The 8-Week Ladies Resolution Series on MyWhoosh Begins on January 29th: Designed to create a supportive and inclusive space for women of all abilities to try cycling esports racing.
By Lisa Hopkins
Imagine logging on to virtual cycling platforms, such as MyWhoosh or Zwift, and finding a packed schedule of women-only rides and races. That’s my dream! My utopia! But to make it a reality, we need to come together, support these events, and grow the community. Participation is key to building something truly global—connecting women who want to get fitter, healthier, and stronger with the support of like-minded riders.
How Esports Changed My Life: My Back Story
Let me share how I got here and why I’m so passionate about women’s cycling esports. As a teenager, I seemed confident—loud, bold, and brash on the outside—but inside, I was filled with self-doubt. After school, I worked various office jobs before settling into administration on a construction site. It was a tough environment that forced me to build confidence quickly, but I never truly felt secure in myself.
That job was a steep learning curve, and I had to find confidence fast just to keep up. I stayed on construction sites for over five years, and while I thought I’d gained real confidence, I soon realized it was only surface-deep.
You might wonder what this has to do with riding and racing on ecycling platforms—let me explain.
Years later, I decided to try triathlons, which required bike training. That’s how I discovered Zwift. I joined a few Facebook groups, then nervously signed up for a women’s racing team and the Zwift Racing League (ZRL). It took me weeks to muster the courage to say yes.
I was terrified. I thought I wasn’t strong, fit, or fast enough. I’d get so nervous before races that I felt physically ill. But the women in my team changed everything. They encouraged me, answered every question (even the “stupid” ones), and helped me develop both skills and confidence. That support is why I care so deeply about growing women’s participation in esports.
Why We Need More Women-Only Events
I currently ride for LEVEL Racing, where I manage recruitment for our growing women’s team. (Get in touch if you’d like to join!) But my passion goes beyond our group—I want to see more women riding and racing across all platforms. Right now, the options for women-only rides and races are slim compared to mixed events. Platforms like Zwift and MyWhoosh offer plenty of mixed options, but very few are dedicated to women. This needs to change.
We need more safe spaces where women can ride and race without the pressure of competing against mismatched abilities. Racing should be fun, not frustrating! Women-only events create a supportive environment where riders can challenge themselves and grow their confidence.
Us ladies need more rides where we feel safe, more races where we can race against comparable abilities instead of being annihilated on mixed racing—that is no fun. We need more—end of!
Esports: A Global Sisterhood
For me, esports isn’t just about riding and racing—it’s about connection. Through this “game,” I’ve made friends around the world who’ve stood by me through life’s toughest challenges. When my beloved father was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2022, my teammates and friends in the virtual cycling community rallied around me. They sent messages and voice notes and even organized group rides to keep me moving when racing felt overwhelming. Some of them even attended my wedding. These friendships remind me why building this community matters.
Ladies, Don’t Be Afraid to Race!
To any woman nervous about trying racing on MyWhoosh or Zwift, just go for it! There are so many teams that would love to support you. I know the first step is scary, but the rewards are worth it.
Introducing the Ladies Resolution Race Series
To grow the community, James Ogilvie (OTR Virtual Events) and I have created the Ladies’ Resolution Race Series on MyWhoosh. This groundbreaking 8-week series, starting January 29, is the first community-led women’s race series on the platform. The series is open to everyone—from elite riders to community racers. Registration is simple: submit your weight, average w/kg, and other details to MyWhoosh, which ensures fair categorization and confirms it’s women-only.
Registration will be open for 1 week before the event and will close on the Sunday before each race. You can register here!
Here’s how the categories break down:
Each week, we’ll release a race card with stage details. No Power Passport tests or verifications are required—just register, ride, and race! If the series is successful, we hope to expand with exciting formats like chase or elimination races. But we need your participation to make this happen. Let’s grow the women’s esports community together.
James and I are thrilled about the potential opportunities the Resolution Race Series could unlock for women in cycling esports. Let’s make it count!
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
