Although her dad rode bikes her whole life, it wasn’t until her late 30’s Renata Haupt realised riding was in her blood. When visiting her partner in America, Renata got on the back of her partners bike in America and feel in love with it.
It wasn’t long before Renata decided she wanted to ride her own bike. So she got on the plane back to America on a mission to get her bike licence. “I landed on the Friday and went to bike school on the Saturday and Sunday, which was really cool!” she says, “ and bought a bike on the Monday.” (Harley)
Renata stayed in America for 3 months riding around then sold her bike to come back home. She was not expecting to ride when she got back home. “I was only home for a few minutes before I just had to get a bike!”
She was straight on Trademe and also joined a group called ‘The Litas’, which is a worldwide motorcycle collective that have a branch in Auckland. The group has 130 female riders. Some of us even now ride together. “I haven’t been riding long but I just don’t even know what I did before it.”
She had her fair share of falls and fails. At times she was frustrated watching others ride so well and she was still trying to start her bike but she stuck at it and it all payed off. “I think anyone should at least give it a go, it can be life changing and keep you young.”
“I can go to any town and just meet people on Instagram and we will go riding together. I’m going to America soon to ride with people I have never met,” she says. Riders keep in touch together and organise rides. “we just have that instant connection.”
Renata has people constantly come up to her and talk to her about her Harley. “I had an old Navy guy come up to me and say ‘I bought my first Harley in 1974’.”
Renata works as a heavy machine operator, loading logs on trucks and loves her job. If given the chance she will ride her bike every day. Her favourite cruise is through Dargaville, Opononi, car ferry up to Cape Reinga and down East coast.
“It just keeps your head on straight, when I put that helmet on...there’s just no feeling like it!” she says, “It keeps you happy.”
Adventure definitely runs through the family. Renata’s dad was a ‘full of life’ kind of guy who rode bikes and even flew planes up until he died. Renata wanted to have something in her life for her. “My mum was in a wheelchair for 20yrs and was really sick. I realised I was just living life the same as her and I didn’t need to.” Old family friends have told her that she looks like her mum when she is riding.
Although her parents passed away before they got to see her ride, she thinks of them often. “When I’m on the bike I feel close to them and think of them as I ride. It’s definitely a connection to them.”
She was straight on Trademe and also joined a group called ‘The Litas’, which is a worldwide motorcycle collective that have a branch in Auckland. The group has 130 female riders. Some of us even now ride together. “I haven’t been riding long but I just don’t even know what I did before it.”
She had her fair share of falls and fails. At times she was frustrated watching others ride so well and she was still trying to start her bike but she stuck at it and it all payed off. “I think anyone should at least give it a go, it can be life changing and keep you young.”
“I can go to any town and just meet people on Instagram and we will go riding together. I’m going to America soon to ride with people I have never met,” she says. Riders keep in touch together and organise rides. “we just have that instant connection.”
Renata has people constantly come up to her and talk to her about her Harley. “I had an old Navy guy come up to me and say ‘I bought my first Harley in 1974’.”
Renata works as a heavy machine operator, loading logs on trucks and loves her job. If given the chance she will ride her bike every day. Her favourite cruise is through Dargaville, Opononi, car ferry up to Cape Reinga and down East coast.
“It just keeps your head on straight, when I put that helmet on...there’s just no feeling like it!” she says, “It keeps you happy.”
Adventure definitely runs through the family. Renata’s dad was a ‘full of life’ kind of guy who rode bikes and even flew planes up until he died. Renata wanted to have something in her life for her. “My mum was in a wheelchair for 20yrs and was really sick. I realised I was just living life the same as her and I didn’t need to.” Old family friends have told her that she looks like her mum when she is riding.
Although her parents passed away before they got to see her ride, she thinks of them often. “When I’m on the bike I feel close to them and think of them as I ride. It’s definitely a connection to them.”
Riding in Her Parents Tyre Tracks
2008 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Low