It’s a busy weekend as we head into September and the warm-up for Zwift season begins. Our picks below include the first races of Zwift Academy and Zwift World Series, plus a charity ride and some friendly group rides. Want to gain some elevation? Two of our event picks are on the Ven-Top route!
🥇 Zwift World Series Race 1 – Community
✅ Popular Race ✅ New Route
The Zwift World Series kicks off this week with race 1, held on the new Richmond Loop Around route! These World Series events happen only once a month, and they’re longer efforts. Sort of like a virtual classics race.
This new route has never been ridden in Zwift, although Richmond’s roads will be familiar to many riders. It’s a punchy, attritional course with key climbs that reward a high VO2 max. And at 42.5km with 550m of elevation, it’s no cakewalk. See route details >
Lots of events Saturday and Sunday
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/zwscommunity
🤝 Colsensation X Team NL
✅ Good Cause ✅ Tough Climb ✅ Kit Unlock
Team NL is hosting a charity ride of Zwift’s virtual Ventoux in support of Colsensation’s efforts against cancer. Join the pace group you’re most comfortable with, but all riders will be working to complete the Ven-Top route, which is 20.9km long with 1535 meters of climb.
You’ll unlock the Team NL kit, plus there are giveaways for IRL Team NL jerseys and bidons. The ride will be live broadcast on Team NL’s YouTube channel for your supporters and fans!
The supported charities, what they do, and how the money will be distributed can be found on the donation page.
Sunday, September 1 @ 5pm UTC/1pm EDT/10am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4450391
🥇 Zwift Academy 2024 – Race 1
✅ Popular Event ✅ Unique Event
The first race of Zwift Academy 2024 is here, and it’s a doozy! This is a 30-minute hill climb challenge on the Ven-Top route, which means after a short lead-in you’ll be climbing steadily for the remainder of the race. Bring your climbing bike!
Lots of events Saturday and Sunday
Sign up at zwift.com/zwift-academy
🤝Phoenix Rising Soaring Saturday
✅ Route Badge ✅ Beginner-Friendly
Join the Phoenix Rising squad for a challenging yet beginner-friendly group ride on the rarely-ridden London Pretzel route (57km, 531m). The leader beacon will keep a pace of 1.5-2w/kg, and may use the fence to keep the group together at their discretion. Join the team’s Discord channel during the ride to help pass the time!
Saturday, August 31 @ 12:25pm UTC/8:25am EDT/5:25am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4488455
🤝 Bikealicious Weekend Social Mixer
✅ Banded Ride ✅ Beginner-Friendly ✅ Route Badge
The friendly Bikealicious crew is leading a banded group ride on the fairly fresh route name Itza Climb Finish route (31km, 293m). Grab this route badge if you haven’t done so yet, which comes with extra XP.
Saturday, August 31 @ 8pm UTC/4pm EDT/1pm PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4488564
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!
