The InstaZwifters, a group of ragtag Instagrammers with middle-of-the-pack results and a penchant for cake, are looking for volunteers!
They need 100 Zwift users to help them take over Zwift on 18th December 2021 and ride for the Qhubeka Charity with the aim of raising enough funds to buy 100 bikes, so that 100 people can ride to a better future!
They are not that good at maths but after consulting their abacus that means 100 people need to raise 200€ each. It’s still a lot of money but it’s pretty attainable. Easy-peasy! Well, that bit is. You see, the InstaZwifters also want you to ride up and down Alpe du Zwift 8.5 times. That’s right, it’s a virtual Everesting Challenge!!
You have probably heard about Everesting, you might even know someone who has done it. The Hells 500, the creators and custodians of the concept, call it:
“FIENDISHLY SIMPLE, YET BRUTALLY HARD. EVERESTING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT CLIMBING CHALLENGE IN THE WORLD.”
This isn’t true. The hardest climbing challenge in the world will be getting back upstairs when you have finished, but that’s future you’s problem. There is no denying it will be hard, but it will also be epic, fulfilling, and it will change lives. Because every cent raised will go towards helping people get to work, get to school, to deliver medicine, to set up businesses, to reach places they never thought they could.
You will have the easy part to play in this, you will just have to sit on your bike and pedal. But know that every pedal stroke will bring you closer to that hall of fame and to making a real difference.
Qhubeka
You have probably heard of the World Tour Team Qhubeka Nexthash but do you know about the Qhubeka Charity? Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”. Bicycles help people move forward. Qhubeka is a global charity that moves people forward with bicycles in Africa. People earn bicycles through their programs, improving their access to schools, clinics, and jobs. A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, to generate income, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go.
For more info on Qhubeka visit qhubeka.org
To ensure the money you raise goes to where it needs to go, the InstaZwifters have joined up with GivenGain (www.givengain.com) who will organize and distribute all the raised funds directly to Qhubeka. As it is a global organization it means you can raise money in your currency, so no need to visit the Bureau de Change!
Visit the InstaZwifters main fundraising page here: https://www.givengain.com/e/instazwifters-for-qhubeka/
Training
But you won’t be alone.
InstaZwifters is all about community and encouragement and supporting each other so that’s why this will be a group event. You may be in your garden shed but this will be a global event with participants from all over the world, all riding together. In the lead-up to the main event the InstaZwifters will be hosting weekly group Meetups where you can get together and train with other participants on the mountain following a structured plan that slowly increases the distance each week with the aim of bringing you to the start line in peak condition.
Training began on Saturday 9th October at 07:00am Central European Time (CET) and be held every Saturday running consecutively until 11th December.
Guest riders will be making an appearance at some of the sessions to offer advice and encouragement, so make sure you don’t miss training!
Each participant will be able to download the Road Book that offers hints and tips about not only the physical challenge but also how to fundraise, as well as special offers for participants from their partners.
During the lead-up, InstaZwifters will post regular updates and tips for training and nutrition and hydration on their Instagram account (@instazwifters) plus features and a Training VLOG.
One of their partners is Precision Hydration whose mission is to give every athlete access to a personalized hydration strategy so that they have the best chance of achieving their goals. Precision Hydration will be supporting all participants with 15% off their first order and a free 20-minute one to one video consultation, along with a group webinar so that you can be ready to take on the challenge!
InstaZwifters don’t just have your training covered, but they have also thought about your recovery! That’s why they have joined up with Thrive Beer, the world’s 1st real sports recovery beer. A refreshing, naturally brewed beer in which they left out the alcohol and added 10 grams of high-quality protein for recovery after your ride. Developed by a Belgian cyclist and triathlete, in collaboration with the University of Leuven. No more need to choose between that tasty beer you crave after a ride and that recovery shake your body needs. Thrive are offering 15% off all participants’ first orders so you can still enjoy that beer after training! Find out more at www.thrivebeer.com and follow @thrivebeer on Instagram.
The Event
Once the training is done and you have set up your pain cave for your epic adventure, it will be time to go! On the 18th December the InstaZwifters will roll out at 5am (CET) as a group and take on the mythical mountain Alpe du Zwift together. The aim of the day will be to keep the power at the holy grail of 2.5 w/kg, so you can finish the challenge. It’s not a race! The ride leaders will stick to this pace and be there for you if needed. They want everyone to get back down off the mountain 😊
A few special guests will pop in from time to time to offer support and InstaZwifters HQ will live stream their efforts from start to finish with live chat and guests and a few cake recipes for those dark moments!
A Disclaimer
The aim of the challenge is to raise enough money to purchase 100 bikes (a bike plus accessories costs 200€) to help 100 people. You can raise the money by riding your bike up and down Alpe du Zwift until you have ridden the required 8848 climbing meters. This will unlock the Everesting badge on Zwift, but if you want to get into the Hells 500 Hall of Fame, you will have to follow a few more rules, one of which is setting your trainer difficulty to 100%. (There are more rules so its worth while visiting www.everesting.cc to get yourself acquainted.)
However, to take part in this challenge you do NOT have to meet these requirements, you just need to show up and ride your bike, so that means you can use a “Wheel On” trainer or a “Dumb” trainer, the important thing is the challenge and getting it done. 10+ hours on the trainer is hard no matter what way you do it!
How to Sign Up
The signup is now open!
To sign up you need to create a fundraising page, this you can do on the main InstaZwifters GivenGain page. Just click the blue start fundraising button and off you go. You can also download a copy of the Road Book, and, if you want, you can donate directly.
For more information and regular updates visit www.instagram.com/instazwifters and follow @instazwifters
InstaZwifters
InstaZwifters started out as DIY smart trainer builders based out of Wyoming. However, after some failed attempts using wooden rollers, an incident with a bear, and finding the commute to Wyoming a bit far, they changed to an Instagram-based Zwift support group. With regular features, news, events, tips and interviews as well as a ZRL race team, it is fast becoming the number one spot for Instagram using Zwifters! Find out more at www.instagram.com/instazwifters and follow @instazwifters they even have cake.
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