Last night ZwiftHQ released the much-anticipated jungle ruins expansion, which brings 10km+ of new roads to Watopia in addition to three new routes. Here are a couple videos showing the new roads:
Course Profile
Although twisty, the new roads are quite simple in terms of elevation profile. You begin with a right-hand turn after crossing the bridge on the reverse Epic KOM, and this takes you over an alpine pass 2.8km (1.7 miles) long which steadily climbs approximately 22m (75′) then descends 41m (137′). This drops you into the jungle loop, which is 7.9km (4.9 miles) long. The first half of the loop is a descent of approximately 60m (196′), then the second half is the climb back out.
At the low point in the loop you’ll find the lap marker, which behaves in a similar fashion to the volcano route’s lap marker. Lap leader jerseys are awarded to whoever is on course with the fastest times in either direction.
Pro tip: want the lap jersey? Flip a u-turn so you’re only competing against those who have chosen to go against the flow!
The climb section is shorter than Box Hill, but longer than Watopia’s reverse KOM. The pitches are fairly steady, too. This will make for some very interesting race laps, with lighter riders excelling up the climbs, and heavier riders hammering the descents.
New Routes
Three new routes have been added, all utilizing the new jungle ruin roads:
- Road to Ruins: ride out to the jungle loop, then back to the volcano flat and the start/finish banner. (30km/18.7 miles, 275m/905′ of climbing)
- Jungle Circuit: ride out to the jungle loop, then stay on the loop until your legs fall off. (19.8km/12.3 miles, 200m/657′ of climbing)
- Big Loop: climb the epic KOM (no radio tower spur), hit the jungle loop, then volcano flat back to the start/finish banner. (42.8km/26.6 miles, 663m/2175′ of climbing)
Well Done, Artists
This is definitely Zwift’s most detailed and scenic set of roads to date. The landscape varies from an expansive river gorge to tight jungle roads and tunnels, while road surfaces vary from dirt to mining tunnels to a vertigo-inducing rope bridge. Along the way there’s plenty of eye candy including waterfalls, mysterious ruins and new forms of wildlife (toucans, fireflies, and a sloth).
While the jungle loop section is almost entirely dirt, ZwiftHQ made the smart call of reducing the amount of dust kicked up by riders, so visibility isn’t as impaired as it was previously. And riding through the mist of waterfalls almost makes you a feel a little cooler. Almost.
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- Forcefield keeps level 9 and below riders out.
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- Beginning the alpine pass decent.
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- Beginning of the loop, forward.
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- Still a bit dusty, but not nearly as bad as it used to be…
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- Entering the cavern
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- That’s one massive waterfall!
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- At the jungle lap counter
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- Keep your wheels off the tracks!
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- Are these statues wearing cycling kits?
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- Rope bridge entrance
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- Don’t look down!
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- Top of the loop: stay left to keep looping, right to hit the alpine pass.
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- The banter with the ODZ crew was strong this morning.
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- Mind the sloth!
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- Reverse loop, stay right to keep looping.
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- Finishing up my reverse lap.
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- I only got the jersey because nobody else was competing!
Level 10+ Only
In an unexpected move, ZwiftHQ is restricting access to these new roads. You must be at level 10 or higher (learn more about Zwift levels). Zwift’s Jon Mayfield explains:
While we understand this may annoy some at first glance, we believe (and hope!) this will give Zwifters even more incentive to hop on their trainers or treadmills and crank out some miles with something so big to chase after. If the idea still bugs you, don’t worry – we made it an easily attainable level so the reward is not too far away.
What else?
There is a blocked off section of new road off to the right while descending the alpine pass on the way to the loop. What does ZwiftHQ plan for this section? We’ll just have to wait to find out…
I only recently started Zwift, so I am only level 4. It isn’t clear how they restrict this – I could start out riding the ‘flat’ route, and manually enter turns and get on the Jungle loop, couldn’t I? Or does not not even let you make the turn?
I was watching someone else ride the thing this morning – what happens if you do a U-turn on the rope bridge? There is a barrier between the two sides – do you have to go to the end of the bridge to make the U-turn, or do you just ride “through” the thing?
You cannot make a U-turn on the bridge. You will have to go to the end of the bridge to make a U-turn.
Way too much dirt/gravel, which is going to kick up lots of dust on group rides that will totally obstruct views for most of the loop. Also too much climbing just to get out to the new roads, which makes the new routes less than ideal for enjoyable recovery rides. Zwift should have incorporated a substantial flat or marginally undulating route to accommodate those who want to time trial or work on speed.
There’s plenty of flat available already, in my opinion. Volcano Flat and Watopia Flat are both… pretty flat!
It is wonderful. Sub 13 is a pretty good time.
PS I think the ‘Barrier” is going to be the starting gate for Jungle Loop races. Just a guess.
It’s a long, long way to get to the start of the lap counter. It’s a long lap too.
In a race, I would be exhausted before I even reach the start line (13 or 14 Km?).
Thanks! Yeah, I want to hammer it again on a day when I’m fresh and see what I can do. I think I can get close to 12 flat… but we’ll see.
Very excited for the cyclists but personally I’m a little bummed. I know Zwift is for cyclists but with their move to incorporate running I was hoping for something expanding on that theme i.e. running trails. As of now you need to get in a hefty run just to get to the new area let alone run through it. I’m hoping they have something up their sleeve soon but I highly doubt it since this expansion just came out.
Everyone needs to friend everyone else so that they can start your ride or run at the location of a friend instead of the usual stating point
Love the new expansion. Best route on Zwift yet. However even with the reduce dust it’s still too much when group riding. I don’t think restricting it to Level 10 and above is a big deal. If you’re below level 10 then you’ve only just started out on Zwift and still getting to know your way around. Good incentive to log some some more km’s in the same way as you have to do 50,000m of climbing to get the Tron bike.
Agreed on the dust… unless the dust level for the jungle is lower than the dust level on the Ocean Flat route, which I suppose is possible. I haven’t done a large group ride in the jungle yet, but I know the dust is still very thick on the Ocean route.
Mixed views on the new route. Nice enough loop, but a long ride to get out there and more dirt roads, means more dust, which means more frustration due to image quality issues etc etc. I started a thread on in the Feedback section of the Zwift website about the dust problem, John Mayfield replied to say they’d dialled the dust down but from the responses so far it’s clear people still want it switched off completely or reduced further to a level where it stops interfering with the game visuals.
I ride my road bike on dirt roads all the time… I feel sorry for you that you don’t!
Hey there! Anyone know when it will be on the iOS App? I am in level 15 and updated the App, no new routes…
Eric, when you start on the new posters with the Jungle route added, please let us know. I would like to order one please.
I would like a poster of each land, like a full landscape. I take some screenshots but then there is all of those boxes and numbers. Is there a way to get just the background?
I agree on the Level 10 for riders to get the new Jungle route. You have levels all through Zwift, gaining awards, no different. No fun giving everything at once. I’m at level 22.5 and working on just getting the Zwift cycling Cap at level 23. I excited about that! I guess the newer people want the Tron bike right away as well…… Wait and see how long it will take them to get that!
I wrote a more composed reply but lost it…
The dirt road is appropriate for a loop going through Mayan ruins in Zwift.
Would not be right to have an airport-grade tarmac highway running past that environment.
MTB riders don’t actually ride dirt roads.
They prefer single-track, trails, forests, mountains etc.
If they are on a road, they are usually just getting from one trail to another.
Roads were originally unpaved – so road cycling started on dirt roads.
A dirt road is still a road.
In real life, that most people don’t want to risk dings in their car’s paint is what makes them great for cyclists.
Major UCI road cycling events occur on dirt roads, as well as paved roads (and cobbled roads).
e.g. Strade Bianche, Tro Bro Leon, etc.
There is major interest among the road cycling community for events like L’Eroica, which promote using older road bikes on dirt roads. Mountain bikes are actually not allowed in such events.
On Zwift, Tacx Neo users get a different feel on non-tarmac surfaces (dirt, cobbles, wooden bridges).
Honestly if you’re only riding on pavement IRL, you’re missing out, but that’s your business.
RE: Dust
Zwift should make it a tunable parameter in menu/config
Full None
I assume default dust settings should be set on the basis of system performance – if not, it should be.
e.g. Ultra (GTX1080, etc) = Full dust … Basic (iPhone?) = Minimal dust
Zwift should turn down the intensity on the new loop,
particularly behind the waterfall where the mist would naturally damp the earth.
A small group of riders do not naturally kick-up as much dust as occurs in Zwift.
I think the dust on the flat lap because it is a great obstacle for races. Lots of people attack knowing those behind can be thrown off. But for an entire dirt course, i would prefer no dust.
Great thoughts, dt404!
Will there be Zwifblog verified segments for courses and laps?
Yes–just created two today in fact (Jungle Circuit and Big Loop). Stay tuned for posts containing links to them.
Yesterday I saw the construction cones on the right side before the actual Jungle Loop. I think Eric mentioned this somewhere. I thought it might be a starting gate for the Loop, but now I’m not so sure. Looks like it could become a tunnel to another course.
Jungle laps… The lap counter is there but does 5/10/25 laps unlock anything like it does on the Volcano?
Not happy about the video game mentality of make me work up to level 10 to access new routes. I’m already bored with the routes on zwift now. Want to make me come back often? Put new scenery in and don’t charge me.
If i want the challenge of levels, I’ll play a video game. I just want to ride and not be bored.
Susan