Canada's Most Rider Friendly Community Contest Finalists Announced!

Grande Prairie AB – The second round of voting in Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has concluded. Although the western conference was the only one to be decided upon in this round, it was one heck of a contest between Drumheller & Port Alberni. Nisku sadly, didn’t seem to get in on the action.

Drumheller and Port Alberni went at it hard. The contest became very heated with both sides declaring that there was no way the other side could have that many votes coming in! However, they did and the audit shows that Port Alberni came out the victor.

From the voting patterns we concluded that Port Alberni’s population tended to vote far later in the day and it almost seemed that gave Drumheller a false sense of security. In the end, these two communities showed the pride and sense of community spirit we were hoping to see. Port Alberni, won out this year, but both communities are truly winners!

I want to thank all of the communities that were nominated, and those that have been knocked out of the competition thus far. It is truly rewarding to see the communities that riders love to ride to; it has lengthened the bucket list for a lot of us!

Drumheller, you gave it a good fight, hopefully we will see you in the competition again!

Next, Cape Breton and Port Alberni go head to head. Voting for the final round to determine the winner from the 2016 riding season in Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest begins April 13^th, may the best community win.

We want to acknowledge the commitment of all of our wonderful sponsors without whom this contest could not happen: EastLink TV, The HOG Radio Show, Reality Radio 101, Biker Radio, Suzettee Speaks Silently, Northern Horizon Newspaper and our presenting sponsor, Community Futures of Alberta!

About Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest:

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest was created by Renee ”Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau, founder and CEO of Belt Drive Betty Media.

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is a rural tourism marketing initiative whose goal is to create awareness of the wonderful businesses and communities that are there for riders to explore. Large cities are not as inviting for motorcyclists; with the advent of texting and driving along, the dangers of driving in traffic, road construction and other hazards along with motorcycle only noise bylaws, many riders prefer to get out on the open road and away from the majority of the dangers that cities present. Motorcyclists also face certain barriers when it comes to customer service in the travel and tourism industry.

About Belt Drive Betty Media:

Belt Drive Betty Media is a diverse motorcycle media company founded in 2003. It offers the rider a vast array of ways to connect with the information on the motorcycle community they need.

That diversity offers advertisers looking to connect with the Canadian riding community a large number of advertising vehicles to choose from.

Belt Drive Betty Media offers TV, web, social media, app and email marketing opportunities.

Contact:

Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau

(780) 402-8892

bdbetty@beltdrivebettymedia.com

Visit: beltdrivebetty.com

Bustedknucklechronicles.com

Canadianmotorcycleevents.com

Riderfriendly.com

About Community Futures of Alberta:

For 30 years, Community Futures has been supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta. We are a community driven, non-profit organization with 27 offices in rural areas throughout Alberta. Each office is staffed by local business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

In other words, we live where you live, and reap the benefits of a strong local economy created by business entrepreneurs just you! Read about some of the many successful businesses we have helped start-up and grow over the years.

We provide a wide range of small business loans, business coaching/training services and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

We also run a number of specialized business programs, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.

We are funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada

There are a total of 269 Community Futures offices across the country.

Contact:

Holly Sorgen

Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region

(780) 814-5340

Holly.Sorgen@albertacf.com

When Murphy Strikes...

This is our second year hosting Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest and while last year provided a learning curve, it providing nothing like the challenge we faced last night.

Murphy struck hard yesterday.

Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest experienced a technical problem that we did not anticipate.

Our web mistress, Ali, the hardest working web mistress in the country set things up so that our contest would automatically end at 11:59:59 last night.

What she did not know, is that there was a setting that made it so the server would cut the contest off at 11:59:59 Ontario time not Mountain Standard Time. Our servers are located in the east.

YEAH - the contest was cut off  TWO HOURS early.

I started getting calls at home and I was already in bed!
I got up and called Ali.  She was emailing people and attempting to appease them but took a minute to explain to me what happened.

She was crushed. Totally devastated.

In spite of a few challenges with confirmation emails hitting spam folders and people frustrated at times because they couldn't log in or register, she had managed to stay on top of everything and help people with all of their issues.

This was a wonderful contest until last night.

We did what we thought was best, and extended the contest out to 11:59:59 tonight to ensure that no one from yesterday got left out. It also gives both communities a final chance to push, a bonus, so we thought.

Short of calling the contest off for technical difficulties and just giving each community $15 or $20K each in free marketing and calling it good, we couldn't think of a better way to handle this challenge.

It's discouraging and frustrating - Ali and I spent hours calling and emailing people back last night and again this morning.

We've done everything we know how to do, but sadly, it seems like we can't make everyone happy so we are focusing on making as many as happy as we can.

We wanted this to be a community building experience for people. We wanted them to feel pride in their community and be glad to have gotten focus placed on their communities. That free marketing is the best you can get!

We wanted these communities to have a healthy, fun rivalry, hence every community that gets this far in the contest wins some free marketing from Belt Drive Betty Media.

But now we have people calling us scammers, saying the fix is in for Drumheller if they are from Port Alberni and for Port Alberni if they are from Drumheller.

There are those who think that extending the contest out was wrong.

The amount of times I have been called a scammer and other names I can't and don't want to mention, boggles my mind.

We donate 90% of the prizing, do 95% of the work to host this contest all to help the riding community and rural Canadian communities only to be denigrated and abused verbally by some and while it's a small number of people being hurtful and abusive, it still hurts, stings.

If I was asked at this moment will this contest continue on after this year I'd say no.

But I know me, and I know that once I get over the feelers being hurt, I'll probably want to press on.

I love our country, the rural communities in particular, they are the heart of our country, but I also like my sanity and my dignity...so we shall see, after we get this contest done and have crowned a winning community, how I feel and whether or not our sponsors are going to want to continue on.

This technical glitch was a blow, we sure didn't need.

Anyway, let's git'er done...

www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

This is the Final Day to vote to see which community will meet Cape Breton for the finals.

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

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Potholes, the ever present danger in a Canadian Spring Season

Many of my friends and I complain about the potholes here in the Grande Prairie and northern regions of Alberta. We have lots of reason to complain too, potholes here end up being craters that whole 4 x 4 trucks can get swallowed up in, I swear!  And I also swear that those suckers multiply faster than rabbits. It's almost to the point that sometimes you have to choose which potholes you are going to hit because avoiding them isn't an option!

While we'd like to think we are special, according to Bill Gardiner, potholes are a problem all across Canada.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill, our favourite Canadian TV Mechanic again, this time in his capacity as a spokes person for Kal Tire.

Bill's reputation as an automotive mechanic is legendary here in Canada and so it makes great sense that he and Kal Tire have teamed up to educate people about the hidden dangers of hitting potholes.

According to Bill and the survey that Kal Tire did (1,000 Canadians responded) 40% of those who hit a pothole say it damaged their vehicle.

39% of those said the damage was to the alignment of their wheels.

When you feel the front end of your car vibrating, or shaking, if you feel a wobble in the steering wheel, or a pulling sensation, that's a good indication that your alignment is out.

A blown tire or a severley damaged rim are rather obvious to spot, and are also common results of hitting potholes too hard or hitting ones that are very deep.

However, what most people never consider is the damage they didn't see or feel right away.

A minor tweak in the rim of your wheel can create a leaking situation and depending on where that tweak is located it can mean the integrity of the rim is shot, but you might not realize that the rim is actually the cause of that leak.

Your suspension could be compromised.

A leaking shock or strut will cause poor handling.

Un repaired damage is a hidden risk to us all!

Hitting a pothole hard enough can create a reduced ability to steer, absorb and dampen the shock of the impact. It also makes the maintaining of road contact and supporting the vehicle’s weight just a few of the suspension issues that can arise from hitting pot holes - either repetitively or in a harsh manner.

An interesting, but very disturbing fact that came from the survey conducted by Kal Tire...
Of the 32% of motorists who experienced an alignment issue (pulling to one side), only 44% of those drivers had the damage fixed.

That means, they have a poorer handling vehicle that is putting themselves and every other motorist at risk potentially.

If nothing more severe than the damage to their pocket book is inflicted on them and others, they are lucky, however an out of align vehicle becomes costly, quickly.

Their tires will wear out prematurely, struts and other alignment components are also going to wear out earlier as well.  Other mechanical components like the breaking system, hoses and lines can also be damaged as the result of a hard enough hit.

It's spring time in Canada, watch for potholes, and if you do strike one with any force or speed, please consider having your front end checked at your local Kal Tire.

If you are on your motorcycle, hitting a pothole could have severe consequences, stay safe out there.

In other news, Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is in full swing over at www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Which community will move on to face Cape Breton in the final round?

Have you voted today? Well, if not - get over there and vote and help us determine which community moves on! Have your say!

Our Rider Friendly Directory at www.riderfriendly.com has now surpassed the 1,300 business mark!
This tool is sure to make your riding season just that much sweeter and it's free to use & free to register to take part in special contests where you can win hotel room nights, event tickets and so much more!

Have a fabulous day folks and for those lucky enough to be riding today, remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!


Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

www.riderfriendly.com

WIN TICKETS to Big Smoke Revival Dinner March 25th, 2017 in Camrose!

In Support Army Cadets!

Big Smoke Revival is a local Camrose Band lead by Jeff Nybeck. They play Blues, Classic Rock, and Country.

This is our 8th Annual Dinner and Auction in support of our local youth in Army Cadets.
Army Cadets is a FREE program for all Canadian youth ages 12-19. It focuses on raising Community Leaders, learning about our Armed Forces, paying Tribute to our Veterans, and a special focus on physical education.

Our Camrose Corp has burst with new energy as we've jumped from 19 Cadets to now 40 and still rising. We now have two platoons of eager young faces. Because there is a Royal Decree that the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp must remain free to all youth we are not allowed to collect for uniforms, travel expenses, expeditions, camps equipment etc.

The Department of National Defense provides a minimal funding and the remainder falls on our faithful sponsors and numerous fundraisers.

This year's event is at the Camrose Moose Hall on March 25, 2017

Doors open at 5:30 with A Burger Bash Banquet kicked by off at 6 pm. There will be Live and Silent Auctions guided by our Auctioneer Jason Hennig.

There is a 50/50 and an area designated for $2 draw bags.

Our MC for the evening will also be the lovely and entertaining Kimberley Will.

For more tickets please contact Kimberly Newberry at 780-608-6863 or Tanya arrive at 780-678-7047.

Any donations to help support these amazing youth is very greatly appreciated.

TO WIN TICKETS SIMPLY JOIN THE RIDER FRIENDLY SUPPORT NETWORK GROUP ON FACEBOOK 

HERE IS THE LINK

A RANDOM WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN MONDAY MARCH 20TH! 

ENTER NOW!

Blackjacks Roadhouse is proud to be partnering with the Edmonton Domestic Violence Shelters Engage (EDVSE) to present the First Annual Ride for Mom® on May 13th, 2017.

The goal of the Ride for Mom is to end domestic violence in all its forms through educating, empowering, and challenging all members of society to stand with women and not against them. We encourage everyone to break the silence and help the Ride for Mom be the voice for victims too afraid to speak for themselves. As a community and as a society, we cannot remain silent on this issue. Our silence is a form of condoning violence towards women, children, and seniors.

On May 13^th, 2017, the day before Mother’s Day, Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room in Nisku, Alberta, will be hosting the First Annual Ride for Mom®. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with kickstands up at 10:30. Online registration for the ride, and ride pledge forms, are available at www.rideformom.ca.

Edmonton Domestic Violence Shelters Engage (EDVSE) is comprised of representatives from six Edmonton-based organizations that advocate for survivors of domestic violence, for their organizations, and for the sheltering response: La Salle, Lurana Shelter Society, WIN House, Wings of Providence, Sage Seniors Safe House, and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.

Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room: Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room has been supporting motorcycle riders and their charities for the past several years. They host a weekly “Bike Night” from May until September, where they have poker runs and 50/50 draws with proceeds going to various charitable organizations. Over the last five years, Blackjacks has raised over $60,000 to help support those in need around Edmonton and area.

Media Contacts:

Krysta Shields                                                                                Christie Lavan

Marketing & Sales                                                                        Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters

Blackjacks Roadhouse & Games Room                                    (780)-456-7000 ext.222

780-701- 7295                                                                               Christie.Lavan@acws.ca

krysta@blackjacksroadhouse.com

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest gets prepared to go into it’s second round of voting!

March 9th, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest gets prepared to go into it’s second round of voting!  Holly Sorgen, Executive Director of Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region has gone over the voting and has declared who our finalists are for this round.

This time only three communities from the west will compete as the eastern competition has already been decided.

Drumheller Alberta, Port Alberni BC and Nisku Alberta will duke it out to see who will face Cape Breton in the final round of voting. In the final round only one western community will still be standing and going head to head with Cape Breton which one will it be?

We are looking forward to the spirited community banter and getting a little closer to crowning a new Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community from the 2016-riding season!

We want to thank Bracebridge, Fort Qu’Appelle SK, Kaslo & North Cowichan BC for entering the competition. The contest organizer, Renee Charbonneau, will be in touch in the next few days to get your one year of marketing set up and active for you!  That’s right, the four communities who are knocked our have each won a small $1,500 marketing package with Belt Drive Betty Media one of our presenting sponsors!

For more information on the contest visit www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

We want to thank our Sponsors, Community Futures of Alberta, The Rider Friendly Business Association, Belt Drive Betty Media, The HOG Radio Show, Northern Horizon Newspaper and EastLink TV!

For more information about Canada’s Most Rider Friendly Contest, contact:

Renee Charbonneau
Home Office: (780) 402-8892
Cellular: (780) 933-0182
Email: bdbetty@gmail.com