Zwift launched the Makuri Islands map in May 2021, then added Neokyo to it in November 2021. We know there are plans to add roads to a virtual version of Mt Fuji at some point (you can even see the mountain in the distance as you ride the map).
Everyone says they want it. But who will actually ride it? That’s always the question when it comes to Zwift climbs. Based on rider stats, big climbs are probably the most oft-requested and seldom-used featured in Zwift.
Traditionally, bike racers reach their ideal race weight/fitness in the summer, then gain weight and lose some fitness in the winter as they step away from competition and hard training to give their bodies and minds a much-needed break.
But Zwift racing is turning that on its head, with many “indoor specialists” peaking in the winter months. These same riders often use the summer months for chill/fun outdoor rides, family vacations, and some casual Zwift racing.
If you’ve followed Zwift Academy Road results over the years, you’ve certainly asked the question: why do so many Aussies and Kiwis win? Do they just make better Zwifters down there? Is it because they live in the upside-down, and the ZA season somehow lines up better with their peak fitness? Or is it something else?
We may never know. But for the record, here is the full list of Zwift Academy winners:
Australia + New Zealand:
- 2018 – Ella Harris
- 2019 – Jess Pratt
- 2020 – Neve Bradbury
- 2017 – Ollie Jones
- 2019 – Drew Christensen
- 2020 – Jay Vine
- 2021 – Alex Bogna
Everyone else:
- 2016 – Leah Thorvilson
- 2017 – Tanja Erath
- 2021 – Maud Oudeman
- 2018 – Martin Lavric
Your Thoughts
What do you think of this first set of Zwift charts? Got an idea for a useful chart we could put together? Share below!
Definitely put me in the “Yes, but I’ll only ride it once” category. I think I’ve ridden Ven-Top twice.
Ashamed to admit I think I’ve only done Ven-Top twice as well. Just not an enjoyable climb for me… although one of these days I’ll feel like punishing myself and I’ll go for a PR on it.
I’m in the Ven-Top twice category as well. But if they do something interesting, like the breakdowns on the Alpe I would be way more inclined. (love the Alpe). Any way, hope they add it, even if I only do it once 😀
More “inclined”… I see what you did there, Jeff.
I’m in the 10x on Ven-Top but 200x on the Alpe club because of the segment timers on the Alpe. If they open Fuji, I am hoping for the segmentation of the Alpe and the longer duration of Ventoux. I’d do it, even it it were a true 90 minute to 2 hours.
Only 2 more times up the Alpe and then I’m finished with that track.
If they do add Mount Fuji, and if it was say a 90-minute climb, I’d ride its roads much more if I had the option to start part way up, so I could potentially do it in 2 or 3 separate 45 or 30-minute segments/workouts, rather than only being able to do it all in one massive go.
There are many Zwift roads I never ride because they take too long to get there.
Around 50 times up the Alpe and 6 or 7 times up Ventoux. As mentioned below if they broke up the climb with segment times like the Alpe it would help, lack of hairpins or no. In fact even just making them larger and clearer and therefore being able to read the km gradient stones at the roadside would help some!
The other thing is the lack of events to take these climbs on in a competitive environment – how much is cause and how much effect, how much supply and demand? The Alpe does get a few events but you really have to scrape around for anything that takes in the Epic KOM/Reverse, Richmond KOM/Reverse or Ventoux.
I wonder if the whole Aussie/NZ winners comes down to opportunity. I can’t say I have any real knowledge of how riders are spotted for pro contracts but I suspect it’s easier to get spotted riding in europe.
How many Aussie/NZ riders looking to go pro come to europe?
Mount Fuji would be great or I always thought a great idea would be something like RGT magic roads but zwift just rotate in a famous climb each week.
Getting spotted as an elite rider here in Oceania is hard, so many Aussies & Kiwis wanting to make it pro will head to Europe at a young age and rough it with low level teams until they make it. Kiwi pro rider George Bennett has a good story of how he roughed it to where he is today.
Hence a more direct route to the pro ranks through Zwift Academy is much more appealing. Having personally discussed this with exwinner Drew Christensen, he confirmed that the pro opportunity ZA provides coupled with the fact it’s always held during the Southern Hemisphere summer (when the elite riders here are in top form already) makes it a no-brainer for these riders to give ZA a shot, and ensures the motivation is very high.
The volume of WT/PRT riders from Aussie/NZ right now has never been higher I believe and with further opportunities like ZA this should continue to grow, which is fantastic!
Only have done vent top two times then one time via la reine route for race. Boring climb and do vent top only when I have to. Alp or Epic more enjoyable then Ventoux. Already have possible rebel route ready when zwift adds Mt. Fuji. Many roads go part way up if look at the maps or satellite images. Wonder which road gps data zwift will use or just make their own?
I love all my big climbs (Ven-top and AdZ, the other are not that big) but it just takes a lot of time. Not gonna start a climb and then turn off Zwift halfway up. So it all needs to line up, no races that i want to attend (that’s already a challenge), no rides with friends, its not my scheduled recovery ride and i need 2h time.
As i get more base fitness i incorporate more climbs into my slow rides but it will be a long way until i can ride the big climbs that way.
But still i like the possiblity of riding them. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have 3 HC climbs in the game, even with low usage.
The Alpe has a few carrots to chase.. wheels, badge, prizes, bonus xp etc.. If Ventop or Mt Fuji have carrots/prizes then I suspect those routes would be ridden more.
(sorry this should have been a reply not a separate comment)
I love that the big mountains are in the game, even if I rarely ride them. For some reason it matters *a lot* to me that they’re there. I think it gives the game a real feeling of cycling legitimacy (what would the sport be without its famous peaks), and cyclists love knowing that bigger challenges are out there.
If anyone ever watches https://youtube.com/c/RidesofJapan
Rides of Japan you will there is amazing diversity of ride types and incredible climbs and descends. I would like a more expansive map of the country side with climbs and rolling hills.
Alpe du zwift has timed sections, bonus xp / spinner at the top and bonuses along the way. VenTop just goes uphill forever. So depending on how they do fiji I may ride it once for the route… Or many times if they make it enjoyable…
Another chart idea is the percentage of Aussies / Kiwis that are level 50 compared to population vs Eurupe and others.
im a sucker for climbs. id live on my fuji if they add it
I would ride it, as I would never get to ride it in Real Life. This is why Zwift is great. But….
I just don’t understand why they haven’t done Spring Classic Routes from Belgium and Holland.
They have numerous rolling roads with real stinger climbs, some cobbled, some not, which are much better for us larger, heavier riders.
I know France has balloon fields, but more roads of Belgium / Holland would be superb.
Agreed. It’s a shame that the epicenter of diehard cycling isn’t anywhere on Zwift!!
Big fan of the longer climbs, the only issue I have is finding the time to do them. Definitely would ride a Chalet Reynard segment more often if it had a selectable route & finish line. Similarly with a Mount Fuji, I would gladly struggle up it if it was there.
This then links to the availability of the bigger climbs, the ZwiftPref app or creating a Meetup is great but Zwift should make these climbs easily available to all, all the time in a ‘Climbers Collective’ where you could select any of the big climbs when you want.
You can now choose any route in any world for a workout. I believe this means that you can choose a short workout (e.g. create a 10 minute custom workout as your warm up) and then carry on along the route as a free ride.
Would absolutely ride Mt. Fuji. Yes, it is a time commitment to ride the big climbs, so I don’t do them often but when I have the time and it fits with my training calendar, it’s a rewarding experience. Bigger sense of accomplishment than simply building up miles on Tempus Fugit (which to be clear I do still enjoy, especially for recovery rides).
Another reason not yet mentioned people might not ride Ventoux more is just that France doesn’t come up in the calendar that often. So it’s not just a question of time and your ride schedule, but also availability (and yes, I know you could technically ride it anytime).
For me the biggest appeal of ADZ is the number of riders on the route. Being able to chase rabbits all the way up the climb is a big draw. The exact terrain and graphics are less important. Having the route available on the day I want to ride it also helps. My desire doesn’t often align with the availability of France / Ven-Top.