At the start of 2026, The Coalition recently celebrated its 5th birthday. So we decided it would be fun to see who has been here since the beginning and never left. We wanted to find out why they enjoy being members of the Coalition, how the community has changed (if it’s changed) and why they keep coming back for more.
This is the post that started it all. The eagle-eyed amongst you will see I posted this on Xmas Eve 2020! But I didn't invite anyone from the public until 3rd February 2021. So even though the server was created sooner, The Coalition community was nothing until the first folks joined.
OGs of The Coalition
Here are the thoughts of some of our longest-serving members:
Andreas, joined Day 1
Joining COALITION was my next step in my indoor cycling journey. I started with Zwift just a couple of months before Covid, mainly to get my cycling fitness back. During 2020, I got hooked on racing on the platform and started doing occasional races. I think it was during the festive period of 2020/21 when I saw a post announcing that COALITION, as a community, would be launched. At that point, I finally figured out why people had team names behind their avatars on Zwift—and I wanted something like that as well. Being a total newbie, I joined COALITION, set up a Discord account, and entered a completely new world (at least for me). It was only a few days before a new season of the Zwift Racing League started. The server had maybe 50 members and only a few channels. It felt like random people had met at a bar and decided to start racing together. And that spirit—that fire—just caught on.
I got into my first team and experienced something that has lasted until now: a connection with more or less unknown people from all over the world that still felt completely natural.
Besides having fun as a team—joining the voice channel during races, having video calls, and spending time in the growing number of Discord channels—it was the community that truly hooked me. We built channels and structures and started turning ideas into plans, shaping a growing community. That community was such a pleasure: like-minded people who not only focused on racing on Zwift, but also on building their bikes, equipping their pain caves, and getting into training and fitness. It was like a beehive—buzzing everywhere.
You might know the reaction of people who aren’t into indoor cycling, Zwift, or cycling in general when you tell them you race online. You get those special smiles—you know what I mean, right? I still get them. But when I tell people that I met those same riders on Mallorca a couple of months later for a bike camp together, those smiles turn into awe. And that’s a perfect picture of what COALITION has brought into my life.
I’ve met people online who became friends in real life. I’ve spent several bike trips with these people and met them for IRL races and events.
I don’t think I can describe COALITION in one word or one sentence, because it’s so much more than that. There’s always something new and always something steady. It’s growing, yet it’s keeping the vibe from the early days. It’s my base—my home for everything cycling-related.
And why did I never leave? Because I bought way too many COALITION jerseys to wear. :)
Juho, joined Day 1
I started indoor cycling during the first year of covid and I found out that there was an opportunity to race with a team of like-minded people around the world in the Zwift Racing League. I raced the first ZRL season with a random Dutch group, but something was missing. I was looking for a Team to join, a home to spend time with fellow racers, also outside ZRL. Then I saw that Canyon Esports (Coalition Alpha) established a community team, which I immediately joined on Day 1.
There it was; I had arrived home. It was clear from the beginning that this was something I had looked for. I spent hundreds of hours with people around the world riding, racing and chatting. I saw that Rhys had given a huge effort to this sport and now he wanted to share it with regular people. I have a long history of developing teams and clubs in different sports, and I felt I can also do my part in building the community.
I still remember we had only a few teams and I could race ZRL in the same team with Rhys, OJ, Brandon, and Aaron (who was a teenager in those days). More and more people joined, and it was clear we were on the right track and Rhys’s vision was shared by so many of us. We built a home for us where it is safe to be who you are, race, and share lives with like-minded crazy people around the globe.
In the early days, I had many roles as a mod and a captain, but after several years, I had to step down as other duties took more time. I also got a bit frustrated with Zwift after a few years and decided to jump into riding and racing more in Indievelo/TrainingPeaks Virtual – still proudly wearing the team kit! A five-year-old club and community is still young, but I’m confident that people here will carry it to the next generation. There are iconic clubs in different sports, and The Coalition will join that group in cycling esports history.
Andy, joined Day 1
I joined the Coalition for the curiosity of indoor racing, the ethos, and the in-your-face-I-dont-give-a-fuck image. I sold my soul to the cause and raced continuously, squeezing out all potential I had, and loved it. But as often happens, life came along, including a family. I lost my way away from racing and it may now be permanently in my past. But I’ve stuck around for the friends and community. I may be more of a ghost floating around the server, but it’s a home away from the physical one, and Rhys wouldn’t dare remove me. When I get a chance, I still like to play DayZ with Rhys and Matthias.
Natt, joined Day 183 (4th July 2021)
Being part of The Coalition has redefined what cycling means to me. It’s a supportive, fun, and truly global community that bridges the gap between virtual racing and real-life friendship. We share the hard miles and the big laughs, and I’m so lucky to have found a home here.
Jill, joined Day 107 (19th April 2021)
I joined to be a warm body on Equinox during ZRL for just one night (or so I thought). I came back week-after-week because the women I met here were so awesome. I’m still here almost 5 years later, having just as much fun as when I started - so thankful for the woman who asked me to join!
Matthias, joined Day 66 (9th March 2021)
I joined at a time when the community was still small and everyone knew everyone. It was a friendly and cosy place with very helpful people. Five years later, we have grown to one of the biggest teams on Zwift. And while nowadays it's impossible to know and engage with all of our members, the friendly and helpful atmosphere never changed. It's a community without drama, which never lost its core values and focus. Everyone just wants to have a good time and fair races, no matter the age, gender, performance level, cultural background, etc.
Joanna, joined Day 7 (9th January 2021)
I’m an amateur triathlete. Since I usually spend my winters training on an indoor trainer, my husband and I started riding on Zwift. He already had a team he raced with (an all-male squad), so I started looking for something for myself. By chance, I stumbled upon a post on Facebook—the new Team COALITION was recruiting. The ad looked encouraging, so I requested to join, and that’s how I became a member of this wonderful team.
In the beginning, there were very few of us, especially women. I think there were only three teams back then. But what amazing women they were! The atmosphere was incredible from the start, with a primary focus on support, cooperation, and growth. We pushed boundaries and motivated one another to reach goals we might never have achieved alone.
It quickly became clear that racing with my team was high-quality training, but done in a fantastic environment. I realised I could go further, longer, and harder! I found myself surrounded by inspiring women who, like me, are active because they love it and want to be, not because they’re forced to or because it’s trendy. I mention women specifically because that’s how it started and who I primarily race with, but the COALITION community is vast—made up of wonderful people across the board. We are like one big family.
I have to mention the most important person here: Rhys, our 'BOSS.' From the very start, he built, unified, and supported the team, always emphasising fair play and a healthy, welcoming atmosphere. He wanted everyone to feel good here—and that’s exactly how it was and still is!
COALITION is my first and, so far, only virtual team. I’m still here because I love being surrounded by kind, wonderful people with whom I can always 'suffer' through a brutal workout with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Here, principles and people matter. It doesn’t matter where you live, what country you’re from, how old you are, or what your faith or orientation is. We come together to build, not to divide.
Susan, joined Day 49 (20th February 2021)
What I have appreciated most the entire time I have been here is Rhys’ commitment to women’s development and the willingness to create a pipeline of progression for all levels. The icing on the cake is that he allows people to contribute in ways that utilise their talents and change roles and responsibilities as life permits. What a neat way to spend my indoor trainer hours being part of a group that celebrates people and enriches lives through community.
Katie P, joined Day 87 (30th March 2021)
I joined because Julie McKenzie had joined and was looking for C’s on the team that she DS’d. That team ended up being Eclipse and I have been on that ZRL team ever since. I’ve moved from being competitive to barely hanging on in the category and many of my teammates have moved up and on. But I absolutely love the ladies that I have raced with, especially my partner in crime, Susan C, who has also been there from the beginning. I’d say that I gravitate towards the women’s side, but I’ve enjoyed some of the events with the larger team too. Except that one co-ed TTT that was BRUTAL. Ouch. Thanks for managing this circus!
Amy, joined Day 235 (25th August 2021)
I was already content riding with my IRL friends, jumping on the turbo for a workout, or setting myself the challenge of blasting up Alpe du Zwift. I didn’t need any extra motivation to ride; I was already addicted to the bike. Then, almost by chance, I discovered Coalition through hearing about ZRL. I thought, why not? I’ve never looked back. The team spirit, shared goals, and like-minded riders mean I never need an excuse to get on the trainer. I didn’t just find a team, I found more IRL friends who love cycling as much as I do.
Simon, joined Day 73 (16 March 2021)
After tuning into YouTube to watch the Elite ZRL Men's & Ladies' teams, I kept seeing "Coalition Esports" being mentioned and their pink jerseys leading at the front. I had never been in a team and thought, "Why not be with the best?!", so I searched and found The Coalition on Facebook. Once I had followed the steps to get into the Discord channel, everyone was very welcoming and really helpful with guiding me through the various channels and after a few days, it seemed really easy to navigate everything. Of course, there were a lot less channels then!
When I joined The Coalition, there were around 70 members, and now, almost 5 years on, we have over 1000 members. You could say I'm part of the furniture now, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here at The Coalition. The "Big Boss" Rhys has set our high standards for racing, and I personally think that The Coalition is the most transparent team on Zwift – we all want to race fairly. Everyone who races is asked to update their weight for fairness to other teams. I have seen many opposition riders having the same weight for a year/years.
We have a fantastic community inside the Discord server, and whether you’re Cat D or Cat A, please consider joining us. See you on the roads of Watopia "RIDE ON!”