Today, Zwift launched a new series of experimental Wednesday races dubbed “Crit Cade.” Similar events were held back in November 2023, but two years later, with many more Zwifters owning steering devices, the events may just have the numbers to make them interesting. Read on to learn all about Crit Cade…
What Is “Crit Cade”?
These events are just like any other Crit City race you may have enjoyed in the past… except they’re totally different, for three reasons!
- Steering Required: These events are designed to maximize the fun and engagement of Zwift Steering, so you must have a steering device connected to join the start pens.
- Power Up Pandemonium: This race features the experimental Boost Powerups, which are given at the lap banner and must be used during the lap before picking more up at the next banner.
- Speed Boosts and Hazard Pads: Blue Speed Boosts are scattered across the course to give you an extra injection of pace. But red Hazard Pads are also on course, and they slow you down! Watch out, because both types can move around and even swap.
You’ll need to stay fully engaged throughout the race if you want to come home with a win. It’s not just about putting out the power, it’s also about steering effectively, timing your powerups, and drafting whenever possible.
Watch the First Race
I signed up for the first race of the series, just to see how it unfolded from the comfort of my own desk. Watch the A category here:
Route and Schedule
Races are planned for each Wednesday, November 19 through December 31, at five time slots (0830, 1730, 1830, 1930, 2330, 0230 UTC) to cover peak time in all major time zones. See upcoming events at zwift.com/events/tag/critcade.
Route: Downtown Dolphin (8 laps, 15.4km, 136m elevation)
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/critcade
Zwift Labs Club
These events are held within the Zwift Labs club (sign up here). This feature is still in development, so you can share feedback within the club’s chat in the Companion app, or via the comments below (Zwift says they’re watching this post).
Share Your Thoughts
Have you tried a Crit Card Steering Race yet? Share your thoughts below!
To me this looks like a arcade game and I don’t like that.
Better put energy in making things look and feel as realistic as possible!
Couldn’t disagree more. It’s indoor training. It will never be realistic. If that’s what you want, then suit up and go outside.
A fun, engaging game-like experience will keep you mentally focused while you build some physical fitness. If you don’t like “playing” then simply don’t join one of these events. There are thousands of serious races you could join on Zwift.
But beware, some of these events might take you through a volcano where your environment does not get any hotter. Or over rickety-looking wooden bridges that don’t result in any bumpiness on your bike.Or you might find yourself caught in a rain storm that does not get you wet.
A platform where you have the opportunity just have fun or go be serious is the best of both worlds.
😉
Definitely this. The game aesthetic is now one of it’s strongest USPs along with community.
(Although I’m sure the cobbles and bridges used to have feedback on my kickr bike too – unless that’s Mandela effect)
I’m not much of a racing person. But if I get to use steering again, I’ll probably give it a try.
So cool 😍, cant wait to try it
This looks fun. But … best strategy seems to be much like any other
Zwift race: Have the highest w/kg of anyone else in the race 😁
“highest w/kg…” Not true, Tris. Someone who is skilled at avoiding the hazards and employing the boosts can easily beat much more powerful opponents. 🚴
I hope Zwift figures out a way to get these in the racing calendar and promoted in a manner that can build a dedicated rider base. Looks fun.
Side note: hopefully your ZRS isn’t adjusted based on outcome of these races, and would be good to see maybe only an upper and lower division so races have more riders.
For me this is too much arcade like i like the powerups and all of that but this is too much.
I would like Zwift add more powerups and more racing or riding experiences like corner braking races or races where the line you choose matter for how slow or fast you exit out of the corner. In my view this would be much more interesting than just avoiding hazard pads and would add more interest to the racing experience. I know they worked on it in the past because there was a leaked video of a rider riding down alpe and he had to brake in the corners but yeah a pity that they abandoned that idea
.
from the video: this doesnt work at all…
It worked but it needs full focus, which we didn’t have all along… You type on your keyboard, you hit red stuff, you activate your push to talk on Discord, it’s enough… You need to be 100% committed but it’s fine, I’ll do it again
I think these steering races will be a hit as they add a new dimension to the game.
The beauty of Zwift is that it gives you options. If there’s an aspect of Zwift you don’t like, not a problem. There are many others you can enjoy.
I wish they could schedule this kind of experimental races on weekends. Wednesday is recovery day for me after ZRL Tuesday night races.
I wish they would ‘improve’ draft seeking. Steering became an obsolete feature since the avatar is returning back to the middle of the road even w/o any rider ahead after 10 to 15 seconds automatically. the good thing is, I’m not asked about steering experience after rides anymore. would be nice to control its behavior in settings.
Whenever I click a link to zwift from this website, I get “The link you clicked on requires cookies to be enabled in your browser. We apologize for any inconvenience.” In firefox, already disabled adblock and tracking protection
I did the race today. Not many people in it unfortunately but it was great fun. One of the most fun events I have ever done on Zwift. Very gamified, which I loved. If that’s not your thing then there are loads of other great events on Zwift. More of this sort of thing please!
What is the best bike choice for these races? Would a time trial bike be faster since for most fo the race you are not really drafting other riders?
TT bikes are disallowed. Go full aero, Joe.
I absolutely love this race! Now there is more than just watts and race craft (drafting, attack strategy…). Now there is a HUGE mental engagement — it is similar to riding a MTB on a technical trail, where you’re having to very quickly pick a line, a gear, spot the things to avoid…! At least in the forest the trees don’t usually move sideways.
One big problem though: ZRS updates should be disabled for Crit Cade. My ZRS has gone from a very consistent 396 to suddenly 440 after 4 of these races – only because I’m beating riders who are much higher rated than me, but who would leave me in the dust in any other race. (eg today my W/kg of 2.2 finished ahead of someone averaging 3.6).
More of these please, on other circuits!
This was so much fun! I hope they have more steering events like this in the future.
This was pretty fun and it would be much improved if draft seeking were disabled so you could actually steer when you’re in traffic.