My name is Linda and I am a recovering hill hater.
As a cyclist, you sometimes don’t get much of a choice. But as a lifelong cyclist, and now being an almost 65-year-old senior citizen, I can confirm that the feeling is still valid.
I raced for 5 years between the years of 1975 and 1980. I use the term “raced” very loosely. My nickname back then was The Gap because every race I was in, I would get dropped. If there was a hill, I would live up to my nickname much quicker.
Fast forward 30 years. I was gifted my dream bike, a Specialized Dolce, in 2010. I have well over 14,000 miles on that bike. As the years have passed by, the aches and pains have increased. Last year I was almost immobilized by arthritis pain. I have a wheelchair and a walker in my garage that I used when things got bad. The only time I felt better was after I rode my bike.
This past winter I was in so much pain that I knew I had to take my cycling to the next level. I had heard about Zwift and knew several people who loved it. In November 2019, I got myself a smart trainer and attached my trusty Dolce to it. I started setting my alarm for 5 AM and rode before work.
I remember my first ride. I’m a pretty slow rider and not very strong. I wasn’t familiar with the layout of Zwift at all, and of course the route that I picked had a big hill in it. Nooooo! Then I discovered Tempus Fugit. At the time I remember saying to myself, “Hey I thought this route was flat! There’s a 2% hill in it!” That became my go-to route and I started pushing up that 2%. My strength improved as my aching knees allowed.
I kept at it. This past January I rode over 600 miles and my mobility drastically increased. I immersed myself in the Zwift culture. In the evenings I would search YouTube for videos of anything having to do with Zwift to learn the courses and tips, and to pick up any pointers that would help me get better and stronger. I started following some top riders like Phil Lovett, Adam Zimmerman, Ash Beech, Jan Pryds, and Matt Looker, watching their form and seeing how they spun with power up hills. I started looking at hills as things not to be avoided, but literal mountains to be overcome that would in turn make me a stronger rider.
The Tour de Zwift was what turned things around. The Innsbruck course with the leg snapper and the main hill, as well as the London course with Box Hill, gave me a lot of practice spinning on hills. In the back of my mind, I started thinking about doing the Alpe du Zwift someday. Initially I had thought, no way, I’m staying away from that one. But now it started to become something I thought I could tackle. I decided even if I failed at completing it the first try, I could start it and aim to do more and more each attempt.
One Sunday morning after doing the Innsbruck course with the hill from hell, I didn’t feel horrible and I had nothing urgent to do. The thought came to me that this would be quite an accomplishment if I could do this today after riding Innsbruck.
I decided to try to go for it and ride the Alpe.
I remember as I scrolled down the courses and clicked on Road to Sky, I felt a feeling of total determination. I didn’t care how long it was going to take me. I didn’t even care if I had to take breaks and walk around from time to time. I was doing this, and I was finishing it. Today.
As I made that right turn for the first time through that green field of light, I felt as though I was one of “the big kids”. As I began spinning around the first turn, people were passing me, which was expected. But I started noticing that every one of them gave me a ride on. Of course, I gave them ride ons back.
The chat was lively. People were joking and saying where they were on the course. There was such a different feeling as I continued climbing. Everyone was giving everyone else ride ons. On the other courses on Zwift, yes, there’s a certain camaraderie. But this was different. There was an air of “we are all in this together and we are going to encourage each other up this hill.” I joined in the chat where I could, mentioning this was my first attempt. Several people told me you can do this, you got this, etc.

Someone was joking about needing a motor. I typed in “yeah, granny here could sure use a motor.” I guess the other riders clicked on my name and profile… and that’s when everything changed.
Suddenly the chat was filled with encouragement directed toward me. “Linda, you can do this.” “You got this Linda!” “Go Linda!” “Keep it up Linda!” It continued for quite a while. People were asking me what turn I was on. One person asked if we have a triathlete in the making. Someone told me it’s okay to take breaks. I responded that I don’t care how long this takes and how many breaks I have to take. I am doing this, and I am finishing this today. I am getting to the top of this hill. The words of encouragement continued. I was suddenly overcome with emotion and fighting back tears because I was so moved that so many people were pushing me on.
These were people I had never met. They were people who were fighting their own battles up that hill. But we were united in one effort to achieve this goal. This is the soul of Zwift, and I felt as though I was privileged to see and be a part of everyone’s journey up the Alpe.
As I turned each corner and the numbers counted down one by one, I made sure I took a picture at every marker because every one of them was an accomplishment. There was one guy whose name was Mike. He kept checking with me to see where I was and how I was feeling. He was way ahead of me, but he took the time to do that. I was floored by that. At the same time, I had two local friends who ride Zwift regularly, texting me and cheering me on. It was just an incredible feeling. Although I was getting very tired, I almost didn’t want it to end.
It turned into almost a spiritual journey. My focus was intense. Nothing else in the world mattered during those moments except turning the pedals. Nothing else was as important as rounding corners 11, 10, 9…

As I finally approached turn one, I was very tired but something inside me at that point had changed. I felt more confident about my riding. I knew I had achieved something that not everyone had done on Zwift. But I had not done it alone, by any means.
I finally approached that big beautiful wheel. One friend of mine said that he hoped I got the set of wheels. Sure, that would have been great but at that point it didn’t matter what I got. As I crossed the line of completion, I threw my hands up as if I had won a race. And I had. The race was within me.
I texted that I had made it and thanked everyone for their encouragement. I flew back down that hill with the most wonderful feeling of accomplishment that I had felt in a very long time. I had completed over 5,000 feet of climbing that Sunday morning. I felt like such an integral part of the Zwift community, and I was filled with gratitude toward all the other riders.
As the ride came to an end and I clicked to close it out, I almost didn’t want to. I wanted to stay in that moment. I wanted to stay on that mountain and be with those people and encourage them on as well.
I got off my bike and felt like I was floating through my house. I knew I had been a part of something that none of my friends outside of cycling could even understand.
The old lady had conquered the Alpe.
The spirit and soul of Zwift is an amazing thing. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
And yes… I am riding up the Alpe once again very soon.
what a great text. ‘The soul of Zwift’ – that’s what it is. Thanks Linda. Ride on!!
Thanks Michael! Ride on!
Awesome article! What did you get from the wheel lol
I got the helmet and was very happy with it. I was just happy to cross that damn line LOL
Thank you for sharing your very inspirational personal experience. Congratulations on the well-earned achievement of your goal and best of luck on tackling those that you set for yourself in the future on Zwift. And of course, “Ride On!” (from a fellow 65 y/o).
Such a beautiful and inspiring experience Linda 🙂 Thank-you for sharing !
Well done Linda great go in now you’ll be chasin a PB.
Chapeau, Linda! Ride on!
Great job!
Truly inspiring!!!! Ride On Linda.
That’s a superb story ! I love it!! Congrats on conquering adz!! I also hate hills lol! I like to go fast! I give ride on as much as I can. Everyone needs encouragement no matter what fitness level they have.
In many ways Linda, your story is my story. True, the details are different, but not that much different. My past history and present internal thinking and beginning Zwift experience is scary similar to yours. My attitude regarding hills…same. About 3 weeks into my Zwift experience, the first week of December 2019, I decided to tackle “Mountain Route”, see how far I could make it. To my astonishment not only did I make it to the gap, I rode all the way to the radio tower! It was at that point I decided to make the Alpe a personal goal.… Read more »
wow, talk about awesome, so well written and such a great story of triump, congrats!
I just want to know who the hell is cutting the onions around here……
Rob, what an incredible coincidence. I am reading your comment and apparently somebody is cutting onions in my house as well 🤔
What a beautifully written story of triumph. We are all in the same boat, no matter what age or condition. Riding up the Alpe is always a challenge which you, Linda, have mastered like nobody else I know. Congratulations!
Thank you Stefan. Anyone who finishes that climb has triumphed!
What a great story. At 48, I’ve been battling some knee arthritis of my own. It’s still mild, but it’s enough that my days of running 40 to 60 miles per week are over. So I Zwift, and run just a bit. And when the knee acts up, I stop running for a few weeks, and Zwift more. Today I ran a 1:48 half marathon while running no more than 15 or so miles miles each week, and sometimes a lot less. Zwifting fills the gaps and gives my aching knee a chance to recover. The virtual hills help a… Read more »
Chris, your grandmother knew what she was talking about. Every morning my knees are very stiff and crunchy. But after five miles that’s all gone, and I am relatively pain-free the rest of the day. Stay the course, you got this!
Firstly congratulations on your journey Linda. Similar to my comeback 14 years Linda junior. Anyway the point is the ‘ Journey ‘that is important and it changes one’s perspective in motivation to do anything !.
great one! Thanks for sharing your emotional ride 🙂
Ride on!
FANTASTIC! I too have started riding Zwift! I am a 53 year old woman and your story is parallel to mine. I have been marking off as many badges as I can and I hope to do that ride soon. Thank you for such a positive story. Ride On!
I love your story. Great job! Climb on!
Awesome story! (As an aside I noticed that in one of your screenshots you were riding with someone who was vEveresting. Pretty cool!) Ride on!
Wow you are amazing and an inspiration and a beautiful story teller. I am going to be making my first attempt next week , thanks for making it a little bit less intimidating. Ride on
I love this!! A beautifully written and heartfelt story Linda. Your amazing spirit shines through the lines. Age is just a number. Keep pushing the boundaries and challenging your goals. Your Zwift community will be 100% behind you all they way!
Age is just a number. You are very good example of this sentence. Great job Linda!
What a great outlook. Keep it up 🙂
Well done!
I love that story. Very impressive and inspiring. Fantastic effort Linda!!!!! That’s what Zwift and lots of people are all about. I love this camaraderie and encouragment. Keep on riding – on the flats or one of those lovely hills 😀
Awesome!
Your words brought a tear to my eye, beautiful story and beautifully written and an awesome accomplishment. Cheers Carol
Fantastic story Linda! Thank you for charing. And I totally agree with you on the spirit when riding up AdZ. Sign up for the Mt. Everest Challenge – Tron Bike next? Ride on! 😎
Thank you Rolf! Once I figured out how things work, which I think was about three weeks or so in, I signed up for the Everest challenge. I’m 25% there now 😁
Way to go Linda. And although AdZ is nice, I preferred “Muir and The Mountain” for the variance when I was collecting vertical meters (and it is shorter) … Ride On!
Congratulations Linda and thanks for sharing your experience. I am in the senior citizen division…lol… and after reading about your journey I am inspired to give the Road to the Sky a go sooner rather than later! Ride On!
Very inspiring story! I hope I’m as motivated as you are at 65!
Dear Linda,
So inspiring your story and beautifully written. I am a 62 yrs young woman and have been there too. The encouragement by fellow Zwifters is amazing. Thank you all so much. Keep Riding On 🙂
Great story! Ride on, Linda!!
Thanks! You inspired me to do my first Alp a couple of days ago!
Wow Sebastian, that’s great! How did you do?
OK. I took my only ride up the ADZ, https://zwift.com/activity/31031925 , in Dec 2018, just after attaining level 12. It was so painful that I haven’t been up it since. Lately I’ve started chasing the badges and this is one of them. So since you beat my previous time by 3 minutes, but I think I’m stronger now, I’m going to give it another go and try to smash my previous time and yours! haha ps: I’m 73 at the end of June. I will be starting my ride about 15-20 minutes after this post – got to set up,… Read more »
That’s a great story, Linda, you may encourage this old man to try it. I nearly wimped out on Box hill. It’s pretty flat where I ride. I can’t believe how much I enjoy riding on a smart trainer with Zwift. Keep spinning and “motion is lotion” for our joints.
Linda,
Thanks so much for contributing such an awesome article! You inspired me to try (and complete) Alpe and Epic KOM (reverse) combo ride today. Ride On!
Great story Linda. I’m 64 and took a shot at Alpe…took me a little over 2 hours so my goal for next time is under 2 🙂 Thank you for the inspiration!
Congratulations on getting up the Alpe!! Well done for trying it at all!!
As Calvin Coolidge said: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
People like you are indeed the soul of Zwift. The heart and soul. Ride On!!
OK, who’s cutting onions here?
Ik ben bijna 81 jaar en rijd nog mijn rondjes bij Zwift. Ik kan geen Engels , maar probeer wel,wat te lezen. Er ontgaat mij echter heel veel. Dat vind ik jammer. Maar ik geniet nog steeeds van het fietsen. In het verleden alle klassiekers gefietst en honderden fietstochten. Ik ben net herstellend van een dubbele longontsteking. Was een hele,moeilijke periode. Kan nu en mag nu weer een kwartiertje fietsen en langzaam wer opbouwen. Dus weer rustig beginnen. Veel fietsplezier. Edo .Kwant
I am 69 years old and have done Alpe du Zwift 7 times.So cograts on your first time !!!
As a 64 year old Zwift rider myself, I am in awe of your physical and mental strength to ride the hardest of hills. I too struggle with hills so reading about your ride has given me renewed faith in myself to forge ahead. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your amazing accomplishment.
Well done Linda 👍. You are very wise and steadfast in setting yourself short and long term goals. Thanks for expressing the joy of achieving those goals and the very hard work involved. Ride on forever
Linda, I followed your example and did this ride yesterday on my 63rd birthday. I am so glad you wrote about your experience. It was motivating and encouraging.
Ride on my sister, Ride On!
me conmovió el relato, como ciclista que eres sufridora pero con tintes de luchadora incasable,
Inspiring. Thanks, Linda
Thanks for taking the time to read it Phil