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Coming Soon: Changes to Supported Operating Systems for Zwifters

Eric Schlange
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20
Coming Soon: Changes to Supported Operating Systems for Zwifters

Coming Soon: Changes to Supported Operating Systems for Zwifters

One reason Zwift has achieved market dominance is its support of a wide variety of platforms: PC and Mac computers, Android and Apple phones and tablets, and of course AppleTV.

Last month Zwift announced via a forum post that they are deprecating older systems “based on industry standard minimums”.

Once deprecated, the following operating systems will no longer be able to run Zwift:

  • Windows 7 and 8 (including 8.1)
  • macOSX 10.11 and older
  • iOS 11 and older
  • Android 6 and older

When Will It Happen?

MacOS, iOS, and Android deprecation will happen with the December 2021 game update, which we estimate will drop during the week of December 12-18.

Windows 7 and Windows 8 deprecation will follow in the January 2022 update, which we estimate will arrive during the week of January 9-15.

Do I Need to Upgrade?

Zwift says, “Affected Zwifters currently using these operating systems will begin to see messaging in-game, and should also receive notification via email.”

If you are running one of the operating systems listed above and/or you’ve received this messaging or an email notification then yes, you will need to upgrade your Zwift device very soon. To be clear: if you fail to upgrade, Zwift’s upcoming game update will disable the game on your system.

Why the Change?

While Zwift has historically supported a wide range of devices, they cannot support aging hardware forever. Deprecation decisions like this are standard practice in the gaming industry, as supporting old hardware and operating systems requires additional development time and can hamstring the implementation of new features.

Essentially, Zwift is saying “If the maker of your operating system doesn’t support it any longer, neither do we.” And that’s a fair stance, especially considering how long of a grace period Zwift has given users of old operating systems!

Consider these release and end of support dates:

  • Windows 7 was released October 2009, and support from Microsoft ended January 2020
  • Windows 8 was released October 2012, and support from Microsoft ended January 2016
  • Windows 8.1 was released October 2013, and mainstream support from Microsoft ended January 2018
  • MacOSX 10.11 (El Capitan) was released September 2015, and support from Apple ended October 2019
  • iOS 11 was released September 2017, and succeeded by iOS 12 a year later
  • Android 6 was released October 2015, and succeeded by Android 7 less than a year later

Upgrade Recommendations

Most Zwifters probably have a device in their home which will run Zwift after the deprecations kick in: a newer iPhone or Android phone, a tablet, AppleTV, or a decent desktop or laptop computer.

If you need to purchase an upgraded device for your Zwifting, here are two recommendations at different budget levels:

  • Most affordable: 2021 Apple TV (32GB, 5th Gen): only $140USD on Amazon, the latest AppleTV is the most affordable Zwift device on the market today. It’s not perfect – the remote can be a bit of a pain. But it’s dead simple to use, and quite stable. There’s a good reason why a huge number of Zwifters use AppleTV!
  • Best gaming experience: Windows PC with a strong graphics card, fast single-core CPU performance, and an SSD drive. Zwift will run on just about any PC that can run Windows 10, but for premium Zwift performance (ideally connected to a big screen TV) you’ll want a dedicated Nvidia graphics card (1060 or higher), an Intel CPU, and a solid state drive. Here’s one tower on Amazon that would deliver great Zwift performance without costing an arm and a leg. (For more info on Zwifting on a PC, read “Zwift on PC: The Ultimate Guide to Running Zwift at Its Very Best“.)

Zwift Removed from Apple Watch Store

Along with all the OS deprecation news, Zwift also included this note in their forum post:

Additionally, for Apple Watch owners: we are aware that this experience needs upgrades and we are working on a longer-term vision for support. In the meantime, the Zwift Game and Companion apps will be removed from the Watch App Store. This means:

  • New users will not be able to install the Zwift Game or Companion apps
  • Legacy users will be able to use the watch apps, but will receive no updates to either app

Our recommendation: don’t rely on your Apple Watch for anything Zwifty, for now. Even using it for heart rate isn’t ideal, considering that more accurate straps are quite affordable and available.

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

Swift Zwift Tip: How to Get The Neokyo Crit Course Route Badge

Eric Schlange
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10
Swift Zwift Tip: How to Get The Neokyo Crit Course Route Badge

Swift Zwift Tip: How to Get The Neokyo Crit Course Route Badge

Zwift’s new Neokyo Crit Course is the first and only “event-only” route to have an associated route badge in game.

Is this a sign of things to come? We hope so. Adding event-only routes to the list of achievable badges would encourage event participation and add more carrots for Zwifters to chase. And you know we like carrots!

Neokyo Crit Course is being unveiled with the L39ION of LA Crit Series, so participating in one of those races is the most obvious way to get the route badge. But there are other ways, as our favorite Aussie Lama explains:

As Shane explains, you can also unlock the route badge by joining another event held on the route (see a full list of upcoming events on Neokyo Crit Course).

You can also use the Zwift-Preferences tool for Windows, or the Zwift-Prefs tool on Mac.

Ride on!

Training with Rowe & King, Week 6

Tim Perkin
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2
Training with Rowe & King, Week 6

Training with Rowe & King, Week 6

Monday: Zone 1

I was left pretty tired from the intense weekend of racing the Flamme Rouge Race series and the extended Surrey Hills race the previous day left me wanting a day off from the bike. However, the schedule said an easy hour in Zone 1, so back on the bike I went!

Despite my fatigue, this was a perfect opportunity to explore Neokyo and do what is still one of my most favourite things on Zwift – Badge Hunting.  So within an hour, I was pleased to have ticked off “Sleepless City”, “Sprinter’s Playground” and “Rooftop Rendezvous”.

Despite the easy ride, my legs were feeling heavy, so this was the chance to use my latest purchase, the Hypervolt 2 3-speed massage gun from Hyperice.  The intense training sessions meant that my legs were constantly feeling tired, and not having a Masseur on hand, I decided to invest in this device which you can use to massage your legs, or whatever area is sore. 

Tuesday: Endurance Waves

I wouldn’t say I was feeling refreshed, but I did wake up feeling less stiff following my easy ride and session with the Hypervolt 2. So Tuesday’s session was approached with fewer concerns.

It was an interval workout called “Endurance Waves”, and it was actually a nice session, never going into high power but working me enough to feel tired. (For example, I had 3 minutes at 250 watts, then 2 minutes at 260 watts and then it peaked at 270 watts, before repeating.) With my FTP at 345 watts, I was not at my limit with this session.  As an added bonus, I decided to complete the session in Neokyo and was able to bag the “Temples and Towers” badge.

Wednesday: Midweek Mountain Massif TT

This session left me primed for the “Midweek Mountain Massif TT – Sponsored by Elite’s RIZER.”  This is a new 10.1km time trial up the Ven-Top, an event that I created in partnership with Elite, to celebrate the release of their combined climbing and steering device called the RIZER, which I reviewed recently.  We’ve already published my summary of the event but the key point to note was that the last 6 weeks of training culminated in me achieving my highest-ever power rating at 5.3 w/kg for 20 minutes. This was a next-level riding for me. 

If we just take a step back and look at this, in the space of 5.5 weeks, I have now increased my 1-minute power, my 5-minute power, and now my 20-minute power, which I was able to hold for close to 30 minutes.  I was hoping for improvements in my cycling, but never did I envision I would be holding 5.3 w/kg for 30 minutes!  And the truth is, it only just feels like we are only getting started with this training.  If you look back at the training, it took 4 weeks to increase the power in my 1 to 5-minute range and subsequently a further week to improve the 20-minute range. 

As well as the training sessions, it is clear that the Flamme Rouge Race series that I’ve tackled has had a contributing factor to my improved fitness.  This event fine-tuned and accelerated my progress.  It’s no wonder Coach Matt Rowe was keen for me to participate in the event. Racing has effectively become part of my training, sort of like when the pros participate in races such as the Tour de Suisse or Critérium du Dauphiné (both week-long races) in preparation for the Tour de France.

Thursday: Roll with Castelli

Following Wednesday’s ride, Thursday was my usual rollout with Castelli.  I did struggle as the course was the Mountain route, which includes the Radio Tower.  I kept it steady and didn’t chase on the descent when I got disconnected from the bunch. 

Friday: Mountain Massif TT

Friday was my second mountain race of the week and saw me tackling another one of my own events, the “Mountain Massif TT – Sponsored by Muc-Off.”  This was another time trial, this time 12.1km up the Alpe Du Zwift, finishing at turn 8.

I wasn’t expecting much given my effort only 2 days before, but I managed to hold my form and I was outputting the same power a before.  I clocked up another strong ride, finishing 4th with a 20-minute average of 5.3 w/kg, proving Wednesday was not a fluke.  I hadn’t even finished my session and Matt was messaging me, congratulating me on another strong ride, which was appreciated.

What I am enjoying about training with Rowe & King is that during my weekly conversations with Matt, he is listening to and understanding how I am feeling in terms of fatigue, and he is tailoring the sessions to my level. But he is also able to appreciate the events I am committed to and is able to ensure I am hitting them in peak condition. 

(For example, having invited Matt to the launch of my new event, he was aware that it was important and that I obviously wanted to give a good account of myself, so to that end, the Monday and Tuesday sessions were designed to aid recovery and ensure that I wasn’t fatigued for the main goal of the week.  Had I been trying to manage my own plan, I think I would have been tempted to have Monday and Tuesday as a rest day, thinking that would have got me ready for the race, however Matt’s active recovery approach paid off, twice over. Not only did I hit peak form for my Wednesday event, but also Friday!)

The Weekend

Saturday’s early morning endurance ride saw me team up with Race3R and tackle the Uber Pretzel, but I could only manage 2 hours because of life commitments

Sunday was a day off. It was actually nice to have day a day off the bike, giving me time to reflect on the last several weeks where we saw significant performance gains.  The results show I have to stick with and trust the process because the data doesn’t lie. Significant improvements are being made!

On to the next week!

FRR Tour Series – Tour Watopia Announced

Tim Perkin
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16
FRR Tour Series – Tour Watopia Announced

FRR Tour Series – Tour Watopia Announced

The Tour of Britannia was fun.  You will have perhaps already read my adventures during the race.  It was a hugely successful series that built on the success of the first series in France.  And now Flamme Rouge Racing (FRR) is launching its third event – Tour Watopia.

Past Success

FRR’s first series, hosted on the roads of France, saw 22 teams and 100 riders.  The second series (Britannia) saw 87 teams and over 800 riders competing. And now Tour Watopia is going to be even bigger, because most of the teams are returning.

Tour Watopia

Watopia starts Sunday, January 2th and completes on the 9th. The event covers 6 stages in 8 days. 260km of total distance with 3,900m of climbing using three racing formats: iTT, Points, and TTT. This diversity in events makes it fun and competitive as you struggle through the stages in anticipation of the one that caters for your abilities.

Pre-registration of teams is open now, and must be completed by December 24th.

No Gimmicks + Fair Racing

The previous Tours saw certain things implemented to keep the racing fair.  There is no use of powerups, the same bike frames are enforced, and while the neutralized start doesn’t affect the overall race, it is an enormously welcomed feature and prevents the overly hectic starts that have become customary on Zwift.

Feedback & Changes

FRR actively requested feedback from teams and riders to improve the next event. The feedback-inspired changes in this tour include:

  • 4 race times per stage
    • Weekend times equate to 0800-1000 locally
    • Weekday times equate to 1830-1930 locally
  • Rider categories split by power ranges
    • Power refers to the rider w/kg 95% of best three races in last 90 days
    • Expected to provide more competitive races, across all rider categories and ultimately a better event experience
  • Team event where all riders can ride and the best six scoring riders count (refer to rules for qualifying scores)
  • Points weighted more for riders finishing higher in the result, rather than segments
  • Ladies can race a mixed category down (as in real life) subject to revised power limits

Event Routes and Schedule

Once again, routes are varied.  An opening iTT up the Volcano which is a rarity, followed by a Neon points stage around Neokyo (technically not in Watopia but it’s there by popular demand and FRR couldn’t resist slotting it in).

Later stages move through the desert, Titans Grove, visit some sisters and Watopia wouldn’t be complete unless the Alpe featured somewhere…

The key to success is managing fatigue, which is very much part of the intention of these events.

Event Registration

Teams and single riders must pre-register to take part in the event, using the website (FlammeRougeRacing.com) before the closing date of 10pm GMT December 24th. 

I have registered for the event and the platform to register is easy to navigate. You do need a ZwiftPower account to participate and will need to take note of your Rider ID.   

A full list of the rules and points available can be read here.

FRR can be emailed at [email protected] for further information, but everything can be found on the registration page, rules, and event poster.

Once registered, team managers can create and manage teams. All riders can access the event content, race communications, and most importantly the results.

FRR now has a Facebook page and a Private FRR Event User Group page for managers and riders to join, discuss, and have input into events the community would like.

Summing Up

I really enjoyed the previous FRR tour. The racing was fun, competitive, and inclusive.  I also liked the unique additions such as the neutralized start. 

I have already signed up and am certainly looking forward to the racing. But I’d better watch what I eat over the Christmas period if I want to go into this at my fighting weight!

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

Z Badge Hunt Ride Series Announced

Eric Schlange
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26
Z Badge Hunt Ride Series Announced

Z Badge Hunt Ride Series Announced

People love carrots. Figuratively speaking, at least. And Zwift is full of them – those little achievements that encourage you to push a bit further or try something new.

Perhaps the most popular achievements on Zwift are route badges. The first time you complete a route you earn its badge, along with some extra XP, effectively doubling the points you earn for the route.

Zwift HQ has just released a new series of “Z Badge Hunt” rides featuring some of the more challenging routes in game. If you find it hard to ride tough routes on your own, this is your ticket to route badge glory! Here are the details…

Browse Upcoming Z Badge Hunt Events

Short Thursdays, Long Saturdays

Z Badge Hunt events happen on Thursdays and Saturdays. Shorter routes are scheduled on Thursdays, and long routes on Saturdays.

Current event times are as follows:

  • 6am UTC/1am EST/10pm PST (previous day)
  • 12pm UTC/7am EST/4am PST
  • 3pm UTC/10am EST/7am PST
  • 7pm UTC/2pm EST/11am PST
  • 12am UTC/7pm EST/4pm PST
  • 3am UTC (next day)/10pm EST/7pm PST

Route Schedule

Zwift crunched the numbers and chose the least-achieved routes for this series. There are good reasons why many Zwifters haven’t ridden these routes: they aren’t commonly used in events, and always feature some climbing!

Note: while the route schedule is locked in through early January, Zwift HQ has told us they may make some scheduling changes as time goes on.

Thursdays

Saturdays

Browse Upcoming Z Badge Hunt Events

Optimized for Earning

Z Badge Hunt events use challenging routes, but they’re also set up to give you every advantage in your quest:

  • Double draft mode is enabled for easier riding on flats and downhills
  • Only useful powerups are being given: the feather, draft boost, and aero boost
  • Steering is allowed – because why not?

Zwift Insider-Hosted Events

Zwift Insider is hosting some of the Saturday events, including tomorrow’s PRL Full at 7am PST and next Saturday’s Uber Pretzel at 7am PST. Join me and many others for these rides, which should be the biggest events of the series in terms of turnout!

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

Zwift Racing League 2021/22 Round 2 Details

Eric Schlange
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10
Zwift Racing League 2021/22 Round 2 Details

Zwift Racing League (ZRL) has taken racing to the next level on Zwift. It’s well-organized bike racing on an unprecedented scale, with eight weeks of team-based points competition held across multiple timezones catering to thousands of teams. And that’s why serious Zwift racers show up week after week: because everyone knows ZRL is where Zwift racing is at its highest level.

With four successful seasons completed over the course of the past year+, the good people at WTRL – organizers of ZRL – have continued streamlining systems and tightening rulesets to provide a fair, engaging, and competitive platform for Zwift racing.

The next ZRL season begins January 11th, and it’s officially named 2021/22 Season 2. We’ll use this page to display all the key info and links in one place.

Ruleset Updates

The latest ZRL ruleset is available as a PDF linked from this page. (It’s important to understand WTRL’s ruleset does not govern the Zwift Racing League Premier Division, which instead falls under the Zwift Cycling eSports Ruleset.)

The ruleset doesn’t appear to have changed significantly from the prior season.

If you’re new to ZRL, you’ll definitely want to get familiar with the ruleset and points structures, as these will inform strategic decisions made as a team.

Timeslots and Divisions

WTRL published the above timetable with the caveat “Depending on registration numbers, we may open more leagues/divisions to accommodate but no planned changes.”

Additional divisions have been created since last season:

  • Women’s EMEA is now EMEA C and EMEA W
  • Men’s/Mixed has two new leagues: EMEA ME and Africa

Teams and Registration

New teams can register starting December 12 at wtrl.racing/zrl-registration.

Want to race, but don’t have a team? Looking to recruit new riders to your team? Post your info on the Facebook group. Use tags so your post can easily be found by others using “popular topics”:

  • If you are looking for a team, try to remember to tag your post with the topic #zrlteamhunt
  • If you are recruiting, tag your post with #zrlrecruiting

Race Routes and Dates

Note: “Intermediates” are sections on the course where riders compete mid-race for additional points. Intermediates may count for Fastest-Through-Segment (FTS) and/or First-Across-Line (FAL) points – see the scoring page for details.

Premier Division races are on Mondays, while Community Division races are on Tuesdays.

Race #1: Neokyo All-Nighter
January 11, 2022 (Points Race)

This is the first time Neokyo All-Nighter will be raced in ZRL, but we don’t think it’s the last. The course seems tailor-made for ZRL racing, with four sprint sections before a decently-long KOM. The sprinters will have their day, but so will the climbers. Who will hold on for the win?

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race

  • 1 Lap Makuri Islands’ Neokyo All-Nighter (24.6km, 169.4m elevation)
  • PowerUps: Aero Boost, Burrito, Draft Boost
  • FAL Segments:
    • Castle Park Sprint REV
    • Alley Sprint FWD
    • Castle Park Sprint FWD
    • Tower Sprint FWD
    • Rooftop Climb FWD
  • FTS Segments:
    • Alley Sprint FWD
    • Rooftop Climb FWD

Race #2: London Classique
January 18, 2022 (Points Race)

The least climby route of the season, this is where the sprinters will shine. Timing will be everything on the Classique sprints, where riders tend to go long but get caught before the line. Maybe, just maybe, the ghost powerup will have its day!

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race. Since the race ends at the final sprint banner, we’ve added those Sprint FAL points to the finishing points total in the chart.

  • A/B: 6 Laps London Classique (38.7km, 196.8m elevation)
  • C/D: 5 Laps London Classique (32.8km, 170m elevation)
  • PowerUps: Aero Boost, Draft Boost, Invisibility
  • FAL and FTS Segment:
    • Mall Sprint REV

Race #3: Park Perimeter Loop
January 25, 2022 (Points Race)

Although it’s a flattish route, Park Perimeter Loop lends itself to attacks with its rolling profile and punchy Harlem Hill climb. It’s no Yorkshire, but the pack can be thinned if teams push hard at the right times. We predict the anvil powerup will raise some ire this week, as it can only be used effectively in one portion of this route… and even then, timing would need to be spot-on!

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race

Race #4: Douce France
February 1, 2022 (TTT)

The first of only two TTTs in the ZRL regular season, this one will be hard and fast with its fairly flat profile. WTRL is showing powerups for this TTT, which will add another strategic dimension for riders.

Race #5: Temples and Towers
February 8, 2022 (Points Race)

Three KOMs on this route, with the dirt Temple KOM as the final climb. Unlike last season’s Countryside Tour craziness, this route doesn’t lend itself well to bike swapping or even a dedicated gravel bike. So that simplifies things…

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race

  • 1 Lap Makuri Islands’ Temples and Towers (32.5km, 319.4m elevation)
  • PowerUps: Aero Boost, Burrito, Steamroller
  • FAL and FTS Segments:
    • Rooftop Climb FWD
    • Castle Climb FWD
    • Temple Climb FWD

Race #6: Climber’s Gambit
February 15, 2022 (Points Race)

The Queen Stage! Very few riders have raced the Climber’s Gambit route, since it was only introduced a few months ago as a Zwift Academy Baseline/Finish Line route. It takes us through one sprint segment and over two Watopian KOMs, finishing atop the Epic Reverse.

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race. Since the race ends at the Epic KOM banner, we’ve added those KOM FAL points to the finishing points total in the chart.

  • 1 Lap Watopia’s Climber’s Gambit (27.9km, 670.6m elevation)
  • PowerUps: Anvil, Burrito, Feather
  • FAL and FTS Segment:
    • JWB Sprint REV
    • Titans Grove Climb REV
    • Epic KOM REV

Race #7: Richmond UCI Reverse
February 22, 2022 (TTT)

The second TTT of the season, this route begins with a fast descent, but quickly takes riders through three climbs before flattening out on the back half. It will be an exercise in team pacing.

Race #8: Lutece Express
March 1, 2022 (Points Race)

The longest race (distance-wise) of the season for A/B, this route will hurt as riders attack up the rise, recover for a few seconds around the Arc de Triomphe, then hit the slightly downhill sprint for extra points. Six times!

Points Distribution

A/B Race

C/D Race

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race.

Playoff #1: Legends and Lava
March 8, 2022 (Points Race)

The playoff points race ends atop the Volcano KOM, so the final several minutes of racing will be an all-out effort for most.

Points Distribution

The maximum points a team of 6 could earn in this race. Since the race ends at the Volcano KOM banner, we’ve added those KOM FAL points to the finishing points total in the chart.

  • 1 Lap Watopia’s Legends and Lava (24.6km, 321m elevation)
  • PowerUps: Aero Boost, Anvil, Feather
  • FAL Segments:
    • Titans Grove Climb REV
    • JWB Bridge Sprint FWD
    • Volcano Climb
  • FTS Segments:
    • JWB Bridge Sprint FWD
    • Volcano Climb

Playoff #2: Greater London Flat
March 12, 2022 (TTT)

The playoff TTT is quite flat, meaning that, more than ever, it’s going to be about efficient team formation and pure wattage on the front.

Questions or Comments?

We recommend checking out WTRL’s Zwift Racing League page for rules, team registration, results, and more. Their Facebook page is the place to go for discussion on all things ZRL.

Feel free to share questions or comments below!

Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of December 10-12

Tim Perkin
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9
Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of December 10-12

I’m not sure if this is new trend, but I have noticed that once again, there is another major event scheduled for Friday on Zwift (and I am not just talking about my Mountain Massif TT – Powered by Muc-Off)!

Not, it’s the L39ION of LA Crit Series. And of course, there are plenty of other big rides happening Saturday and Sunday as well. Here are our top picks for this weekend!


Z Badge Hunt – PRL Full – hosted by Zwift Insider

Got an hour or six free on Saturday to join us on London’s PRL Full as we go on a quest for one of Zwift’s most challenging route badges?

As the event description notes “Double draft is on for this event so you’ll be doubly rewarded for working together in a tight pack to get everyone across the line.” 

Read all about the event here >

Should be a fun ride and gives you a break from putting up the Christmas decorations.

Saturday, December 11 @ 3pm GMT/10am EST/7am PST
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/2505097


L39ION of LA Crit Series

This new event will take place over 6 laps (approximately 24 km/15 miles) of the brand-new Neokyo Crit Course, a circuit included in Zwift’s recent Neokyo release.  It’s going to be intense, with over 700 people already signed up for one event. You’d better have your sprinting legs warmed up!

The 4-race series includes separate races for men and women and a points-based series GC on ZwiftPower. Get more details in this Zwift Insider post >

Multiple event times on Friday, see zwift.com/events/series/l39inoflacritseries to sign up


Le Col Big Day In

Le Col are cycling up to Chalet Reynard, on the mighty Ven-Top.  This is the first ride in their new Le Col Big Day In series.  If you fancy doing something a bit challenging, this certainly is the event for you. 

Retired pro Chris Opie will be leading the group.  Expect a fun and inclusive ride with Chris at the helm.  This new event series from Le Col will see a big ride hosted each month, some longer, some hillier, but the ethos is the same, “to push yourself a little bit further.”

Saturday, December 11 @ 8:30am GMT/3:30am EST
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/2485216


Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe INEOS Grenadiers Training Camp Social Ride

Here’s another chance to rub virtual elbows with some of the biggest names in the pro peloton!

The INEOS Grenadiers are at a training camp in Mallorca, and hosting some Zwift rides at the same time. This particular event is getting to be quite popular, thanks in no small part to the the Geraint and Luke being the ride leaders!

The event is 60 minutes long, held on Watopia’s very flat Tempus Fugit route. (Pace is stated as 1-5 w/kg, so some riders will race off the front. Hopefully G and Luke will keep it social!)

Friday, December 10 @ 8am GMT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/2489913


Neokyo Badge Hunt – Stage 4

The Neokyo Badge Hunt series has resulted in some big group rides! I’m liking this event series because there is always a group to ride with at whatever pace you fancy, you unlock very distinctive kit as you ride, and of course you’ll collect a route badge the first time you complete each route. 

Stage 4 Details:

  • Route: Temples and Towers
  • Distance: 20.2 mi // 32.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 2,261.2 ft // 689.2 m

Multiple event times, see zwift.com/events/series/neokyo-badge-hunting-series to sign up

Your Thoughts

Got other events that stand out this weekend? Share below in the comments!

50 Riders Confirmed as Qualifying for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

Eric Schlange
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8
50 Riders Confirmed as Qualifying for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

50 Riders Confirmed as Qualifying for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

Yesterday the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Zwift confirmed the list of 50 top finishers from the recent open Continental Qualifier races who will be competing for their nations at the UCI Cycling Esports Word Championships 2022.

Last year was the first-ever UCI Cycling Esports World Championships and this year, for the first time ever, Continental Qualifier races were held to provide an open and equitable pathway to participate in the elite UCI World Championship event.

In a testament to the power and accessibility of esports, races across five continents hosted a total of 550 eligible riders vying for a chance to represent their countries in the biggest virtual cycling race of the year.

Highlights from the Continental Qualifiers

But of course, only a fraction of those riders would qualify for the big race. Here’s the full list of newly-qualified riders…

Qualified Riders

Europe

Men:
Lionel Vujasin (CRO)
Matthias Deroose (BEL)
Matteo Cigala (ITA)
Haarvard Gjeldnes (NOR)
Teppo Laurio (FIN)

Women:
Zoe Langham (GBR)
Mary Wilkinson (GBR)
Cecilia Hansen (SWE)
Loes Adegeest (NDL)
Melanie Maurer (SUI)
Illi Gardner (GBR)
Alice Lethbridge (GBR)
Lou Bates (GBR)
Louise Houbak (DEN)
Eleanor Wiseman (BEL)

Americas

Men:
Zach Nehr (USA)
Brian Duffy (USA)
Thomas Thrall (CAN)
John Bruhn (USA)
Kevin Bouchard-Hall (USA)

Women:
Shayna Powless (USA)
Jacquie Godbe (USA)
Liz van Houweling (USA)
Kristen Kulchinsky (USA)
Monilee Keller (CAN)
Katheryn Curi (USA)

Oceania

Men:
Ben Hill (AUS)
Ollie Jones (NZL)
Paul Odlin (NZL)
Sam Lindsay (NZL)
Aiden Sinclair (AUS)

Women:
Vicky Whitelaw (AUS)
Justine Barrow (AUS)
Katie Banerjee (AUS)
Sarah Morrison (NZL)

Asia

Men:
Takato Ikeda (JPN)
Toshiaki Maegawa (JPN)
Hidenori Sasauchi (JPN)
Tomoaki Takasugi (JPN)
Ryusuke Honda (JPN)  

Women:
Lam Kong (HKG)
Lyn Ahmad (SNG)
Faye Foo (SNG)
Tsalina Phang (SNG)

Africa

Men:
Gary Muller (RSA)
James Barnes (RSA)
Eddy Hoole (RSA)
Pieter Avenant (RSA)
Andre Matias (ANG)

Women:
Courteney Webb (RSA)

Note: if you’re wondering why some continents have fewer than five women listed, while some have more than five, it’s because:

  1. Not all continents had enough women meet the qualification criteria (either they weren’t auto A cat + or they couldn’t complete the necessary verification process)
  2. Any unallocated berths were re-allocated to the biggest continents (Europe and the Americas). This policy was communicated to racers prior to the race, so they knew what was at stake.

What’s Next?

Additional rider selections will be made by the 23 National Federations who receive automatic invites from the UCI. “Places will be awarded based on a combination of Cycling Esports community size and the depth of talent based on both esports and UCI road rankings,” according to press releases.

The UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will take place on the 26th of February, 2022. The race will be held on the Knickerbocker route in Zwift’s New York world, and that circuit’s rolling roads and steep gradients will certainly make for a selective and exciting race!

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

Kathryn Curi‘s Second Career on Zwift (Nowhere Fast Episode 27)

Kevin Bouchard-Hall
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0
Kathryn Curi‘s Second Career on Zwift (Nowhere Fast Episode 27)

Kathryn Curi‘s Second Career on Zwift (Nowhere Fast Episode 27)

Episode 27 of Nowhere Fast has Katheryn Curi as a guest. Co-host KBH was teammates with Kathryn 21 years ago at the University of Vermont. They both went on to pursue professional cycling careers but only one of them was successful. Spoiler: it wasn’t KBH.

Curi had an excellent career, winning a pro road national championship, racing the biggest races in Europe, and competing at road Worlds for the USA. Now retired, she has come back to bike racing in the virtual racing scene. She shares her experience with this and talks about winning a spot for Worlds again, this time on Zwift!

About the Podcast

Nowhere Fast is a part of the Wide Angle Podium network and focuses on virtual bike racing. It includes Zwift commentary, interviews, and coverage of real races on fake bikes. Get it on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or anywhere else fine podcasts are shared.

L39ION of LA Crit Series Begins Friday: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Eric Schlange
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20
L39ION of LA Crit Series Begins Friday: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

L39ION of LA Crit Series Begins Friday: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

This Friday, December 10th, sees the start of the first-ever L39ION of LA Crit Series. Racers are already signing up in droves, so these races will clearly be highly competitive events.

Additional details about the series have come to light since our initial post, so we wanted to follow up with a fresh post. Here’s everything you need to know about the L39ION of LA Crit Series.

Race Dates

The L39ION of LA Crit Series consists of 4 races:

  • Friday, December 10th
  • Tuesday, December 14th 
  • Friday, December 17th
  • Tuesday, December 21st

Points/GC Details

While each race will have a winner (the first over the line), there is also a points-based general classification for the overall series. A race within the race!

Riders earn points based on their finishing position: 20 points for 1st, 19 for 2nd, 18th for 3rd, all the way down to 1 point for 20th place.

The overall GC winner will be the rider in each time slot with the most points after 4 races.

Choose Your League/Time Slot

There are four “leagues” to choose from. Each league has its own time slot:

  • AUS: 6:30pm AEDT/7:30am GMT/2:30am EST/11:30pm PST
  • East: 11am AEDT/12am GMT/7pm EST/4pm PST
  • UK/EU: 6am AEDT/7pm GMT/2pm EST/11am PST
  • West: 2pm AEDT/3am GMT/10pm EST/7pm PST

Your GC points only apply to the particular time slot you race, so if you want to compete for GC, you must race the same time slot in each of the four races.

See Upcoming Events

32 GC Winners

With 4 leagues (time slots) and 4 categories in each mixed race as well as 4 categories in each women-only race, a total of 32 GC winners (16 mixed, 16 women-only) will be crowned at the conclusion of the series.

About the Route: Neokyo Crit Course

Events will take place over 6 laps (approximately 24 km/15 miles) of the Neokyo Crit Course, a flat 3.9km circuit that covers portions of the permanently-dark Neokyo map near the Neokyo Harbor start pens including Castle Park and the Shopping District.

See our Neokyo Crit Series page for more route details >

Tips for Beginners

If you haven’t yet raced seriously on Zwift, never fear. Here’s what you need to know before jumping into the L39ION of LA Crit Series…

Choosing Your Category

Riders must select a category when signing up for the race. Categories are based on your FTP in watts per kilogram. Calculating this is simple: if your FTP is 250 watts and you weigh 75kg, your FTP in w/kg would be 250/75=3.33 w/kg.

Standard ZwiftPower categories used for this series are:

  • A: 4+ w/kg
  • B: 3.2-4 w/kg
  • C: 2.5-3.2 w/kg
  • D: 1-2.5 w/kg

If your FTP is 3.33 w/kg, you would sign up for the B category.

Important: signing up for too “low” of a category is considered sandbagging, and you will be removed from the final results.

ZwiftPower Account Required

You must have a ZwiftPower account to be included in the final results. See this post for basic instructions on setting up your ZwiftPower account and hooking it to your Zwift account.

Want more racing tips? Start here >

Ready to Race?

Find the series events in the Companion app, or click below to see all upcoming events in the series and sign up.

See Upcoming Events

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

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