Women Specific Rides Are on the Rise in Florida
It’s wonderful to see the growth in the popularity of women specific cycling rides and events across Florida. Women’s rides are rolling out on roads, mountain bike trails, gravel and paved trails.
What is a “women specific ride”? It’s a cycling ride or event that is specifically, but not exclusively in all cases, organized by women, for women.
So, what’s the draw for women specific rides?
Dawn Zielinski, leader of Women On Wheels(WOW) and president of Village Idiots Cycling Club in Bradenton, captured some of the reasons for the appeal from a few of her cycling friends.
“I like the camaraderie and the lack of competition. When riding with women, everyone is looking out for one another to succeed and enjoy their ride as opposed to competing for a better time and pace.”
“I wanted to be around the female-only-energy.”
“I don’t think we have to think about women’s rides in opposition to mixed groups. As though mixed rides are standard and women’s rides are a reaction to them. They don’t need to be ranked with mixed rides in an up/down kind of way. Riding with other women often means riding with like-minded riders, including a few like-minded men.”
“I would not have started riding or kept on riding without access to a group focused on and run by women. It was the perfect incubator for me and continues to be an essential and cherished source of support, friendship, and adventure.”
“I started riding without really loving it at first. But riding with the women’s group changed everything…I learned to love it. They taught me so many skills, helped me improve at my own pace, and made the whole process fun.”
“Beyond the riding itself, I’ve come to love the coffee stops, the laughter, the camaraderie, and the shared experiences. It’s something really special.”
Here are some of the women specific rides in Florida.
AMELIA ISLAND/FERNANDINA BEACH – ROAD/TRAILS
Our friends Ann and Tom moved to Fernandina Beach a couple of years ago. Both enjoy riding their bikes, but Ann didn’t want to ride with the more competitive cycling group of mostly men.
Ann discovered The Newcomers Club of Amelia Island for welcoming new women residents. They offer an organized bike ride every Wednesday for members and visitors. The ride is social rather than competitive.
Some ladies are on road bikes, others hybrid and some cruisers. Rides vary from 13-20 miles. Ann said, “The ride never disappoints given the remarkable scenery and bike paths on Amelia Island. We make frequent water stops during the ride and often meet for lunch afterwards.”
BRADENTON - ROAD
WOW (Women on Wheels) is a monthly ride. They also organize periodic women specific cycling events. WOW rides are a collaboration between the Village Idiots Cycling Club(VICC) and Ryder Bike Shop. Dawn Zielinski is president of VICC and helps lead WOW rides which started 11 years ago.
Dawn explained, “Women come because these are no pressure rides. We support and cheer each other on. There can be three to a dozen riders who show up for the monthly ride on the 3rd Sunday. We just want to encourage women on bikes, whether novice or more experienced.” WOW has 50-100 cyclists that show up for the WOW events because they draw women from across south central Florida.
WOW has an event coming up on October 5, 2025. It will include three distance options of 20, 40 or 62 miles. Check FloridaCycling.us for a listing when registration opens.
MIAMI – ROAD/GRAVEL
Miami has four women specific groups or clubs.
Pink Sirens – the best way to connect with Pink Sirens is to email the organizer at pinksirensports@gmail.com. They are mainly a road group. Do a search and you’ll find links to their Facebook page, Instagram account with over 700 followers and a website.
Alpha Cycling – is a cycling club that has active women specific rides. More information can be found on the Alpha Cycling Facebook page and a website. They ride road and gravel.
Chic Bike Crew – is a group of women who love to ride with friends. They promote and organize women specific rides with over 1,600 followers on Instagram.
Miami Cycling Girls Club – has over 1,900 followers on Instagram. Direct message them for more information. Their club was formed by women, for women, catering to the need to support, develop and unite female cyclists or aspiring ones. “Our motto is that we ALL support each other to improve our cycling abilities in a friendly and safe environment; learn basics and group riding; offer monthly rides; grow the local women cycling community; allowing experienced female cyclists to support those starting this beautiful journey.” They also have a group page on Strava.
OCALA - MTB
The Dirty Divas – are part of the Ocala Mountain Bike Association Riders (OMBA Riders). Girls of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Direct message them for specific times and places for women specific rides.
ORLANDO/SANFORD - MTB
Ladies Night at Markham Woods Trails - Bicikleta Bike Shop, Sanford, partnering with SORBA Orlando, created a ladies' mountain bike ride on the last Wednesday of each month. Mixed groups also ride every Wednesday night as well. This women specific ride is a no-drop ride—no one gets left behind.
Tanya Clark, co-owner of Bicikleta (bike in Spanish) Bike Shop with Brenda Urias, said “Ten years ago I was so pumped to see another woman show up for an MTB ride. That has changed.” They now have 10-40 women show up for the monthly women’s ride at Markham Woods trailhead. In addition to hosting this ride, they also hold bike maintenance clinics for women. Women from novice to experienced are welcome.
Tanya pointed out that safety is an issue for women. “Guys can post on social media something like, ‘Hey, I’m riding the trails Friday night. Join me.’” However, Tanya said, “Women would likely not do that for safety reasons. There’s safety in numbers when we all show up together.”
Tanya added, “We hope this will encourage more female riders to come out and enjoy the night rides. Women are changing the face of cycling and have become a powerful force in mountain biking.”
TAMPA – ROAD/TRAILS
Pedal Queenz say on their Facebook page, “Girls Time equates to leisure bicycle rides! All bicycles and fitness levels are welcome.” The Pedal Queenz are a Tampa based group that rides road and paved trails.
SWAMP Sisters - is on a mission to build a more cohesive women's mountain bike community. The goal of the group is to encourage & empower women to ride their bikes by increasing skills, confidence and community. SWAMP Sisters is part of the SWAMP Mountain Bike Club in Tampa.
Monthly organized guided SWAMP Sisters rides are the starting point. But the hope is to provide a platform for the women's mountain bike community. They state on their Facebook page, “With so many amazing MTB trails in our area, we are striving to create a space where women can connect and grow together in their passion for the sport”.
Ideas for forming your own women specific ride.
Maybe you are inspired to think about having a women specific ride. We asked women we interviewed to share some steps you can take for starting a women’s ride. Here’s what they recommended:
Invite some friends to join you. Friends will invite friends. Word will spread.
Start small. Do a ride once a month.
Eventually, set up a social media group on Facebook or some other platform, so you can keep the group informed and grow the sense of being part of a sisters community. List when and where rides are held. Post photos after the ride, to build camaraderie.
Emphasize this is a no-pressure ride.
As new people join the group ask the question, “What is your happy pace”? Then have one group that rides at a slower pace and another group at a faster pace.
If you are so inclined, just go ahead and start. Take the first step of inviting a few women to join you. Let it go from there.
You can help women cyclist in Florida by sharing women specific rides that you know about. Please post a comment below with the name, location and a link to more information about the ride.
Ride often. Ride safe. Enjoy the journey.
Bruce
