Name: Michelle Orme
Hometown: Swindon, Wiltshire, UK
How did you get into cycling? I joined Her Spirit as I wanted to do a triathlon before my 50th birthday. I bought myself my first road bike for my 49th birthday and did my first triathlon a few weeks later. I’m now in training for my first (and only) Ironman with support from the Her Spirit coaches.
How many years have you been racing on Zwift? About 3 years.
Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes, started with BRT and EVO, now with Galaxy Cycling Club.
What do you love most about racing? I like pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? I prefer longer races and anything with a few punchy climbs.
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Tour de Boudicca as I enjoy the team aspect and you can challenge yourself as an individual as the races are all different.
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Inside, crossing the line first on the Glasgow Crit race in the last Tour de Boudicca which was unexpected as I was focussing on my training points. My daughter was next to me cheering me over the line which is what made it really special to me. Outdoors, my first duathlon was great fun. I was terrified and I was terrible at it. I even got overtaken by a guy wearing an Elmo costume!
What is your favourite food to eat post race? Chocolate milk.
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Learn to enjoy the process rather than the results, and then every race is a good race.
