Here in the midst of the northern hemisphere’s winter, we’ve got lots of fun events to choose from. Especially longer events to encourage endurance training on the weekend! See our picks below, including one workout session almost 4 hours long.
🥇 DIRT Hors Categorie Series
✅ Endurance Race ✅ Unique Event
DIRT’s (in)famous Hors Category Series features six hard courses raced over 6 weekends, and it all kicks off this weekend on Watopia’s Bigger Loop (53.7km, 691m).
Saturday, February 3 @ 9am UTC/4am EST/1AM PST or
Sunday, February 4 @ 6pm UTC/1pm EST/10AM PST
Learn more/sign up at www.teamdirt.racing/hcs/
🤝 Bicycle Way of Life Saturday Ride
✅ Beginner Friendly ✅ Endurance Event
If you’re looking to get a long, steady effort in with a friendly group of folks, Bicycle Way of Life has just the ticket. This is a metric century (100km) at a D-level pace (1.9-2.2W/kg) on a flat route (France’s R.G.V.).
Saturday, February 3 @ 4pm UTC/11am EST/8AM PST
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4134046
✅ Popular Event ✅ Kit Unlock ✅ Highly Competitive
Tour de Zwift 2024 is in full flight, and lots of riders are showing up to each event. This weekend the “Epic” races continue. Choose from Stage 7’s race on NYC’s Everything Bagel (34.3km, 543m) or Stage 6 on Watopia’s Accelerate to Elevate (43.5km, 1157m).
If you don’t want to race or are just looking for a shorter TdZ route, check out the TdZ group rides this weekend as stage 7 takes us to New York!
Multiple time slots all weekend
Tour de Zwift: Ride details and event signup at zwift.com/tour-de-zwift/ride
🤝 Endure IQ Training Squad Session
✅ Endurance Workout
There’s no substitute for time in the saddle. If you’re looking for an epic weekend workout, check out this 235-minute endurance session on Watopia’s Mega Pretzel route! The goal of the workout is “to complete an extended duration steady-state bout at a low intensity but with focussed blocks of riding in Z2 including cadence work to help improve your cycling efficiency and build muscular endurance.”
Saturday, February 3 @ 1pm UTC/8am EST/5AM PST
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4157770
🥇 “Canada vs the World” Races
✅ Highly Competitive ✅ Maple Syrup Required
Cycling Canada is holding their Esports Championships on Zwift, and this is the last race of their warm-up series which is open to riders worldwide. Can Canadians win each race, or will someone else? This weekend’s race is on 3 laps of Rolling Highlands, which is where the actual championships will be held.
Be sure to read the event description for details, and sign up for the category that matches your age group. There are masters men’s, masters women’s, junior, and elite events happening this weekend.
Multiple events this weekend
See links above for specific events.
How We Make Our Picks
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
- Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
- Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
- Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
- Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
- Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
- Is it for a good cause?
- Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
- Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!