This past weekend I had a wedding to attend so I was unable to go to either Jasper 's Poker Run or Edson's Toy Run. It felt VERY strange not going and yet it was wonderful to spend time with my husband and our friends.
Then this morning, I got up to a news piece telling us that 850 riders took part in the Port Alberni Toy Run on Vancouver Island (YEAH BIKERS!) and the tragic news from Clarksville Tennessee that 5 people were killed when a generator leaked CO2 fumes into the RV they were in. The 5 bikers who perished were attending a charity rally.
2 of the people who perished because a hatch did not close properly allowing the noxious fumes into the RV they were sleeping in, were a married couple with 8 month old twins.
Words escape me and my heart goes out to everyone involved.
Then there is the article on Alberta's "BIKER GANGS" are growing and flexing their muscle according to an article out of Edmonton..the pictures used by the Edmonton Sun are of one of the Warlocks.
I feel I have stood on this soap box long enough and really want to find a way to educate not only the police but the mainstream media to use correct terminology when they speak about our community but I am afraid...YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID! Especially stupid that is done on purpose and in many cases, the way the police services talk about our community IS done on purpose, to incite fear...it appears to be what they do best.
And then there is a heartwarming article from a Salvation Army in New Brunswick and it is proof positive that we bikers answer the call of duty and come through more often that not!
In Chatham-Kent the Salvation Army has been hit really hard by the poor economy - the demands on the food bank has increased 130% . In fact, the demand was so great that here, in September they had already spent their $35,000 budget.
According to the article in the Chatham Daily News:
"Eighty bikes and 110 riders from GWRRA, the Northern Cruisers and the CMC took part in the ride.
The
participants collected enough non-perishable items from eight grocery
stores through-out Chatham-Kent to fill a pick-up truck and nearly 10
skids on Saturday."
Congrats to all who rode and helped out, thank you to all who gave, every donation is a drop of water and see what happens when one can gets added to another - the spirit of giving, the absolute wonderment of prayers being answered....it does feel good - doesn't it! It does feel like Christmas in September....
In the business world, Harley is experiencing some major set backs to getting the Chinese to understand leisure riding.
You see, the governments of some 100 Chinese cities have banned motorcycles.
From Bloomeberg: About 100 cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai,
have restrictions that include banning two-wheel vehicles from elevated
highways and major thoroughfares to curb noise and thefts, according to
the state-affiliated Society of Automotive Engineers of China.
So - to all those here in Canada and the USA who think that it is their inalienable right to see how many people they can upset with excessive and unwarranted noise...read this article and see what happens when government decides they have had enough of people like you.
The rest of you - see what happens when we do not stand united to protect our rights and freedoms...YAH - it is real and while it might involve a country that has enormous population compared to ours, look at the restrictions and oppression our community faces in different pockets of this country...think it can't happen here?... YOU AR RIGHT - IT CAN'T - as long as we care enough to work together, to protect this magnificent, wonderful and giving community that is the true biker community...that means teaching consideration, policing our own and working towards laws that protect those who ride responsibly...
Otherwise, cars, SUV's and pick ups will be what we drive in the future - 365....
Man - I feel like I have been on a roller coaster today and the day has hardly begun!
Our charity calendars are now available for sale!
To see and order the Real Lady's of Motorcycling Calendar click here
To see and order the Motorcycle Men of 2012 Calendar click here
And to see and order the Biker Kidz Calendar click here
In all we are supporting 6 charitable
causes - 2 for each calendar and when you order you can choose which
charity you want to support for each calendar! With your help the donations will be of a size to do some good - thank you for getting involved!
For those who need something to kick start their heart and get the blood pumping - check out this video in the Funny Stuff section of www.beltdrivebetty.com
I think it was put in Funny stuff because where else do you put it? That is one WILD video.
I hope that all who are riding today will exercise some extra caution and vigilance - please, ride like everyone around is blind and can not see you! AND PLEASE, protect and preserve our lifestyle by using respect with that right hand...
I hope that all who are riding today will exercise some extra caution and vigilance - please, ride like everyone around is blind and can not see you! AND PLEASE, protect and preserve our lifestyle by using respect with that right hand...
Until tomorrow,
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
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