Bikes and Banjo Hangouts: The Zwift Insider Struck a Chord Creating Niche Online Communities
04/19/24 • 93 min
Eric Schlange is one of the most well known Zwift riders on the platform, and he comes to the notoriety honestly. When Eric started Zwifting in 2015, the engineer and web master immediately identified a need for a Zwift knowledge base to address the nuances of riding in the brave new virtual world. Exponential traffic growth led to an official Zwift sponsorship, cementing Zwift Insider's credibility. This story does not entail scale-at-all-costs entrepreneurship. Instead it is one of a self-professed community builder who understands the need, power and commercial value of niche online hubs. In fact, Zwift Insider was not Eric’s first rodeo - that was www.banjohangout.com - THE banjo enthusiast destination for more than 20 years!
Sure enough, Eric is exactly the kind of guy you’d hope to be riding and racing with on the platform: friendly, witty, competitive and resourceful. He demonstrates the core values and class of a true esport ambassador and this interview reflects his passion and ability to articulate both soft and hard reasons that Zwift earns precious hours of devotee training. This interview covers Zwift Insider’s adolescence before organized platform racing, broad usership data, and a taste of the product roadmap, with Eric’s insider insight and stories sprinkled throughout. You would be so lucky to race alongside Eric in Watopia, Richmond or Glasgow. RIDE ON!
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
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Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Eric Schlange is one of the most well known Zwift riders on the platform, and he comes to the notoriety honestly. When Eric started Zwifting in 2015, the engineer and web master immediately identified a need for a Zwift knowledge base to address the nuances of riding in the brave new virtual world. Exponential traffic growth led to an official Zwift sponsorship, cementing Zwift Insider's credibility. This story does not entail scale-at-all-costs entrepreneurship. Instead it is one of a self-professed community builder who understands the need, power and commercial value of niche online hubs. In fact, Zwift Insider was not Eric’s first rodeo - that was www.banjohangout.com - THE banjo enthusiast destination for more than 20 years!
Sure enough, Eric is exactly the kind of guy you’d hope to be riding and racing with on the platform: friendly, witty, competitive and resourceful. He demonstrates the core values and class of a true esport ambassador and this interview reflects his passion and ability to articulate both soft and hard reasons that Zwift earns precious hours of devotee training. This interview covers Zwift Insider’s adolescence before organized platform racing, broad usership data, and a taste of the product roadmap, with Eric’s insider insight and stories sprinkled throughout. You would be so lucky to race alongside Eric in Watopia, Richmond or Glasgow. RIDE ON!
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Previous Episode
Cancer, Addiction and a Missing Fibula Couldn't Keep Author Mike Thompson from #FindingGood (or Triathalon)
Mikey Thompson is hard to miss in Austin’s endurance community because he’s everywhere at once as a core member of the Breakfast Club cycling group and longtime High Five events associate, which organizes Austin’s major endurance events. You’ll immediately notice Mikey’s bubbly personality and the sparkle in his eye, which is partially due to his battle with pediatric cancer and then with addiction to his “pain management” regimen. In short, Mikey is happy to be here because so many of his fellow cancer patients have fallen, and guess what, he wants you to maximize the good in your life too. Mikey’s story is one of a young man finding his career calling, which took him to a masters program in communication theory and has culminated in the imminent publication of his memoir and ethos, "Finding Good." His MO is based firmly in three tenets of self love, good company and a motivation to leave the world better than how you found it. Mikey crafted this ideology after a remarkable career that started in the Costco checkout aisle, moved to fundraising for LIVESTRONG and other cancer related foundations, and recently landed at senate hearings to make a case for legalizing medicinal use of cannabis. And let's not forget, Mikey is an accomplished triathlete who competes without his left fibula, which was used to reconstruct his mandible after chemo caused a tumor on his jaw. There's a lot in here and plenty more in his new book! Please enjoy.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Next Episode
BREAKFAST CLUB REDUX. Grant & Jordie dish on the Babes Ride, Paid Membership Tier, App & Surprises!
The Austin meetup that started 4 years ago with 4 friends who mostly wanted to eat breakfast, has uncovered a need in this sport to encourage newcomers with a warm welcome and a bit of structure. The proof is in the monthly attendance, which has reached 800 riders of all skill levels, as well as the thriving online community and expansion to other cities. What outwardly appears to be lightning in a bottle is actually attributed to bottomless dedication, strong leadership and vision. From the early days, Breakfast Club prioritized programming for women with the weekly “Babes Ride” which boasts a remarkable turnout, and sure enough female ridership over-indexes at all sponsored events. Another essential ingredient is the club’s network of volunteer ride leaders who proudly organize, fix flats and encourage newcomers up Austin’s unforgiving hills. The secret is in the good vibes and leadership’s ability to create an incredible brand with a lot of sacrifice and limited resources. If you haven’t heard Breakfast Club’s origin story, tune into Hill Climbers episode number one. Now enjoy a discussion of what has unfolded since our first interview, and the impressive developments for 2024.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Hill Climbers - Bikes and Banjo Hangouts: The Zwift Insider Struck a Chord Creating Niche Online Communities
Transcript
Hey. This is Sam Huntington, and you're listening to Hill Climbers.
Over the last 10 years, I've ridden bikes in Philadelphia and then LA and more recently, Austin, Texas. And it's been one of my life's pleasures to meet 100 of cyclists over the course of this time. And, sure, there's been friendships and camaraderie built around some healthy competition on group rides and and on Strava,
And and that's gr
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