How did you get into cycling? Used to ride as a child and then about 10 years ago started again on a hybrid to get fit and was hooked – had my first road bike pretty soon after that!
How many years have you been racing on Zwift? Started racing ZRL in 2022 but have been riding on Zwift since 2018. I really rate using it for workouts to improve fitness and performance.
Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes – Rocacorba Collective and Kent Velo Girls occasionally.
What do you love most about racing? The team spirit, sense of challenge, and achievement.
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? I like points for the multiple chances to gain points but you can’t beat an all-out scratch race.
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? ZRL
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Not so much a race as more of a personal challenge but there’s an IRL Rocacorba Collective training camp once a year where one of the highlights is riding up the Rocacorba climb with Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. I did this in both 2022 and 2023. In 2023 I improved my time by 25%. All the Zwift races and workouts definitely helped me achieve that and I already have a time in mind for this year’s camp.
credit @dexaxars.studiocredit @dexaxars.studio
What is your favourite food to eat post race? Dinner is normally eggs and beans on toast – getting the post race carbs and protein in. Plus it’s super simple and quick to cook.
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Choose a route you know, have your own goals for the race, have a pre-ride snack, do your warm up in the pen and most importantly enjoy it!
Any upcoming races you are looking forward to? Not a race but have the Chase the Sun challenge in June. Riding from East to West across the UK (300km) between sunrise and sunset.
This weekend we picked events that are unique or special in some way. So we ended up with not one but two Zwift Labs events, plus the longest scheduled ride of the weekend, a popular women’s race, and more. Enjoy!
Zwift Labs events kicked off this week, and you can give the first event type a try: the Mountain Mullet! In these events – designated as rides, not races – the group rides the Volcano Climb route (23.3km, 203m), and at the top of the climb everyone gets a Big Wheel for a fun descent and ride to the finish.
Zwift’s popular Women’s Racing Series is in its fourth week, and Saturday is your last chance to finish week 4’s stage. It’s a simple scratch race on 1 lap of Watopia’s new Mountain Mash route (6km, 335m). Bring a climbing bike!
Here’s a long ride with a twist – there are two length options (100km or 100 miles), but everyone rides on the same route and starts together. This week the ride is on Watopia’s Big Flat 8 route.
Want to try another Zwift Labs event? Beat the Bots begins on Sunday, and it’s a duel of human vs machine. Join the A pens and start 14 minutes before the bots. Work together to stay away from the bots until the finish of 1 lap of Watopia’s Big Flat 8 (31.5km, 108m)!
“What’s the longest group ride scheduled this weekend,” you ask? This one. The team at INC are taking on London’s The PRL Full at a 3-3.5 W/kg pace. Can you hang?
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
Is it for a good cause?
Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
New Routes Arriving Soon: Zwift Teases The Grade Expansion
UPDATE May 30, 2024: Zwift has updated the map shown when viewing your activities at zwift.com/feed, so you can see the new roads that will be added with “The Grade” expansion releasing mid-June.
Here’s an animation to show the differences between the current live map and the new one releasing soon. Along with new roads it looks like we get new start pens at the base of The Grade, a new lake near the Epic KOM, and… less snow on the Epic KOM. Global warming?
Zwift also shared this teaser short of “The Grade” on their socials today:
The teaser includes partial maps, full names, and distance + elevation for 5 different routes. I’ve overlayed the new routes on the existing Watopia map to show where they’ll be located, and have included a bit of commentary as well. Enjoy!
Oh Hill No
This looks to be the pure FTP test route. The distance of 7.8km indicates that it is circuit, taking you up The Grade KOM segment then back down to loop around and start the route again.
Glyph Heights
This loop begins in the Mayan Jungle, traveling counter-clockwise to the bottom of the Jungle before turning left onto the new road which takes us across to The Grade. Climb up the hairpin portion of Oh Hill No, finish the last bit of the Epic KOM, then descend the Epic’s backside and head back to the Jungle to complete the loop.
Elevation Evaluation
Zwift’s teaser only included around half of this route, but my guess (artfully added in yellow above) is it includes the first 2/3 of the Epic KOM forward, the rest of the coastal road to the LAX roundabout, and the connector road that takes you from that roundabout across to the base of the Epic KOM forward.
My only question is: where is the spawn point?
Peak Performance
The longest of Zwift’s teased routes, Peak Performance begins on the new road the crosses from Oh Hill No to the coastal road. It appears to be a figure 8, but where exactly it goes is anyone’s guess. My guess is that it will loop through downtown Watopia and hit either the Volcano KOM or Hilly KOM.
Coastal Crown Loop
Zwift didn’t give us much to go on, did they? You start on the descent of Oh Hill No, apparently (which seems a bit odd). Based on the length, I bet this turns right at the bottom of Oh Hill No, follows the coastal road toward the Jungle, then turns right again onto the new cross road that takes you back to the Oh Hill No descent.
New Roads
If we combine all the roads in Zwift’s teaser, we can see that the new routes will be mostly using existing roads, with something like 11-14km of new roads being added (highlighted in white below).
What happens when Zwift decides to have one of the most popular races finish atop a KQOM? Absolute chaos. This week’s top video features a rider’s attempt at the first of the “Bag That Badge” ZRacing series.
We’ve also selected a video about holding the wheel of Tadej Pogacar on Zwift, an in-depth review of the Wahoo KICKR MOVE, a Zwifter’s virtual Everesting (vEveresting) attempt, and a triathlete’s thoughts on Zwift price changes.
This Month’s Zwift Racing Series is MENTAL! // Queen’s Highway Afterparty
This month, Zwift decided to spice things up by having the first race in the Zwift Racing Series held on an “after party” course, meaning racers will ride a normal Zwift route, but finish atop a KQOM. Watch as Erik Lee, Don’t Get Dropped Cycling, gives the first race of the series a go.
Chasing The Peloton: Can You Keep Up With GC Contenders?
Tadej Pogacar is regarded as one of the top pro cyclists of this generation. How long can David from the Zwift Analysis Network hold Tadej’s virtual wheel on Zwift?
Wahoo KICKR MOVE Review [2024] // Gamechanger?
Watch as I, Oli Chi from ZRace Central, provide an in-depth review on the Wahoo KICKR MOVE after riding it for a few months. (Also, you may want to read Zwift Insider’s review of the KICKR MOVE.)
THE HARDEST ZWIFTING CHALLENGE!
Everesting is a massive feat for cyclists. Ryan Condon gives it a go as he climbs Alpe du Zwift again… again… and again. Watch as he tells the story of one of his hardest rides yet.
Zwift Have Got It SO Wrong (But Not How You Think)
Flamme Rouge Racing (FRR)’s inaugural Charity Day happened last Saturday (May 18), and many riders put in smashing efforts! FRR furnished the report below as a follow-up…
A massive thank you to everyone who took part and gave up their time to support the day, I know my expectations are always high but it was truly incredible the effort that everyone put in whether you completed one or a few more. And there were certainly more!
Before we get into the numbers, a word and an arm around the shoulder for anyone who set out with more in mind. There will be another day. Use the experience to make you stronger and don’t overlook the effort and determination you showed to achieve what you did. Well done, be proud of your efforts.
The Day
While the first event started at 0700BST the day certainly didn’t. Riders from around the world geared up for their personal challenges, and those who started from any coast of America certainly showed their colours early in the late hours while those down under rode into the night and out the other side.
Great to see so many familiar supporting virtual faces. We had the Trustee Director of Cyclists Fighting Cancer, Richard Salisbury, join, and he found himself chatting with the Watopian Weekly Podcasters on the origins of CFC. Thanks Hollie and Dustin for running that show.
Before we get into the awards and leaders who undoubtedly have earned their accolades let’s look at the day in numbers:
Our lead cast were seen all day on the hill as they either climbed past or zipped by us on their way to recording a magnificent double Everest. Oliver Birg from Team Evolution and Holly Diop from Coalition powered their way to record 12 ascents, each achieving a double vEveres and vBicingles, becoming FRR Ven-top ascent record holders with potential to be new World Record Holders for the most ascents in 24hrs of Ven-Top.
Both showed incredible strength and determination to succeed. Oliver is clearly a machine, as was commented on many times during the day, but he was always first to offer support and encouraging words to all riders who approached.
Holly went well into the red zone, starting at silly o’clock in the morning and with just 35mins to spare crossed the line for the final time to reach that magical number. I’m sure there were a few emotions as she approached the summit for the final time… there would be if it were me!
Double vEverest440km – 17,900mNew vCingles Record Holders Applications will be made to the Guinness World book of records
Oliver Birg, Evolution 19 hours 5mins
Holly Diop, Coalition 23 hours 25mins
We had 3 riders who rode in all 24 hours, now I know the event was titled “24 hours atop” but did I really envisage a rider or riders staying out there all day and night? Not really. But wow… simply incredible efforts!
We saw them all during the day and I know my last message with them was at 2am BST before I had to sleep.
Richard and Angela were in tandem all day (and night), just separated by a few thousand kilometers (Hampshire in England to Victoria in Australia) and I’m pleased to say I summited with them on their first ascent.
24Hour
23 hours 25mins Holly Diop (Coalition)
23 hours 5mins Angela MacRae (EVO) & Richard Gowen (EVO)
The resident FRR climbing machine Mr Matthew Ladd completed his goal of a 10k vEverest plus one, in honour of Allan Georgiou-Park who was taken out of the day but hopefully he’ll be back fighting fit again very soon.
Quietly tapping out their way up and down were Jen Jen and Jon Valdelin, both whom I saw on the hill over the day. My second ascent I shared with Jen Jen and Jon nicely passed me sadly on my very slow 5th and out. But I take inspiration from them to join their club next time! Jen went further again looking to complete a ROAM challenge of 400km which she had another 75km to do… on the flat… and she did!
vEverest10k (7 ascents)
Angela MacRae (EVO) Holly Diop (Coalition) Jen Jen (DDC) Jon Valdelin (FRR) Matt Ladd (Coalition) Oliver Birg (EVO) Richard Gowen (EVO)
Completing a vEverest and vBiCingles saw a further 5 names added to the above roll of honour.
vEverest–vBiCingles (6 ascents)
Angela MacRae (EVO) Fredi Sonderegger (EVO) Holly Diop (Coalition) James Balloch (Coalition) Jen Jen (DDC) Jon Valdelin (FRR) Lily Franken (Team Italy) Matt Ladd (Coalition) Nick O’Connell (LEVEL) Oliver Birg (EVO) Peter Salt (CycleChat) Richard Gowen (EVO)
vCingles and vEverest base camp are no easy achievements and they are the minimum requirement for earning the converted FRR Zwift Jersey .. and now all those that have achieved it know exactly what it takes to wear it…
vCingles (3 ascents)
Men
Alain Perdomo (TEZH) Alexandre Lagrange (EVO) Andrew Hart (LEVEL) Daniel Kreuzhuber (ALPEN) Elton Judd (TBR) Ernst Retief (CRYO-GEN) Gary Birch (EVO) Haydn Jones (EVO) Frank Schweinheim (Ruhr) Jeffrey Roger (FRR) Jim Smith (Coalition)
Joe Precious (FRR) Jon Meals (TFC) Jordi Riu (TEZH) Kris Poole (SISU) Martin Coffey (FRR) Paul Seymour (FRR) Peter Sjostrom (ABR) Richard Vale (Race3R – FRR) Ryan Goldenberg (VVFX) Tiago Barreira (DIRT) Xavier Neys (FRR)
While the event was not a race it cannot go unmentioned that Äsa Fast-Berglund (SZ) not only produced the fastest ascent of the day at just under 68mins but completed 3 ascents in 4 hours 18mins.
Of course, this was also a CLUB challenge too, with the 3 Clubs whose riders achieved the most ascents sharing in 30% of the funds raised.
Evolution with 65 and Coalition with 42 were both well supported to easily secure the top 2 spots, but the 3rd place could have easily gone any way had one more rider showed up and ascended. Amazingly, it was decided by the Queen of Yorkshire herself, Hollie Burgin, who climbed back on her bike to do one last ascent after her shopping trip.
As it happened this selfless act was sufficient to take Team DIRT into third place with 13 ascents, with 5 clubs within just 3 of them. (Note FRR were excluded from the Club table as we had aligned to CFC already)
Awards
Leading Ascenders
Both Oliver Birg and Holly Diop won themselves £200 each to be used in the FRR Club shop.
FRR Zwift Jersey
All who completed at least 3 ascents will receive the exclusive FRR Zwift Jersey. You’ve earned it so wear it whenever and wherever you’d like, you are now in a very exclusive club on the platform.
These riders were also entered into a draw where 2 have won £100 each for use within the FRR Club shop. The draw winners are:
Joe Precious
Amy Margolis
Post event there are two further riders who deserve a little something from FRR to say thank you, though in truth if we could do the same for everyone we would.
From the day’s ashes our most exclusive club has risen, Club F24. It’s a Club that will take every ounce of effort from you to join, and it has just three members. I’ll discuss with Angela Macrae and Richard Gowen what item they would like from our shop range to recognise their incredible effortm and of course this includes Holly Diop too!
We are additionally going to create Club F10, to recognise the efforts of those who achieved 10,000m ascent. I’ll be in touch with those riders too!
All prize-winning riders will be contacted by May 22nd. Congratulations to you all!
Fundraising
The report has tried to acknowledge the level of effort and selfless sacrifice the virtual community has put in to help raise awareness of the event and most importantly raise funds for two great charities.
We set out with a very modest total in mind of £5,000, and at the time of writing we are nearing 70%. Hopefully by the end of the week when the page closes we can be much closer to the target.
I must also mention Jon Meals of TFC, who has designed Diablo. I’m sure over time, his smiling chili face will appear on much more, but for now, thank you all who took the opportunity to buy a Diablo T-shirt.
Club Shop
For those looking, the shop is open for orders until May 27th. A blue/white outdoor/indoor jersey is being added, and having received my indoor jersey I can say they are really good.
And now they think it’s all over…
In closing thank you all so much for choosing to spend time doing our events, supporting us as you do, spreading the word, posting, helping each other… the list goes on and on.
The support and great feeling that stretches from Auckland to Hawaii, Southern Europe to the Nordics, back down to Cape Town and back up to Crewe all gives us the energy to do more and simply be better.
Thank you again and we very much hope to see you again soon in another FRR event – details of what’s up next at the end of the month.
The folks at WTRL have announced the first-ever “ZRL Summer Showdown,” a four-week, multi-format team racing competition. Get all the details below.
A Mini ZRL… with Twists
The ZRL Summer Showdown operates like a trimmed-down Zwift Racing League, with a shorter schedule (4 weeks) and smaller teams (max of 10 on your roster, with up to 4 racing each week) racing on Tuesdays.
Like the regular-season ZRL, 40+ race times will be available, and your team must race at the same time each week. Women-only and open races will also be available.
But there are some twists, including a “revised scoring system with more ways to earn valuable points” and a “new and exclusive route” for the third race of the series! Learn more about the new scoring system below.
The ZRL Summer Showdown is a standalone event, so results in this series will not affect the regular ZRL season which operates from September to April.
New Points System
The ZRL Summer Showdown uses a revised points system that differs from ZRL’s. Here’s a quick summary of how the new system works (click the link below to read the details on WTRL’s site):
FAL: first across the line points are given to the first 20 riders, instead of 10
FTS: fastest through segment points are given to the 5 fastest riders, with participants able to score multiple times if they clock more than 1 of the top 5 times
FIN: finishing points scale based on field size
PBP: podium bonus points (which don’t exist in ZRL) are given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place riders across the line
League Points: once the race ends, the 1st place team earns points equivalent to the total number of teams who start the race. 2nd place earns one less, etc.
See the details of the ZRL Summer Showdown scoring system by going to the website and clicking Resource>Scoring.
Race Schedule
We’ll add details to the race schedule below (including powerups) once they’re available.
June 4th: Team Time Trial – Turf N Surf (Makuri Islands)
The Club Ladder league is a fun and dynamic way of racing on Zwift. Here is a little bit about how it works…
Roster and Categories
Each team is allowed a maximum of 15 riders on their roster. This allows for flexibility with a variety of riders and abilities on a team and also ensures there isn’t constant pressure to race. Individuals are given a category based on ZwfitRacing.app‘s vELO categories. These categories are a mixture of an individual’s results in racing as well as certain power levels (for example 5-minute and 20-minute powers). These can be seen below:
Since the Club Ladder uses vELO categories, you must first register on zwiftracing.app in order to participate in the league.
Women are typically given two categories: one for mixed racing and one for women’s only racing. Team rosters are only allowed a three-rank spread for racing. For example, if you have a diamond-level rider, you would only be allowed ruby and emerald riders. Having a sapphire rider on that team would mean the three-rank spread has been violated. This team member can stay on the roster, but you wouldn’t be able to have a race with a diamond, ruby, and sapphire rider present.
There are no real seasons in the ladder league, however there are windows when team members can transfer from one team to another, and new riders can be added. As riders may move to a higher or lower category, it is sometimes necessary for a team member to move to another team. Teams are ranked in the ladder initially based on ability and the level of the riders on that team, but can hop up and down the ladder by racing other teams. If a team challenges a team higher on the ladder and wins, they will take the place of that team, and the losing team will lose one place. Each team has an official captain and a vice-captain who can log onto the ladder site to challenge other teams.
Race Scheduling
Races are a 5 vs 5 format and course selection is typically made by the team lower down in the ladder. Captains wanting to race will put out a message on Discord to other teams to see if anyone wants to race. Dates and times of races are agreed on between captains. It is important to always know your own team’s availability to race, in order to ensure there will be enough riders.
Challenges are made by captains officially on the ladder site. Points are given based on placement in the races. For example, 10 points for the first place rider, 9 for the second and so on. The team with the most points wins the race.
Tactics
One of the most enjoyable parts of the ladder league is employing tactics to try and gain the most points. Sometimes a lower team can win over a stronger team by employing the right tactics. These can include team selection, course selection, powerup selection and usage, communication during the event, and planning where breakaways might be possible during a race.
Once riders have signed into a race pass, team captains will have access to power grids and charts that compare the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, which helps with tactical planning and racing:
Mandatory Races
All teams are required to race at some point, meaning that a team cannot just sit and hold its position without racing. There are mandatory races that all teams are required to race if they want to remain in the ladder. The broad category system also allows teams to be more closely matched and race against teams of similar ability, which makes for a fair system.
All in all, the ladder league is a fun, dynamic and flexible way of racing on Zwift.
Is a women’s ladder league feasible?
As women’s racing on Zwift continues to grow, interested racers are keen to see how a women-only ladder league might work.
Women’s racing provides the potential for more evenly matched short-term power among riders, while creating a welcoming, motivational, and fun environment.
The field of potential competitors, however, is a fraction of the size of the mixed league. It may be difficult for women’s teams to recruit 15 members, making it more difficult to field five within a three-rank spread for each race. Additionally, in the current system the teams are regional (EMEA/US/APAC), and with this split the women’s APAC/US regions may be unable to launch without a significant uptick in racing numbers.
Some adjustments to the rules for a women’s league, however, may allow for more flexibility to make it work. Making changes to the number of riders required, time zones, shortening the season, and allowing flexibility in the roster would make recruiting team members easier. Looking at the possibility of one ladder for all women’s teams and making changes to the challenge system would also increase flexibility.
The league could also be implemented in a different format entirely, for example a “prize fight” format where for the first four weeks one women’s team is featured, allowing anyone to challenge them, publicizing the members of the featured team each week, making the competition fun and engaging with commentary and competition.
The options are endless.
What about you?
Do you have ideas as to how a women’s-only ladder league could work? Share your thoughts below!
Zwift Labs Announced: Test New Features and Event Modes
Today Zwift announced Zwift Labs: “the Zwift club to test new features & event modes, discuss feedback & ideas with other members of the club, and have loads of fun!”
Event Types
The experimental Zwift Labs events are a place for Zwift’s game designers to test new concepts. Several different types of events are currently cooking in the lab. Here’s how Zwift describes them…
Segment Smasher
These are short, lap-based events where users will be challenged to “smash the segments.” You will be guided through the first few laps as you get a feel for when to conserve energy and when to throw down some big watts.
Think of it as a competition against yourself and others. Compete with others to lock in the fastest cumulative time across all segments, or compete against yourself to achieve negative splits, set a new PR, or get in an epic workout.
Group FTP Test
Looking for ways to improve your fitness? Check out these group workouts that leverage FTP Tests. FTP, or Functional Threshold Power, is the maximum power a cyclist can generate for one hour, and understanding your FTP can allow you to gauge your fitness level, set proper training zones, and moderate your efforts in hard events. Completing a proper FTP test is one of the best ways of determining your FTP.
FTP tests are challenging and can be intimidating for some cyclists. Does completing an FTP as a group make for a more enjoyable experience? Come together in these events for some collective suffering and find out!
RoboPacer Climbing Events
You’ve seen the RoboPacers on Alpe du Zwift—now they’re ready to test their legs on some new slopes.
These events will feature a wide range of RoboPacers designed to pace you to the top of your favorite climbs. Get on their wheel, settle in, and set some PRs!
Beat the Bots
The RoboPacers are at it again and this time they’re challenging you to a duel of human vs machine.
In this event, you’ll work with other Zwifters to cross the finish line before being caught by a speeding horde of bots. With a brief head start on the bots, you’ll need to put in your best effort to hold them off until the finish.
Mountain Mullets
It’s business on the way up and a party on the way down. In these events, you’ll tackle challenging climbs, pushing yourself to reach the summit. Your reward for reaching the top? Big gains and Big Wheels.
Hop on your trusty Big Wheel and relive your childhood summers as you rip down the descent and roll on through the finish arch.
Audio Workouts
What’s that lovely sound? It’s a group ride or workout utilizing AI-generated audio files! If you love a good workout but worry about missing the text prompts on screen, this could be the event for you.
Turn up the volume and get to work while being guided through your workout with audio prompts!
Dynamic Workouts
This is where the rubber meets the road. In these events you’ll be guided through an epic workout using the terrain to your advantage. Flats, rollers, climbs, and descents—they’re all part of your arsenal in these workouts that take you through your favorite routes. Time to embrace the quality of the road and get stronger!
Fondos
Is it a ride or is it a race? Fondos and sportifs are traditionally comprised of an eclectic mix of riders, some with their eyes on the podium, some competing for age group awards, and many seeking an epic personal challenge with a goal of completing the event.
These events will embrace the diverse group of cyclists that participate in Zwift Fondos. Whether you’re here seeking the podium or personal accomplishment, this event is for you.
Upcoming Events
The first set of events is now on the calendar:
Mountain Mullets (May 23-25)
Grab a Big Wheel atop the Volcano, then have blast descending and riding to the finish.
Zwift rolled out their “FutureWorks” label at Eurobike 2019, where they debuted steering via the Companion app. Since then, PacePartners (RoboPacers), Clubs, HoloReplay, and HUDless mode also launched under that label, eventually graduating out of FutureWorks and into the full game. (Some features, such as “Boost Mode“, never left FutureWorks.)
Is Zwift Labs the new FutureWorks? Zwift tells me yes. They’re hoping to get enough people signed up for the Zwift Labs club that it can be used as a cohort for test events and other in-game features, as well as the place where feedback is delivered via club chat.
But what do you think of the Zwift Labs concept overall? Do any of the proposed events seem especially appealing (or perhaps especially unappealing) to you? Share below!
Hometown: I’ve been in the north-east of Scotland for a long time now but I’m originally from County Durham, NE England.
How did you get into cycling? I can’t remember not cycling! It was a way to commute and get around since my teens but I really got bitten by the road cycling bug in 2015.
How many years have you been racing on Zwift? I did my first Tuesday WTRL race in April 2022 so almost 2 years.
Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes I race with the awesome Wattsup Demons as part of the LEVEL Racing team.
What do you love most about racing? I love the buzz of racing and Zwift racing fits me perfectly because I have young kids and it removes the need to travel to races! What keeps me coming back every week season after season though is the amazing camaraderie and banter between my teammates.
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? Points, hands down!
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? I haven’t done very many! Tuesday ZRL is my main staple but this January I did the Tour de Boudicca for the first time and loved the format of a women-only stage race.
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Being top of the D category GC after the first stage of Tour de Boudicca this year! I couldn’t believe it. Outside of Zwift I did my first cyclocross race at the end of 2023 and that was quite an experience.
What is your favourite food to eat post race? I tend to have my tea before a race so usually after I have some Greek yoghurt with banana/berries and honey.
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? It sounds a bit simple but just go for it. The first race is always going to feel a bit daunting and I would say don’t even worry about where you place or whether you ride the whole thing on your own (we’ve all been there!) just make your aim to finish. If you can rope in a friend to do it with you even better! It’s a bit of a learning curve, especially some of the more ‘gamey’ aspects like powerups, but it can be a lot of fun and it’s a great workout. Zwift is a great place to start racing because you don’t have to worry too much about the physicality of outdoor racing in terms of group riding but you still get a buzz from racing. You won’t regret trying it.
