Loud Pipes and your rights

Well, it's that time of year again. The annual crackdown on loud pipes is here.

So - are you one of the proponents that thinks Loud Pipes Save Lives?

It's your right to buy and install pipes as loud as you want but remember, as with any right, it is also your right to pay the price for infringing on the rights of others.

Now don't get me wrong, I love the deep throaty rumble of a good set of pipes as much as any one, however - there is deep and throaty and then there's loud and obnoxious.

I for one do not believe that loud pipes save lives, I think defensive riding saves lives.
At one time the "Loud Pipes Save Lives" motto rang true, back in the day before increased sound proofing of vehicles. Hell in most vehicles today you can barely hear an ambulance or fire truck coming. In today's day and age, the only thing that's going to keep you safe on your motorcycle is your own skill and your ability to stay focused on the job at hand - riding your motorcycle.

I know that many will disagree with me and that's just fine with me - it'd be a boring world if we all liked the same things or all believed the same things.

If you are one of those individuals that feels it's your right to use your right hand in such a way that you are setting off car alarms and rattling windows - if you don't know there is an appropriate place and time to do that...then be prepared to pay the fine.

There is an old adage - If you can't do the time then don't do the crime...so it goes with pipes and helmets. You are bucking the system and it will cause you grief. You know that from the outset so if you choose the behaviour....

Ride safe - ride like they are blind and can't see you...


Belt Drive Betty

It's Monday and I am ready for it!

Although it was only a small ride, about 30 kms...it was exactly what this girl needed.

Spring has finally started showing us that it still exists and the snow is slowly receding. The roads are treacherous, lots of pea gravel and sand. The drivers of the cars and trucks I pulled up beside were all smiling - I wonder if the dumb assed grin that was on my face was responsible?

When I rode past Timmy's there were at least 30 bikes in the parking lot, everyone sharing the happiness of being out I am sure and probably having hot coffee to warm them up - it was a bit chilly, but nonetheless a wonderful experience - being back on the road!

This coming week's paper is filled with some incredible stories and 4 pages of Ontario's events. Now that we have blanketed the country for the events calendars once and have gotten the corrections in for AB and BC's events along with a couple for Saskatchewan, well - we can start all over printing them one more time for you before the bulk of riding season gets under way.

It's a wonderful, demanding job I have chosen and one that thoroughly fills my heart.
I enjoy helping other people be it to promote their events or clubs or to help a fellow rider hook up with the information they need to enjoy their riding season more.

I hope you'll join us over on www.beltdrivebetty.com - there is always a lot going on over there!

We are running three contests right now...the McCool's Street Bar & Grill Logo Contest, The Slack Alice's "My motorcycle moves my soul" contest and the Great Canadian Day Rides Contest.

Come join us for your chance to win some fabulous prizes and get hooked up with the most extensive calendars for the Canadian Motorcycle Riding Season of 2009!

I'm going to sign off for now...

Ride like they are blind and out to get you, because they are!

Belt Drive Betty

Going for a brain clearer! YAHOO!!!!

Well, other than I am waiting for one article to come in, this coming week's paper is done and she is a beaut!

Just shy of 4 pages of events for Ontario, all kinds of stories, some great jokes and the best thing of it all? I am done in time to catch some of this fine Sunday and go take my girl for a spin.

Yahoo, spring is finally springing here in the North Peace Region of Alberta and I can now get out on the road, even if it is only around town for a brain clearer. No more putting up with my "Friends" ahem, not mentioning any names but GATOR, teasing me about the riding on the Island, or tormenting me like my sisters in Ontario - the Chrome Divas do with their articles about riding to motorcycle shows...I get to ride too!

Event corrections and cancellations have been coming in so watch the on line calendars for up dates - we'll print the runs pages again really soon!

Anyway gang, sorry to cut this short but I have a date with this really good looking black beast...all 96"

Ride like they are blind and can't see you...

Belt Drive Betty

Home again!

I am home from a fabulous three day road trip!

It has been very rewarding but I am also grateful to be home.

There are many things I love in life, my husband and daughter, my home, my bike, my friends and colleagues and my job.

I wish for everyone to feel so good about their lives!

Anyway, I am off to spend some much needed time with my husband, so until tomorrow, stay safe - Ride like no one can see you!

Belt Drive Betty

Educating businesses and riders....

Even though we have been around for 6 years, educating my fellow riders that our newspaper is for everyone regardless of the brand of motorcycle they ride is an on going process.

I sometimes find it hard to understand how riders who have known me for years would think that our newspaper is a Harley only type of paper. I don't care if you ride a scooter, a dirt bike or a cruiser, I could care less if you ride an Aprilia or a Suzuki. As long as your knees are in the breeze, we want to report on who you or your group/club are and what you do.

Educating businesses on what it takes to be truly rider friendly is an interesting proposition.
Here in Peace River we have a few businesses that are really rider friendly providing secure motorcycle parking etc.

It is amazing how many businesses really would like more riders to stop in and give them the chance to earn their business. Gratifying really!

I am excited and please with the progress I am making on this road trip.
Today I head to Slave Lake AB and am looking forward to that as I have good friends that live there and beyond good commerce I am looking forward to some great hugs!

For those of you heading to the Toronto International Supershow's Spring edition this week - I am green with envy as it's still not quite riding season here in Alberta. Please ride safe, stop in to the Chrome Diva's Booth and say hi to all of those wonderful lady riders for me.

Lucy Loren will be floating around there as well talking to different businesses. Lucy is our new Toronto sales rep!

Have a great day!
And Please....Ride like no one can see you, because they can't or don't!

Belt Drive Betty

So VERY PROUD!

There is a group of kids in Moncton New Brunswick called the Bike Klub.

I have been a sponsor of what they do for a number of years. When I first heard about them, they were building bicycles. Their dream was to build motorcycles and through their attendance of the Canadian Championship of Bike Building in Wembley AB in 2006 they made some huge connections, were donated a frame by Mid-USA Canada and bits and pieces from Canadian Builders like Trickfactory, Cycle Boyz, Goldammer Cycle Works, HawgZotic and more.

Today they are true motorcycle builders. Today they are CHAMPIONS!

The Donnie Smith Invitational is a very prestigious show, not only did they win the Technical Merit award and Best Overall! They also placed 3rd in the Rigid Class - being pitted against 8 pro builders!

No small feat - their achievement is a feather not only in their own individual caps, but that of the teacher who never, ever gave up. Marc Mazerolle kept them first and foremost in all of his efforts and found the ways and means to ensure these kids could live their dream. His dedication needs to be hailed and held up as an example to teachers everywhere.

I myself was an honored and humbled human being when the Bike Klub named their first build after me. Now that "Betty" is an international championship ride....well, what's a girl supposed to say...I am so very proud of these kids and so proud to say I know them, support them and love them...I always have felt those things - they are special kids who are guided and mentored by a special teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS!

They have done their sponsors, their teacher and their country PROUD!

If ever you felt moved to support our future - the Bernice MacNaughton High School Bike Klub is a group more than worthy of your support. Visit their web site at: http://www.bmhsbikeclub.zoomshare.com
And please, donate generously - they have a championship to defend!

They have done Canada proud and have reduced this crusty, out spoken old broad to tears of joy and pride.

CONGRATULATIONS Bike Klub - you earned every accolade coming your way!

Stay safe, and ride like they are out to get you, because they are!


Belt Drive Betty

Big dreams....coming true!

We are now offering you GPS Coordinates for most of our BDB Partners in our on line phone book!

Very soon we will be turning those coordinates into down loadable apps for Iphones, Garmin Motorcycle GPS units and hopefully Tom Tom as well.

One day, one sale, one step at a time - we are getting this thing to where I envisioned it would be.

I am finally caught up on all of the back logged paper work that was generated between two computer crashes and a set of books from the accountant that would not merge with my copy!

The year end is done and back from the accountant, taxes filed!
I am finally - really and truly in a position to promote our community to achieve better service in hotels and motels, dealerships and other businesses we use, to create better communication tools for our community to use.

So, off I go, three to four days in the Mighty Peace selling motorcycle tourism and riders as consumers to businesses - the more businesses we have working with our community, the better off we are - not just the paper and it's other ventures, but we as riders.

We look forward to having more riders participate in what we do, tell us what you want, what you need. Tell us what you like and don't like. As a rider myself, I am growing this thing based on what I know I would like to see. Your feed back and input is so valuable not just to the paper etc but to your fellow rider. If you want our web site, the newspaper and the phone book to be valuable to you - tell us! We are not mind readers!

Get involved, talk to me, let's grow this thing so that one day - every rider can be hooked up with all of the information and tools they need. It is only through the sharing of information that we will all have the riding season we deserve. Good service, great events and wonderful rides - sharing, communicating, it's how a community becomes strong.

Till next time, stay safe out there - ride like they are out to get you, because they are - I want you around to argue with, laugh with and most importantly to ride with!

Belt Drive Betty