Zwift has just announced the Off the MAAP series, a multi-stage cycling tour returning for its third year to the platform. This series targets Australia (where MAAP is based), but caters to riders worldwide. It has proven to be very popular, with nearly 200,000 riders participating in last year’s events.
This year the tour is challenging Zwifters to take the road less traveled. Each stage is based in a different world and features three different routes to choose from.
Learn more and sign up at zwift.com/offthemaap
Route and Schedule Details
Each of the 4 stages lasts 4 days. Events are scheduled hourly throughout the duration of each stage, so you’ll certainly be able to find a ride that fits your schedule. Each stage gives you the option of three different routes, with A being the more difficult route, B a bit easier, C easier still, and D being the same as B except it’s for ladies only.
Stage 1: Watopia Wildlands (Aug 3-6)
“Warm up the legs in Watopia for the first stage. Turn off the display by pulling up the Action Bar on Zwift and toggling the display icon. Soak in the scenery and find your moment of zen.”
- A: Out and Back Again, 1 Lap – 42.3km, 333m
- B: Watopia’s Waistband, 1 Lap – 27.8km, 101m
- C: Tick Tock, 1 Lap – 19.2km, 59m
- D (Women Only): Watopia’s Waistband, 1 Lap – 27.8km, 101m
Stage 2: London Outskirts (Aug 7-10)
“Explore the rolling hills just outside the city center. Get in a great workout by testing your endurance up the climbs.”
- A: The London Pretzel, 1 Lap – 56.2km, 576m
- B: Greatest London Loop, 1 Lap – 26.1km, 359m
- C: Greater London Flat, 1 Lap – 17.4km 97m
- D (Women Only): Greatest London Loop, 1 Lap – 26.1km, 359m
Stage 3: New York Skyroads (Aug 11-14)
“Ride the future and soar high above the ground for the third stage. The concrete jungle springs to life when you turn off the display. Light up the sky and throw Ride Ons to all your friends pedaling with you.”
- A: Everything Bagel, 1 Lap – 34,5km, 544m
- B: Knickerbocker, 1 Lap – 22.9km, 366m
- C: Park Perimeter Loop, 1 Lap – 10.2km, 128m
- D (Women Only): Knickerbocker, 1 Lap – 22.9km, 366m
Stage 4: Yumezi Backcountry (Aug 15-18)
“Head into mystic territory for the final stage. Yumezi is our newest map, with plenty of roads made for adventure and exploration.”
- A: Chain Chomper, 3 Laps – 43.2km, 577m
- B: Two Village Loop, 2 Laps – 25.9km, 176m
- C: Countryside Tour, 1 Lap – 16.1km, 185m
- D (Women Only): Two Village Loop, 2 Laps – 25.9km, 176m
Make-Up Stages
If you miss a stage, make-ups will be scheduled from August 19-23 AEST.
Sign up at zwift.com/offthemaap
Is this a race?
Not officially – Off the MAAP events are set up as group rides on the Zwift event calendar, and in fact Zwift is encouraging riders to go HUDless so you can fully enjoy the scenery without worrying about all the numbers.
Since they aren’t races, these events won’t count toward ZwiftPower ranking points. That said, plenty of riders will be racing these events, so if you want to go hard, have at it! Categories are for course selection only, and have no w/kg boundaries.
Kit Unlocks
There are three separate unlocks for this series: a cap, socks, and MAAP kit. Check out that cap – the one and only backwards cap available in game!
It appears that you unlock the socks and cap after completing just one stage. Finish at least one event in each of the four stages to unlock the MAAP kit.
Like the in-game kit? Series finishers will be sent a link where they can purchase the exclusive IRL kit once they complete the series.
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
What is the time zone for the maap series
There is no set time zone – they’ve created multiple events so everyone can join in.
Why are they so afraid to make things a race now? This series has both races and rides last year, so did tour of Watopia and tour de Zwift, but now there are only rides.
The feeling I’m getting in chatting with ZHQ and WTRL is that Zwift is letting WTRL handle the big “Zwift-sanctioned” community races (while letting community race organizers continue to handle their own races as well). So Zwift is effectively outsourcing its race management to WTRL.
I don’t think this is a hard and fast rule. But Zwift, I’m sure, is more than happy to not have to deal with all the intricacies and support issues that come with organizing a race series that is open to all comers (and not just pros). They’ve never done that particularly well – managing the events poorly in ZwiftPower, as an example.
To your point, though… I WOULD like to see Zwift bring back a race component to these tours, even if WTRL does all the planning/managing.
Big groups, it goes without saying, makes it so much easier to find the right pack to race against. If things go well you can actually bridge over to multiple different groups and really up your ante.
The only event I will do in this tour is the London Pretzel because I need that route badge. If there was race ranking, I would have ridden every stage and probably done every makeup stage as well. I certainly hope they will bring back the big tour races.
I plan doing at least one of each stage for to complete the series. London stage has two route badges I do not have done so there. Bad timing for the series with last half of zwift classics going on. Zwift should have moved it forward a few more weeks to get bigger fields towards the end of the classics but before the next ZRLas more people coming back to the platform after northern hemisphere summer vacations but before Southern Hemisphere summer get going. I agree with some these tours should do some rcaes if they can make it work with ZRL/Classics, TTT Thursdays, plus other races with focus on individual racers while ZRL and TTT is the teams.
Will there be make-ups?
Yes, all the info is in the post above!
Why can’t we see the make up stages on Z Companion jet?
i have completed all the 4 stages. but 3 of the stages are done during the make up week. i have yet to unlock the MAAP kit. anyone know how to unlock it?
I ride the four stages, but I didn’t receive the kit?