Australian motorbike riding grandmother hitting the road in retirement

In her well-worn leather jacket, fitted blue jeans and cowboy boots, Chris Keeble couldn’t look less like a grandmother-of-two.

But then this motorcycle-loving 59-year-old is hardly your ordinary granny.

For the past 40 years, the Sydney-based Ms Keeble has been riding motorbikes – and now heading into retirement, she is riding her biggest ride yet.

‘I believe age is no barrier to anything. It’s attitude. I have more energy now than when I did in my thirties,’ she told FEMAIL.

Motorcycle mama: Chris Keeble (pictured) has been riding motorbikes for the past 40 years

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Keeble, a marketing executive, said she learned to ride as a 20-year-old – not long before she became a mum – because she hated the idea of being a passenger.

‘My husband at the time had a motorbike, and I really hated being a pillion,’ she said.

‘So I decided rather than miss out, I’d get my licence and ride alongside him, not behind him.

‘Which is how it should be,’ the feisty Ms Keeble declared.

'I believe age is no barrier to anything. It's attitude. I have more energy now than when I did in my thirties,' the effusive Ms Keeble said

‘I believe age is no barrier to anything. It’s attitude. I have more energy now than when I did in my thirties,’ the effusive Ms Keeble said

Her first bike was a just ‘little thing’ but just the right size for a legal learner.

And while it allowed her to hone her riding abilities, it wasn’t long before ‘bigger and fancier bikes’ started to appeal.

She bought her first Harley Davidson – a Sportster 883 Custom – when she was 28, one she’d throw ‘around like a BMX’.

Over the course of the next 30 years, Ms Keeble upgraded to several larger Harley’s. She said she ‘loved them all and all were very different’.

Ms Keeble (pictured) said she was prompted to learn to ride as a 20-year-old so she didn't have to ride as a pillion passenger with her husband

Ms Keeble (pictured) said she was prompted to learn to ride as a 20-year-old so she didn’t have to ride as a pillion passenger with her husband

While riding has always been her passion, motherhood meant she needed to put this much-loved activity on hold for a few years so she could concentrate on bringing up her kids.

Chris Keeble’s advice to other who want to ride motorbikes:

Start with a little scooter and learn about riding on the road. This helps you get used to the feeling of being so open.

Learn, practice and watch videos and always ride within your comfort zone.

Don’t let anyone force you to be faster or take risks.

‘You can’t take them with you when they are very young,’ she said.

‘And short of getting a side-car, it was hard to find the time to ride. 

‘As they got older, I picked it up again and on occasion took them for a ride. One at a time (you have to be a minimum of eight-years-old to ride pillion on a motorbike).

‘Motorbike riding for me is all about solitude,’ she continued. 

‘It’s an escape and it’s okay to want to escape your kids at times!’. 

The mother-of-two said while her kids were younger, riding needed to take a backseat

The mother-of-two said while her kids were younger, riding needed to take a backseat

With her two daughters now grown (34 and 35) and retirement on the horizon, plans are in place to hit the road, and on her biggest bike to date.

A year ago Ms Keeble purchased ‘Calamity Jane’ – a 1800cc Indian Chief Vintage Classic, one that cost $33,000.

 I love creating a character. I’ve done it with all my bikes and this one if by far the most outrageous

‘The Indians are huge and very powerful which was a concern. They are very intimidating at first, but like everything you get used to it,’ she said.

‘It’s a big bike (over 400 kgs) and has tested me at times with its power and handling in tight spots.

‘The more you ride the better you become, and you are never too old to improve and learn. 

Her much-loved bike is also a showstopper – and so it should be – given Ms Keeble has spent $10,000 customising it to her taste.

‘I’m a bit of a creative soul and I tend to bespoke my bikes to within an inch of their lives. So they become a talking point,’ she said. 

Ms Keeble with her bike 'Calamity Jane': 'I'm a bit of a creative soul and I tend to bespoke my bikes to within an inch of their lives,' she said

Ms Keeble with her bike ‘Calamity Jane’: ‘I’m a bit of a creative soul and I tend to bespoke my bikes to within an inch of their lives,’ she said

‘I love creating a character,’ she added. ‘I’ve done it with all my bikes and this one is by far the most outrageous.

‘I love the steampunk, equestrian, vintage look which is what I’ve tried to create.’

Capturing the attention of passersby is something this motorcycle mama said makes her feel good.

‘Men, women and children all admire her. Some think it’s crazy what I have done to the bike and a bit over the top,’ she said. 

‘It’s a talking point wherever I go and I LOVE her.’ 

Her 1800cc Indian Chief Vintage Classic - Ms Keeble's biggest bike yet - is a showstopper 

Her 1800cc Indian Chief Vintage Classic – Ms Keeble’s biggest bike yet – is a showstopper 

Ms Keeble’s lust for riding sees her hitting the road by herself or with a small group of riders. 

She has ridden all over Australia, as well as the US, and hopes one day to ride all over the world.

But as to be expected, there have been a few scary moments along the way.

 I’ve been lost and I’ve been found and it’s always exhilarating and what makes it all a bit special

She recalled one experience – a seriously ‘close call’ – where she was thrown off her bike when she hit a pothole after coming around a corner.

‘I ended up airborne and then came down on the other side of the road towards oncoming traffic,’ she said.

While she was able to turn around ‘just in the nick of time’, she clipped a car’s hubcap. And although she was left very shaken, she walked away without any injuries.

‘I’ve been lost and I’ve been found and it’s always exhilarating and what makes it all a bit special,’ she said. 

‘The moments where you are out in the middle of nowhere with the winding road and the countryside is just the most beautiful, peaceful and wonderful feeling.’ 

The 59-year-old believes in the importance of 'leading from where you stand' and encouraging the women in her life to be brave

The 59-year-old believes in the importance of ‘leading from where you stand’ and encouraging the women in her life to be brave

The 59-year-old marketing executive also has a couple of young granddaughters she adores, so bigger journeys are on hold for now until her girls are a bit older.

But once she takes to the open road again she hopes her future is packed with even more travels ‘around Australia and around the world’.

Being a positive role model women, and in particular the women in her family, means showing them how brave they can be.

‘You have to lead from where you stand, that’s important,’ she said. 

‘I live my life to the fullest and my daughters do the same. I want to be a good role model and leave a good legacy.

‘Women are such special creatures. I’m so happy I’m a woman! I love breaking down stereotypes, pushing the boundaries and being brave and crazy!’.         

To find out more about Chris Keeble’s adventures, you can visit her at The Aussie & The Indian.

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