Woman Racer Spotlight: Deb Hodson

Name: Deb Hodson

Hometown: Alamo, CA

How did you get into cycling?  About 25 years I met my partner who raced track. She taught me how to ride track and not kill myself! I learned how to paceline and do leadouts for her as she was a pure sprinter. We also did a lot of road cycling when we were not close to a track. I fell in love with the track bike. Felt like I was one with the bike!

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? I started Zwifting right before the pandemic because my partner was injured. Instead of riding outside alone, I felt safer riding indoors. To be honest, I was running more at the time, and used cycling as my rest days. It’s quite the opposite now. 

Are you part of a Virtual team? OTR (On the Rivet racing) 

What do you love most about racing? I started racing about 2 years ago because my friend signed up and I wanted to ride with her. We joined OTR as a Cat D. I swore I was not going to get addicted to racing, but that soon changed and I love pushing myself. I soon found myself in women’s Cat C. Racing has given me way more confidence in myself. I am now trying to sprint even though climbing for me is much easier. Having a team like OTR has challenged me to be a better cyclist and a better teammate. The other cyclists believing in me encourages me to push myself when I don’t think I can. The support from the team has allowed me to become a faster, smarter racer. It’s truly all about teamwork and an encouraging environment to go like crazy on the bike!

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?  Ladder racing is absolutely my favorite. Bringing different levels of riders to race against another team is like putting together a puzzle. Deciding strategy before and during the race is rewarding. A fantastic way to meet other women cyclists too! Truly a team effort to win a race!

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? ZRL women’s division is my main race I have participated in. Being team captain for the women’s team has been such a gift. Watching the teammates support and cheer each other on is so uplifting! Meeting cyclists from other teams while we compete with each other at the back of the pack is so rewarding. I have met the nicest riders racing with me!

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? My most memorable racing experience is when I raced with my friend, and a few of us dropped back and helped and cheered them up the mountains and across the finish. There is nothing better than helping a friend race.

What is your favourite food to eat post-race? My favorite food is peanut butter. I quit sugar years ago, so peanut butter is a treat!! Ok, I will admit to eating chips occasionally… I cherish those chips!

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? If you are entering your first race, warm up first, go hard out of the pen, and celebrate the finish! Jump up and down! We race for fun!

Where can people follow your racing adventures? I post my races on Strava and my races and banjo videos on YouTube. I do have a YouTube channel under my name.