I’m officially obsessed. I promised myself that riding a motorcycle wouldn’t become my whole personality, but let’s be honest—that ship has sailed.
Lately, my social feeds are nothing but motorcycle groups on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. My wardrobe has shifted almost entirely to bike-related t-shirts. I’ve even become “that person” who starts conversations with strangers in elevators just because they’re wearing riding gear or have that tell-tale scuff on the toe of their left boot.
But as much as I love the gear and the culture, I’ve realized the best part of being a rider isn’t the bike itself—it’s the people you ride with.
How to Meet Reliable Riding Partners
Finding a consistent riding partner can be a bit like dating. Sometimes you get lucky and a close friend already rides (read more about my riding friend for life here). Other times, you’re starting from scratch. So, how do you find your people?
The answer lies in Motorcycle Associations and Clubs. These are communities built on camaraderie and shared interests. Whether you are looking for people who share your profession, your faith, or your background, there is likely a group for you. Common associations are often based on:
- Military or Civil Service history (Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Medical)
- Shared Religious beliefs
- Specific Demographics
- Passions for community service and charity
Understanding the Lingo: MC vs. RC
Before you start reaching out, it’s helpful to understand the terminology. Not every group of riders is the same, and knowing the difference will help you find the right fit for your lifestyle.
- Motorcycle Clubs (MC): These typically have a more rigorous “prospecting” process, a deep sense of commitment, and a specific hierarchy.
- Riding Clubs (RC): These are generally more informal, focusing primarily on the enjoyment of riding together without the strict requirements of an MC.
What are Motorcycle Associations?
Motorcycle Associations are typically structured, broad organizations—often at a national level. They focus on advocating for riders’ rights, safety, and education. A prime example is the American Motorcyclist Association, which represents riders’ interests while offering events and resources for the community.
Where should I look for Riding Clubs?
You can definitely connect with riders and clubs on social media, but if you don’t even know what to search for, check out the riding clubs active in your local area at https://www.riderclubs.com/. This will give you a quick overview of the clubs in your area, the clubs interests, whether they are beginner friendly, and/or how they ride (casual cruising, touring, off-road, adventure, etc.). This site will also let you know if there are events happening in your area.
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a “Motorcycle Mixer” to connect riders with riding clubs and groups, hosted by a local-ish motorcycle shop, Bob’s Motorcycles. I met a lot of folks from different riding clubs as well as some folks promoting outstanding events. They were all willing to share their time with me, their missions, their adventures, and more. I will try to mention them here, though there is no way I can express their stories without a deeper dive. I hope to be able to share some of those stories in the future.
Community & Culture: The Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA)
I was fortunate to meet the President and Vice President among many members of the LAMAs – Annapolis, MD and Baltimore chapters. Their LAMA International mission is “to unite motorcycle enthusiasts in fellowship, promoting peace, love, harmony and non-violence worldwide, demonstrating through example that we can all live together in peace.” They do this through their international presence with 240 chapters in 26 countries. The LAMAs are a family-friendly, safety, and education minded motor-tourism, non-profit organization supporting local charities and communities. They are an inclusive organization (you don’t even have to have a Latin American heritage to join) and really just seemed like a fun crowd. They won the trophy during the mixer for being the riding club with the most members present. I will be checking out their motorcycle safety courses and some of their open events in the area this year.
Global Sisterhood: Joining the Women’s International Motorcycle Association
I met some amazing women with some amazing stories just hanging out in the showroom of Bob’s Motorcycles. That’s exactly why WIMA was founded in 1950, to connect women interested in motorcycling all over the world. WIMA is an international organization with associations established in nearly 40 countries according to their website. They host rides and national and international rallies. And while you must identify as female to be a member, men are welcome to support their lady friends and partners. The officer from WIMA-USA I met introduced me to an app for the Women Rider’s World Relay, a virtual way to connect with other women riders. We went to lunch, we passed the virtual baton to each other, and most importantly, we connected!
Inclusive Riding: The Off-Kiltered LGBTQIA+ Riding Club
I met Sparkles (riding name), the President and founder of the Off-Kiltered Riding Club. She has ridden 2.5 million miles on a motorcycle and if that’s not an inspiration then I don’t know what is. She’s also taught Motorcycle Safety Foundation classes (read more about my own experiences with this class here) and has been riding since her teenage years. As Sparkles told me, this is the most inclusive group as they accept any motorcycle, any experience level, any interest, any gender, etc.
The restriction is you have to love motorcycles and you have to be a non-hateful person. And isn’t this just the advice for life anyway? This LBGTQIA+ riding club operating in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area focuses on outreach, volunteerism, and promoting positive awareness. I loved that the group invited me into their Discord that day and allowed me to chat with other members about our motorcycles! I look forward to joining them on some rides this year.
Riding for a Cause: The Mid-Atlantic Women’s Motorcycle Rally (MAWMR)
I had the most wonderful conversation with Map Girl (riding name) who has stories upon stories about riding motorcycles across the country and her adventures. I could have talked to her all day (and nearly did). She is also the Vice President of the MAWMR. This rally was founded over 30 years ago for “women motorcyclists supporting women with the challenges of cancer.” The 2026 event takes place June 18-20 in Gettysburg, PA and consists of guided rides through very scenic areas, group rides to local eateries, social events, demos, and education/seminars and workshops.
Map Girl described it as a three-day slumber party for motorcyclists with a cause. That cause is to support local and national cancer charities. She is a cancer survivor herself and two years clear! As my mother and grandmother were both breast cancer victims, this is a cause near and dear to me as well. I was really blown away by how much emphasis her event places on workshops and continued learning for motorcyclists. It really put my mind at ease to know that there is a priority on safety and education for all sorts of skills and topics. I’m hoping to make it either this year or in the near future.
From Dirt to Track: Women’s Skills Training with Ruts to Racelines
I had never given consideration to riding a dirt bike. Nor had I really given consideration to riding on a track. I have seen how far those folks in MotoGP lean around the curves; they wear knee pads. I just never thought it would be for me. But after meeting Marika who runs Ruts to Racelines (R2R), an American Motorcycle Association (AMA) chartered group teaching women both dirt bikes and track riding, I just may have started thinking about it more seriously.
Practicing skills on a closed course (no guardrails, no gravel, no cars jumping out of their driveways without looking, and no deer!) is actually a pretty smart move. What if you’re on a ride where you believe you are coming up on a long curve only to find out it’s a hairpin turn? I would want the skills to be able to handle that without anxiousness. R2R and Marika in particular have a great story and a great mission to provide a supportive environment for women to learn, gain confidence, and find tune riding skills. There are several classes throughout the year, an annual Extravaganza, and riding tours. I’m looking forward to meeting up with her again.
These all sound great, which do I choose?
Start by learning more about the organizations you want to join. Depending on the type of organization, there may be bylaws that will dictate whether you can be part of more than one or require strict loyalty (such as a motorcycle club). You should check with the club to see if they would have any conflicts between your associations and always be upfront about whatever memberships you have or are interested in when you talk to them.
In some cases, riding clubs will want you to go through a prospecting period before becoming a full member. Some are more casual and will allow you to wear patches for multiple associations. In some cases, you can be a part of a club and attend non-club sponsored events as well.
The Bottom Line: Whether you want a tight-knit brotherhood (or sisterhood) or just a casual group to hit the twisties with on a weekend morning, there is a community waiting for you. Go find them! And if you’re looking for a smaller group, don’t be afraid to strike up that conversation in the elevator—your “riding friend for life” might be just one “nice boots” comment away.
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