Official Zwift fondo events are always a blast, with thousands of riders taking part. Like an outdoor fondo, they feature challenging (read: hilly) routes with multiple length options. Riders can race the event, or just push to do their best and finish a challenging effort.
The fourth fondo of Zwift’s 5-month northern hemisphere 20/21 series has just been posted, and Zwift has made some welcome changes this time around:
- For the first time ever, a “bonus route” option has been added which is the toughest fondo route yet!
- The event schedule has been expanded to 6 different event times on Saturday plus another 6 on Sunday.
Looking for Zwift fondo event times and signup? See the list of upcoming fondos in this series >
Routes
February’s Fondo events have four categories (A, B, C, and E) which are open to all riders. These categories don’t refer to rider strength or speed – they refer to route length.
February routes (click for details):
This is the Mega Pretzel’s first appearance in a Zwift Fondo event. Zwift took a Twitter poll asking Zwifters to choose between the Mega Pretzel and Uber Pretzel routes for this month’s fondo. 59% of the 6210 were for the Meta Pretzel, so here we are…
(We would have liked to see the Uber Pretzel chosen – it’s a truly daunting route, and includes the Fuego Flats and Alpe du Zwift sections which aren’t included in any fondo route or the Mega Pretzel. Nonetheless, we’re happy Zwift added another route option this month! Hopefully bonus routes will be an option at upcoming fondo events.)
Kit Unlock
This is a 5-month series, and each month’s fondo has its own unique kit unlock. These kits are exclusive, meaning they will never be available anywhere else in game. A true badge of honor! Here’s February’s kit:
Upcoming Dates
This monthly series runs through March. Here are the upcoming fondo dates:
- February 6 & 7
- March 20 & 21
See Zwift Fondo Series event times and signup >
Is this a Race?
Yes. Sort of.
A fondo is a “fun race”, meaning it’s more about the personal challenge of finishing a tough course and doing your best. For some riders, the goal is simply to finish the ride. If that’s you, there’s good news: with so many Zwifters taking part in these events, you’ll always have company regardless of your abilities!
That said, thousands of riders turn out for these popular events, and the front of each category is always filled with superfit riders going all out. If you’re feeling strong and looking for an extended race challenge, find a fondo.
Note: efondo events don’t give out ZwiftPower ranking points, so in that sense, this event is not a race.
Questions or Comments
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Just a pity they don’t give out any extra Xp on crossing the finish line. 🤔
See you all on route, give us a wave as you go past. 👋😊
I would like to know how to join the Zwift Fondo series, but I cannot locate the process necessary to join the series – Help!
It’s the same as joining any other event. Sign up in-game, online, or via the Companion app. More info here: https://www.zwift.com/news/12872-join-an-event-and-read-the-calendar
Eric I think on the first year they created the Mega Pretzel we had it ZFondo hardest route , or am I mistaken with Tour de Zwift?
I remember doing the Mega as a new route during an event.
Also remember the Zfondo used to be much harder , we had it the twice pretzel route as an option before the Mega route was created . That was hard !
Too bad they didn’t put the Uber as a first option this time. It’s a great route to suffer with a crowd ! Love the Uber.
You’re right. I did this route in December ‘18 before they launched the dedicated Gran Fondo route. Looking forward to seeing if I’ve improved.
Only the bambino, and that will already be a challenge, for me. My goal is to complete all Zwift Tour routes and I have to make up 9 routes in the 8 days of make up time already 😂
I agree with you about the Uber Pretzel. There isn’t all that much difference between the standard Gran Fondo route and the Mega. The Uber would have been a clear step up.
I agree but wonder how many people would actually ride the Uber Pretzel? Based on the Norseman last summer I doubt it would be more than a couple hundred. Stretched over 12 different starting times that might result in a couple pretty small rides.
Q: if I do the Mega Pretzel as a Fondo route, will I still get the Mega Pretzel route badge? I would expect so, but Zwift can be quirky.
I want to know this as well
Yes, you should!
The ability to but the jerseys IRL like Strava used to do….
*buy
Do you get a route achievement badge when doing the course in a Fondo event?
It would be nice to have a midweek option, I work long hours over the weekend so find it hard to do these. Having said that there are plenty of other events for me to do.
Signed up for the 2/7 8:33a PST ‘Ultimo’ route! Hopefully a few more folks sign up as it would not be fun to slog away alone on this route.
Woohoo the return of the Mega Pretzel!!!!!!!
Is it worth changing bikes on the Fondo routes that include the jungle?
Only if you’re riding by yourself. If you’re in a pack and will be dropped while changing, I’d say it’s not worth it for just 1 Jungle Lap.
Do you get a route badge for completing a route during an event?
Yes.
Tarmac pro with milenstein wheels or tron bike? (For E or A ride)
Canyon Aeroad w/ DT Swiss for E or A would be my choice
A has a lot of flat with a climb at the end, so I’d take the Aeroad with DT Swiss 62
Half of E is climbing, so I’d take the Tarmac Pro plus Milensteins. The other half is downhill, so I’ll be freewheeling and it doesn’t matter which bike I take.
I’ll be on E using Cannondale EVO (equivalent to Tarmac Pro) plus ENVE 3.4 wheels, because despite however many times I’ve been up there, I’ve yet to receive the Milensteins.
Hi! the Fondo event for March does not appear in the events tab on zwift.com and companion app. Does anybody know how to register for this event?
Once Zwift adds them to the calendar, you can register like any other event. We’ll do a post here on Zwift Insider about the March fondo once it’s on the calendar.
“4th of 5”, except it’s March 5 and there are no events listed for this weekend. Zwift’s official page for the series says it’s still an active series, and lists this weekend as an event weekend, but… no events. Did they get bored and just stop?
Their fondo page (https://www.zwift.com/events/series/zwift-fondo-series-2020-21) says March’s event is the 20/21st. That’s 2 weeks away, so I’m not surprised that it isn’t on the events list yet.