In this special edition of the Motorcycle Coasters® Newsletter, we are featuring Chris Keeble, female motorcycling ambassador from Newtown, Australia and The Blue Mountains of Australia.

Chris graciously offered to write a brief bio/introductory article for our newsletter.  Below the article are links to “The Aussie & The Indian” on Facebook and to the website, “The Aussie & The Indian – Chris Keeble & Calamity Jane”, where you can find Chris’s newsletter, photos and more.

I’m 59 - 60 next March… Oh lordy!  Can’t believe I’m nearly 60!

I started riding way back in my very early 20s.

My first bike was a little thing that was made of bits and pieces but was the legal size for a learner. It did me just enough and fell to bits virtually the week I became able to go up to larger size bikes. I then jumped on a Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Custom. That was such a great bike. I threw it around like a BMX. I thought for a moment I could be part of the Crusty Demons show! (a touring motorbike show of stunt riders). I was also a responsible mum...so settle down!

Like most motorbike riders, you start to get a bit of an addiction, and you want bigger, faster, fancier things. I then upgraded to several larger Harley Davidson Bikes for the next 30 plus years. I loved them all and all were very different. I’m a bit of a creative soul and I tend to bespoke my bikes to within an inch of their lives.

The past few years I’ve had a bit of a dream to own an Indian Motorcycle. I’m not sure what it is about them, but I like the back story to them and the look of them. However, I was intimidated at first with just how big they are. Much bigger than anything I’ve ever ridden. Well after 3 years or so, I jumped on over and now ride a Chief Vintage Classic. It’s a dream to ride. Meet Calamity Jane. It’s a showstopper and a talking point wherever we go. I LOVE her.

She is my passport to travel, people, places and music. My other real passion is music and writing, producing shows, supporting artists and creative folk. I’m joining the dots with these two areas of my life. I enjoy riding by myself or with a small group of riders. I’m not one for those big groups and clubs.

I ride all over Australia and hopefully the world. I love riding in the US. It’s like when they built the roads they were thinking of motorbike riders! The roads are in great condition there. Australia has a bit to learn with that. Some of roads are death traps and shockers. I’ve had some serious close calls that have made grown men pull over, go ashen white and wonder how I managed to stay upright! However, there are some magical places still for me to discover in Australia. 

I have two grown daughters and two beautiful granddaughters. I want to be a role model for them.

Someone said to me the other day, “Chris, you are a way finder.”  That made my day. I want to live my legacy and I hope I can inspire and help others in all sorts of ways. Calamity Jane and myself…the two of us.

I love this saying:‘Well behaved women rarely make history’. It’s a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. I love reading about women and how brave they are and the things they do. We 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!

I’ve developed a thing called The Aussie & The Indian… we are on Facebook and Instagram... I blog, tell stories, meet people, review products etc. If nothing else my daughters and granddaughters will have that to look at in the future.

Life is so much fun. It’s crazy busy, but fun! I make it my choice to wake up each morning with that attitude.

And Calamity Jane always puts a smile on my face. !

Thanks for reading...Ride safe and see you on the road sometime.