Zwift Community Live was such an incredible experience, and I’m still feeling the buzz from it! There’s something truly special about gathering with people who share a deep passion for cycling, gaming-platform technology, and community. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this event was more than just about riding—it was about connection, inspiration, and celebrating what makes Zwift such a powerful platform for bringing people together.
From Virtual Connections to Real-Life Reunions
The excitement started right after the New Year, when I received the invitation to attend Zwift Community Live. I could hardly believe it—it felt like the perfect way to kick off 2026. In the months leading up to Mallorca, the anticipation kept building as I counted down the days.
A big part of that excitement was knowing I’d finally meet, in real life, so many people I had only known through Zwift. At the top of that list were Leah Thorvilson—my primary liaison and a constant supporter of every OWL initiative—and Kate Veronneau, whose vision and energy has helped reshape women’s cycling through the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Seeing them face-to-face for the first time made it all feel real in a new way. This wasn’t just another event—it felt like a reunion we’d all been waiting for.
From Messages to Mallorca Meetups
That feeling stayed with me all the way through the journey. After a long day of travel, I was checking into the hotel when I spotted Eric Min sitting in the cafe with his assistant, quietly working. It felt like one of those unexpected moments you don’t quite believe at first. I stopped for a quick chat, and he asked how long my journey had taken. After I shared the travel delays, I had experienced, I turned the question around and asked for his secret to getting from the United States to Mallorca. His return route was far more efficient than the 24+ hour trek I had ahead of me, and the moment he explained it, I knew I’d be rethinking my itinerary before heading home. It was such a natural, unassuming interaction—one that captured exactly who he is: humble, approachable, and generous with his time.
That same sense of ease carried into the next day, before Zwift Community Live had even officially begun. I met Rita Romeu—one of the OWLs who first reached out during a OWL.BiKe Grey Zone Trivia Ride—and within minutes, I knew were kindred spirits. There was no awkwardness, no catching up required—just an immediate, effortless connection.
Once the event began, those moments of recognition kept unfolding. Faces I knew from rides, messages, and shared experiences on Zwift suddenly became real—animated by voice, laughter, and presence. Conversations flowed easily, whether on rides, over coffee, or gathered around dinner tables. I enjoyed learning about the work each of them is doing—it’s inspiring to see how differently everyone helps their communities thrive.
Some of those moments came from finally meeting people I had long admired. Cissi Catalán, the force behind Bikealicious. Cissi had also contacted me ahead of Zwift Community Live. Meeting her in person was just as welcoming as her club’s signature long, rubber-banded rides suggest.
The same was true with Cori and Marius of The HERD, whose energy and warmth made it instantly clear why so many riders find their start there.
And then there were the completely unexpected connections—the ones that seemed to happen by chance but stuck with you. Over dinner that first night, I met Jason Lee from Germany, and within minutes we were deep in conversation, laughing like old friends. For the rest of the event, we kept crossing paths, each time picking up right where we left off.
The next day brought another surprise when my Team OWL teammate Arlyne Salcedo messaged me and told me to keep an eye out for Kimberly Dozier—someone she’d ridden with in real life. Before long, I spotted Kimberly across the crowd, her brightly braided hair making her instantly recognizable. What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into another easy, memorable connection—one of those moments that kept happening all week, where the distance between our virtual lives on Zwift and real life seemed to disappear.
Connections like this are a big part of what made Zwift Community Live feel so special.
Evening Workshops: Small Group, Big Impact
Each evening around 6pm, after long rides and the kind of fatigue that lingers in your legs, we gathered as a small group of approximately 40 community leaders. There was something about that timing—the mix of exhaustion and satisfaction from the day—that made these sessions feel especially real and grounded.
Each evening around 6pm, after long rides and the kind of fatigue that lingers in your legs, we gathered as a small group of approximately 40 community leaders.
The first night centered on the state of the Zwift community, but what stood out most was finally meeting the people behind the platform. These were the team members shaping Zwift day to day, and hearing them speak about their work brought a new level of appreciation for what happens behind the scenes. The conversations felt open and thoughtful, filled with ideas, challenges, and a shared excitement about where Zwift is headed.
That sense of momentum carried into the second evening, which focused on women’s racing and rides. Led by Kate and Leah—always a dynamic duo—the session blended insight with genuine passion. Hearing Kate speak about the continued impact of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and where it’s going next, made it clear just how much progress is being driven both on and off the platform.
While the final leaders’ workshop officially centered on racing, the conversation expanded into the technical side of the Zwift platform. As a bit of a tech nerd, this quickly became one of my favorite sessions—not just for the racing insights, but for the deeper dive into API access and the tools available to organizers and community leaders. I walked away with a much clearer understanding of how to use Zwift’s API features to shape future events and races.
By the end of each evening, there was a noticeable energy in the room—ideas exchanged, perspectives shifted, and connections deepened. And each morning, we carried that momentum out onto the roads of Mallorca, where conversations on the bike turned those connections into something more personal.
From Pretzels to People: Riding in Mallorca
Just like on Zwift, the rides in Mallorca were organized by challenge level—from the Mini Pretzel to the Uber Pretzel and everything in between. There was something immediately familiar about it: you chose your route based on how big a day you wanted, then rolled out alongside other Zwifters, ready to share the experience.
Before I arrived, I had a plan. I’d keep the first couple of days manageable and save my energy for the final challenge: the Uber Pretzel—Sa Calobra, the iconic climb that feels like a rite of passage.
But as the week unfolded, that plan started to shift. I found myself enjoying the in-between moments more than anything else—the conversations, the laughter, the steady rhythm of riding alongside people I was just getting to know.
There was also a bit of local insight guiding me. A fellow OWL teammate who lives in Mallorca—and works as a nurse at a nearby hospital—texted me daily updates about the number of cyclists coming in from Sa Calobra-related accidents. Between that and the experience I was already having, the decision became clear. Instead of chasing a bucket-list climb, I chose to lean fully into what the week was really about: connection, community, and shared time on the bike.
And it was those connections that defined the rides. Along the way, I met people like Chloe—a program director from New York City—who was a speed demon on descents, and Karissa Minn, one of the managers of the Zwift Ladies Only Facebook group—each conversation adding another layer to the experience.
I also found myself riding with Benji Naesen from the Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast, whose presence on the bike was just as engaging as his race analysis. And then there was Anton Williams—better known as AntonWillDoiT—who showed up with a fully outfitted sound system on his bike, turning the final day’s ride into something that felt more like a rolling celebration than a group ride.
Even the very first ride set the tone. As we gathered at the start on Day One, David Towle—the unmistakable “voice of cycling”—was on the mic, bringing his signature energy to the rollout. He gave an overly generous introduction of me and OWL.Bike, which led to one of those perfectly unplanned moments when Monica Schlange from ZwiftInsider came over to introduce herself. We quickly realized our shared connection through the Zwift Ladies Only Facebook group. Meeting her in person was an unexpected highlight.
Day two brought something especially memorable: the women-only rides. It was the first time Zwift Community Live had included them, and they were an absolute highlight. There was a wonderful energy on the road as women rode together in the sunshine, sharing laughs, encouraging one another, and simply enjoying the moment.
Each evening, that same sense of anticipation carried into the ride briefings hosted by Matt Stephens—easily one of my all-time favorite cycling commentators. With his natural storytelling style and enthusiasm, he and the team at Zwift turned even the practical details of the next day’s route into something engaging—another moment that brought everyone together before we headed back out again.
As full as the three days were, it still wasn’t quite enough time. There were people I didn’t get to connect with—like DC Rainmaker and Shane Miller (GPLama)—and others I wish I’d had longer conversations with, including Eric Schlange. Next time.
In the end, the rides reflected everything that makes the Zwift community special: shared challenge, constant encouragement, and the kind of connection that goes far beyond the bike.
People at the Heart of It All
What stayed with me most were the in-between moments: the conversations over coffee, the easy exchanges mid-ride, the familiar faces you’d spot across the room and naturally drift toward. There was laughter, shared insights, and plenty of those small “aha” moments that only happen when people come together in the same place.
At the same time, I found myself reflecting on something that’s been quietly on my mind. The OWL community is uniquely focused—women cyclists aged 50 and older—and that specificity is part of what makes it so meaningful. But it also raises important questions about access. Many of Zwift’s programs are designed to reward communities with broader audiences—like all riders or all women—which can leave more niche communities without the same benefits. I’d love to see more equitable access for smaller, focused groups—because while we may be smaller in size, our impact can be incredibly deep and lasting.
By the time the week came to a close, one thing felt clearer than ever: Zwift, at its core—is about people. It’s in the developers building behind the scenes, the leaders creating spaces for others to belong, and the riders showing up day after day from all over the world. That collective energy is what makes it all work.
By the time the week came to a close, one thing felt clearer than ever: Zwift, at its core—is about people.
None of the magic behind Zwift Community Live would have been possible without the people who made it happen. Eric Min, for his generosity in bringing the community together. The Zwift team, whose care and effort were evident in every detail. I’m also especially grateful to Jon Mayfield, Mark Cote, and Nick Kalkounis for taking the time to listen—those conversations meant a great deal and left me feeling genuinely heard.
I almost forgot—Ashley Schmitt, Lead Program Manager at Zwift—I loved the time we spent together, especially our conversations about our four-legged friends.
As Zwift Community Live came to a close, I felt a mix of gratitude and momentum—grateful for the connections, and energized to keep building within the OWL community. Creating more opportunities for women 50+ to connect, ride, and grow isn’t just a goal; it feels like part of a much bigger movement that’s still unfolding.
Here’s to more events that bring us together and remind us why we love Zwift—and to continuing to build communities that lift each other up along the way.
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Empowering Zwift Women
