Last weekend, Wahoo unveiled their latest piece of innovative hardware. And it’s a big one! The KICKR RUN is a smart treadmill with revolutionary features that may just raise the bar for treadmills like the original KICKR smart trainer did for bike trainers back in 2012.
What makes the KICKR RUN special? This is a premium, commercial-grade treadmill stuffed with innovative features and future-proofing capabilities. It’s very well-made, with a quiet and powerful motor. It also boasts top-quality features for stable connectivity, interaction with Zwift software and Wahoo’s ecosystem, and high max speeds.
But the big feature everyone is excited about is KICKR RUN’s “RunFree Mode”. In this mode, the high-speed motor reacts instantaneously to your position on the running surface, enabling natural and confident pace changes without touching the controls.
Key Specs
Top Pace:4:00/mi (2:28/km)
Top Speed:15MPH (24KPH)
Max Incline: +15%
Max Decline: -3%
Tested Accuracy: 3%
BeltDimensions: 69″x22″ (175x56cm)
Unit Weight: 275lbs
Max Runner Weight: 250lbs
Key Features
WiFI and Ethernet connectivity (Wahoo Direct Connect)
Bluetooth FTMS and ANT+ Control
Time of flight sensor for RunFree mode
Pace and tilt-changing “nudgeable” levers
Laptop/tablet/phone holder (up to 17” in size)
USB-C 24w charging plug for tablets/phones
110v or 220v options
3.0 horsepower motor
Individual actuators for incline and left/right tilt
Wahoo Treadmill API for future integrations
The KICKR RUN is a long-term project that Wahoo’s founder Chip Hawkins is passionate about. He says, “I have been working behind the scenes with a very talented group of Wahooligans developing KICKR RUN for over 7 years – so I am delighted to see it come to market. As passionate runners – we wanted to create the most realistic experience and create a tool that helps people improve, become better athletes and achieve their goals. The KICKR RUN will revolutionise indoor running, in the same way that the KICKR did for indoor cycling over a decade ago.“
Pricing and Availability
List price is $5000USC. Wahoo aims to start shipping in June 2024 to customers in the US, with worldwide shipping coming about a year later.
Our top 5 picks this week cover a wide range of topics, including one newer Zwifter’s take on the platform and its hardware after one year of use. We also feature Tour de Boudicca, one rider increasing his FTP in 4 weeks, a rider’s race against a pro cyclist, and a mistake that cost a race.
My First Year Training On Zwift & Hub One Conversion Guide
PEZ Cycling News has been on Zwift for a year now, and in this video, he discusses all things Zwifty including the Zwift Hub One, Zwift Play Controllers, and his take on Zwift.
Tour de Boudicca
The Tour de Boudicca is one of the biggest race series for women on Zwift. ZMS E-Sports covered all of the action live with commentary on their channel – check it out!
How I Increased My FTP in 4 Weeks
Ollie, aka Not Tadej Pogacar explains how he substantially increased his FTP over the past 4 weeks using Zwift.
Racing Freddy Ovett in Tour De Zwift
Max from The Watt Life provides commentary over his Tour De Zwift ride with none other than Freddy Ovett, who came 2nd in the UCI E-Sport World Championships. Can Max keep up with him?
Zwift Race: Don’t want to do that again
The Cycling Greek recently raced in the “Flat is Fast” race on Zwift. During this race, he makes a huge mistake that he learns to avoid in the future.
Got a Great Zwift Video?
Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!
Plenty of fun events to choose from this weekend, including lots of long group rides and races. We’ve chosen a mix of popular events and some with a bit of a unique twist, but they include the option to put in a long effort.
Tour de Zwift 2024 is in full flight, and lots of riders are showing up to each event. This weekend the “Epic” races continue. Choose from Stage 5’s race on Innsbruck’s Achterbahn (47.6km, 988m) or Stage 6 on Watopia’s Accelerate to Elevate (43.5km, 1157m).
If you don’t want to race or are just looking for a shorter TdZ route, check out the TdZ group rides this weekend. Lots of options, since Stage 5 in Innsbruck wraps up on Saturday, with Stage 6 in Watopia beginning on Sunday.
Many longer rides are done at a lower pace, but this ride features a spicy B pace if you so choose! Two paces to choose from: B (3.2-3.8 W/kg) or C (2.7-3.2 W/kg). Both groups are riding the same route: Tick Tock for 100 miles.
The last Fondos of the ZFondo 2023-24 series are here! Join Zwifters from around the world for a fun long ride around the roads of Watopia. There will be three categories so you can choose your ride length:
Triumph: Gran Fondo (1 lap: 97.7km/60.7 miles, 1148m/3,766′ elevation)
Rise: The Pretzel (1 lap: 72.7km/45.2 miles, 1333m/4,373′ elevation)
Our Epic Series has been building up to this: the final race, on the longest route in Zwift. This weekend’s events are races on London’s The PRL Full.
Do you have what it takes to cover 173.8km with 2628m of climbing at race pace? One thing is for sure: it’s much more fun with riding companions, even if they’re your competition.
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!
Sale: 10% off Zwift Hub One smart trainer for a limited time only!
Zwift’s Hub One delivers more bang for the buck than any trainer on the market. The price is so good, in fact, that it’s never been available at a discount… until today!
10% Discount Code
For a very limited time, purchase the Zwift Hub One through Zwift.com using discount code ZWIFTINSIDER10 to save 10% off the regular price of $599/€599/£549. Includes a year of Zwift, plus free shipping to most destinations!
Important discount code details: 1 use per customer / valid while supplies last / expires Feb 6th, 2024
Virtual Shifting Basics and Benefits
Hub One is built for virtual shifting. What is that exactly, and is it even something you want?
Virtual shifting means your chain isn’t moving between different physical cassette cogs when you shift. Instead, a virtual shift changes the resistance of your smart trainer so it feels like you’ve changed cogs. This is how smart bikes like the Wahoo KICKR Bike, Wattbike, StagesBike, and Tacx NEO Bike have always worked.
There are many benefits to virtual shifting, including:
Fast, smooth, quiet: with no chains skipping between cogs, your shifts are completely silent, perfectly smooth, and lightning-fast.
Less wear and tear: your chain won’t wear out as quickly, and neither will the Zwift Cog, since it is built beefy because weight is not a concern.
Shift under full load: no need to ease off the pedal when shifting under power, as your chain isn’t going to “skip” when virtual shifting like it can with mechanical shifting.
Compatible across many bikes: no more spinning out on your low-geared mountain bike, or needing to swap cassettes if you swap bikes. The Hub One works with virtually any 8-12 speed bike and auto-calibrates to your physical gearing.
No more fine-tuning: many riders find they have to fine-tune their physical shifting when they move between outdoor riding and a direct-drive trainer, since the cassettes aren’t lined up exactly the same. The Zwift Cog doesn’t require any such fine-tuning… just shift to a physical gear that has your chain lined up straight on the Cog and you’re ready to ride.
Expanded shifting: at launch the Hub One supports a virtual 24-speed setup, which is more gears than most riders have on their outdoor setups. Additionally, the gear ratio range is very wide (from .75 to 5.49), meaning everyone should find that virtual shifting offers more easy gears and more hard gears than your mechanical gearing.
In-game gear visualization: with Zwift’s virtual shifting, you can always see what gear you’re in on screen.
Zwift’s Hub One is the same smart trainer as the Zwift Hub Classic but ships with a Zwift Cog instead of a standard cassette plus the handle-bar mounted Zwift Click to enable virtual shifting.
Zwift Cog + Zwift ClickZwift Click installed
Hub One Specifications
Accuracy: +-2.5%
Flywheel: 4.7kg
Max Wattage: 1800 W
Max Incline: 16%
Calibration: automatic
Axle Compatibility: 142/148 thru axle + 130/135mm QR
Weight: 16.5kg
Cadence: built in
Communication: ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth FTMS
Cassette Included: Yes (Zwift Cog)
Physical Dimensions: 49.7 cm length x 61.2 cm width x 46.1 cm height
In The Drops is a Zwift-centered YouTube weekly podcast that has been running for 9 months now with an irreverent and community-focused look at all things indoor cycling.
Hosts Nathan Krake, Rob Bane (Zwift Zwifter), and Jake Sanderson together they have nearly 1,500 Zwift races under their belts. Each episode is packed with updates on the latest changes to Zwift, reviews of the competition, “Sunday Roasts” of each other’s and guest’s races, and previews of upcoming community races with an emphasis on tips and tactics to win.
Watch Episode 35
This week, they take a deep dive into (now passed at the time of writing) Stage 1 of Round 3 of Zwift Racing League, offering some unique tips and tricks. They also talk about an interesting quirk in zMAP which caused Zwifty to get demoted to B category while winning an A-category race!
Topic Bookmarks for this Episode
00:00 Start 00:30 Intro 00:48 Hellos 02:45 Au revoir to Andrew 05:20 Zwift updates 06:50#SteeringGate 08:00 Streaking 11:27 Better avatars 13:11 Tour De France video game 15:20 How Zwifty got demoted by winning an A race 18:01 Results-based categories 19:50 AHDR drama 23:19 Tour Down Under 28:46 Burnout 34:28 Weird finishes 40:12 ZRL Round 3 Overview 42:10 Ocean Cliffside Lava Loop Preview 54:26 Quiz – How well do you know your Zwift kits
There’s much to discuss including bike choice, strategic options, and crucial segments. Let’s go!
Looking at the Route: Island Hopper
All categories are racing two laps of the Island Hopper route for a total of 36.1km with 259 meters of elevation. Here’s a Veloviewer profile:
If you’re familiar with the Urukazi portion of the Makuri Islands world, you may be able to understand the Island Hopper route best by thinking of it as two laps of the Festival Harbor complex. The first lap is on the innermost roads, so it’s quite flat apart from a short climb into the Mangrove Maze and the first real climb of the race, which corkscrews left in the dirt on Mech Isle.
In contrast, the second lap is on the outermost roads, so it begins by taking you up the route’s largest climb, corkscrewing left again onto the Shisa Sprint before descending and finishing the race on flat roads.
So one lap of Island Hopper takes you around Festival Harbor twice. We’re doing two laps of the route, which means we’ll be circling the harbor four times. Make sense?
The Mech Isle and Festival Harbor climbs are the two key selection points on this route, and they are only separated by 1.3km.
Mech Isle Climb CW @ 6.7km and 24.6km: 710 meters long at 2.9%, this is a dirt climb, which makes it extra slow/tough. (See Strava segment)
Festival Harbor Climb CCW @ 8.7km and 26.6km: 2km at 2.6%, the main part of this climb is more like 4%. The Shisa Sprint begins just 400 meters after the climb ends, so efforts will be maxed out in this portion of each lap! (See Strava segment)
Expect key selections to be made the first time over these climbs, and do whatever you can to hold on, since riders who stay in the front group will have access to lots of segment points!
There are four sprint segments which we’ll be contesting for points. Or are there only three? Or maybe there are six…or eight. Depends on how you count them, but here are all the sprint segments you’ll encounter in the race:
Boardwalk Sprint @1.6km (0.24km, 0%)
Tidepool Sprint @5.1km (0.31km, 0%)
Shisa Sprint @10.4km (0.29km, 0.7%)
Tidepool Sprint @15.4km (0.31km, 0%)
Boardwalk Sprint @19.5km (0.24km, 0%)
Tidepool Sprint @23km (0.31km, 0%)
Shisa Sprint @28.3km (0.29km, 0.7%)
Tidepool Sprint @33.3km (0.31km, 0%)
All of these segments will be awarding both FTS and FAL points. Make sure you’ve read up on FTS and FAL if you don’t understand how they work, since things get interesting when you’re hitting the same segment multiple times.
Also, remember that you’ll be getting powerups (feather, van, or helmet) at each sprint banner, so be sure to use them to your advantage.
The last sprint section ends just 2.3km to finish, so expect some riders to try to go long, keeping the effort high all the way to the line.
Riders will receive one of three powerups each time through a sprint segment’s finish banner, so we’ll be getting a total of 8 powerups on the race. Powerup probabilities are equally weighted.
Aero Boost (helmet): makes you more aerodynamic (reduces your CdA by 25%) for 15 seconds. Use at higher speeds (flats and descents), especially when no draft is available (although it is still useful when drafting.)
Lightweight (feather): reduces your weight by 10% for 30 seconds. Use on climbs, when weight matters the most.
Draft Boost (van): increases the draft effect you are experiencing for 40 seconds. Use at higher speeds (flats and descents) when you are already drafting off another rider (since this powerup only helps when you are drafting.)
Bike Frame + Wheel Choice
An all-arounder like the Tron bike is a good choice for this race since the most arduous efforts and key selections will happen on the back-to-back climbs each lap. The climbs are short, though, and the Tron bike will save you less than a second over a super-aero setup with disc wheels.
If you’re confident you can hang with the front group up and over the climbs, go with a super-aero finisher such as the Venge + Disc combo so you have the best chance of snagging some segment points and a strong finish.
Many recon rides are now being planned each week on the upcoming ZRL route. If you’re unfamiliar with this course, jump into an event and do some recon! Here’s a list of upcoming Island Hopper events.
Si Bradeley
Strategic Options
Points Distribution, Island Hopper (2 Laps)
This chart shows the maximum points a team of 6 could earn in the race.
How will the race unfold, and what strategies will riders employ in the first points race of round 3? Here’s what we predict:
Early Tidepool Sprint FTS: expect top FTS times to be set the first time through the Tidepool Sprint, as this is the only time in the race when the pack will be at full size and strength.
All-In On the First Climbs: if you don’t make it over the first two climbs in the front group, you’ve lost your shot at 3/4 of the race’s FAL points and probably most of the FTS points, too. Riders will be doing all they can to hang with the front. Strong teams should do everything they can to drop everyone else.
PowerUp-Based Efforts: riders may let their powerups decide when they attempt to grab sprint points. If you get a feather as your first powerup, it may not make sense to chase FTS on the Tidepool Sprint. But if you get an aero or a draft boost, game on!
Pure Survival: some riders will simply try to survive in the front group to the finish. But be warned: sprint intermediates make up over 3/4 of the race’s points, so if your team isn’t chasing intermediates, you will lose.
Spin and Sprint: if you have a strong sprint but can’t hang with the front of the race up the climb to the Shisa Sprint, it may make sense to ease on the climb so your legs are fresh for the sprint. Riders in the front group can be expected to be a bit knackered after the climb, perhaps leaving FTS points open for the taking.
Long Finish: riders who don’t fancy a pack sprint could surf the wheels on the final Tidepool Sprint, then attack and attempt to stay away for the final 2.3km to the line.
Your Thoughts
Any insights or further thoughts on this race? Share below!
Zwift Grand Prix: Round 7 Points Hunter Race Report
The final round of the 2023/2024 Zwift Grand Prix was as fast and explosive as ever, with both the men and women taking on the Royal Pump Room 8 in Yorkshire. In 27.5 km, there were four intermediate sprints to contend with, each offering an increasing number of points.
Watch the Livestream
Only two riders scored at the first sprint, whereas five riders scored at the fourth and final intermediate sprint. Additionally, each rider that scored would be eliminated from the race, racking up the points for their team but also being unable to contest the finish. Here are the four prime points and how many points were on offer:
Yorkshire Sprint Reverse (2.6km): 2/1 points
Yorkshire KOM (13.2km): 3/2/1 points
Yorkshire Sprint (15.5km): 4/3/2/1 points
Yorkshire KOM Reverse (18.7km): 5/4/3/2/1 points
Finish line (27.5km): 6/5/4/3/2/1 points
Crucially, there was only one power-up on offer for the entire race. As riders passed through the Yorkshire Lap Arch, they were given the Feather power-up. With only one chance to use their power-up, the Feather would become a critical tactical decision in the Zwift Grand Prix finale.
The final round of the 2023/2024 Zwift Grand Prix also offered double points in the overall standings, meaning that no one’s place was safe with so many points on offer.
Elite Women
Up first were the Elite Women, and it was Coalition Alpha atop the Grand Prix standings. They led Aeonian 155 to 133 points in the overall standings, with Wahoo Le Col in third and Hexagone in fourth.
Julia Kelin (Beastmode p/b Rose) attacked in the first kilometer in search of the first points on offer. But after she was caught, E. Dyrhoven (Hexagone) was first over the line, while T. Penner (ABUS – Synergy) followed in second to rack up the first points of the day.
Next up was the long drag following the Yorkshire Lap arch, and Eleisa Haag (Beastmode p/b Rose) went on the attack. L. Mottas (Hexagone) bridged to close the gap, and the peloton was 26 seconds behind the Frenchwoman by the base of the Yorkshire KOM/QOM. In the peloton, Lizzie Harris (Toyota Elite ECycling) went early, dragging clear a group of three that went all-in for the intermediate sprint.
Mottas was first over the line, with Mary Wilkinson (Coalition Alpha) in second and M. Keller (Aeonian) in third. Riders could hardly catch their breath before they were sprinting for the third intermediate of the day, and it was M. Koistinen who crossed the line first, earning a four-point haul for Toyota Elite ECycling.
A few kilometers later, Lou Bates (Coalition Alpha) earned five points atop the Yorkshire KOM Reverse, while A. Verhaaren (Aeonian) and Maria Holdcroft (NeXT eSports pb Enshored) followed in second and third, respectively.
With less than 10km to go, Coalition Alpha was leading with nine points, followed closely by Aeonian and Hexagone. But there was still a boatload of points on offer at the finish, and the Zwift Grand Prix season could all be coming down to this.
Selene Colombi (Team Castelli p/b Elite) attacked on the Pot Bank climb, splitting the field down to five riders with 6km to go. The Italian rider rode away to a solo win, and in the final kilometer, Kathrin Fuhrer (Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24) launched early. But it was Mika Soderstrom who timed her sprint perfectly, winning the sprint for second place and a five-point haul for Movistar eTeam.
Riders held their breath as the points were tallied up, and at the end of the day, Coalition Alpha came out on top, ahead of Hexagone in second and Aeonian in third.
Having won four of the seven rounds, Coalition Alpha was crowned Zwift Grand Prix Champions ahead of Aeonian and Wahoo Le Col. After nearly three months of racing, Coalition Alpha took home the winner-take-all prize of $10,000.
Elite Men
The Elite Men were up next, taking on the same course as the Women for the final round of the 2023/2024 Zwift Grand Prix. ABUS – Synergy led NeXT eSports pb Enshored atop the Grand Prix standings, but there were only four points separating the pair. Wahoo Le Col wasn’t far behind in third, while Coalition Alpha and Toyota Elite ECycling rounded out the top five heading into Round 7.
Just like the women’s race, an attack came straight out of the pens, with Coalition Alpha and Hexagone going for the first intermediate sprint. Haavard Gjeldnes (Movistar eTeam) took the first points of the day, while Josh Harris (BL13 p/b Level Velo) followed in second.
On the long draggy climb following the Yorkshire Lap arch, Team Swedish Zwifters and Team Castelli p/b Elite began pushing the pace. A breakaway eventually formed with four riders, but they wouldn’t make it to the next intermediate sprint. BL13 p/b Level Velo led onto the Yorkshire KOM, but it was Kjell Power who came over the top to secure three points for Movistar eTeam.
Thomas Perren (NeXT eSports pb Enshored) was next over the line, ahead of Rinus Verhelle (ABUS – Synergy) in third.
At the next intermediate sprint, Lionel Vujasin went early to secure four points for Coalition Alpha, while Dan Turek and Martin Maertens scored points for NeXT eSports pb Enshored and Toyota Elite ECycling, respectively.
At the Yorkshire KOM Reverse, Michal Kaminski earned five crucial points for Coalition Alpha, while Jo Pirotte (ABUS – Synergy) and Johan Noren (Team Swedish Zwifters) added to their teams’ totals with only the finish line remaining.
At the base of the Pot Bank climb, Coalition Alpha was leading with nine points, followed by NeXT eSports pb Enshored and ABUS – Synergy. A flurry of attacks came on the 16% grades, and Neal Fryett (Restart p/b Alex Coh) went clear with the Zwift Grand Prix on the line.
There was a stalemate on the final climb of the day, and there were only 10 riders left in the lead group with 3km to go. In the final sprint, Mathieu Decock (ABUS – Synergy) launched early, but teammate Jasper Paridaens timed his effort to perfection, taking the Round 7 win ahead of Brian Duffy Jr (NeXT pb Enshored) and Fryett.
The 2023/2024 Zwift Grand Prix winner would come down to this. As the points were tallied up, it wasn’t yet clear who would be crowned the overall winner. ABUS – Synergy earned 13 points to win Round 7 ahead of NeXT eSports pb Enshored in second and Coalition Alpha in third.
When the final results popped up on-screen, ABUS – Synergy was crowned Zwift Grand Prix Champions ahead of NeXT eSports pb Enshored and Coalition Alpha. After a rough team time trial in Round 4, ABUS – Synergy pulled off wins in Rounds 5 and 7 to hold onto their overall lead and take home the winner-take-all prize of $10,000.
