March is Women’s History Month and March 8th is International Women’s Day, so Zwift has organized a slate of events led by superstars (teams and individuals) in our amazing women’s community.
The goal, Zwift says, is to “connect women in Zwift and introduce them to the great experiences that happen all year round.”
International Women’s Day
This is the key day of the month, and Zwift has organized Women’s Celebration Rides on a near-hourly basis led by superstar ladies. There are also four special Women’s Celebration Runs on the calendar.
Rides are for ladies only, and last for 45 minutes at a 1.5W/kg pace. Courses vary throughout the day. Runs are open to men or women.
Notable ride leaders include pro riders Ayesha McGowan, Neve Bradbury, and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, as well as community stars like our very own Monica Schlange!
See all the IWD events at zwift.com/events/tag/iwd2023 >
Women’s History Month
Zwift is spotlighting women’s clubs throughout this special month. The five Featured Clubs in the Companion app will be a rotation of women’s clubs, and public women’s club events will be visible on the main calendar, designated by a special event header (below).
Some of these events are for ladies only, while others are open to all.
See all WHM events at zwift.com/events/tag/whm2023 >
Kit Unlock
Finish any International Women’s Day or Women’s History Month event and you’ll unlock the Women’s Celebration Kit. (This is the same kit that was unlocked in last year’s events, FYI.)
Questions or Comments?
Post below!
It is a bit of a paradox: I’d like to support women in sport, but not allowed in these women’s only events. It’s hard to be supportive…just saying.
So women want inclusive, but also exclusive by having women only events
When women feel like they are welcome in the community, maybe Zwift will open these rides to all. I see comments directed at objectifying women surprisingly often. It is played off as “joking.” I do see it as a trend that the Black Celebration Series and Pride Ride were open to everyone. I rode with Pride Ride until I was dropped. The truth is that Zwift has skin in the game promoting women’s rides because it draws more women to the platform. Maybe next year Zwift will reevaluate things.
Discouraged to realize, reading your comment here, that I recognize the comments you’re talking about. Yep… “Banter” goes to dumb places whenever I’m watching comments too. (Now that I’m thinking about it, though, the Black Celebration and Pride rides I’ve done? Featured less of that, seemingly. Or am I dreaming?)
Zwift in general passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, though. That’s what I’ll console myself with…
Every week, RO4H hosts the Women of Watopia Social Ride (https://www.zwift.com/uk/events/view/3580150). Women lead and organize the WoW ride, which is open to women riders of all skill levels. The WoW ride allows like-minded cyclists a low-key, comfortable environment of camaraderie and fitness. Check it out; you won’t be sorry.
I would love to hear the convesaton with the guest (assuming discord available) but I really wish these were part of the Tour of Watopia rides so I didn’t have to choose between leveling up and supporting women in sport. Also it might have more people – unlikely to have more than one decent drafting bunch when there are 60 participants. You either hang with the 10 people at the front or you ride alone. Would rather be in the mid pack of the standard co-ed ToW ride with 300 peeps in the category. Please consider integrating with the ToW… Read more »
Sorry realized too late this was on Zwift Insider and not zwift forum – I know Eric does’t control any of this.
Hi there,
I have completed a Women’s History Month event, however the kit was not unlocked… a bit gutted!
anyway: Woman power <3
Sounds like Zwift didn’t configure events with the right unlocks. They’re manually going in and doing the unlocks for participants… but it may take a little while.