Zwift has a pile of secret “extra credit” achievement badges, and one of my favorites is the 100KPH badge earned by (you guessed it) hitting 100kph in game.
How do you reach 100kph (~62mph) in Zwift? By planning ahead and riding smart. While the 40 and 50mph achievement badges can be unlocked by most riders on any substantial downhill, getting up to 100kph is much tougher!
But it can be done. In fact, it can be done quite easily, if you know where to go and what to do once you get there.
100KPH Videos
Shane Miller may have been the first to post a video showing how to get it done on the Radio Tower:
But since then, people have hit 100kph on that same descent in various ways. For example, Erik Lee did it while coasting in a race (this works because the supertuck is faster in races):
Scott from KOMHunt.tv just did it during the Tour of Watopia on a big wheel:
Mark Lewis gutted it out on a TT bike, solo:
Rodrigo made it happen, even though he’s a lightweight rider. How? By using a heavy TT bike!
You can hit 100kph outside of the Radio Tower descent. Many riders have done it on the descent of the Bologna Time Trial course, while I hit 103kph in a Yorkshire race supertucking the super-steep Pot Bank descent:
There are plenty of 100kph attempts that failed miserably, too. Being a lightweight rider doesn’t help, and neither does being tall! Here’s one lighter rider’s failed attempt:
Fernwee and the Ride Beyond Crew tried to grab it, but failed miserably despite supertucking in their pain caves:
Zwift’s Climb Portal opens up a world of new descents, including Cote de Pike where 100kph is very doable.
Top Speed Tips
If you’re looking to grab that 100kph badge, follow these tips:
- There are just two regularly-available descents in Zwift where 100kph is possible for most riders: the descent from the Bologna Time Trial climb, and descending from Watopia’s Radio Tower. Both of these descents are long and steep enough to get you some serious speed, although Watopia’s is more accessible since Watopia is always open. (Choose the Mountain Route to get routed up to the top of the Radio Tower. But you’ll need to climb the Epic KOM first!)
- Doing this with a group in a race is the “easiest” way. Why? Because you can supertuck in the group draft, and supertucking in a race event is much faster than supertucking solo. If you’re not in a race, supertucking won’t get you to 100kph… you’ll need to pedal hard!
- Go with a TT frame and fast wheels if you’re not in a race. TT setups are heavier and more aero than road bike setups, which is good when you’re trying to go downhill fast! (See Fastest TT Bike Frames and Wheels at Each Zwift Level to figure out which TT setup you can use for the most speed.)
- Use powerups. While this isn’t required in some situations, it certainly doesn’t hurt! The aero boost is commonly used, but the anvil powerup will really help, especially if you’re a lighter rider.
- Don’t wait. Sprint at the start. This will help you pick up speed quickly, giving you lots of runway to continue speeding up to that magic 100kph barrier.
- Lower your trainer difficulty setting if you find yourself spinning out. This will give you more gearing to push against.
Questions or Comments?
Have you hit 100kph in Zwift? How’d you do it?
What about outside – ever hit 100kph? Now that is an experience.
Share below!
