Zwift’s annual fondo series is a popular tradition where thousands of riders push themselves to finish long rides. The series kicks off this weekend, and Zwift has made some fun changes this year:
- A new schedule
- Kit unlocks based on which route distance you complete
- Bi-weekly “Fondo Friday” workouts tailored toward fondo training
- A rotating route schedule
Here are all the details about this year’s fondo series…
Zwift Fondo Schedule
Fondo weekends are the first weekend of each month, starting December 2, 2022 (UTC) and ending in April 2023:
- December 2, 2022 – December 4, 2022
- December 30, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- February 3, 2023 – February 5, 2023
- March 3, 2023 – March 5, 2023
- March 31, 2023 – April 2, 2023
Fondo Routes
Zwift has two “sets” of fondo routes. First, their original three routes:
Then another set of three, rolled out in 2022:
Each month of this year’s series rotates between these two sets of routes. December will use the original routes, while January will use the 2022 routes, and so on.
December Fondo Schedule
The first series kicks off at midnight December 1 GMT, which is 7pm EST/4pm PST.
Events repeat every 3 hours until midnight December 4 GMT.
Kit Unlocks
New this year, each fondo length has its own unique kit unlock. Here’s a shot of all three kits:
These kits are exclusive, meaning they will never be available anywhere else. A true badge of honor!
You have five months to unlock all three, but if you are up for the challenge, see if you can ride all three distances in one weekend.
Is this a race?
Officially, no. But hundreds (possibly thousands) of riders will turn out for each of these popular “fun race” events, and the front of each category will certainly be filled with strong riders going all out.
How the Categories Work
Unlike other Zwift events, the A, B, and C groups don’t refer to rider strength or fitness. Instead, they correspond to route and distance options:
- A Group (~90 km Gran Fondo)
- B Group (~70 km Medio fondo)
- C Group (~50 km Bambino fondo)
Fondo Fridays
Zwift says “Fondo Friday” workouts will begin December 9 and run through March 24 (presumably not on fondo weekends).
“Fondo Fridays include a selection of workouts from the Gran Fondo Training Plan, designed to take you from couch to gran fondo distance before the series ends. Fondo Friday weekly workouts are around one hour and occur every three hours, beginning December 9 and concluding on March 24. Workouts are also available on-demand in the workouts training plan folder.”
Questions or Comments?
Post below!
New kit every month?
There is normally a different kit for each months fondo’s. Looks like you can get 3 kits per month if you ride all distances. 👍🏼
No, 3 kits total – 1 for each distance. You have 5 months (5 ‘weekends’) to achieve ONE kit at each distance.
And there I was gearing up for a Friday/Saturday/Sunday of hell every month. Comes to about 210km for the lot 😅
Would have been nice to see different routes, i mean i have done the original and the 2022 so many times, i dont even need to watch anymore :p
The original routes all do the full Jungle loop, while none of the 2022 routes do. I know which set I’ll be riding.
So you’re getting your gravel bike ready?
In all seriousness, I did switch bikes when I did the Bambino on Friday. I was in the 2nd group on the road, and had no problems getting back on to the group after each bike swap.
Yay Fondo season. Least fit I’ve been for years but I’ll still have a crack.
The dates above indicate Friday-Sunday yet if you check the Zwift Hacks link each “weekend” only has events Thursday-Saturday.
Yeah, odd no events scheduled on Sunday GMT.
you have to assume this is a technical event processing hitch at ZHQ as these are some
of their highest profile group events
Yeah, it’s a mistake… Zwift will be adding the Sunday events soon.
Thanks very much for the info!
One correction:
ZwiftHacks is now showing that the events occur every 3 hours, Friday Dec 2 through Sunday Dec 4 GMT. Which means in some timezones, the first event occurs on the afternoon/evening of Thursday Dec 1.
No events on Wednesday Nov 30, in any timezone.
I am always holding on for dear life during the gradual climb out of the jungle loop. I didn’t miss it during the new 2022 loop!
I’m not bragging but I wish the Gran Fondo was even longer. If you are in decent form you will complete this in under 3 hours, not really a long ride. In 2018 the fondo series had Mega pretzel for the Gran Fondo once a month. 112 km and 1700 vertical meters. Good times, really hardened the winter form.
So you can only get all 3 kits by doing all 3 distances this year? Doing 1 each month doesn’t cut it?
I believe it’s one kit for each distance regardless what month it’s completed.
But they obviously have to be completed between Dec. 2 and April 2.
Do you get credit for the mileage you’ve done if you stop before completing one of these rides?
Depends on what you mean by “get credit”.
Do you need to do this in a zwift group or could you do it by yourself or a meetup with friends?
These are available as group rides only.
Is there route completion XP for finishing the course?
No, since they’re event-only routes.
Do you have a bike suggestion for the Gran Fondo?
I don’t understand which route is riding this month. On Zwift Companion it seem’s to be the original route.
Yea. This month it’s the original fondo route. January will use the 2022 routes.
A little disappointed that they went with the old school “every three hours” setup. The recent Academies and ZRacing have been really nice in that they switch between even and odd hours each day. For those of us with restrictive schedules (thanks, kids!) that single hour can make a huge difference.
One can only hope that in future months they give some slightly different time options on the Saturday vs the Sunday. As it stands, the only option I’ve got is a 9PM start – I’m crazy, but not “halfway through a Gran Fondo at Midnight” crazy!
Just log in, leave your guy in the pen, then ride it when you want. You won’t be with anyone else, but you’ll still get credit for the ride.
What happens when you do all the 3 fondo’s in 1 weekend? Special award.. T-shirt..
I missed the first fondo. Can i do on another day?
The fondos are only one weekend per month. Schedule above…