I’m in my 60th year, but according to many Asian cultures, I’m 60 NOW. I’m considered a young Baby Boomer. I’m a grandmother; I have two granddaughters who are the light of my life.
I don’t know what it is about a certain time one gets to where they just start to look and question what it’s all about. I’ve been doing that a lot recently and I’ve always dreamed of riding an Indian Motorcycle. Everything seemed to be coming to one tipping point.
I’ve ridden bikes for many decades, mainly Harley Davidson. Every bike I have ever owned, I’ve loved. They have all been great. They have been like children to me.
Yet, I’ve secretly always had this fascination with Indians — the Indian Motorcycles that is! They are big, quite a bit bigger than what I’ve ever ridden before. I’m still building my confidence with it, especially those tricky parking spots and U-turns!
Being a creative type, I have designed this bike to within an inch of its life. The finished design has created quite a lot of interest both in Australia and internationally. I thought why not do something with it and plan my retirement around doing what I love to do. Me and Calamity Kane/Jane (I can’t make up my mind what it is, so my ride is transgender for now). What a team we are! We have met some amazing people. Been to incredible places and while I seem to have an unhealthy knack of finding the ridiculous in just about everything, the people and places seem to just give me so much material to write about.
After only a few days travel, I received some good traction with followers all over the world. I’d now like to take it further and start to plan longer trips, meet more people and discover all the beautiful crazy out there.
One of my other big passions is music. I write and research about various icons to create what I call Rockumentaries. Live shows that tell the story along with the hits. Hitting the road to see concerts and festivals will form part of my journey and I really hope to be meeting many riders and sharing some fun stories of the ridiculously normal out there.
Recently I headed to the far south coast of New South Wales from Sydney. It’s about a six-hour ride. It’s such a beautiful part of the country. I met some great people who took me to little-known destinations. Roads less travelled. Characters who sleep and live outside while they have a huge old converted farm/factory to live in, yet choose the fresh cool air, even in winter! The music and arts festival was the Four Winds Festival at a seaside town called Bermagui.
My weekends are full of surprises. If I’m not touring a production, I’ll be on the road meeting people, finding hidden places and listening to more music. I have fitted a stereo system to Calamity Kane/Jane, so the music is always with me!
In October, I’ll be riding some big bike in the United States from Phoenix to Colorado Springs and back again. I can’t wait to meet some fellow adventurers and others on the way and hear their stories.
I am also part of a movement to break the world record for most women at a motorbike meet and ride. We had the title taken form us last year and are hoping that when we get together in November, around 1,300 minimum riders to show up. Our last attempt in 2016 smashed the record with 1,004, but our sisters in the United Kingdom managed to beat that in 2017.
Life is just starting and I feel fantastic and proud of who and what I am, especially as I grow up!
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