ray's home is in foreclosure, he and his wife have $15,000 in fines to pay BC Securities and Mike Smith who has a judgement against Ray for $70,000 has, as of the best of my knowledge, not been able to collect on it. It is also my understanding that Ray paid $40K to the plaintiff in the Arizona Court case to end that lawsuit back in October/November of 2015.

Knowing all of these things about his financial standing I agreed to not go after costs, after all, the likelihood of collecting appears to be slim to none and any attempt to collect would be met with more costs.

FINALLY this lawsuit is over.

It's been a tough road to walk, but now I feel somewhat vindicated.

I don't feel victorious though,  I am not gloating or shouting with glee. I should feel like celebrating, but all I can think about are all of the people that to this date, have gotten none of the promised compensation over three failed motorcycle/music fests.

I do feel good though after all I have done my level best to educate people so that they could make sound decisions. I have been condemned and criticized by some and praised and hailed by others for my attempts to stand strong and support the truth and this community.

To those who felt I deserved to be sued because you feel I am too outspoken, too passionate, too opinionated; I say thank you. You have been the best teachers I could have asked for.

To those who supported me, some financially, I say thank you, for you shored up my resolve when I felt weak or guilty over what the stress was doing to my husband.

To those who still hold the bag financially over their dealing with Sturgis North I pray you overcome.

My only regret about the outcome of this case is that we never actually went to court.  I truly wanted my day. I wanted to be able to make public all of the copious documents and email conversations from those whose businesses and lives were adversely affected by their dealings with the Sturgis North event management.

I wanted to hear a judge say that I was within my rights to put together the information I did, that I did it properly and well, and that by offering Ray the opportunity to speak though he chose not to, I had ensured the integrity of the body of evidence I had pulled together.

I am happy to have this case over. I am happy to see the relief in the eyes of my husband. I am happy that I don't need the services of Rodney Chorneyko anymore but I am grateful to Steve Hammer for introducing him to me as Rodney has been relentless in getting this case closed.

I am grateful for so very much this morning.

Now I have one favour to ask all of you who ride.

Our 9th Annual Beat the PMS Blues entry has been extended because my Doctor, Dr. Feelgood says that I am not getting the massive dose of motorcycle photos that I need to deal with my PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome.)  He says the number of entries we has so far is barley going to sustain me.

There are some MAGNIFICENT prizes to be won - a Drift Ghost S Camera from the Sports Camera Store, Swag from Nashville Bike Week, a set of Love-Jugs to keep your hot motorcycle cool, books from Chris Holesheck and survival gear from Prospector Central - that collapsable cooler/stool is a rally survival must have!

So please folks, enter your bike in our online show n shine and help me get through the PMS Blues - I want to smile again, I need to smile again and seeing all of your wonderful motorcycles will make that happen - I know they will! Click on the banner below to go to the show n shine page....

Have a great day everyone and if you are blessed enough to be riding today because of the climate you live in or are holidaying in - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you. (And think of we Canucks and those who live in cold snowy climates and BE GRATEFUL you can ride.)

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.

Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through our History - Part 11

Suzuki entered the Canadian market in 1973 alongside Yamaha and Kawasaki. Having started producing motorcycles in 1952, it only took them 10 short years to break onto the racing circuits in a meaningful way.

Suzuki built its first motorized bicycle, the ’Power Free’, it was designed to be inexpensive and easy to maintain, it used a 36cc, two-stroke engine clipped to the frame of a conventional bicycle.

The Power Free’s unique double sprocket gear system allowed riders to pedal without engine assistance, with engine assistance, or to travel completely under the engine’s own power.  The Power Free was followed by a number of renditions, namely the Diamond Free and the Mini Free.

During the 50's and into the early 60's Suzuki produced a motorcycle called the Colleda which was sold primarily in Japan until the late 50's.

Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Belgium born racer Joel Robert won the 1970 250 cc title. In the 1970's, Suzuki established themselves in the motorcycle racing world with both British born racer Barry Sheene and Belgium born racer Roger De Coster winning world championships in the premier 500 cc division in road racing and motocross respectively.

Suzuki changed the face of motorcycling and motorcycle racing in a very meaningful way.

Suzuki was the first motorcycle manufacturer to utilize a design house to design a motorcycle.
The GSX1100S Katana was that bike  designed by the Target Design Team.

When they introduced the Katana in 1980/1, they made people stand up and pay attention, the aggressive in your face styling and innate handling of the machine made people realize that Suzuki motorcycles were going to be contenders on the track and on the road.

In 1985, they introduced GSX-R750 - the Gixxer - a motorcycle that radically changed the face of motorcycling and racing.  This machine (and the Katana), made it affordable for independent racers to be competitive.

In 1996, Suzuki re-invented GSX-R750. This was the turning-point model of the GSX R series.

Equipped with a twin-spar frame instead of the double cradle frame, a shortened wheelbase that generated smooth drivability and a dry weight of  only 179kg, this machine .

Suzuki kept innovating, wanting their machines to stand head and shoulder above the rest.
And they did so in 1999 with the unveiling of the GSX1300R Hayabusa. The 1298cc liquid-cooled DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine that powered the Hayabusa  was the epitome of world class engineering. Aerodynamic in design with the superb balance of the engine performance coupled with impressive handling and a wide speed range on the road made the Hyabusa an instant success.

Suzuki had become a racers delight.
But the innovations did not stop in 1999. Oh no, it seems they were just gearing up.

The GSX-R1000 became the newest addition to the GSX-R family in 2001 and it had the same impact as the GSX-R750 did in 1985. The rule book on performance, weight, handling and styling were once again re written by Suzuki. Dominating race tracks and awards ceremonies around the world, the Gixxer became a racer and a fan favourite.

From 1985 to 2012, Suzuki sold over 1 million Gixxer models!

2008 was another banner year for Suzuki, a company that never rests on its laurels. A naked muscle bike with attitude, the Suzuki B-King, which had first been shown as a concept model in 2001 joined the Suzuki stables.

They also launched the worlds first production fuel injected motocross bike - the RM-Z450 in 2008 along with the GSX-R600 and 750 models. But they weren't done yet!
The motorcycle many called "the thinking mans bike" was introduced, the 2nd generation Hayabusa 1300.

The V-Strom 650 has been the best-selling model in its class since it was first introduced in 2004. 

In 2012, the revamped V-Strom 650 saw improvements its performance and comfort. The 645cc V-Twin engine had improved low-to-mid rpm performance that was matched by enhanced fuel economy and environmental performance.

In 2014, the V-Strom 1000 was released, the first Suzuki model with ABS.

When it comes to the race track, Suzuki has produced some impressive results.

Art "The Dart" Robbins from Scarborough Ontario was considered to be one of the most natural of all riders in Canadian Road Racing history. He was also sadly plagued by many personal problems which eventually caused his demise as a racer.

Colin Fraser, then organizer of the Parts Canada Superbike Series, commented that Art Robbins was "the greatest wasted talent in the history of Canadian Motorcycle Racing".

Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum

The machine that caused the meteor like rise of Robbins was the 1979 GS1000.

Winning his first major pro race in 1982, Art Robbins went on to win many races. 

In 1983 he won the Canadian Superbike Championship onboard the GS1000.  

He won the championship a second time onboard a Yamaha TZ750. 

He and Michele Mercier battled head to head many a time.  Michele, a factory Suzuki rider won the Championship in 86 & 87 on the GSX-R750, he too ended up moving to Yamaha, winning the Pro Superbike Championship 1990 on the Yamaha OWO1, the last championship in this class of his career.

The Suzuki machines, the Katana and the Gixxer in particular, made it affordable for many independent riders to become real competitors in the sport of road racing.

And that is true of all of the Japanese motorcycles. They took technology and design to new levels, coupled with affordable production, this made the Japanese bikes more affordable than North American built motorcycles.

In the final article of this series we will explore the Kawasaki motorcycle.

No other manufacturer in Canadian Racing has dominated the track the way Kawasaki has.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment of the "Motorcycling in Canada, A Ride Through Our History" articles.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Research for this article:

Suzuki Cycles dot Org
Overdrive
Bar Hodgeson
Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum

The Suzuki Katana

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.

Winter Driving & The Calgary Motorcycle Show

Last week I headed out from Grande Prairie AB to Calgary and the 2016 Motorcycle Show.

The weather was less than ideal with freezing fog, freezing rain, driving snow in various places.

As I was driving along I thought about the interview I had done a few days previous with Bill Gardiner a long time mechanic and recognized automotive expert who had some sage advice for winter driving.

Bill Gardiner

His first piece of advice, which my husband is adamant about is to use proper winter tires.
All season tires become too hard in the cold and that makes stopping as well as maneuvering very difficult.  All season tires are rendered all but useless after 7 C.

Engine care is another important aspect of winter driving.  Using proper lubricants/motor oil is also important.  Bill recommends Quaker State oil, because it contains a higher volume of low volatility zinc content than other oils.  The low volatility zinc does not take part in the combustion process thereby reducing how much ash builds up in the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors yet, keeps the engine lubricated better.

One other thing we discussed was washing your vehicle to get rid of salt, sand and debris.  Bill highly recommends that you wash your vehicle on a day when it is sunny and the vehicle can sit to dry all day. Otherwise you are better off leaving the vehicle dirty for a bit. That was something I had not known. So on this trip I took his advice.

Washing your vehicle keeps brake rotors cleaner making your braking system last longer as well as removing the debris and salt that causes corrosion of the body.

Bill has lots of tips on keeping your vehicle running at its peak. You can visit Motoring TV for more of Bill's tips.

Of course along with these tips Bill also recommended driving to the conditions and really knowing the limitations of your vehicle. A tip that more drivers here in Alberta would be wise to follow.

Driving too fast for road conditions will potentially land you in the ditch as was the case for many south central drivers last Thursday.  I really resent people who tail gate or are so impatient that they put you and everyone else around them in jeopardy.

I was grateful to arrive in Calgary in one piece, I can tell you that!

Paul Rawlins

The 2016 version of the Calgary Motorcycle Show hosted by Power Sport Services was reasonably successful in spite of the colder than usual weather.  Friday was slower than normal but Saturday was bustling busy.  There were a number of new vendors on hand and a lot of old staples that weren't on hand.

As always it was good to see Paul Rawlins from Celtic Rider Motorcycle Rentals & Tours.  His plane had been delayed from London due to high winds, and although he was tired, he was a happy guy when he got to the show to see how many people were looking forward to seeing him!

Bill from GPRC

The manufacturers didn't have a whole ton new on the floor this year, but many of the parts companies did.  Kimpex has a number of new products that I am looking forward to reviewing.

All in all the show was enjoyable, however many vendors I spoke with announced that sales were down by as much as 50%.  Obviously the economy has a lot to do with that.

Donations to my head shave that will take place on the stage in Edmonton on Sunday the 17th at 3:30 pm went rather well all things considered with the IOMC Snow City and Stampede Crews donating a combined $450.00!

Artist Jenny Luc German

I am looking very forward to the Edmonton Motorcycle Show this weekend and hope you come prepared to donate as I intend to be bald on Sunday.  I want this hair gone now so that it will have grown out enough that by the time riding season hits I will have enough regrowth that my scalp won't burn in my helmet!

Have you entered our "Beat the PMS Blues" Online Show 'n' Shine?  If not you really should. We have fabulous prizes from the Sports Camera Store, Prospector Central Inc., Nashville Bike Week and author Chris Holshek who wrote "Travels with Harley".

Check it out - as always, because of our sponsors, this is a free to enter event!

Another freebie we have for you is a Jacket Giveaway from our sponsor Viking Cycles...totally free to enter and who knows, you could be sporting an amazing jacket for FREE!

Have a safe and enjoyable day everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Viking Jacket Giveaway!

AWESOME!







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breaking News for Canadian Riders

Nashville Bike Week has agreed to let Canadians know first about some great accommodations that are up for grabs for their event in September of 2017.

Since their cabins sold out the same day they went on sale and some Canadians got bumped as a result, Mike Axle, the promoter has put up 10 travel trailers that sleep 8 and is giving Canadian riders 3 days heads up on them!

They are $2,400 for 10 days and include electricity, water, sewage dumping and are fully furnished including bedding and cooking utensils!

So - if you want to get your accommodations lined up for the FIRST EVER Nashville Bike Week and be part of history in the making, contact Mike Axle at:
Nashvillebikeweek @ gmail.com   (Fix the spaces!)
or visit their web site at www.nashvillebikeweek.com

Some of the highlights of Nashville Bike Week:

• 200 vendors on site.
• Motorcycle stunt shows.
• 4 stages of top artist playing every night.
• Bike games and bike shows.
• Bikini contest.
• Zip lines.
• Over $200,000 in giveaways

Plus there are all of these exciting venues and rides to take in:

• Natchez Trace
• Tail of the Dragon
• Tour all civil war history areas
• Grand Ole Opry
• Tennessee Titans
• Nashville Predators
• Fontenelle
• General Jackson 
• The Hermitage
• Ryman Auditorium
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill
• Broadway in Downtown Nashville
• Wild Beaver Saloon
• 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill
• Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill
• Whiskey Bent Saloon
• Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar
• Wildhorse Saloon
• Honky Tonk Central
• Tin Roof
• Bootleggers Inn
• Rippy's Bar & Grill
• Legends Corner
• BB King's Blues Club
• Tootsies Orchid Lounge
• Riverfront Tavern
• Loveless Cafe
• Pucketts
• Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain
• Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, TN
• Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY
• Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville
• Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains
• Dollywood

Nashville Bike Week will be THE EVENT to attend - September 14-24, 2017!

Check out their web site for more information: www.nashvillebikekweek.com

Happy New Year everyone! 

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider