Penguins Flock to Cycle the Etape Loch Ness

April 13, 2022

Female cyclists from across the world, who met virtually in lockdown, plan to meet in real life for 66-mile cycle sportive

On April 24th Loch Ness will be the venue for a very special meeting. 16 cyclists from a women’s E-racing team known as the ‘Penguins’ will take part in the Etape Loch Ness.

The group ‘met’ on Zwift, the multiplayer, online cycling and running training programme that enables users to interact, train and compete in a virtual world. Travelling from as far afield as Norway, Texas, Wales, London, Edinburgh and Newcastle, the weekend promises to be very special.

The 16 friends and their Penguin team are part of The Herd, a community designed to be a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place for people within Zwift cycling. It attracts members of all abilities and, especially during the pandemic, it became a place to seek refuge, keep in touch, stay fit, get support and make new friends. It has helped connect many people through difficult times and the group even had a first ‘Herd’ wedding in September 2021.

For friends Kim, Ailsa, Blair, Alex, Katie, Andrea, Victoria, Deborah, Kirsti, Clare, Debbie, Donna, Elaine, Rebecca, Stephanie and Elaine (yes, two Elaines!) their virtual cycling and social network kept them going during the pandemic.

Kim, who lives in Whitebridge in the Highlands, explains: “Zwift and The Herd allowed me to keep fit, gave me a reason to get on my bike and exercise and introduced me to some amazing new friends who have been there to share in the good times and support and encourage me when I’ve needed it – on and off the bike.

“Making all these amazing new friends over Zwift, at such a difficult time because of Covid-19, meant we could all still socialise without actually going out. It’s such a privilege to have met and be part of such an amazingly strong group of women.”

For Ailsa, joining the Herd was a step change: “When I became a ‘Penguin’ in the Herd, all of sudden, I had a huge support group and made strong friendships. With lockdown still in force and cyclocross events still non-existent, Zwift racing with my team became my focus and source of enjoyment. It’s one thing to do a virtual race in your garage on your own, but a completely different thing to be racing with and for your team, whilst chatting on audio, having the build-up before and the debrief (and of course gossip) afterwards!”

Katie said: “Since finding the Herd of Penguins, my life hasn’t been the same! Little did I know that The Herd would become an obsession, I’d meet a bunch of amazing new friends, start a fitness programme like no other and have loads of fun – and all this from my spare bedroom! There have been occasions when I’ve talked to family or friends about the Penguins or Watopia or climbing the Alpe, and they look at me and clearly think I’m nuts. Zwift has been great for me in a lot of ways.”

For Alex, the Herd got her through some difficult times: “In the last five years, I’ve come through breast cancer, retrained as a nurse, got divorced, lost my mum and moved house twice. All this whilst being a mum to Ben (17) and Anna (16). Zwift, the Penguin girls and racing has helped me through the darkest times.”

Elaine was surprised by Zwift: “I joined Zwift during the January 2021 lockdown when we couldn’t travel to ride outside and it was too icy to even cycle to work. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much and was really delighted to meet like-minded people.”

Blair, who is travelling from Texas, really values the international friendships: “Joining the Herd gave me entry into a group of genuinely supportive and friendly riders who welcomed me despite my slowness and inexperience! I’ve had so much fun and I’ve made friends all over the world that mean so much to me. I’m a much-improved cyclist too!”

The Etape Loch Ness will be the first in-person event for the group, and they can’t wait to finally meet each other in real life. Kim said: “Meeting in person all the wonderful friends I have spent hours talking to and riding with over Zwift, and finally riding together in real life will be amazing!”

Ailsa said: “I’ve messaged and spoken to my team for a year now yet have only met three of them in person. I cannot wait to see them again as well as meet the rest of the team. I can’t wait to remove the virtual barrier, have a pint and a gossip, remove the time zone challenges and, of course, ride a bike together! Oh, and generally tease the non-Scots with all things Scottish against the most phenomenal backdrop that is Loch Ness!”
Victoria jokes: “I’m keen to see if the girls really do have Mohican hair styles like their avatars! Eating cake and drinking gin together will be great as well!”
Deborah said: “I can’t wait to meet everyone and be part of a team for a great challenge and explore beautiful Scotland by bike.”

Andrea added: “I will be travelling from Oslo in Norway and am really looking forward to putting faces to the voices I have enjoyed this winter and getting to know everyone better.”

On the big day, the penguins will have their own team ‘Rockies’ (as in Rockhopper Penguin) kit to match their Zwift avatars. Most have fundraising places through MacMillan, and their Herd community as well as friends and family have been quick to support them to reach their initial fundraising target.