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The Unbreakable Thread: How Six Women Forged Friendship and Strength Through Virtual Racing
They dominated the virtual peloton for years in their age group. Crushed watts. Shared countless digital high-fives. But until last November, the women of “Team OWL” had never actually met.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions, genuine connection can sometimes feel elusive. But for six remarkable women, the virtual world became a gateway to an unexpectedly deep and empowering bond.
For over four years, this tight-knit group of cyclists, scattered across the globe, raced and trained together on Zwift, the popular online cycling platform. They forged friendships through shared suffering racing WTLR‘sTeam Time Trials (TTTs) each Thursday, celebrated victories in pixelated sprints to the finish, and offered each other support through life’s ups and downs – all from the comfort of their own pain caves.
Then Came Long Beach
The first week in November, six members of Team OWL finally converged in Southern California, swapping avatars for actual smiles. The energy was electric. Imagine the first day of summer camp, but with more lycra and a lot less bug spray.
There were hugs, laughter, and a palpable sense of disbelief. “It’s surreal,” admitted teammate Maria Shannon, who traveled from Northern Ireland to meet her team. “We’ve spent so much time together online, sharing our lives, but seeing everyone in real-life is…mind-blowing.”.
There were no expectations. No pressure. One teammate came for just a few days, while the rest spent the entire week.
And there was no planned agenda – with a few exceptions! A dinner meetup the first night, a visit to the magnificent Long Beach aquarium, and a closing team dinner – plus plenty of time for swapping stories – ones that didn’t involve lag or dropped connections.
But that quickly changed! The bond was so amazing that for many of us, all we wanted to was to we spend more time together! From exploring the Long Beach coast cruising on city bikes, to touring the Queen Mary – we just couldn’t get enough. Over meals, we share stories, learning more about each other – from sports interests to careers and families, further strengthening our bond.
Team OWL Takes Flight at Zwift HQ!
The air crackled with excitement as Team OWL entered the building at Zwift Headquarters in Long Beach.
There to meet the squad of women aged 65-80, were some of Zwift’s friendliest faces. Team OWL was about to do something extraordinary: race a Team Time Trial (TTT) on the iconic Zwift platform, but this time, together – in the same room at Zwift HQ!
Hours before the race, the team arrived, their faces beaming with anticipation. Bike measurements in hand, they meticulously customized their Zwift Rides, ensuring a perfect fit for the race ahead.
Then it was off to change. Upon their return, the race room buzzed as the team donned their signature Team OWL jerseys, a kaleidoscope of vivid OWL colors and feathers against the sleek black backdrop. Warm-ups were in full swing, each rider focused, ready to unleash their inner speed demon.
As the 15-minute mark neared, Team OWL went through their pre-race ritual, the recon, a familiar routine honed from countless virtual races. Then, the countdown: 10, 9, 8… and the familiar “Go go go!” echoed through the room.
Off they went, a symphony of pedaling power and synchronized movement. The paceline, a beautiful choreography of riders seamlessly rotating to the front to take their pull, was a thing of beauty. Racing on identical Zwift Rides ensured a perfect rhythm, a testament to years of dedication, camaraderie – and great gear!
The race flew by, a blur of sweat and determination. Team OWL crossed the finish line, exhausted but exhilarated, their faces glowing with the satisfaction of victory. Whatever place they came in, they had achieved a lifetime dream.
After a quick cooldown and celebratory showers, Zwift treated the team to a delicious lunch, and a tour of Zwift HQ – creating a perfect ending to a truly unforgettable experience. One lucky teammate (go Becky!)…even got to model as Scotty – Zwift’s iconic mascot!
Memories to last a lifetime
“It’s incredible to think that these women, whom I had never physically met, have become some of my closest friends,” says Elaine Montoya, founder of Team OWL and co-founder of OWL.Bike. “We’ve been through so much together, both in cycling and in life. We’ve celebrated each other’s victories – both on Zwift and IRL, offered support during injuries and illness, and even been virtual shoulders to cry on during difficult times. The distance feels completely irrelevant.”
This sentiment is echoed throughout the team.
“Epic adventure IRL and virtual worlds coexisting! Thanks so much for making this dream come true happen! “, exclaims Florida teammate Arlyne Salcedo.
OWL teammate Pam Morris from New Zealand chimed in, “This was a dream come true. So glad to have been a part of it.”
“It feels like I’ve had an incredible dream, which was far better than I originally thought it would be. Big thanks for making the team’s dreams come true”, Maria stated with heartfelt passion and gratitude.
OWL.Bike co-founder Becky, adds, “We’ve created a bond that feels stronger than many real-world friendships. This was an experience I will never forget!”
The Long Beach meet-up was more than just a reunion; it was a testament to the power of an online women’s cycling community to forge real-world connections. Proof that even when separated by vast distances, shared passions can bring people together.
“It was amazing to finally experience the camaraderie we’ve built online in the real world,” said Elaine. “We’re not just teammates; we’re family.”
And a reminder that sometimes, the best rides aren’t the ones measured in watts, but in the strength of the bonds we create along the way.
Team OWL: wheels down, hearts full.
Zwift HQ Video!
Check out the awesome video Kayla at ZwiftHQ put together to celebrate the event!
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