This week’s selections are admittedly a bit race-heavy… but the community is hosting some unique and fun races, so we can’t help ourselves! We’ve also got two group rides on our list. See below for details…
🥇 GTR – Alpe Du Zwift Race
✅ Big Climb ✅ Popular Race
Looking for a long, hard effort this weekend? The most popular event in terms of signups this weekend is an Alpe du Zwift race, categorized by rider FTP.
Sunday, August 17 @5pm UTC/1pm ET/10am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5075578
🤝 JETT Endurance Ride 100km 2.5~3.3w/kg
✅ Endurance Challenge ✅ Pace Options
Here’s a popular, spicy long ride with two pace options: B group at 3-3.3 W/kg, or C at 2.5-2.9 W/kg. The B group will be on France Classic Fondo for 100km, while the C group will be on Knights of the Roundabout for 2 laps (105.6km, 695m). Both groups have optional efforts on some of the intermediate segments if you’d like.
Choose your desired pace, listen to the ride leader, and get that endurance work done! Both categories have a leader (yellow beacon) and sweepers.
Saturday, August 16 at 8:05pm UTC/4:05pm ET/1:05pm PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5076094
🤝 ZSUN Remembers Eltjo
✅ Good Cause ✅ Banded ✅ Endurance Challenge
This 2-hour banded ride on Watopia’s Tick Tock is being held in memory of original ZSUN member and friend to many, Eltjo. The veteran leaders of the ZSUN team are leading this ride, and say:
This is a no-drop social ride (riders will be banded together) where we come together to honour his warmth, humour, and the energy he brought to every ride. All are welcome as we pedal in remembrance of a cherished teammate and friend.
Saturday, August 16 @ 9am UTC/5am ET/2am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5073897
🥇 TNP iTT Bologna Smash
✅ Race of Truth ✅ Unique Event
There aren’t many races being held on the Bologna Time Trial course, let alone actual time trials. TNP (Team Not Pogi) are looking to change that by organizing a staggered-start iTT in Bologna!
The race is 16km long, so it’s an out-and-back. You’ll ride up to the top, then all the way back to the start.
Looking for the best iTT setup for this race? Check out this (somewhat dated but still applicable) post.
Sunday, August 17 @ 6pm UTC/2pm ET/11am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5066431
🥇The Ultimate Women’s Mini Races – Loopy Loops
✅ Popular Race ✅ Ladies Only ✅ Unique Event
Women’s Mini Races (3 races in an hour) happen each Sunday, but the ULTIMATE Mini Races are a bigger monthly event. If you’re looking for punchy women-only racing, these races are the place to be this weekend!
This Sunday’s races are rolling courses, with each race longer than the previous. Races are on the LaGuardia Loop (1 lap, 4.2km), Mech Isle Loop (2 laps, 8.1km), and Loop de Loop (1 lap, 12.6km) routes.
Sunday, August 17 @ 3pm UTC/11am ET/8am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/esrt
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!
