UPDATE: Zwift sent out the following email on April 3rd:
Haute Route Watopia is underway and it’s seen a stacked field taking to the start line. To improve your experience we’re in the process of making immediate changes to create an even better Haute Route Watopia for you!
With the events proving so popular, a small number of you might be running into technical limitations/difficulties on your device. If your ride didn’t upload, we recommend following these steps.
Didn’t complete Stage 1 and still want the kit? You’re in luck, as the only stage required to unlock the kit is Stage 3.
We don’t want anyone to miss out on the chance to win the epic prize of entry to an in-real-life Haute Route, so we’re happy to announce that we have another prize draw which we will send you an email to enter on Monday!
We’ve responded to the high demand for more event times by adding several more for every stage. We’ve also added a second category to all events. These D and E categories are identical but will help us stagger rider start times and smooth the load on the servers. Check out all the upcoming events!
Zwift has announced an event in partnership with Haute Route which is being billed as “the world’s most challenging virtual 3-day stage event.” It’s Haute Route Watopia, and it’s going to push riders to the limit as they take on tough routes three days in a row, culminating in The Pretzel!
Open to all Zwifters worldwide, this free event will be the most accessible Haute Route to date. And in terms of participation numbers, it will certainly be the largest Haute Route ever! Haute Route Director Julie Royer says, “The virtual world opens up entirely new possibilities never seen before. Haute Route Watopia will allow more people from around the world to experience the thrill of an Haute Route event.”
Haute Route has made a name for itself by creating challenging three and seven-day events in some of the world’s most iconic cycling destinations. Their events are essentially fully-supported stage races for passionate yet amateur cyclists. Some riders race the events, others seek to only challenge themselves, while others just want to enjoy the scenery. Some do all three!
Velo News says, “Haute Route events are at, or near, the pinnacle—for every pedal stroke on every stage—at offering the pro experience, both on and off the bike.”
Test Yourself
In true Haute Route style, this is designed to be a challenging stage event. Zwift CEO Eric Min says, “I’ve looked at the route, and it’s certainly going to be a huge challenge. However, I always like to test myself, and I certainly look forward to taking part.”
There will be no make-up days – stages must be completed back to back.
Event Support
Haute Route events are reputed to be the best-supported amateur cycling events in the world, and according to Zwift’s press release, “Haute Route Watopia will be no exception.” Event participants can expect the following:
A rider’s handbook
A complete training program to help you perform at your peak for the event itself
An exclusive in-game Haute Route kit for all entrants
During the event itself, a general classification allowing all entrants to track their performance across all three stages (see it here on ZwiftPower)
Additional prizes and unlocks for all finishers (see below)
Stage Details
Over the course of three stages, participants will ride a total of 145km (90.2 miles) with 3,373m (11,070′) of climbing. These are double draft events.
Here are the routes for each stage (click for details):
Stage 1: Three Sisters (47.8km/29.7 miles, 879m/2883')
The “Three Sisters” route covers Watopia’sthree oldest climbs (Hilly KOM, Epic KOM, and Volcano KOM) in a forward direction. While not as punishing as The Pretzel and some of Watopia’s toughest routes, it’ll still put you in the hurt locker with almost 3000′ of climbing!
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The “Three Sisters” route covers Watopia’sthree oldest climbs (Hilly KOM, Epic KOM, and Volcano KOM) in a forward direction. While not as punishing as The Pretzel and some of Watopia’s toughest routes, it’ll still put you in the hurt locker with almost 3000′ of climbing!
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Route Basics
Length: 47.8 km (29.7 miles) Elevation: 879 m (2,884‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
BestBikeSplit Model Estimate ride time, IF and TSS, plan your power, and more!
Route Description
Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!
Begin at the standard downtown Watopia start point, and head directly up the Hilly KOM forward. This short climb was the first timed KOM segment on Watopia, but it’s far from the toughest!
Catch a breather descending from the Hilly KOM banner, then hang a left onto Ocean Boulevard and a right at Sequoia Circle to make your way onto the longest climb of the route: the Epic KOM forward. This was the longest climb in all of Zwift when it was released, but it is now dwarfed by Alpe du Zwift. Don’t underestimate the Epic KOM, though: it’s got plenty of suffering in store, and the super steep “bonus climb” up to the radio tower just adds insult to injury!
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Stage 2: Tour of Fire and Ice (25km/15.6 miles, 1161m/3812') + lead-in
Watopia’s “Tour of Fire and Ice” begins in the lava and ends in freezing snow above the treeline. It’s a tour of Watopian extremes!
The route begins at the Volcano banner, then takes you to where the Road to Sky route begins. Therefore, this route is basically Road to Sky with ~7 miles and a few hundred feet of climbing added.
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Watopia’s “Tour of Fire and Ice” begins in the lava and ends in freezing snow above the treeline. It’s a tour of Watopian extremes!
The route begins at the Volcano banner, then takes you to where the Road to Sky route begins. Therefore, this route is basically Road to Sky with ~7 miles and a few hundred feet of climbing added.
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Route Basics
Length: 25.5 km (15.8 miles) Elevation: 1161 m (3,809‘) Lead-In: 2.8 km (1.7 miles) Map: Watopia
BestBikeSplit Model Estimate ride time, IF and TSS, plan your power, and more!
Route Description
Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!
Events on this route begin at the downtown Watopia start pier, while free-ride efforts begin at the Volcano Circuit banner. After passing through the Volcano banner you head directly across the land bridge, up the twisty dirt climb to the Italian Villas, then turn right onto Ocean Boulevard to ride through the fishing village and head up the short climb that marks the beginning of the Epic KOM reverse.
But instead of completing the Epic KOM reverse, we hang a right toward the Jungle, climbing a bit then descending to the dirt road of the Jungle Loop. Then it’s a right turn to take us to the bottom of Zwift’s longest climb: Alpe du Zwift. Hope you brought your climbing legs (and climbing bike)!
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Ridealong Video
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Stage 3: The Pretzel (72.2km/44.9 miles, 1333m/4375')
When this route was released it was the longest and most challenging on Zwift, covering all segments in Watopia at least twice. With new roads and routes added since its creation, The Pretzel is no longer the longest or toughest route. But it still packs a punch at 44.8 miles (72.1km) in length with 4,375′ (1333m) of elevation gain.
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When this route was released it was the longest and most challenging on Zwift, covering all segments in Watopia at least twice. With new roads and routes added since its creation, The Pretzel is no longer the longest or toughest route. But it still packs a punch at 44.8 miles (72.1km) in length with 4,375′ (1333m) of elevation gain.
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Route Basics
Length: 72.2 km (44.9 miles) Elevation: 1333 m (4,373‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Start & Finish
Begins and ends at the downtown Watopia start/finish.
BestBikeSplit Model Estimate ride time, IF and TSS, plan your power, and more!
Route Description
Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!
The Pretzel begins at the popular downtown Watopia start/finish, and heads out Ocean Boulevard to take on the Epic KOM forward. Once you reach the top of the Epic KOM you’ll hang a left onto the horribly-named “bonus climb” – a steep, icy climb to the radio tower platform!
Then it’s a fast descent back to Watopia proper where you’ll hit the Hilly KOM reverse, loop around through the start/finish banner, onto the Esses then a loop around Ocean Boulevard to the Hilly KOM forward.
Next we head past the fishing village again, but turn right at the wind turbines to head up the Epic KOM reverse. Hit the final climb hard then descend back to Ocean Boulevard for a quick trip through the fishing village, the Italian Villas, and over the Esses to the downtown start/finish. You did it!
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Prizes and Unlocks
Zwifters who complete all three stages will unlock the exclusive virtual Haute Route finishers kit by Le Col to wear with pride in the game. In addition, finishers of all three stages will be entered into a prize drawing to win either entry to a 3-day Haute Route event or a Le Col Haute Route cycling kit!
Leading up to the big weekend, a group workout series has been put in place to help us train for the race.
The Haute Route Workout Series includes eight workouts that take place over six weeks. Join any event to wear and unlock the official Haute Route kit. See the event page for a workout series schedule >
Ride with Pros Events
Zwift + Haute Route are also hosting a handful of Ride with Pro events, where the group will be joined by a pro rider. Complete any Ride With Pro event to unlock the official Haute Route socks and cap to complete your look.
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