OLD BLASTARD: Meet and greet

Sometimes group rides form by accident, like at area farmer's markets

A buddy complained the other night that she didn't have too many people with whom to ride, and unfortunately, she's right.

She'd love to ride with other women -- there's a sisterhood out there as strong as the brotherhood -- and she'd love to carve a few apexes with anyone on anything. The problem is that with a small business and a growing child, the time when she can ride is often limited and at the last minute.

It's pain I can dig. I ride to work. I ride for work. I ride from work. Often, that's it.

Short of joining riding society, riding clubs or going through the process of patching in with a club, how do you find folks of similar mind and passion to do some roads?

I seem to be lucky running into folks at odd places. From the Nelson County Farmer's Market near Wintergreen to Devil's Backbone Brewery, there are a lot of friendly, local folks out hitting backroads on weekends. If they ride faster than you,  a constant issue when you ride a 30-horsepower single, just tell them  you'll meet them at the next turnout for a view and some photos.

Rolling out of Jarman's for a little BB and 3 Bike Night

Two easier ways are to meet at Jeffersonia's two major bike nights, Wednesday nights at Wild Wings Cafe on West Main Street and Thursday nights at Buffalo Wild Wings in Barracks Road.

Both nights have been known to gather riders from all around the region, often for a quick Blackjack Ride prior to the night's meal and talk. The rides often start at Jarman's Sportcycles on U.S. 250 and proceeds benefit local charities or folks in need.

Another place to catch up with other riders is through the Internet-based Charlottesville Motorcycle Riders. Joining is easy and there are all sorts of folks looking to ride. Impromptu organization is a good thing.

There are also poker runs and assorted other events scheduled all around the region. Unfortunately, as the dictates of making living have put a crunch on the public information part of being an SOB, the listings here have been sorely lacking. While that should be fixed shortly, checking in with Jarmans or Wayne Cycle Shop in Waynesboro or either Harley Davidson dealer -- Shenandoah Harley/Buell in Staunton or Waugh Enterprises in Orange -- will get you an idea.

Check with people  you meet on bikes. Chat them up. Find out how they ride, where they ride and what they ride.  See if  you think you may like them. And set a time.

Like this coming Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Tractor Supply/CVS on US 250 at River Road/Free Bridge.

Anyone game just look for the Great White Shark.