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    FeaturedGame Updates

    Coming Soon to Zwift: Take a Quick Break with “Coffee Stop”

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    April 13, 2023
    LAST UPDATED May 10, 2023
    51

    Editor’s note (May 10, 2023): Coffee Stop is now live on Zwift. Read all about it >

    One feature from yesterday’s Zwift announcement arriving soon is the “Coffee Stop” – a way to stay with a pack of riders on screen while you take a quick break.

    How exactly does it work? Here’s what I know!

    How Coffee Stops Will Work

    We’ve all been there. I remember riding the Vegan Century one Saturday when I had to pee so bad I used my own bidon on a short descent so I wouldn’t get dropped from my fast-moving pack.

    The idea behind Zwift’s Coffee Stop feature is simple: click a button in the Companion app or action bar and your rider will continue moving at the speed of your group for a specified amount of time. Your avatar keeps pace with the group while you hop off the bike to take care of something quickly.

    Here’s a video showing how it works:

    In some ways it’s not a coffee stop at all, since your rider keeps moving and the break isn’t long enough to enjoy a coffee anyway. But think of it as a Zwifty version of a quick cafe stop: it lets you hit the loo, grab a snack, shed a few pieces of clothing, etc, without losing your virtual packmates.

    Concept image of the Coffee Stop UI

    Coffee Stop Rules

    • In the first 5 minutes of your ride, you can only take one 30-second coffee stop.
    • You can take one 3-minute Coffee Stop every 30 minutes during the rest of your ride.
    • Coffee Stop is disabled in the last 5 kilometers of distance-based events and the last 15 minutes of time-based events.
    • Coffee Stops are not available in any competitive events or workouts.
    • Finally, to use it, you have to have at least 1 other Zwifter near you going in the same direction.

    XP and Distance

    Zwift says riders will continue accumulating distance and XP during a Coffee Stop. While this may seem odd at first glance, consider the alternatives:

    • If you didn’t keep accumulating distance, your Strava activity wouldn’t match your Zwift activity, and perhaps you wouldn’t get credit for finishing the route/segment in Strava or Zwift.
    • If XP accumulation was paused during your break, you would return to the ride and probably begin accumulating XP at weird increments (portions of km or miles), which would be confusing.

    In the end, I don’t see a 3-minute break’s worth of “free” distance or XP being a big deal, considering the rules Zwift has put in place.

    Note: since you’re not putting out any watts, you won’t accumulate Drops while on break.

    About the Visuals

    As shown in Zwift’s image below, riders taking a Coffee Stop will display the icon over their avatars so other riders know who is on break.

    Presumably there’s also a timer somewhere on screen which lets you know how much time you’ve got left before you need to start pedaling again!

    Launch Date

    Zwift says the Coffee Stop feature is arriving this May.

    Wrapping It Up

    We’ve all forgot our sweat towel, or been left with empty bidons 2 hours into a long ride. The Coffee Stop provides a nice quality-of-life upgrade that eliminates those bumps in our virtual road.

    Will it be abused? Sure. Some riders will use it just to take a break, even in more competitive group rides like the recent Tour of Watopia. But in the end, those riders are only affecting their own fitness, plus they must weigh the luxury of taking a break with the bitter pill of public humiliation for “Coffee Stop Doping” on Zwift.

    Questions or Comments?

    Let’s be honest: this is really a pee break. Zwift just didn’t want to call it as such.

    But what do you think? Will it be handy? Got questions or other comments? Share below!

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      Eric Schlange
      Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
      Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

      51 COMMENTS

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      51 Comments
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      Marty
      Marty
      5 months ago

      A good point mentioned on my Reddit post – if you’re in a group of 5 and EVERYONE uses the coffee break, would it use the average of everyone around you to keep you paced together, or would you stop since that average would be zero? I guess it works like the pedal assist for joining a pace partner? (I’m not calling them RoboPacers 😛 )

      2
      Reply
      Paul Himes
      Paul Himes
      5 months ago

      It would be really awesome if you could swap bikes or wheels in the garage while on a coffee stop break. I know that new update is supposed to autoswap you to the basic zwift bike if you join a robopacer on a TT bike, but I’m as likely to join a robopacer on a gravel bike (or be in a Tour of Watopia ride or whatever, not look closely to see my bike in the pen when everyone looks the same and I’m jammed in with hundreds of riders, and then notice I’m on a gravel bike a couple… Read more »

      2
      Reply
      Paul Himes
      Paul Himes
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Paul Himes

      To be clear, I don’t expect to be able to swap bikes with the coffee break because your bike is still moving, but just that I think it would be awesome if it did work that way.

      0
      Reply
      MarkR
      MarkR
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Paul Himes

      I’ve been asking for a way to take a pee break on group rides for over a year. I love it and an here for 100%.

      3
      Reply
      M. "Gasgano" Günther
      M. "Gasgano" Günther
      5 months ago

      Coffee stop doping? Carlos Sainz would say “stop inventing” 😁
      I can’t fathom this being an issue. I had no problem stopping and refilling during ToW for example but for those who do long group rides this must be a huge QoL upgrade.

      2
      Reply
      Derek
      Derek(@dpr4473)
      5 months ago

      This is a damn good idea! There have been numerous instance where I need to get of the bike for one reason or another during a ride and had to solo freeride afterwards.

      0
      Reply
      Tom
      Tom
      5 months ago

      I am not sure, but when doing a club-ride with “Event Results” turned ON, is it possible to use this coffee-stop feature?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Tom

      Not sure how Zwift will determine if an event is “competitive” or not. Maybe that’s just events that are defined as races?

      0
      Reply
      Tony Lane
      Tony Lane
      5 months ago

      It’s a great feature for its intended purpose. Will be very useful when 20 seconds into the ride I realise I’ve forgotten my towel, or my fan blades are static and its remote is out of reach… I also see it being useful during group interval rides – someone who is stretching themselves in a harder group can effectively take a time out during one interval, or skip the hardest section of a climb, and then carry on with the group after their short recovery. No harm done to anyone else in that situation and better than them getting dropped… Read more »

      5
      Reply
      L.Poule [ATOC]
      L.Poule [ATOC]
      5 months ago

      cool

      1
      Reply
      Antoine 🚴🏼‍♂️
      Antoine 🚴🏼‍♂️(@a_gougeon)
      5 months ago

      That’s very good news. But why 3 min and not 5. Doing a pit stop to pee for instance can take up to 5 min if you have your trainer in the cave and have to rush upstairs.
      Again it’s all related to our own fitness, so we impact our own Calories / TSS (no watts produced), etc.

      -9
      Reply
      Jimmy
      Jimmy
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Antoine 🚴🏼‍♂️

      Put a bucket next to the trainer 😉

      3
      Reply
      Hybrid Noob
      Hybrid Noob
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Antoine 🚴🏼‍♂️

      I get the down votes here but I’d actually prefer 5 minutes once per hour rather than 3 mins per 30 minutes. Totally specific to my unusual circumstances but reason being I ride in a garden room with no toilet facilities/running water for top ups down the end of a 100 foot garden. No biggie, I still very much welcome the change and If nothing else it should improve my (in cleat) running or result in more regular watering of the plants…

      I’m sure 2 x 3 minutes per hour will suit some others better.

      3
      Reply
      Phil Y
      Phil Y
      4 months ago
      Reply to  Hybrid Noob

      I’d also prefer five minutes once per hour. Takes longer to pee for us old folks 🥺

      3
      Reply
      FelTTie
      FelTTie
      5 months ago

      Finally something usefull, instead of those dino suits or 3wheel bikes. Three minutes is still quite short time for nature break, atleast for those who are riding in garage..

      0
      Reply
      Meisterbruno
      Meisterbruno
      5 months ago

      Although I think that this is a nifty feature, I also agree that 3 minutes may be a short time for any needed break for whatever valid reason, either a bathroom run, push the button and wait for the espresso machine, or to handle a dropped chain or other odd mechanical issues. Overall, the simulation of a sudden need to stop like in IRL to the virtual is a welcomed feature.

      -3
      Reply
      Jimmy
      Jimmy
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Meisterbruno

      Well since you’re mentioning real life, how would go about continuing your ride for a dropped chain or making an espresso IRL? It’s just a quick timeout to allow a basic quick stop to sort something. 3 mins should be fine for most people.

      3
      Reply
      Harry Legs
      Harry Legs
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Meisterbruno

      I bet 3 minutes is 10 percent of a workout for a whole bunch of people.
      If you need more than that, you need to change your approach.

      3
      Reply
      Travis
      Travis
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Harry Legs

      If you have to take a pee break during a 30 minute workout, then the length of the pee break is probably not the approach that needs the attention.

      9
      Reply
      Peter
      Peter
      5 months ago

      I wonder what will happen when you are in a small group and the others see you taking the coffeebreak and they suddenly increase the speed. Will you continue the average speed when entering the coffeebreak or will it adjust to the speed of those around you ?

      And 2nd, will the coffeebreak stop when the group falls apart and there are only 3 around you ?

      0
      Reply
      Eric
      Eric
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Peter

      Yeah, I like the question of What in all of this. What happens to the other riders? What happens if everyone breaks? What happens if it wasn’t a group….it was just 5 people who all happened to be close to one another and 3 minutes later they’re spread all over the road…

      Basically what is the algorithm logic? Should be easy enough to share that detail without IP concerns.

      0
      Reply
      Going Long
      Going Long
      5 months ago

      I’d love to see a 5 minute stop at 2 hours for us folks that enjoy 4-5 hour rides… like the BMTR Centuries or Zwift Fondos. Still, wonderful addition!

      1
      Reply
      Tony Lane
      Tony Lane
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Going Long

      But on such long rides, what are the chances that you’ll be in a group of 5 or more? The only time I’ve ever done a ride of that length (the Uber Pretzel) I was riding solo and so I could stop at any time I wanted!

      0
      Reply
      Alex P
      Alex P
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Tony Lane

      I often do long rides in a group. Last Saturday with ZZRC over 50 of us did more than 6 hours together. Sunday I rode with Valhalla for 3 hours. Both group rides we had to agree a stop but this feature will make it easier 👍

      0
      Reply
      Jimmy
      Jimmy
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Going Long

      Being on Zwift doesn’t mean you can’t get off the bike until the ride finishes. Just stop if you need to. If in a group on a long ride and want a 5+min break etc just use the chat function to see if anyone else wants to stop for a short break.

      1
      Reply
      Tony Richardson Richardson
      Tony Richardson Richardson
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Going Long

      Talk to your leaders and make it happen

      0
      Reply
      Tim
      Tim
      4 months ago
      Reply to  Going Long

      I’d go as far as 5 minutes every 90 minutes. Some of us are not in our 20s any more but would really like to stay in for the long rides. Not complaining, the current implementation is better than nothing. Hopefully there will be adjustments in the future.

      0
      Reply
      Byron
      Byron
      5 months ago

      The zwift FAQ now says you only need to be with 1 other rider. Maybe they realized it would get complicated if a bigger group split apart? I’m still wondering what happens if the other rider goes a different direction or quits entirely?
      https://support.zwift.com/en_us/this-season-on-zwift-faq-rJXEpTz1j

      0
      Reply
      Ima Beast
      Ima Beast
      5 months ago

      I have a feeling that this feature will be abused by those who wish to get free miles, I mean, its not that hard to run Zwift on another device and click a key every 3 minutes, especially considering the amount of XP that could be gained in just a few hours. It could even be done during work meetings, etc

      -2
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Ima Beast

      You can only use it once every half hour, for that very reason.

      0
      Reply
      Ima Beast
      Ima Beast
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Ahhh, that’s good!!!

      0
      Reply
      Laura F
      Laura F
      5 months ago

      I Think this will be a nice addition. sometimes you just have to go. or need more water!

      0
      Reply
      Ann
      Ann
      5 months ago

      I love this! I would use a coffee stop simply when I forgot to set up my fan or dropped my sweat towel…and, of course, for the pee stop too!

      1
      Reply
      Jim Bayrouty
      Jim Bayrouty
      5 months ago

      I love the coffee stop! Some of my rides I can hold my pee for over an hour but some rides I have to go pee after 30 mins? What I don’t like is that it’s advertised over your avatar? The coffee stop timer is great for the rider but why does the whole group need to know? Just a thought!

      1
      Reply
      Cynthia
      Cynthia
      5 months ago

      Why can’t this also be a feature for workouts? Especially custom workouts i am doing by myself.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Cynthia

      My guess is it’s because workouts already have a “Pause” button. Doesn’t make sense to make you (basically) skip 3 minutes of your workout, when you could just pause then resume it anytime you need to take a break.

      0
      Reply
      Shayne
      Shayne
      5 months ago

      Love this. On century rides I love to swap out bibs halfway through. It will also mean I can stop having to apply more chamois cream while riding.

      0
      Reply
      denastar denastar
      denastar denastar
      5 months ago

      not to be graphic but 3 min doesn’t take into account when gals have to wee (and reapply butt’r). 5 min would be more realistic. We’d still make the effort to get back sooner, but with less pressure?? Why make the effort to set up a coffee break and then not give the range of riders with potentially more challenges an extra minute or two. Wondering what acommodations would be done for riders with physical challenges too. This is a good start for sure.

      2
      Reply
      Pat b
      Pat b
      5 months ago

      this is great. Sometimes seniors need to pee suddenly. Now, does peeing take less than 3 minutes?

      0
      Reply
      Pat b
      Pat b
      5 months ago

      somehow, maybe can get my crew in here. You know, stop so the crew can fix my flat, or give me a new bike or … maybe Zwift needs a new item: you’re team’s crew for helping out when the bike or the connections have problems – I guess this could include electronic connections in Zwift, in our electronic world. Can my computer re-boot in 3 minutes and re-connect me to my prior Zwift screen? Maybe those with better support crews can get more time to fix problems?

      0
      Reply
      Chris W
      Chris W
      5 months ago

      This is an awesome idea, although I could done with it on last nights ride. 😂

      0
      Reply
      Ed
      Ed
      5 months ago

      What exactly happens if you don’t get pedaling again before your 3-minute timer expires?

      Does your avatar simply glide to a stop, putting you out of the group anyway?

      If so, and you’re actually off the bike for 5 minutes, using the Coffee Break would mean you’re just 2 minutes behind. Right?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Ed

      That would be my guess, yes.

      0
      Reply
      Dan
      Dan
      4 months ago

      great idea love it for all the reasons mentioned – forgot towel, fan not turned on etc… nice work Zwift just one suggestion do you think if you need a bit longer they could have a 💩 button 😉😂

      0
      Reply
      Mr Fantastic
      Mr Fantastic
      4 months ago

      that coffee stop will be great on the final hill before the end of a competetive group ride…

      0
      Reply
      Laura
      Laura
      4 months ago

      Will this also work with pace partners?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      4 months ago
      Reply to  Laura

      Yes.

      1
      Reply
      Mark Smeaton
      Mark Smeaton
      4 months ago

      This is great news if the post man knocks with a package😅

      0
      Reply
      Fred
      Fred
      4 months ago

      Great option, may be able to finally do a single continuous century ride with a pace partner to make it easier.

      0
      Reply
      Yumi
      Yumi
      4 months ago

      it would be so good if you could let this be used on workouts as well. Some of them are very long and we do not want to lose the group. In the end, the person who needs to work harder to get back in the workout is the rider him/herself who used the Coffee Stop. I would love that option for workouts as well.

      0
      Reply
      Keith
      Keith(@keith7747)
      4 months ago

      I use zwift on my iphone, and haven’t seen the coffee stop icon show up when riding in group rides. 6/3/23

      0
      Reply
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