Chris Keeble is urging people to throw out the stereotypes and get on a motorbike.
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Ms Keeble was in Dubbo for the 2WheelBabes Mega babe Raid and world record attempts at the weekend.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Dubbo Showground in an attempt to break 15 world records. Unfortunately, the participants were unable to beat their previous record for the largest number of women at a female bike meet.
Ms Keeble has been riding bikes for about 30 years – stopping for a little while when she had children –and her current bike for about 15 months. From the day she bought it, Ms Keeble said she had been customising Calamity Jane to fit with her ‘equestrian/steam punk look’.
“I have this joke I always say: my bike is the worst vegetarian there is, there’s so much leather on it,” Ms Keeble said.
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From a gun belt from Arizona, which she occasionally fills with a toy gun, to the hand-dyed leather, Ms Keeble said Calamity Jane was one-of-a-kind.
It’s also a work-in-progress with new pieces added every time something catches her eye.
Ms Keeble has big plans for Calamity Jane.
“Now that I’m nearing 60 [years-old] my retirement plan is to travel all over Australia and the world on my bike,” she said.
Her motto? Adventure before dementia.
I’m almost 60, I’m a grandmother, I don’t want people to let stereotypes to get in the way.
- Chris Keeble
“I just love riding, I love being on a motorbike. It’s sort of a meditation. I’m so busy with my work and looking after grandchildren, when I do get a chance to relax and get on a bike it’s zen,” Ms Keeble said.
“You can’t think about anything except what you’re doing.”
Along the way, the motorcyclist hopes to be a role model for her children, grandchildren and the wider community.
“I hope I inspire women who have been thinking about getting on a bike to do it. I’m almost 60 [years-old], I’m a grandmother, I don’t want people to let stereotypes to get in the way,” she said.
While women riders had become more popular, Ms Keeble said she was frequently questioned about the size of Calamity Jane, which has a 1800cc engine and weighs about 400 kilograms.
“It’s not about the size, it’s about technique,” she said.