Woman Racer Spotlight: Ann Kitchen

Name: Ann Kitchen

Hometown: Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire 

How did you get into cycling? I was previously a runner but gradually as injuries got the better of me I was advised to stop running and I needed to find something else to replace it.  I got a mountain bike and started riding at trail centers.  After a couple of years and several crashes later, I got a road bike and started riding a little bit on the road, joined a club and entered a few TTs.  During Covid I was lent an indoor bike and discovered it connected to Zwift.  This opened up a whole new world, and being a competitive person, I launched myself into Zwift racing.

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? About 4 years, after starting like many people during lockdown.  It began with the occasional race, then using it for training and gradually becoming more and more immersed. I am part of a race team and I volunteer as a ride leader on the GTCC social rides, which is a great experience.

Are you part of a virtual team? Yes, I race the WTRL team time trials for a women’s team called Amicis.  The support these women have for each other is phenomenal, and I have been lucky enough to meet some of them IRL.  I always think it’s amazing firstly how Zwift allows you to ride and race with people all over the world, but even more amazing, how a group can race together from their kitchens, garages, and spare rooms from literally anywhere in the world whilst chatting on Discord.

What do you love the most about racing?  I love how racing pushes me beyond what I think I can do.  I would never push myself to that level without others to chase.  Trying to stay with a group of riders really shows you what your limits actually are, rather than what you think they are.  It’s lots of fun and very rewarding.

What is your favourite style of race? Individual time trials.  Yes they are tough, but they really are a great test of physical and mental fitness and I enjoy how it challenges me. I also like working as part of the team in the team time trials.  This is a different skill set and different type of fitness, but I like working with my team to achieve something together, whilst being able to talk to them on Discord.

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? I enjoyed doing the old Sheries women’s races.  It is from doing these races that I was first approached to join a race team, and this gave me a platform to really embrace everything Zwift had to offer in terms of community racing.  I started to get to know the regular riders and learn how to race.  The other women were so encouraging.

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside, outside or both? On Zwift it has to be the women’s chase race on International Women’s Day this year.  This was an incredible experience, working with a team of women from all over the world, taking turns to pull on the front to protect other riders for the good of the team. This was the biggest group of women I have ever raced with in one race.  Just phenomenal.  My most memorable outdoor race was the Tour of Cambridge.  This was my first proper road race and despite it being incredibly tough and having to dig deep, I was proud of what I achieved.

What is your favourite food to eat post race? Salted peanuts.  I love them and they taste so good after working hard.  Probably not on any nutritionist’s menu.

What advice would you give to women entering their first Zwift race?  Just give it a go.  What have you got to lose?  If you find you don’t like it or you’ve had enough, you can stop and get off your bike and you’re in the safety of your own home.  You don’t have to worry about riding back home, you are already there.  Nobody knows who you are or where you are, so you can be completely anonymous if you want to be.  But, I would say embrace the community, it is very supportive and I have got to know lots of riders who are now friends.  Also: there is no traffic or potholes to worry about.  

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? I’m looking forward to my next in real life individual time trial because I really want to beat my previous time.