This is part two in our series covering Zwift’s top community-led group rides (read part one). A special shout-out goes to The HERD, DBR, and BMTR teams who each managed to get two rides into our Top 10 list. You must be doing something right!
Note: for the purpose of these articles, “Popularity” refers to the number of weekly participants. Each ride on our top 10 list has 100+ riders participating each week.
The HERD Tuesday Social
Tuesdays at 4:55pm UTC/12:55pm EDT/9:55am PDT
Paced at a very doable 1.4-1.6 w/kg, this 60-minute ride is perfect for recovery days or anyone “new to Zwift, just a little out of shape, or recovering from injury.”
The Tuesday Social includes a leader beacon and sweep team to keep everyone together, and it also uses the leader fence to keep flyers from going too far off the front. Mostly flat routes are used, but occasionally more hilly routes like Innsbruckring find their way into the mix.
What Zwifters are saying:
“I really enjoy both HERD rides. Everyone is so fun, friendly and welcoming. The ride is exactly as advertised. The time flies by with the friendly banter. Those are my favorite by far.
Mooooooooovalous always.” – Kimberly Ann Potter
See upcoming HERD events at zwift.com/events/tag/herd >
The BMTR Fundo
Saturdays at 12:10pm UTC/8:10am EDT/5:10am PDT
The BMTR Fundo is a long-running and popular Saturday ride that allows you to choose between four ride lengths ranging from ~40km to ~160km. The 4 distances vary a bit from week to week, but no matter which distance category you choose, everyone rides the same flattish route and starts at the same time.
The category you select determines your ride distance, not your pace. BMTR says, “Some participants will ride the event like a race and others will ride it more casually with their primary goal being to complete the distance.”
What Zwifters are saying:
“(Compared to BMTR Short Adventure) the BMTR Fundo is less social, but all distances start together so the groups can be quite large and you can hang with people pacing a 160km ride even if you are doing 40km, which makes it easier. In the Fundo there is typically a large group that waits in the start pen for 45 seconds after the ride starts, with the goal of doing the ride at about 2W/kg in a big group. Some sweeping happens there as well but it’s not quite as organized as in the Short Adventure ride.” – Paul Southworth
See all upcoming BMTR rides at zwift.com/events/tag/bmtr >
DBR Social Ride
Sundays at 7:55am UTC
This social ride travels at 30-35kph over its 60-minute duration, and sticks to flatter routes. A leader beacon will keep a steady pace, but “it’s OK to ride ahead and join other riders in front – just remember to be social.”
The ride time doesn’t work for the Americas, but you’ll find lots of European and antipodean riders taking part.
See all upcoming DBR rides at zwift.com/events/tag/dbr >
PACK Slackers SUB2 Ride
Fridays at 2pm UTC/10am EDT/7am PDT
This ride wins our “best intro” award: “Working from home or ‘visiting’ customers this Friday? Well, join the work-dodging slackers of PACK for a SUB2 ride today (just don’t tell the boss!)”
This ride’s leader will stay below 2 w/kg, as promised in the title, and dedicated sweeps can pull you back if you get dropped off the back. Rides last around an hour, and Discord voice chat helps pass the time (link in event description).
What Zwifters are saying:
“One of my favourite group rides of the week. An excellently led ride which absolutely sticks to the advertised pace. There is a huge group of dedicated sweeps each and every week who ensure no one is left behind. Always excellent banter and a cracking start to the weekend.” – Beth MonkeyPhillips
“Always good fun and a supportive group, leaders are very communicative for upcoming sprints and climbs and actively encourage regrouping.” – Matt Key
See all upcoming PACK rides at zwift.com/events/tag/pack >
The HERD FriYay Social
Fridays at 7:40pm EDT/4:40pm PDT
Paced at a very doable 1.4-1.6 w/kg like HERD’s Tuesday Social (see above), this is a 60-minute ride with a well-disciplined ride leader, helpful sweepers, and an active Discord voice channel.
If you’re looking for a relaxed and inclusive group ride, you’re in the right place. The HERD has built their reputation over the years by hosting rides where everyone is welcome!
What Zwifters are saying:
“The HERD FriYay social is a moooovalous group that creates a welcome environment for riders of all abilities. You can always count on CARL (Computer Automated Ride Leader 😉) to stick EXACTLY to the advertised pace. The group loves to support new zwifters as they learn the platform, and the regulars keep coming back for the great community and fun banter (I seriously laugh the entire ride, it goes by so quick!) The sweep team is always well-supported and loves to help! Such a fabulous group!” – Katie Candiloro
“FriYay is a great way to end the working week or start the weekend for us people in the future in Australia. Always a chatty and supportive group on both Discord and Zwift and always have multiple sweep teams to help those off the back. Carl and the leads create a relaxing and inclusive environment to welcome new friends to the Herd as well and encourage others to support and get involved or just enjoy the ride.” – Paul Lancaster
See upcoming HERD events at zwift.com/events/tag/herd >
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