I take to befriending strangers like a fish takes to water. Usually, the difficult part is getting started. Invariably, something innocuous happens and then that gets the conversation going. You get into common interests, common locations etc as the exchange progresses. But you need an excuse to get started.

But if you are a motorcyclist, that is a dead give away. First there are tell tale signs all around. There is a helmet or a motorcycle jacket with the stranger or sometimes just the boots clue in to how he or she must have arrived. Second, you can never go wrong by asking such a person “What are you riding?”

That establishes a common connection immediately. Usually the other person then talks about the motorbike make and brand. Now, while I motorbike quite some, I am not an expert in different kinds of motorbikes at all. So, I just nod and make a complimentary comment about the make and brand. From there, the conversation follows exciting paths about how we got into motorbiking, where we motorbike, how many times we have laid a motorbike down (by the way, we never admit that we dropped our motorbike – of course not, we lay them down).

And from there I get to know the person, their life history, where they grew up, their passion, what do they want to be when they grow up (I ask that even if they are in their seventies). Usually, I walk away learning a few new things and sometime some ideas to try out later.

This has never failed me. It did not this evening either when Sharmila and I ran into young Evan Knight at Central City Tavern in downtown Alpharetta. Remarkable history. Learnt about his totally cool helmet and how in his adventurous spirits, he is going to try living out of a camper for some time. In fact, I learnt that he regularly camps out in the North Georgia mountains after riding there in his motorbike. From the pictures, it was impressive that he can pack up all that stuff in his motorbike storage.

The other remarkable thing about Evan is the motorcycle and Jeep event he helps organize in December for raising money for charitable causes. Showed me a video. Reminded me of DC on Memorial Day!

I think I will join him this December!