--- title: "Episode 008: The Community Behind This Virtual Cycling Platform" description: ZwiftInsider has the inside scoop on news and resources for Zwift cycling fanatics. Eric Schlange, webmaster and editor of ZwiftInsider, has built an insanely successful community resource for enthusiasts of the virtual cycling platform. image: https://www.nrmedia.biz/hubfs/Triathlon%20BizCast/Episode%20Files/008%20Eric%20Schlange/25311070_10155942632634913_3742779361048199708_o.jpg --- [![NRMLogo_RGB_BlckOrng copy](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/01_NR_Media_Group/nrmg_logos/NRMLogo_RGB_BlckOrng%20copy.png?width=100&height=97&name=NRMLogo_RGB_BlckOrng%20copy.png "NRMLogo_RGB_BlckOrng copy")](https://www.nrmedia.biz/) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/431273/649328dc-0e24-41d1-82c1-b166d9419224.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/431273/649328dc-0e24-41d1-82c1-b166d9419224) [![](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/01_NR_Media_Group/nrmg_logos/NRMLogoTag_RGB_BlckOrng%20copy.png?width=692&height=250&name=NRMLogoTag_RGB_BlckOrng%20copy.png)](http://nrmedia.biz) # THE TRIATHLON BIZCAST #### We deliver stories, expertise experiences from the top business owners in the triathlon industry, so that other business owners can learn how to succeed and by doing so, grow the reach of the sport. ![Triathlon Business Podcast | NR Media Group](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Triathlon%20BizCast/Episode%20Files/007S=%20Susan%20Daniels/Jason%20West.jpg?width=4608&name=Jason%20West.jpg "Triathlon Business Podcast | NR Media Group") # Episode 008: The Community Behind This Virtual Cycling Platform By [Nate Riggs](https://www.nrmedia.biz/triathlon-bizcast/author/nate-riggs) on Apr 23, 2018 2:51:28 PM | Share: ### ZwiftInsider has the inside scoop on news and resources for Zwift cycling fanatics.  ##### Eric Schlange, webmaster and editor of ZwiftInsider, has built an insanely successful community resource for enthusiasts of the virtual cycling platform.  ![zwift insider virtual cycling](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Triathlon%20BizCast/Episode%20Files/008%20Eric%20Schlange/nrmg_tbc_schlange_social2.png?width=800&height=300&name=nrmg_tbc_schlange_social2.png)   Eric Schlange graduated from Bradley University in 2001 and by that time, he was already an entrepreneur. In college, he started a [custom web development and design company called BitSculptor](http://www.bitsculptor.com/) that he still runs to this day, 21 years later. BitSculptor was a "springboard" for a lot of Eric's efforts, including [The Banjo Hangout](https://www.banjohangout.org/), a website for banjo players that gets around 30,000 visits a day. Similar to BitSculptor and several other smaller projects, Eric still maintains this site.  What I would call a "serial entrepreneur", it was only a matter of time before Eric combined his love for business opportunities technology solutions with his passion for cycling. And so ZwiftInsider was born. #### MAKING THE MOVE TO VIRTUAL CYCLING Before getting into [ZwiftInsider](https://zwiftinsider.com/) too much, we need to dig into the crazy movement that *is *[Zwift](https://zwift.com/).  Zwift is a massive online cycling and running game and training program that enables users all over the world to interact, train, and compete alongside one another in a virtual world. In simple terms, it's a video game that doubles as a virtual cycling and running training program.  The platform has been so insanely popular that there's actually a World Cup race event that was started by a group of Zwift Enthusiasts. Similar to ZwiftInsider, the event isn't officially affiliated with Zwift but almost wholly revolves around it. ![zwift insider virtual cycling training](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Triathlon%20BizCast/Episode%20Files/008%20Eric%20Schlange/25311070_10155942632634913_3742779361048199708_o.jpg?width=1572&height=750&name=25311070_10155942632634913_3742779361048199708_o.jpg)Eric and his wife actually recently made the trip to LA for [The CVR World Cup](https://cvrworldcup.com/), where they got to watch and cheer on 20 of the top Zwift racers while they competed together within the platform. It's no small feat to be a winner either, the prize money can get up to almost $8,000.  So with a little bit of context, it's easy to see how a following formed around this virtual cycling platform and virtual training in general. An active participant himself, Eric started ZwiftInsider almost 4 years ago  to create a community resource for enthusiasts to share tips and tricks as well as insider updates on [Zwift](https://zwift.com/).  --- ##### [Can't get enough Triathlon Bizcast? Check out our episode with Chuck Menke from USA Triathlon.](https://www.nrmedia.biz/triathlon-bizcast/usa-triathlon-sponsorships)  --- ##### Do You Have The Inside Scoop?  What's the deal? Does virtual training really have the momentum?  Well, yes. The end.  ![zwift insider virtual training](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/Triathlon%20BizCast/Episode%20Files/008%20Eric%20Schlange/logo-for-dark-bg.png?width=520&height=78&name=logo-for-dark-bg.png) Just kidding, but realistically, Zwift and [ZwfitInsider](https://zwiftinsider.com/) have just continued to grow every year and so has the practice of virtual riding. Especially for riders like me in Ohio, where it's hard to tell what you're going to be riding in. Instead of getting in one good ride on a nice day, you get to train as many days as you want while you're inside on Zwift.  With all of this growth and arguably some untapped audiences (we're looking at you, tech-challenged racers), ZwiftInsider isn't slowing down because Zwift isn't either.  Eric's goal for the site? To be the Number 1 source for *all things Zwift*. Right now, he's producing a lot of content along with about 10 or so regular contributors. But the real sweet stuff is happening with the individuals in the community who are producing great content but don't have the easy access to such a large audience. ZwiftInsider gives them that access.  ---   That's it for this episode of The Triathlon BizCast. Be sure to listen to Eric's full episode to learn more about what's going on with this virtual cycling and virtual training movement and how ZwiftInsider is staying inside it all.   --- ##### Have someone in mind that we should interview on the show? ##### Drop their name in the comments below! [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/431273/acafe989-7bfb-4cd6-be8a-8c5ec2500525.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/431273/acafe989-7bfb-4cd6-be8a-8c5ec2500525) --- ### About The Triathlon BizCast ![best-triathlon-podcasts](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/TBCLogo_RGB_vrtcl.png?width=228&height=263&name=TBCLogo_RGB_vrtcl.png) Triathlon Bizcast is the very first [triathlon podcast](http://triathlonbizcast.com/) that brings you real stories from today's top endurance sports business owners who are working to grow the sport of triathlon. Each week our goal is to bring you stories, expertise, and experiences from today’s top business owners in the triathlon industry. Our interviews will run about 20-30 minutes in length – the perfect length for your training runs, short hit rides or even your daily commute to the office. #### *A Thank You To Our Supporters *   --- ![hfp_racing](https://www.nrmedia.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Website%20Redesign/Clients/Logos/hfp_racing_logo%20copy.png?width=199&height=201&name=hfp_racing_logo%20copy.png) ##### [HFP Racing](https://hfpracing.com/) Founded in 1988, HFP Racing has been growing the reach of triathlon by serving families in the multisport community for more than 25 years. The Fit Family Series is America’s longest running [multisport series,](https://hfpracing.com/) and features seven summer weekend events that offer a Kidz Triathlon & Duathlon on Saturday followed by a mini, sprint & Olympic distance triathlon and duathlon on Sunday.  [![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/431273/8988d612-6fbc-4bcd-96ed-2f1181c60525.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/431273/8988d612-6fbc-4bcd-96ed-2f1181c60525)   [Triathlon Equipment](https://www.nrmedia.biz/triathlon-bizcast/topic/triathlon-equipment) ![Nate Riggs](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/3e3fcafaf0a603a736ea4a44c6038b58) #### Written by [Nate Riggs](https://www.nrmedia.biz/triathlon-bizcast/author/nate-riggs) Nate Riggs is the Founder and CEO of NR Media Group, a Certified HubSpot Partner and inbound consulting firm. He leads a team of experienced strategists, content marketers, creatives and technologists that help organizations deploy and use HubSpot’s marketing, sales, and service software to operate more efficiently and accelerate growth. Nate regularly presents keynotes and workshops at top industry conferences like INBOUND, Content Marketing World and Oracle’s Modern CX. In 2017, Nate was recognized by HubSpot for his contributions to the development of the HubSpot Education Partner Program. Nate regularly presents keynotes and workshops at top industry conferences like INBOUND, Content Marketing World and Oracle’s Modern CX. In 2017, Nate was recognized by HubSpot for his contributions to the development of the HubSpot Education Partner Program. 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