When I was a teenager (and single - first time around) I used to use my rides as an opportunity to stop and talk to all the lovely ladies Now as a single man again I'm looking forward to going out and doing the same. Have any of you met a partner or had a date due to stopping and talking to a young lady/man?

No. Sorry. It's brutal out there. Wish I had better news except that you have the advantage being male in a statistically predominant single female population. How about joining a cycling club where there's a fair share of women? All you gotta be is a nice guy who can have fun and you'll be on your way.

Let's put it this way: how many dates have you gotten by avoiding conversation with new people?

Ocean has a point about picking a good place to go fishing.

Does your local Sierra Singles club sponsor bike rides? Do you have a local League of American Bicyclists chapter? Perhaps even better would be a charity or fund-raising ride or walk.

I always found it ironic that being on a bike makes it possible to stop and talk to girls (or just get a much better look at em), yet your chances of being noticed is about 2% of that of someone in a decent car

I have a flashy enough car but I prefer to ride my bike when I can.

Since there seems to be more male riders than female riders, men might find it difficult to find a fellow female cyclist. Besides, there also are quite a few type of cyclists -- fast movers vs leasurely cyclists, for example. I suspect that riding with some nice stop point along the way might help, because it's much easier to hold a conversation while sitting in a park (with bike near you, maybe), than it is while riding.

But one never really knows how things happen. A little over 10 years ago, I met a lovely woman in the metro (our public rapid transit). She is now my wife and we have 2 daughters.

Regards,

I got a definite flirt the other day from a nice looking young woman on a commuter bike as we we're stopped at a traffic light.

I was in my togs at the end of a pretty long ride. I smiled back in a friendly manner--but not too encouraging since I'm not single. Then I thought, even if I we're single I'd have to be careful. After all, I must of smelled to high heaven. Good thing I was downwind.

Cheers,
Jamie

I enjoy chatting with the ladies - even when my wife is riding with me!! She says (jokingly) that I am flirting. I say I am just being friendly. Hey, at 63 I think I have the right to do about anything I like.

Fortunately, I live where there are LOTS of female bicyclists, of all ages and types.

I think a bike is a great way to get to know members of the opposite sex. You already have at least one commonality - biking, which could lead easily to the next question - "Want to go on a ride?" Or - how about joining me for some (whatever) after the ride?

Just as long as you have enough self-confidence to be able to withstand having the pants beat off of you on a hill climb (also quite possible with many of the female riders around here!!)