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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Belt Drive Betty on Conga of F.I.R.R.E. to Wharf Rat Rally

Canada's Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau mounted her bike Saturday morning, Aug. 14th in Grande Prairie, Alberta on a journey to “Light a F.I.R.R.E. of Awareness” across eight providences in a national motorcycle conga to the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby Nova Scotia – Canada’s Largest Outdoor Motorcycle Event.

The outspoken editor of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles newspaper is most known throughout the world as the author of the Belt Drive Betty Blog and editor of the Canadian travel-events website BeltDriveBetty.com.

Riding across Canada on her motorcycle, Belt Drive Betty will be spreading awareness of F.I.R.R.E - Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education.



The first leg of her journey was to Morinville, Edmonton then on to Lloydminister to meet with representatives of the Border Bike Rally and other motorcyclists in the area. She is due to ride as far as Saskatoon on Monday, where she and her husband will be meeting with members of the Saskatchewan Lone Wolves. They reportedly have members from all over the province coming out to learn more about how F.I.R.R.E. can benefit their riding community.

The Conga of F.I.R.R.E. will also be meeting with riding groups and community leaders along the way in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia:


The Saskatchewan Lonewolves in Saskatoon, The National Motorcycle Ride for Dad 10th Anniversary Run in Kenora ON, The Mother Daughter Ride for the SOS Villages in Butler ON, The Retreads in Thunder Bay, Liz from the Women’s Council and Shaun de Jager of Road Awareness in North Bay, The Bikers Church & the Biker Coffee Company in Ottawa, Chrome Diva’s in Ottawa & Montreal, the Bike Klub and Big Boy’s Toys in Moncton NB and Bean’re from Florida at the Ferry in St John NB – then in to DIGBY!
 
The Wharf Rat Rally in Digby, Nova Scotia was just a small event with about 750 motorcycles.

Today it is the  largest motorcycle rally in Atlantic Canada, attracting an estimated 80,000 people and more than 17,000 motorcycles.
 
"Our mission is to spread the message to riders about F.I.R.R.E. - the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education," said Belt Drive Betty.

"We also want to spread the word to those who don't ride about who we really are as motorcyclists. So that when drivers see us from behind their steering wheels they see something more than a helmet, and gear - they see the person and the family behind that person. We want to ask them to take more care when they are driving their trucks, vans and cars.

"In far too many cases drivers of automobiles tend to be distracted and forget to shoulder check. They throw on a signal and start to move without realizing that the vehicle they are in command of is a weapon when not used with respect and care. Many times they just move - no signals, no warning. Our goal, our mission is to create some awareness...for and about riders."

Belt Drive Betty has one other personal mission -- To send one terminally ill child and their family to Orlando, Florida to the Give the Kids the World Village. "I would love to see a terminally ill child be allowed to be a child and their family be allowed some time to enjoy. I have seen so much sadness in this world and if I can help to spread a little joy - to see a child have their heart lightened...that would be fabulous!"

For details, travel schedule and to donate, visit F.I.R.R.E. Conga 2010.
For more information on Belt Drive Betty visit her blog at beltdrivebetty.blogspot.com

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