Monday, August 16, 2010

A wonderful day in the saddle...

Well folks - day two of our Conga has come and gone. Hubby and I met up with some riders at the Comfort Inn West in Edmonton and had breakfast at the Albert's Restaurant there.

Riders Meet after Conga Event
From left to right...Brenda, myself, hubby Mark, Geoff and Lucien
Comfort Inn West -Alberta
In front of the Comfort Inn West...
Geoff and Brenda could only ride with us for a short time, they had to go to a meeting in Smokey Lake - but it was wonderful to get to meet them and ride with them none the less. 

Lucien, Mark and I continued on our way stopping only for bathroom breaks until we hit Vegerville where we had a cup of OK coffee at Tim Horton's (Man I can't wait to get to Ottawa and have some good Biker Coffee Company Coffee - my shipment will have passed me and should be in Grande Prairie this week)

While in Vegreville we decided we had to stop at the big Pysanka - the Ukrainian Easter Egg - the largest in the world! 

The Ukrainian Easter Egg
Lucien I at the Egg!
We had a wonderful day of riding albeit we only put on 330KM ...after Vegreville we stopped one final time to expel the rented coffee and headed for our hotel at the Econo Lodge in Lloydminster...

Now I could probably blog about my time in Lloydminster here in the Alberta by Motorcycle Travel Blog but I have decided that I will carry this over to our Travel Saskatchewan by Motorcycle Blog...


Sunday, August 15, 2010

Day one of the Awareness Conga for F.I.R.R.E.

Early Saturday morning - August 14th, my favourite riding partner and I put the finishing touches on packing our saddle bags, did a double check around the house and said goodbye to our kitten - "Lost".
He knew something was up and he was highly agitated. My daughter and our friends are looking after him for us while we are gone and while I know he will be in good hands, big crusty ol me had a good cry while saying goodbye...

At 9 am we headed over to the Best Western in Grande Prairie at 10745-117th Avenue. It is a Pacrim Hospitality Hotel and a Rider Friendly Business Association member business. Pacrim Hospitality along with Choice Hotels are supplying the rooms for our Awareness Conga and they are all supplying special rates for riders who join us along the way.

Best Western in Grande Prairie
We took a picture of our first "stop" and then headed off to get fuel and double check the air in my ties. Having new tires on my bike and a hubby how is a mechanic means lots of checking to make sure the tires seat in properly.

Once we were officially on the way we stopped in Valleyview at the new Shell travel centre - although I travel this highway often I have never stopped here - preferring to stop at the smaller Esso, but hubby likes Shell gasoline so...

We made another stop to visit Skippy and Shirley who own the Little Smoky Motel - after the highway was twinned and their business traffic cut down to almost non existent because of the limited access they chose to close down the restaurant - the motel still operates but with no food only those who are really tired and coming in late at night tend to avail themselves of a room. These are good people and very rider friendly - if you ever find yourself in need when in this region - they would be a good place to stop for shelter and or help.

Then we were off to Whitecourt where we had lunch at the Rivers Pub - another of our Rider Friendly Business Association member businesses (The River's Pub is located in the Quality Hotel). Pap aGeorge was in so we had a great visit with him - he rides and is off to his native Greece in September for a month long vacation - two weeks of that will be on motorcycle.

We stopped for a break in Gunn and talked to a whack of riders all heading to the Brotherhood Rodeo in Rich Valley. Ken, Phil, Coralee...sorry I don't remember everyone's names - your faces yes...
Anyway - they wished us well on the Conga and off they went to go party with Marion and the gang from the Electric Rodeo in Spruce Grove (Marion - one of the owners is a member of the Brotherhood)

We arrived in Morinville and had some great Chinese for supper at the Golden Palace. If you ever find yourself in Morrinville and your appetite is needing satisfying check this place out. The food is amazing.

We got all settled in and all settled for the night and yes Joe, the bikes were fueled and WASHED before we put them to bed for the night!

This morning we are off to the Comfort Inn West at 17610 - 100th Ave in Edmonton. There we have Lucien Gratton joining us for the trip into Lloydminster on the AB side...

We are staying at the Econo Lodge at 5009 – 51 S. This is a Choice Hotels property and the manager Tami and her better half ride and they are planning on joining us for part of the ride, perhaps in to Saskatoon where we will be meeting up with the Saskatchewan Lone Wolves.

I will post pictures tonight...you all have a fabulous day and remember...in order to light this F.I.R.R.E. across Canada we need you!

Join F.I.R.R.E. today (Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education) www.firre.ca
It is the BEST $20 you will ever spend - the never ride alone program itself is worth it!

Till tomorrow morning...ride safe folks.


Sunday, July 4, 2010

Th Go-Pher Run - A southern Alberta treat!

Submitted by Cindy Nobiss
WITW Southern Breeze Chapter Pres.

On a very cool and drab looking Saturday morning I was debating whether I should take my car or take my bike up to Brooks for the 1st Go-Pher run in support of the Jumpstart Program in Brooks.  I looked to the North and it looked like it may rain...so as a friend once said “I put on my big girl panties and bikered up”. I put on the rain gear just in case and headed up to Brooks to the Go-Pher Run.
Lined up and raring to go towards Bassano
All Lined up and raring to go...

I made it to Brooks and found the Wal-Mart where registration and kick off point was.  There were 110 bikes registered and 140 people.  This Go-PHER run was not a poker run.  This run was to raise funds & awareness to the Jump Start Program which raises funds to help kids get into sports & activities in their community.  The riders headed out at 10:30 our first stop was Bassano.


There was no poker involved in this run how it worked was you registered and they gave you a number on a key chain then every stop you were given a different colored ticket and you would put your number on that ticket and at the last stop in Tilley the tickets are handed in for draws for prizes.

No rooms at pumps in Bassano
No room at the pumps in Bassano
 No room at the pumps in Bassano

We landed in Bassano and everyone had a stretch got their tickets some gassed up and then we were off to Duchess.  Now I had not ridden up in that part of the country so I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Road side at Rosemary
On the road side at Rosemary getting some shots of the riders going by...
 From Bassano we headed east to Duchess.  I headed out first as I wanted to get ahead of the group so I could take some pictures and video of the bikes going by me.  I pulled over in Rosemary it was amazing to watch all these bikes of all makes & models go by.  From Duchess we headed to Jenner and then onto the final stop in Tilley.  Tilley is a small town and they closed off Main Street for this fundraiser.  Live music and a BBQ put on by the Tilley minor hockey association.  This run was so well planned and organized I actually thought this was an annual event. 

In Tilley I finally had a chance to talk to the organizers how this event came to be.  It turns out that this is the first year for this event.  They started planning this event in January.  And what a great job they did.  My first question was why they put this on.  The answer was that there were no events in the area anymore so the seed was planted now to pick a charity to support.
Randy Patton in white head of the local Jump Start Program
 The organizers - Randy in the white shirt in the middle

So they contacted Randy Patton head of the local Jump Start Program as they knew that all the money raised for Jump Start in Brooks stays in the area.  Randy Patton is also the owner of the Canadian Tire Store in Brooks.  Randy told me that he was more than happy to jump on board with this run.  It is a great way to raise money and raise awareness about the Canadian Tire Jump Start Program.  Randy explained to me that the Jump Start Program helps kids in their community to join in sports and different activities.  To date they have helped 92 kids join different sports and activities.  Randy said that he was stocking shelves one day and a little girl tapped him on the shoulder and said “I’m in gymnastics” he said that is great.  At first he didn’t make the connection but then he said he saw the look in the mom’s eyes and realized that this was one of the kids that the Jump Start Program helped out.  That is the reason he does this and was so glad that Steve and the rest of the organizers picked Jump Start Program as their charity to raise money for with this Go-Pher Run.
Tim Horton
Main Street in Tilley


It is simply amazing what can and did happen over a cup of coffee at Tim Horton’s! 
So folks remember…NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY!





Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A fabulous idea for a day ride!

My friends from the Two guys who like to ride meet up group sent me this fabulous idea for a day ride:

The Giants of the Prairies!

Day trip to visit the largest pumpkins (Smoky Lake), Largest Mushroom (Vilna) largest perogy (Glendon), maybe lunch at the Perogy Cafe, which serves "Ukrainian and Chinese Perogies, UFO landing site (st Paul), Large Easter Egg (vegreville) and large Kobasa (Mundare) total of 490KMs...great day trip

A group of them are planning this trip fro July 10/2010 - I just might have to try and join them for that depending on my schedule!  Thanks for the idea Dusty!
If you'd like to know more about their meet up group:
http://www.meetup.com/2-Guys-Who-Like-To-Ride


Navteo Maps

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Grande Prairie to Grande Cache

Grande Cache


The view between the handle bars on this day trip is a wonderful one.

It is a full day ride to do the round trip. It takes about 2 and a 1/2 hours to ride one way. (190 kms)
You will want to make sure your bike is full when you leave Grande Prairie as there are no services until you get to Grande Cache.

There are some pretty good restaurants in town and the tourism information centre is very interesting. There is a lot to see tin the centre and worth the ride alone.
The Grande Mountain

The Grande Mountain Get-a-Ways Best Western has a good restaurant and the rooms are pretty nice. The staff was very friendly.  Although there is no motorcycle specific parking, there are some fairly secure areas to park close to the main doors and for those of us who don't do stairs well, there is an elevator to the 2nd floor.

You do need to be careful as there is much wild life on this stretch of Highway.

Belt Drive Betty

Thorsby to Drayton Valley


Only about a 75 kilometer ride but what a beautiful one...


We held our first ever Rider Friendly Business Association Ride & AIM Can Memorial in Thorsby and then rode to Drayton Valley for the V-Twin Family Diner's Show 'n' Shine.


 Rider Friendly Town of Thorsby
The Rider Friendly Town of Thorsby
We filled a good portion of main street up in front of our 
Rider Friendly Business Partner's location: Kountry Kitchen Bakery

At Thorsby


Leaving Thorsby with about 50 riders
Leaving Thorsby with about 50 riders



On the Ride


The V-Twin Family Diner's Show 'n' Shine
The V-Twin Family Diner's Show 'n' Shine

The V-Twin Family Diner's Show 'n' Shine

The V-Twin Family Diner's Show 'n' Shine


Grande Prairie - Wembley - GP via Emerson Trail


If you are visiting in the Grande Prairie region and looking for a ride that only takes about an hour - a little brain clearer - this one works for me.



Head north out of Grande Prairie via 100 st - Hwy 2 Turn left (West) Emerson Trail (which is Township Rd 723) At Range Road 83 turn left (South) until you hit Hwy 43 and turn left again (Kinda like a NASCAR Race) Head back in to Grande Prairie - total trip - about 80 kms.

Heading out on the trail

Heading into GP from Wembley
 
Nothing special about the trip other than low traffic on the road and some nice rolling hills.Like I said - just a little brain clearer.


Red Deer to Bragg Creek Return

If you like meeting other riders, Bragg Creek is a must stop.

Bragg Creek


Here's a great Video that shows off the area: Bragg Creek 

Red Deer to Bragg Creek return: 379.7 km, 4 hr 21 min
This Ride will take you through Didsbury, Cochranes, Bragg Creek, Cremona and back to Red Deer

About Didsbury:
Whether this is your first time visiting or your fourteenth, driving up through the coulee into Didsbury always feels a little like coming home. With its many historical structures, as well as its more contemporary buildings, Didsbury is where old meets new in a wonderful mix of traditional values and community progress.
About Cochrane:
Endless Opportunities for Adventure, Relaxation and Fun
Cochrane is situated at the base of the Big Hill in the Bow River Valley, 20 minutes from Calgary and less than an hour from Banff.  With spectacular vistas of the rolling foothills and majestic Rocky Mountains, Cochrane combines a proud western heritage with all the modern conveniences required for a great vacation.
About Bragg Creek:
The Hamlet of Bragg Creek is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 44 kilometres west of Calgary
For more information on Bragg Creek: http://www.braggcreek.ca/

About Cremona:
The Village of Cremona is located along Highway 22, about 45 minutes NW of Calgary. Cremona officially became a village in 1955.
For more information about Cremona: http://www.village.cremona.ab.ca/

 

Red Deer to Buck Lake

This day ride will take approximately 304.0 km, 3 hr 51 min
This wonderful day ride will take you by Bentley, Rimbey,  Winfield, Buck Lake, Eckville and
back to Red Deer.




About Bentley:
Skirting the south shore of beautiful Gull Lake, you break over the crest of the height of land just west of the lake into the Gateway of the famous Blindman Valley. There, before you, lies the Town of Bentley.
Visit our Rider Friendly partner: Slumdog Bar & Grill
For more information about Bently: http://www.town.bentley.ab.ca/


About Rimbey:
Our community is nestled in the scenic Blindman River Valley amongst the rolling hills which border the Rocky Mountains and its many parks and facilities.
For more information on Rimbey: http://www.rimbey.com/index.php/home

About South Buck Lake:
Buck Lake sits in the rolling hills within the County of Wetaskiwin, 105 km southwest of  Edmonton and 70 km north of Rocky Mountain House. The nearest centre is the town of Drayton Valley, 30 km to the northwest.
For more information on South Buck Lake: http://www.hauserscovehomesonthelake.com/aboutbucklake.html (This is a real estate site, but well done and informative)

About Eckville:
Proud home of Skeleton Racer, World Cup Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Mellisa Hollingsworth.
For more information about Eckville: http://www.eckville.com/

Dinosaur Trail

By Harold Boss
One of my favourite day rides is the Dinosaur Trail at Drumheller. 

Rose Deer Hotel
It's not a long ride but one of the best features is a stop at the Rose Deer Hotel. 
Have a burger and drink, and just enjoy the atmosphere. 

(I heard the Hotel has a paranormal entity :) 
Nonetheless it is a great place and somewhat like a small museum from the mining days. 


There is also a tenting or campsite right outside the door. 
Bikers have been stopping there for decades. 

Check it out; I'm pretty sure you will enjoy the riding and beauty of the Drumheller valley.
Come be a part of Motorcycle Madness and discover the Drumheller Valley with others of like mind!


Saturday, March 13, 2010

Grande Prairie and the Mighty Peace - A trip to Fairview

I live in Grande Prairie and have for several years. Riding in this region has so many diverse possibilities. From the City of Grande Prairie itself there are several directions and consequently vistas that one can head off to.

Grande Cache - just south of Grande Prairie about a 2 hour ride away (190 Kms)
The gateway to the Canadian Rockies from the North, the trip to Grande Cache makes a wonderful day ride or if you have the time you can head on down Hwy 40 until you come to the junction for Hiway 16. Your next decision would be right to Jasper or Left to Hinton and Edson.

Then there is the option to head to the BC border and more mountains. You'll take highway 43 west and north and pass by Beaverlodge and it's incredible Beaver Carving, through Hythe, home of the Hythe Motor Speedway and on towards Dawson Creek.

One of my favorite day rides though is up to Fairview.
About an hour and a half from Grande Prairie this trip will see you pass bright yellow canola fields, take you through the sweeping panorama of the Peace River as you cross the Dunvegan Bridge - Alberta's longest suspension bridge - and in to the town of Fairview an the Harley-Davidson Technical Training Institute at Fairview Campus.

A few years back, we held the Canadian Championship of Bike Building in Wembley, a small town 22 Kms straight west of Grande Prairie.

After the event was over, we took the kids from the Bernice MacNaughton High School Bike Klub up to Fairview to meet Wally Besler and the rest of the instructors of the Harley-Davidson Technical Training Facility.

Here are a few pictures of the area, the people and some the bikes they got there on!
The bike show in Wembley.
A view of the parking lot at the bike show in Wembley.
Look at how big and blue that sky is!
Orval Gladue from Brownvale
On the left is Orval Gladue from Brownvale.
This gent sings a mean Hank Williams and
rides his H-D all over - the joys of being retired!


The group featured here in the parking lot of the Quality Hotel is comprised of Heather Ireland who at the time of this picture was the host of Biker TV, Barry Koenig on the left and Cindy Mckertcher
on the right. In the back ground a group of riders are converging getting ready to head out to Fairview.
Peter and JD




At Rycroft - some of us got fuel and coffee etc...but as you can see, Peter Jonsson of Sweden on the blue Victory and JD Boyd on the red one decided they needed pictures of the famous Tee Pee.


Wally Besler of the Harley-Davidson
Wally Besler of the Harley-Davidson
Technical Training Program at Fairview
Campus












Wally escorting the kids from Moncton's Bike Klub through one of the buildings that houses a number of prototype and one of bikes.

kids from the Bike Klub
Posing under the sign in Fairview -
the kids from the Bike Klub had quite a day!


Here in the north, our dogs love to ride almost as much as we do.
Betty and her owner Paul are from Peace River.











JD Boyd  on the way back to Grande Prairie
JD Boyd crossing the Dunvegan Bridge on the way back to Grande Prairie








It is beautiful and diverse country to ride in.
Until next time...ride safe and enjoy the view!


Alberta, an incredible place to visit by Motorcycle


I have lived in Alberta a good portion of my life and I never tire of the beauty.
This blog is meant to tempt you to come and play in my sand box...Betty's Alberta!


From the majesty of the Rocky Mountains to the simple, clean vistas of the prairies, twisties and wide sweeping, lazy curves and really big sky - Alberta offers the motorcycle enthusiast an amazing variety of views to stimulate the senses.


I hope you will enjoy the trip as we travel and explore Alberta by Motorcycle!