Treacherous weather isn't stopping central Alberta Riders from coming out...

The roads here in Central Alberta have been treacherous. Numerous accidents, vehicles upside down in the ditches, sideways across the roads and yet, the 2010 Red Deer Motorcycle Show experienced some terrific traffic. Although I myself spent a great portion of the afternoon laying down in the truck as I just wasn't feeling good, when I did poke my head in to the pavilion it was elbow to elbow.

My volunteers accepted hugs on my behalf and kept tally - Red Deer, I am sorry yesterday was a wipe out for me.

The young men in the Ball of Death: Kyle and Cody Ives, entertained the crap out of everyone. From everything I heard they were the hit of the show.  The other entertainment - the Second Gear Club - showing off their trials riding skills was the other HUGE crowd pleaser.

The "Custom" Bike show this year is more like a Show 'n' Shine. There is no big prize money from Lucas Oils and it appears that John Howler's bikes from Howler Customs in SK are the only true customs entered that I was able to see.

This is the one show where vendors are treated like they are special - we get fed a continental breakfast and a hot lunch both Saturday and Sunday - we got great little gift bags filled with all kinds of treats and essentials like chap stick from Gasoline Alley H-D - that came in handy!

Out of all of the shows I have a soft spot for the Red Deer Show - I will always come to it and I will always sponsor it. Why? The first year they held this show over at the Capri Center Grant asked me to help out and be their event coordinator. I did, I had a ball and I fell in love with Red Deer and the people.

If you are in this neck of the woods please come and say hi and give me a hug - I will be in the booth all day today even if they have to duct tape me to the chair!

In the news today:

Victory Motorcycles has a special promotion planned in the US - I haven't heard if anything like it will be available in Canada - hopefully...

Harley-Davidson is looking seriously of assembling bikes in India for the Indian market: “With the present duty structure, more companies would look at assembling their cars and motorcycles in India. For Harley-Davidson this would achieve a twin objective. They’d be able to keep their US plants active and reduce prices for Indian consumers,” said Dilip Chenoy, director general of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers."
Staying with Harley for a moment - they posted their first loss in 26 years!


Pirelli has announced that they will for the next three years sponsor the Red Bull Pro Nationals MX Series

Parts Canada Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke is named Motorcycle Racer of the Year!


If you are one of those very fortunate people who lives in a climate that allows you to ride - I am GREEN with envy and want to know if you have an extra room? Please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, for the rest of us the Beat the PMS Blues On Line Show 'n' Shine might be one way you can assuage that affliction called "Parked Motorcycle Syndrome".

Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com

On my way to Jasper

Today I am on my way to Jasper. The Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel Association and Jasper Motorcycle Tours are hosting a Poker Rally of incredible proportions and they have asked me to assist them.

So hubby is a bit worried because of the weather yesterday and asks me to check the weather channel. I really wished I hadn't! While the forecast for today and tomorrow looks good, snow and more snow is forecast until April 9th - this is turning in to the winter from HE Double Hockey Sticks! WHEN is is going to end already!

I had to laugh at Berge Baronian's comment on yesterday's blog post. I laughed so hard my daughter thought I was having a breakdown!

The submissions we are getting for the Slack Alice's Show 'n' Shine 2009 Fatboy Ticket Contest are amazing! We got one from WyzWmn that really tugs the old heart strings I'll tell yah. If you have a minute pop over to the Contest Page over on www.beltdrivebetty.com all of the entries deserve a read!

While I am not talented enough to put it on the contest page - we have to wait for Ali to be ready to come back to work - we got a great entry for the McCool's Street Bar & Grill Contest!
Ray Sproull sent in this entry - being Scot's myself I am pretty partial to this one!
The boss over at McCool's is going to have a hard time choosing his new log me thinks!!!!

Any way, I have to get some book keeping done before I head out to Jasper, not to mention packing, getting fuel etc so off I go.

If you are lucky enough to live where you can ride - PLEASE ride like they are blind and can't see you. Having you around to share with, laugh, disagree and love is important to me.
You are important to our community - remember that!

For the rest of you who are in my boat...stay safe and warm and DON'T put that shovel away just yet!

Belt Drive Betty

I must be missing something...

I am unsure of what it is I am doing wrong, but I must be doing something wrong...

We have all of these fabulous prizes up for grabs in our FREE on line show n shine.
Over $4,000 worth including event tickets, food and beverage gift certificates, free camping....

We have 31 bikes registered....I am unsure if people are having a tough time loading pictures, if we aren't offering the kinds of prizes you are interested in or what the problem might be.

Is the Internet Explorer Security Issue that is affecting hundreds of thousands of computers part of the problem? I have no idea - but I would love to....

If you have registered your bike in the show n shine - thank you! Our sponsors thank you.

If you haven't - is there a reason?
Is there something I need to fix?
Different prizes you would like to see?

Talk to me - tell me what you want. Tell me what barriers you are facing to enter your bike...

The sponsors of the prizes won't be back if they don't see results - so, tell me how I give them the results they seek - more bikes in the show 'n' shine....

In other news the new provincial sections of the web site are going in - it's been an interesting process to get here, but we are finally making the grade!

Another couple of weeks and all of our components should finally be installed.

Come visit us at www.beltdrivebetty.com, check out the show n shine, and become a member - it's free and we have wonderful events calendars a great newspaper and a ton of features for members to use....

Hope you are finding a way to stay warm...

Belt Drive Betty

What weather!

Man this has been a cold hearted winter already and it hasn't even really begun yet.
Got a note from my mother inlaw in Montreal and they sure aren't having a very good time of it either.

I guess I'd rather have the cold than rain and snow....

There are now event tickets from 5 events to be given away in our show 'n' shine and if everything goes well we will have a few from out east in there soon too!

There are some beautiful motorcycles in there folks. If you haven't checked them out - I invite you to.

Anyway - BDB Club cards are being made up for the subscribers to the hard copy and along with the list of businesses that card is good at they will begin going out in the mail on Thursday!

I look forward to having that monster job done very soon!

I hope where ever you are, you are staying warm...be safe

Belt Drive Betty

What a blast!

We had a great time yesterday filling up the Salvation Army's Van!

It was too funny some of the comments and questions we fielded - the looks on people's faces as we'd empty out an entire shelf of something!

Yes - I would have to say that the Grande Prairie Toys for Tots shop was a hoot!

In other news, I have been invited to write a column for the Northern Horizon and Mirror Publications out of Dawson Creek BC! I am very pleased about that!

I see we have some more entries in our show 'n' shine! The prizes are starting to add up!

I hope to see a hundred bikes in there before long...

I am putting the Community Newspaper - The Busted Knuckle Chronicles edition number 47 for the year together!

You'll be able to read about the Toy Shop and other interesting tidbits come Thursday!

I hope you all have a great Sunday and we'll talk at you later.
Stay safe and warm,

Belt Drive Betty

Bill 117 Passes - HUGE Disappointment

We have heard that whatever happens in Ontario will eventually filter down and affect the rest of Canada.

I hope and pray that that is NOT the case here.

Bill 117 went to its second reading and debate in the Ontario Legislature and passed.
You remember - the bill to prevent kids under 14 being allowed on the back of a motorcycle...
So, two more steps and this private members bill will become law.

There is discussion that since the legislature will be closing for Christmas that this bill might not be carried forward - that's about the only hope the rest of us in Canada who ride will have to see this bill stopped.

So, with all the riders who have been up in arms over this - over 900 on Face book etc...why did this bill pass?

Because riders didn't show up to voice their concerns yesterday. The vocal majority showed up in full force though and as we all know - the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
How many riders were on hand? FOUR.

Hell - there were more riders in London England that showed up to protest parking charges for motorcycles than there were in Ontario to protect our lifestyle here.

Our brothers and sisters in Ontario have dropped the ball and if this bill does not die by being left behind over Christmas then guess what boys and girls - eventually - everywhere in Canada this will become a law - its the way of Canada - Ontario and Quebec hold the majority of power so the rest of get screwed. Sigh - it saddens me that our community very rarely bands together to support each other. It will be the death of the biker/rider way of life here in Canada.
Good old Canadian Complacency at its finest.

Enough depressing crap for now...

More prizes have been offered up for our Beat the PMS Blues Show 'n' Shine:

A $50 gift certificate from Northgate Honda
Riders Ranch - Kitchener BC - A nights free camping
Grande Prairie Regional Tourism - A back pack full of goodies

Yes the business community is liking the idea of a winter show n shine - hope you - the riders do too!

Ali has got all of our content coming back on line and soon all of our news and funny stuff, all of our lifestyles info like event articles, music, food etc will be back....actually if you look at the bottom of your profile page you will see that Lifestyles and Funny stuff are already back...

YEAH - finally - its been a rough month but we have gotten through it and I thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we resolved these issues.

Anyway - back to work for me...

Stay safe and warm.


Belt Drive Betty

We are determined

Ali has been stripping everything off of the Busted Knuckle News page trying to find that one piece of code that Internet Explorer still doesn't like.

The community/members profile page is working really well in IE and I am happy about that - man what a process.

I have no idea why her eyes aren't square from looking at that computer screen...

Anyway, I have been working away at helping to configure our groups sections and working on cleaning up the members list.

Housekeeping is one job that never let's up - lol

I've been checking in on the Show n Shine - 4 bikes entered so far.

I'll bet there'll be more in the next few days - I heard tell of a few people cleaning their bikes so they can take pictures! I guess if nothing else the Show n shine will "Force" the odd person to do some detailing!

Anyway - I am off to bed 3:30 am comes early - if your up around then, drop an email and say hi.

Stay safe and warm

Belt Drive Betty

Peace Region's first motorcycle awareness weekend

This weekend is going to be a great one here in Peace Country!
Friday nights Black Leather Gala at Rock City, the show 'n' sale & show 'n' shine Saturday and Sunday and the dinner and dance Saturday night at BJ's Q Club - the weather is supposed to be fantastic so come on out gang!

See you this weekend over at Centre 2000 here in Grande Prairie....stay safe out there!

BDB

Peace River Toy Run

Here's an update on our Toy Run

11:00am to 1:30 pm show & shine

2:00pm to 5:00 (apprx) poker rally

We will be ending the poker rally at our local spca where they will have some grub & refreshments available, so we will be contributing to two charities.

We will be set up on mainstreet in the block that houses Subway and Movie Gallery. Access should be available thru alleys on north and south sides of mainstreet

Looking forward to seeing you there, thanks

Jill - Peace River

Any questions give me a call at 624-1713

Getting Geared up for the Rock 'n' Ride

Rock N Ride
Event Schedule
Tickets for this 6 day event are only $250.00 /person
Camping for all 6 Days $75.00
RV Camping for all 6 days only $200
Can’t come for all 6 days?
Then come the ones you can!
Day Passes: $90 One Night Tenting $20
One Night RV Camping $50


Tuesday August 1, 2006 (Private Event day & camping registrations) Gates close at 11:00 Gates Open 9 AM for incoming VIP ticket holders & VIP Campers Private gathering for VIP ticket holders with beverage garden JERRY DOUCETTE, JOHNNY TORNADO & THE WEST COAST FLYERS featuring KENNY "BLUES BOSS" WAYNE

Wednesday August 2, 2006 (public event day & camping) Gates close at 11:00
All amenities open to the Public - beverage garden Okanagan Bluff Rock n’ Ride “day ride” to designated points in the Interior Receive Collector Car Club and Hot Rod Car Club for Show n’ Shine – BC & Kelowna Car clubs SUPER NOVA BATTLE OF THE BANDS
KENNY SHIELDS & STREET HEART, HEADPINS with SPECIAL GUESTS

Thursday August 3, 2006 (public event day & camping) Gates close at 11:00
All amenities open to the Public - beverage garden Best Bike & Car Show (sponsored by Westside Motor Sports) Battle of the Bands sponsored by Supernova.com 38 SPECIAL & POWDER BLUES with SPECIAL GUESTS

Friday August 4, 2006 (public event day & camping) Gates close at 11:00
All amenities open to the Public - beverage garden Finalists from Best Bike & Car Show (Sponsored by Westside Motor Sports) Battle of the Bands – sponsored by Supernova.com
JOHN KAY & STEPPEN WOLF, COLIN JAMES with SPECIAL GUESTS

Saturday August 5, 2006 (public event day & camping) Gates close at 11:00
All amenities open to the Public - beverage garden Charity Breakfast – proceeds to benefit youth charities and WFN programs/charities – Sponsored by Westside Motor Sports Pictures & Interviews – on site radio Power 104 FM Battle of the Bands Finalists perform sponsored by Supernova.com Evening - Native Ceremony Presentation – tribute to spiritual and cultural history CHEAP TRICK with SPECIAL GUESTS

Sunday August 6, 2006 (public event day & camping) (Awards Day-Wrap-up) Gates close at 11:00 All amenities open to the Public - beverage garden Bike obstacle course competition - course set-up with orange cone markers – balance, driving ability and agility – judges from sponsor companies to be announced All raffle winners to be announced Charity BBQ – sponsored by Westside Motor Sports - proceeds to Westside, Central Okanagan and WFN charities Competition Event Prizes – Awards Ceremony – (Trophies from Westside Motor Sports) Miss Rock n’ Ride – bikini fashion show & contest – 3:00 pm in the beverage garden Stage -adults only - LYNYRD SKYNYRD with SPECIAL GUESTS plus opening acts TBA

Monday August 7, 2006
Departing guests - Site Breakdown & clean-up

Okanagan Bluff
Rock n’ Ride
Bridging the Gap

The main objective is to dissolve prejudice and intolerance. Okanagan Lifestyle Ltd. would like to bring a positive entertainment experience to the Okanagan by utilizing local entrepreneurs, companies, and charities; thereby strengthening our culturally diverse community. Invitations will be extended to the RCMP Blue Knights Motorcycle club and all motorcyclist enthusiasts. These are family events in the afternoon and adult events in the evening. Organizers would like to develop this as an annual event and work with WFN & BC Tourism as a destination event Helicopter rides, Midway, Over 150 security personnel will be available for on-site security, landlord residences, parking and camping area.
There will be continuous music on the main stage from 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm each day. (Recorded Music during breaks and intermission plus local, regional, national & international bands.)Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – day event, car show, midway & daytime music event (all ages) 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – adult only main events & concerts. (youth 14 to 18 yrs to be accompanied by an adult)After 6:00 - no admittance to 13 yrs and under, Gates closed at 11:00 pm and locked at 12:00 midnight.We are pleased to announce our newest sponsors West Side Motor Sports, Belt Drive Betty, SWAK International, High Terrain Helicopters. Media Sponsors to date are Power 104 FM, Classic Rock 101, OKBC.TV, Okanagan Musician Magazine. Corporate Sponsors include Budweiser, Travel Tyme RV, plus local, regional, provincial and national corporations and members of the business community. Shuttle Bus & Taxi Rotation from venue to designated pick up & drop off locations in Kelowna & Westbank.

RocknRide.net (250) 769-1888 or (250) 869-8358