Jonathan Chambers: From the Velodrome to Zwift Crits – A Sprinter Who Just Keeps Showing Up 🇺🇸

From Hellertown, Pennsylvania, Jonathan Chambers brings old-school track grit and modern Zwift punch to SISU Racing. A lifelong competitor, coach, and pure-blooded sprinter, Jonathan’s story blends speed, patience, mentorship, and an unwavering belief in consistency.

Built on the Boards

Jonathan didn’t start as a Zwifter. His cycling roots run deep into the velodrome at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center — better known as T-Town — one of the most iconic tracks in the United States.

After stepping away from inline speed skating 25 years ago, he shifted his competitive instincts to the bike. Racing at the velodrome quickly became his main focus — and still is today.

Track racing shaped him: explosive efforts, tactical awareness, raw speed. It’s no surprise he describes himself simply as:

“Definitely more of a sprinter.”

Short, flat, fast races? That’s home territory.

Zwift: The Perfect Extension

Jonathan joined Zwift back in 2015 — early adopter territory. For a track rider, the platform’s short, flat races were a natural fit. His favourite series? Anything fast and flat, where positioning and timing decide everything.

On race day, his setup is simple: Apple TV and a PC for recording in his basement gym. Nothing flashy. Just effective. Music is usually playing, coffee comes before the ride, and he’s very much a night owl racer.

The formula is straightforward: show up ready, hit it hard, recover, repeat.

Motivation: Make It an Appointment

When motivation dips, Jonathan doesn’t overcomplicate it. He makes plans. He schedules sessions with friends. He creates accountability.

“If it’s an appointment, I have to go.”

It’s classic Jonathan — practical, disciplined, and rooted in routine.

His advice for riders facing setbacks?

Consistency. Patience with yourself. Keep going. Before you know it, you’ll be back.

Proud Moments — On and Off the Bike

Jonathan’s proudest racing moment might surprise you.

Making a UCI Keirin tournament final — at an age when he was old enough to be some of the other riders’ father — stands out. Not because of a medal, but because it validated that speed and competitiveness don’t expire on schedule.

But equally meaningful are his achievements as a coach.

For over 20 years, Jonathan has taught community program classes at the velodrome, working with adults and youth. He’s helped young riders clip into a track bike for the first time — sometimes literally holding them upright — and watched them grow into elite-level racers.

After stepping away for family commitments, he returned two years ago to teaching again, albeit in a lighter capacity. What matters most to him isn’t just watching kids become fast.

It’s watching them become good people.

That’s legacy.

Lessons Learned

Cycling has taught Jonathan something simple and profound:

“Just keep showing up and trying and things will work out.”

He also learned the hard way that massive training days followed by trying to ride through exhaustion is a recipe for disaster. Consistency beats hero sessions.

His golden rule?

Consistency is king.

SISU Racing and the Power of Depth

Jonathan has been part of the successful SISU Racing Nokisorsa ZRL squad — one of the team’s Finnish bird named teams (a rare vagrant duck species, fittingly unique).

Though work commitments kept him from racing ZRL this season, he has stayed involved — watching closely and even DS’ing from the sidelines.

What’s the secret behind Nokisorsa’s dominance?

Depth.

“We almost always had 4–5 riders in the lead group at the end of the race.”

Not one superstar. A squad. That’s how you rack up points. That’s how you win rounds.

And yes — he credits Jason Funderburk’s recruiting drive as a major factor. (Including the moment Jonathan thought he had a Strava stalker before realizing Jason was recruiting him to the team.)

The result? He’s been here ever since.

Beyond ZRL, Jonathan loves Ladder races — structured, competitive, tactical — perfectly suited to his sprint instincts.

Club Championships and Crit Territory

Jonathan will be lining up for the SISU Club Championships in March. Racing on new New York courses adds freshness and unpredictability — and he’s especially looking forward to the Crit.

Fast. Tactical. Relentless.

Exactly his style.

Looking Ahead

2026 is about balance. Jonathan is navigating a significant career change, which takes priority. But cycling — both indoor and outdoor — will remain constant.

Not just for fitness.

For sanity.

For fun.

For identity.

SISU, In His Words

When asked to finish the sentence:

“SISU Racing is…”

“…a great community to be a part of.”

From keirin finals to youth coaching, from velodrome boards to Zwift crit finishes, Jonathan Chambers embodies something timeless:

Show up. Help others. Race hard. Stay consistent.

And when the sprint opens up?

Go all in.