This week on the Top 5 Zwift Videos, check out three different takes on the Alpe du Zwift. If you’re riding past the Alpe on dirt roads of the jungle, you can take a look at a test of the gravel bike in the Tour de Zwift. Then, if you’re feeling a little crowded on Zwift, learn a few ways to ride alone.
Alpe Du Zwift Race // Massive Solo Attack!
While racing on the Quatch Quest route, Ed Laverack makes a daring attack before even reaching the Alpe du Zwift. Can he stay away until the end?
2.5 Ways to Ride Alone on Zwift
Zwift is great for riding with others, but do you ever want some alone time in the virtual world? Jonathan Crain tells you how you can ride on your own.
Is the Gravel Bike any good on Zwift’s Jungle Circuit?
The Jungle Circuit is mostly dirt roads, but some paved sections at the start and before the finish banner make it a mixed-surface route. Everyday Zwifter tries out Tour de Zwift Stage 4 with a gravel bike to see how he fares against road and mountain bike riders.
I Raced My Dad Up Alpe De Zwift
Sophie L Dodd sets her dad up on Zwift and challenges him to climb the Alpe with her.
Can a beginner climb the tallest mountain in Zwift?
After streaming some short races, new Zwifter J Mower wanted a bigger challenge, so he decided on the Alpe du Zwift.
Got a Great Zwift Video?
Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!
All About Zwift’s New ENVE G23 and Roval Terra CLX Gravel Wheelsets
Zwift’s February 2022 game update included two interesting additions to the Drop Shop: a pair of gravel wheelsets. There are three things that make these wheels interesting:
This is the first time Zwift has expanded its non-road wheelsets beyond the basic “Zwift Gravel” and “Zwift Mountain” wheels
These new gravel wheels have a custom Crr on dirt surfaces (more on that later)
The wheels aren’t level-locked, and they’re available at a very low price
Let’s look at how these wheels perform, then we’ll dig into the Crr issue and wrap up with thoughts on why Zwift has made these wheels so easily available.
Speed Test Results
Both wheelsets perform (nearly) identically in our tests. In our tests on flat pavement they essentially matched the existing Zwift Gravel wheelset (just 1/2 second faster over 50 minutes). And on the Alpe du Zwift climb test they were just 2-3 seconds faster than the Zwift Gravel wheels. (Interestingly, the ENVEs consistently climbed 1s faster than the Rovals in our tests).
So on pavement, these wheels don’t offer any substantial performance advantage. But on dirt, it’s another story!
We tested the wheels on laps of the Jungle Circuit. Here are their times:
ENVE G23: 13:57
Roval Terra CLX: 13:57
Zwift Gravel: 14:15
So the dirt is where these wheels really shine. Pair them with a faster gravel bike like the Canyon Grail and you’ve got a rig that’s a few seconds faster than any mountain bike in the Jungle.
Perhaps even more interesting are the tests we did up the dirt Temple KOM in Makuri Islands. Whereas the stock Zwift Gravel Wheels make the climb around 25s faster than the Tron bike, these new wheels climb around 36s faster. This will make bike swapping, and even using a gravel bike for your full ride, an even more attractive proposition.
Custom Dirt Crr
Crr (tire rolling resistance) is an important factor to consider in Zwift racing. (If you aren’t familiar with how Crr works in Zwift, read our “Crr and Watt Savings of Zwift Wheel Types” post.)
Until this latest release, all of Zwift’s road tires shared the same Crr settings. Similarly, Zwift’s “Zwift Mountain” wheels had their own set of Crr settings, and the “Zwift Gravel” wheels had their own set.
But Zwift is doing something different with these new gravel wheels. They’ve given these wheels a new Crr value when rolling on dirt – one that hasn’t been seen before in game!
The Zwift Mountain wheels have a Crr of .014 in dirt, while the Zwift Gravel wheels have a dirt Crr of .018. These two new gravel wheelsets have a dirt Crr of .016. And this makes them much faster than the stock Zwift Gravel wheels on dirt.
Based on our calculations, the difference between a Crr of .018 and .016 works out to a watt savings of around 15W if you’re a 75kg rider traveling at 40kph. Heavier riders or higher speeds could increase that power savings to ~25W.
High Availability
These new gravel wheelsets have no level requirement, and they’re the lowest-priced wheels in game (17,800 Drops) apart from the Buffalo Fahrrad. Zwift is clearly saying, “We want all Zwifters to have access to these wheels.”
Why is that? We’re not entirely sure, but we bet the upcoming Tour of Watopia, which includes some new gravel routes, has something to do with it.
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
As the Head of Road and Innovation at the UCI and with an illustrious 16-year pro career under his belt, there is no one more qualified than Mick Rogers to speak about the upcoming UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
About the Podcast
The Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast features training tips from host Matt Rowe (Rowe & King), with regular co-hosts Greg Henderson, Rahsaan Bahati, Dani Rowe, and Kristin Armstrong.
How the Race Was Won: Climber’s Gambit (ZRL Race 6)
This week’s Zwift Racing League event on Watopia’s Climber’s Gambit route was the queen stage of the season, containing by far the toughest climb of this series. My DIRT Roosters team races in the EMEA W B2 division, and we’ve surprised ourselves by winning every race up to this point, despite having been promoted up from B3.
But our strength isn’t long climbs, so we weren’t sure how this race would unfold. While we had three decent climbers on our squad, we knew we would have to grab points outside of the Epic KOM in order to win. So we planned accordingly. Read below to see how our race unfolded…
Race Prep
I’ve developed a bit of a ZRL race prep formula, and this week was no different:
Recon race or rides in the days before, just to refresh my knowledge of the route
Easy effort the day before (I actually took the day off, trying to get over a chest cold. It didn’t work.)
Plenty of sleep the night before
A clean, carby oatmeal breakfast
Beet juice two hours before the race
Caffeine gum – three pieces (300mg), one hour before the race
PR lotion on my legs about 45 minutes before the race. More bicarb=less burning.
Pick my bike setup (Scott Addict RC + ENVE 7.8 wheels) and join the start pens with 30 minutes to go to save my spot in front.
A nice 30-minute warmup with the C. Cadence crew
My legs felt fresh, but my breathing wasn’t 100% thanks to a lingering chest cold. But I was ready to give it all I had, so I headed for the pens while chatting with my team on Discord. Let’s do this!
Part 1: The Sprint
Our plan for the sprint was to send Clem and Thomas up the road early so they could attempt an FAL grab while the rest of the team sat in the wheels and forced other riders to work to pull them back.
Flying past the anvils in the sprint
Unfortunately, Discord was having issues and Thomas wasn’t able to talk. So we ditched the plan and simply attacked the sprint in whatever way each of us wanted. We grabbed some FAL and FTS points (I ended up 7th and 4th in those contests, respectively).
Then things came back together so we could attack the climb up through the statues, split up again, and come back together again before the Titans Grove KOM Reverse.
Part 2: Titans KOM Reverse
Clem is out wattage bazooka, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to contend for a win up the Epic KOM Reverse. (He’s got a massive sprint and 1-minute power, but his 89kg makes it tough to hang with the whippets on long climbs.) So our plan was for Clem to attack the Titans KOM, making other riders chase him while the rest of us surfed their wheels and attacked hard in the final seconds.
Going hard up the final bit of the Titans Grove KOM Reverse
Clem did exactly what we asked, and grabbed 1st in both the FAL and FTS competition. Antoine and Arjen got 3rd and 4th FAL, 3rd and 5th FTS, and me… well, I didn’t quite make it into the points.
I landed a steamroller at the KOM banner, and used it to make the first descent an easy one. Time to spin the legs and prepare for the Epic KOM. We were 2/3 of the way finished, right?
Part 3: Epic KOM Reverse
How it beganHow it ended
Team captain Antoine had hope of winning this race overall, and we knew Arjen might even have a shot at it. Me? I was just hoping for a Strava PR.
The climb began and immediately a group of ~15 broke away off the front. I tried to keep my power steady around 320W, but it was all over the place as I hammered on steep bits, chased wheels, and generally tried to climb as efficiently as possible.
Chatter on Discord had been replaced with occasional groans and expressions of anger, including Antoine who was frustrated by a pair of legs which weren’t feeling great.
In the end I finished 38th, which was about where I was just a few minutes into the climb. I beat my PR by about 40 seconds (20:49) but the front riders finished 2 minutes ahead. Sometimes it’s good to be humbled.
Teammate Arjen had another standout performance, finishing the highest of our team in 4th. Antoine 10th, Sean 21st with an impressive ride, Thomas 34th, and Clem 74th.
And as it turns out, the first rider over the line got disqualified by WTRL for being outside the power window, which means we all finished at least one spot higher. So Arjen made the podium!
Smoother and sharper thanks to my new Zwifting PC!
Team Result
The Roosters took home another win, with a fairly balanced spread of points between our riders.
With 5 wins in 5 races, things are looking very good for an upgrade to B1 next season.
Takeaways
The Climber’s Gambit route is a nice one for racing, since it has something for everyone. While I’m not a fan of climbing races myself (because I never win them), I think it’s good to have one or two in each ZRL season, to give climbers a chance to shine.
I was happy with my PR on the Epic KOM today, but not terribly happy with my overall placing. This chest cold seems to have impacted my breathing just enough to throw a wrench in climbing efforts more than a minute long.
But in the end we took home the win… which is what really counts.
Your Thoughts
How did your Climber’s Gambit race go? Share below!
The penultimate race of Zwift Racing League 2021/22 Round 2 happens Tuesday, February 22, and it’s the second TTT of the season. But unlike our first TTT, due to the nature of the course top performances here will require some real planning and top-notch team communication.
Let’s dig into the course, including recommendations for bike choice, TTT tips, and crucial segments:
Looking at the Route: Richmond UCI Reverse
The Richmond UCI Reverse route is 16.2km long, with 142m of elevation gain per lap. All categories will be racing two laps of the course, making for a total race distance of ~32.4km with 284m of climbing.
The course is essentially a lump first half followed by a flat second half. Then do it again. Here’s a profile with the three key climbs labeled, along with the arches where you will receive a powerup on each lap:
Rather than take you through a turn-by-turn, let’s just discuss the key sections of this course from a TTT perspective.
Broad Street Climb (1.1km): Averaging just 3.5% but peaking at 12%, this climb starts easy but gets steep at the end. Hold high speed through the easy bottom, then go hard up the steep bit. Turn the corner, grab a powerup, and use it quickly, because you’ve got another one just 1.2km up the road!
25th/Frankin (500 meters). Averaging 5% but peaking at 14%, this is one you want to carry speed into, then just hammer the steep bit. Get over the top, hammer your way back up to speed, the grab another powerup just before descending Libby Hill.
E Main Street (1.2km). Averaging 3%, topping out at 6%, this is the long, steady climb of the three. It’s also draftable, so put your stronger climbers on front and sit behind them for a bit of benefit.
Once you finish the E Main Street climb you’ll want to get your team into formation as you grab another powerup and begin the flat portion of the course. This is where your wattage workhorses can shine.
Once again we get powerups in this TTT, adding a new strategic element to the race. Riders will be awarded powerups through each segment banner, meaning we’ll get 9 powerups during the race. (See course profile above for powerup arch locations.)
Three powerups will be randomly given out at each banner:
Aero Boost (helmet): makes you more aerodynamic (reduces your CdA by 25%) for 15 seconds. Best used when you’re going fastest and air resistance is highest. That means you’ll get maximum impact using this on the front of a TTT, because that’s when air resistance is impacting your speed the most.
Lightweight (feather): reduces your weight by 10% for 15 seconds. Best used on climbs, when weight matters the most. If you get a feather at one of the first two arches on the flat portion of the route, just use it to save a bit of energy so you can grab another powerup at the next arch.
Draft Boost (van): increases the draft effect you are experiencing by 50% for 30 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.) Useful if you’re looking for a bit of recovery after taking a hard pull.
Bike Frame + Wheel Choice
Since this is a TTT, we recommend selecting a bike that helps your weaknesses. That means climbers should go with a more aero bike, while heavier riders should choose more of an all-arounder.
This approach will help your team ride better as a unit, since it will boost climbers a bit on the flats, and boost heavier riders a bit on the climbs.
For all all-arounder we recommend the Tron bike or the Scott Addict RC + ENVE 7.8 wheels. For a pure aero bike, go with the fastest frame and wheels available to you. (Hint: if you don’t have a disc wheelset and fast frame, the Tron bike is your most aero bike).
More Route Recon
Many events now being consistently planned each weekend on the upcoming ZRL route. If you’re not familiar with this course, jump into one of these events and do some recon! Here’s a list of upcoming Richmond UCI Reverse events.
Looking for a video recon, with lovely British commentary to boot? Here are our two favorite recon videos this week:
Sherpa Dave
Si Bradeley
TTTTips
Team Time Trialing on Zwift is a challenging mixture of physical strength, proper pacing, and Zwift minutiae like picking a fast bike and understanding drafting. This week’s race has the added challenge of the hilly first half of each lap, where every team will struggle to maintain the optimal balance between maximum speed and staying together.
Your goal in this week’s TTT is to get four riders across the line in the shortest time possible. That means every team’s pace plan will be different, based on the abilities of each rider. We highly recommend having an experienced DS on Discord directing your team, especially if your team contains some inexperienced TTT riders.
Matt Rowe and Kristin Armstrong take a deep dive into what it’s going to take to win the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships and who could potentially take the win.
About the Podcast
The Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast features training tips from host Matt Rowe (Rowe & King), with regular co-hosts Greg Henderson, Rahsaan Bahati, Dani Rowe, and Kristin Armstrong.
This weekend, in anticipation of the upcoming Esports World Championship hosted on Zwift, we’ve focused on events directly (or indirectly) connected to that!
Le Col Big Day In
The UK is being hit by the worst storm in 30 years, and this means that members of the British team such as Illi Gardner and Ed Laverack will have little chance of venturing out for ride. Therefore I recommend jumping on this ride to clock up the kilometres. This event is 122.5km in length, on the Petit Boucle course in France.
Shimano Recon Ride // UCI Cycling Esports World Championships
The event description best summarises the purpose of the ride, which is 32.1km in length, slightly shorter than the World Championship, but hosted on the same course in New York:
“As the official drivetrain partner SHIMANO will support the World Championship this February and we want to make sure you are ready for this. So we organise a series of social Recon Rides with some very well known names from the pro peloton. Join us online in the next weeks leading up to the UCI World Championships on Zwift for the SHIMANO Recon Rides and prepare like an ESPORTS pro.”
Cycling Austria UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Prep Ride
In preparation for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, the Austrian Cycling Federation invites you to a friendly group ride on the championship course with Austrian elite riders select for the race as leaders.
This week, I had the privilege to interview the 2022 Canadian Esports World Championship Team. It was a real highlight and as a consequence, I’d like to highlight the excellent work that Cycling Canada is doing within the cycling community. This event has been created by the team and is a 60-minute ride hosted on the UCI World Championship course.
“Join the Canadian Cycling community on a fun, inclusive ride open to all in support of HopOn Canada. Established in 2020 by Cycling Canada in conjunction with our Provincial and Territorial partner cycling associations, HopOn Canada is a national introductory cycling program that helps school-aged kids develop basic skills and safety awareness while having fun. In a show of solidarity for this important cause, ALL event participants will ride in the Cycling Canada National Team kit, first unveiled at the inaugural UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
As an added incentive to participate, Lexus Canada has committed to donating $1 to HopOn Canada for each participant on this ride, so rally your fellow Zwifters and make a difference! To make an individual donation and be automatically entered into a draw for some exclusive prizes, click and share the donation link below. Be sure to keep an eye on Cycling Canada’s social media for the latest news on this exciting new event and tune-in to the YouTube livestream on event-day for a chance to chat with some of Canada’s top cycling personalities and learn more about the cause.”
The latest WoZ episode is out, and it’s a special one all about the upcoming UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
First Nico Roche tells us about his ambition to win the rainbow bands, Jason Osborne tells how he won last year, then Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio looks ahead to defending her title. Maud Oudeman discusses her journey from winning Zwift Academy to being in the biggest race in cycling esports. Matt Stephens and Hannah Walker look at the ones to watch for the big race. And finally, we go on a course recon with Canyon Esports founder Rhys Howell.
