Name: Lou Bates (ZwiftPower Profile)
Hometown: Nottingham UK
How did you get into cycling? When I retired from rowing, I started triathlon to stay fit and still be part of a club/community. Eventually, I struggled to fit all 3 sports around work, so I decided to concentrate on cycling as it was the discipline I enjoyed the most.
How many years have you been racing on Zwift? Since 2020- my cycling friends were all on Zwift and I was very dismissive of it until I tried and it and was immediately hooked!
Are you part of a virtual team? I am part of a number of Zwift teams/clubs. My first and ‘home’ team is 3R, one of the OG zwift teams. I had no clue about racing on Zwift when I joined, but the team welcomed me and were so enthusiastic and supportive! At present I race for Coalition Alpha in the Zwift GP and other elite races.
What do you love most about racing? I love the intensity and just knowing everyone is out there suffering and giving it everything together. I love the team aspect of things like ZRL and GP as it means you really have to think tactically, and also many types of riders can shine!
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? Favourite style of race is a hilly points race. I like the fact that points races require riders to not just sit in till the finish. They reward aggressive racing.
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? I haven’t done a lot of the women’s series but I have watched many Tours of Boudicca and I love the format and spirit of those races.
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? I have too many! Most memorable experience indoors has to be competing in the eSports Olympics in Singapore. It was mindblowing and the camaraderie between all of the zwifters there in person was incredible and something I will never forget. Outside likely Ironman Lanzaorte and National Hill Climb 2016. Lanza was my first-ever IM and I wasn’t sure I would make the distance at all; the hill climb was in the middle of a town and the crowd was incredible, just a wall of noise!
What is your favourite food to eat post-race? Post race – anything savoury: pizza, omelette, etc. During a race, I usually have gels or energy drinks and am sick of sugar/sweetness!
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Just do it… don’t be worried about how you do, the result does not matter one bit. Know that everyone gets nervous, even those of us that race a lot, but that you will feel amazing afterwards! And know once you’ve done one you’ll be hooked!
