There are so many different things to do, places to ride, groups to ride with, rides to participate in here in Miami and elsewhere that it might beg the question why should a female rider want to join the Rose Bandits Team over one of the MANY other groups?  As the managers, members, and racer (that honor is bestowed solely on Duffy) on the Rose Bandits Cycling Team it is a question that we find to be ridiculous, but that is only because we are so intimately tied to the team.  We believe it is important to let everyone know what being a part of the Rose Bandits is REALLY all about.

We find that many people when looking to join a team, ask “what are the weekly rides?” and “what events does the team put on or participate in?” or  “do you get discounts at bike shops?” etc.  Oftentimes if the potential member doesn’t think they can make the rides, doesn’t want to take part in the events the team chooses, or doesn’t like the “good deals” they will get as a part of joining a team–they don’t join.  However, this is where the Rose Bandits and what we offer so greatly differs from that of joining any other team. (Granted, we do boast being able to provide our members with the top of the line Louis Garneau team kit designed by nationally respected designer, Brian Zimmerman of Cre843 (BZ just completed the newly rebranded RB logo too!) and, yes, some serious discounts here and there, but there is so much more that you get by becoming a Rose Bandit.)

When you join the Rose Bandits you become a member of a MUCH larger movement.  The movement we are talking about is one to bring REAL support and attention to women’s cycling and racing.  If you are a female rider in Miami (or anywhere) who is passionate about cycling and women’s sport and know how hard it can be for a woman to make a name for herself in athletics–you NEED to be a Rose Bandit!   We look to provide top-level support to our race team, and in 2012 through the continued  financial and emotional support of the RB Team and our Sponsors the race team placed an amazing 3rd overall in the USA Crits National Series.

So, sweet–the Rose Bandits support racing…begging another question, “but, what if I am not a racer?”  Well, for our non racing members, we look to EMPOWER you on the bike and provide a welcoming community of female athletes dedicated to the cause of women’s athletics.  We  help each and every one of our members train, plan, and have fun on the bike.  We have an amazing membership of strong women, and without them we would not be able to do our part for women’s sport.  We  offer a lot to our members:  if your bike fit is bad/needs tweaking–we will tell you, if you have saddle issues–we have suggestions, if you want to get a new bike–we provide unbiased answers, if your bike needs a tune up–we tell you and teach you how to service it, if you have questions about women’s specific cycling issues– we have so many girls we know at least one has encountered your problem, embarrassed because you don’t know what a “crit” is–we will teach you, and, obviously, if you want to race–we will guide you!

Also, when you become a member of the Rose Bandits, you are also doing your part to spread word about the fight against cancer.  In 2011, the Rose Bandits were able to put together a successful event; our first annual RB Team Fundraiser to raise funds for the team AND Susan G Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft Lauderdale affiliate.  We started Roses for Cancer Rides and delivered roses to nurses at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center as a way to thank them for all they do in cancer patient care, to survivors of breast cancer at a Susan G Komen survivors ceremony and to women who are just beginning their fight against breast cancer.  If you are a woman who has been affected by this terrible disease, you have the chance to fight it simply by becoming a member and joining the fight with us locally and nationally.

By increasing our membership with women who are passionate about cycling and female athletics (you do not need to be the BEST cyclist out there, just a cyclist who is passionate) we are able to get more of our team kits on the road, which increases our visibility, and brings more attention to our mission.  In just three years we have grown our membership to over 90 members!!  The race team, which we support heavily, in turn supports the club team since the more visibility we have on the road, the more sponsors want to be a part of our mission, and the more sponsors we have the more we can do for our membership.  So, if you are a female cyclist and want to do your part to EMPOWER women, and in turn, EMPOWER yourself, come be a Rose Bandit!  We would love to have you!  Come help us put PINK on the podium!!