Zwift Insider

Zwift releases update 1.0.21516

Game Updates

Eric Schlange

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October 27, 2017

Zwift releases update 1.0.21516

ZwiftHQ rolled out its latest update on 10/25, with the big news being the Mayan Jungle expansion. There were other small changes included as well… here are the details from ZwiftHQ, with some comments from myself:

Group workouts algorithm changed to reduce the speed of the group so it is more reasonable. Have you tried the new group workouts yet? I’ve heard some folks complaining that they were setting PRs while in a group workout, because the speeds were higher than they should be. Sounds like ZwiftHQ is on it!
Dirt road dust effect reduced in large packs of riders. Definitely a needed change, with the addition of lots of dirt roads in the Mayan Jungle expansion. I found the effect hasn’t been reduced by much, though: I think ZwiftHQ is going to keep hearing complaints about this. It’s fun (and strategic when racing!) but not great when you’ve got miles and miles of dirt road in a group ride.
Made changes to allow for reduced download size of all future updates: always a good thing. I’d like to see updates get automatically downloaded and even installed.
Fixed Brick activities (Bike, then Run). They now save as two activities of the correct sport: running on Zwift continues to mature into its own space.
“Ride with…” or “Run with…” should be more reliable now: important to keep this working well, since Zwift is a social game
Many small bugs fixed: keep on squashing!

See the full release notes from Jon Mayfield here >

Zwiftcast Episode 36

Simon Schofield

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October 27, 2017

0

Zwiftcast Episode 36

Episode 36 of Zwiftcast has been released. Here’s the full episode description:

It’s out! The long awaited and eagerly expected extension to Watopia has just been released and Simon, Shane and Nathan are on hand to give their verdicts and discuss the community reaction.

There’s lots more as well in this edition of the Zwiftcast, with quick catch ups on ex-Academy winner Leah Thorvilson, Zwift HQ’s own world champion Mike McCarthy, the launch of a huge new race series from Zwift and this year’s Academy contest reaching its next stage.

Once they’ve dispensed with the Jungle Run – and that’s no small task – the Zwiftcasters move on to discuss the dawning of Zwift as a re-seller of trainers and the launch of Group Workouts – and what that last feature may say about Zwift’s future. Is the platform planning to go head to head with Peloton?

Simon pays a home visit to the world HQ of the fabled Aussie HDR ride and, finally – Simon decides to voice his views on a certain squirrel! Judging from the reaction of his fellow Zwiftcasters, Scottie looks safe! Hope you enjoy listening podcast fans.

Zwift Mayan Jungle course expansion added

Eric Schlange

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October 26, 2017

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Zwift Mayan Jungle course expansion added

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.

Forcefield keeps level 9 and below riders out.

Still a bit dusty, but not nearly as bad as it used to be…

Top of the loop: stay left to keep looping, right to hit the alpine pass.

The banter with the ODZ crew was strong this morning.

Reverse loop, stay right to keep looping.

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…

Watopia “Road to Ruins” expansion coming soon

Eric Schlange

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October 23, 2017

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Watopia “Road to Ruins” expansion coming soon

Jon Mayfield has posted a teaser Strava ride, giving us a glimpse into the next Watopia expansion.

The new route begins with a turn off the backside of the Epic KOM. Titled the “Road to Ruins,” the extension is 13.4km (8.3) miles long, with a fair amount of elevation change (147m, or 482′).

For the first time ever, it appears Zwift HQ has made their own Strava segments of the new roads prior to their release, which I think is an excellent idea. Road to Ruins – Full covers all the new roads, while Road to Ruins – Just the Loop covers… just the loop.

The new roads will be at least partially dirt, and have a “Mayan ruins” theme, judging by a teaser image (below) send out in a recent community email from Zwift HQ.

Women’s Endurance Lab begins October 23rd

Eric Schlange

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October 16, 2017

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Women’s Endurance Lab begins October 23rd

The Women’s Endurance Lab is a women-focused group coaching program offered in Zwift. It is being launched by Coach Theia Friestedt and TeamODZ with the goal of helping riders achieve higher levels of fitness by focusing on three pillars of training: endurance, strength and VO2. Participants will have access to several coaches to guide them and answer questions, while being part of a supportive community.

The Lab is open to all women in Zwift. It starts on October 23, 2017 and runs for four weeks. During this time, participants will also have access to educational presentations to help better understand how training can increase their fitness.

Here are the details of The Women’s Endurance Lab by TeamODZ:

Four week training plan with all custom workout files provided for Zwift.
Closed Facebook group to interact with the coaches and other Lab participants.
Three key workouts a week, focusing on improving power, endurance, and your VO2.
Weekly educational presentations to help better understand how training can increase your fitness.
Tips on activities you can do off the bike that can help your performance on the bike.
This is a group coaching program that will provide you with access to coaches to answer your questions for the duration of the Lab.
If you are looking for more individualized or daily feedback on each of your workouts, and/or further training plan updates/customization, we would be happy to offer that service separately with one of our coaches.

The cost is 40USD for the 4 weeks.

For more information, please go to: www.facebook.com/volyoomfit

Zwiftcast Episode 35

Simon Schofield

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October 4, 2017

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Zwiftcast Episode 35

Episode 35 of Zwiftcast has been released. Here’s the full episode description:

The Zwiftcasters are back to discuss a busy period for new developments on the platform. With Simon and Shane in Melbourne and Nathan in the States, the first subject to come under the Zwiftcast gaze is Zwift’s new look. It’s safe to say Shane isn’t keen! Two Zwift executives tell the trio what the thinking behind the change is.

Pete Donohue, an Australian Zwifter, has an inspirational story about how Zwift, in his own words, “saved his life” and why that means ge remains very much attached to the old logo – in more ways than one!

Next up is the big KISS/Zwift E Crit final which took place in Melbourne. Simon and Shane, who were both there, vote the ambitious event a success and they join Nathan to discuss if this could mean Zwift really throwing its weight behind virtual racing.

The Ten Commandments of Zwift is just a bit of fun – as the Zwiftcast, with a little help from its friends, comes up with ten thoughts about etiquette when riding in the virtual world. The commandments are NOT chiselled in stone!

The boys speculate about what the new Watopia extension might contain and there’s a tiny bit of news about Zwift possibly arriving on Apple TV soon.

Is social shaming the way to defeat cheats in Zwift racing – or could a code of conduct be a better way? The Zwiftcasters add their thoughts to this contentious area.

It’s a packed podcast – available both in audio and on video on the Zwiftcast Channel on YouTube. We hope you enjoy it however you watch or listen.

Zwiftcast Episode 34

Simon Schofield

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September 15, 2017

0

Zwiftcast Episode 34

Episode 34 of Zwiftcast has been released. Here’s the full episode description:

Simon, Shane and Nathan discuss the ever-changing and vibrant happenings in Zwift. It’s trainer season so the manufacturers are busy with new launches, upgrades – and keeping up with demand. The Zwiftcast trio assess the “world’s first Smart Bike” from Wattbike, in the shape of the Atom. Verdict: looks pretty tasty but with availability limited to the UK initially, Zwifters in other parts of the world are going to have to be patient.

There’s news on the action Elite is taking to stem the shortage of their popular and highly-rated new trainer, the Direto and some interesting chat from the Zwiftcast hosts on the relationship between Smart Trainer ownership and the likelihood of staying subscribed to Zwift.

The podcast has a new regular feature starting which should help Zwifters with their nutrition questions. Professor Asker Jeukendrup is exceptionally well-qualified – and a bike rider and triathlete to boot. We meet Asker this episode and look forward to how he can help Zwifters fuel training.

A new update has just landed, and Simon, Shane and Nathan discuss its merits – as well as looking forward to what they believe will be a transformative arrival. Group Workouts are due soon and all three Zwiftcasters are very excited.

Next the chaps move on to discuss what’s shaping up to be a runaway success – the Zwift Academies. With 10,000 riders now enrolled in both Academies, the Zwift exec charged with keeping everything on track, Tom Hargreaves, talks about the challenges – and discusses what might be coming next in this area.

The Zwiftcasters polish off this episode with a discussion of “shenanigans” around the wild card entry for the Aussie e-crit final and the thread on Reddit which discusses Zwift – from a perspective beyond the boundaries of the mainstream Zwift community.

Watopia “Volcano Climb” Route Details

Routes & Maps

Eric Schlange

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September 6, 2017

1

Watopia “Volcano Climb” Route Details

Watopia’s “Volcano Climb” is essentially the Volcano Flat route with the corkscrew climb up the the volcano thrown in. It’s a nice route to hit if you want a mostly flat route, with one fairly steady (3.7km @ 3% grade) climb thrown in.

Route details:
Distance: 22.8km (14.2 miles)
Elevation Gain: 192m (630′)
Strava Forward Strava Forward from Start Pier Strava Climb Only Segment

Cycling Esports Goes Big as CVR World Cup Paris Prize Pool Rises to $44,735

News
Racing

Eric Schlange

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September 5, 2017

0

Cycling Esports Goes Big as CVR World Cup Paris Prize Pool Rises to $44,735

Cycligent has announced a prize pool of $44,735 (USD) for its third World Cup event to be held in Paris on September 15th and 16th. Following successful races in Las Vegas and London, the Paris event promises to be the biggest yet with the introduction of a prize purse and the largest field of racers ever seen at a Cycligent World Cup event.

Of course, as in past CVR World Cup events, cyclists will be racing on Zwift. Competitors will weigh in and use verified/calibrated trainers to make sure the playing field is level.

Prize Purse

Paris’ purse exceeds the minimum one-day prize money requirement for UCI pro cycling races for men, HC Class (€18,800/$22,320) and paying out more than eight times the minimum one-day prize money requirement for UCI one day women’s races, Class 1 (€2,353/$2,795). (Note the UCI does not have an HC Class for women). As you know, having the same prize pools for men and women is a big deal in cycling.

Anyone interested learning the specifics about prize distribution or contributing to the prize pool ($6,237 donated to date!) may do so here.

New cycleVIEW™ Application

Cycligent’s new cycleVIEW™ application looks like a very exciting and innovative way to watch the races, giving viewers the ability to choose and watch multiple individual riders, view rider locations on course, and watch the main broadcast stream, among other selections. It also gives viewers the ability to cheer for and send messages to their favorite athletes.

“Cheering” for a rider is done by making a donation of as little as $1. The rider will see your “cheer” in game, and the prize pool will be increased by the amount you donate. What an innovative way to crowdfund a prize purse and cheer on riders!

The cycleVIEW™ application can be accessed at cycleview.cycligentrankings.com. (Please note, cycleVIEW™ is currently pre-loaded with footage from London so people can get comfortable being in the director’s chair before Paris.)

Tickets to Live Event

While the event can be streamed free online, you may also obtain free tickets for the live September 16th event at the Velodrome National De Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines in Paris at cvrparis.eventbrite.com.

Alienware Alpha Giveaway

To promote its events and offerings CVR World Cup is currently running a contest with an opportunity to win an Alienware Alpha R2 computer among other prizes. Learn more here >

Who Is Racing?

Cycligent is revealing racers on a regular basis through their blog and Facebook page, so check those locations to learn more about who will be racing in Paris.

Zwiftcast Episode 33 – Eurobike Special

Simon Schofield

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September 2, 2017

0

Zwiftcast Episode 33 – Eurobike Special

Episode 33 of Zwiftcast has been released. Here’s the full episode description:

Simon is with Shane and special guest D C Rainmaker, aka Ray Maker, to discuss the latest trends and themes of interest to Zwifters to emerge from the world’s biggest bike show – Eurobike.

Despite the podcast being interrupted by a cataclysmic storm, the trio battle on to discuss the Kickr CLIMB, probably the most innovative project to emerge at the show. The device which elevates the front wheel of a bike on a trainer will “make Zwift much more fun” according to Wahoo president Chip Hawkins.

The chaps analyse the “pointless gimmick vs amazing innovation” argument and also discuss what looks like plans by Zwift to increase subscription prices. Is the software company now an industry leader? The question emerged as Zwift hosted a get together for all the movers and shakers in the indoor training business at Eurobike.

Tacx debuted a prototype of their Smart Bike project at the show and Simon, Shane and Ray discuss whether the very high likely price of these will be a barrier to adoption.

After pausing to prop up a collapsed awning on Ray’s RV as a storm raged, the boys discuss more products and trends of interest to Zwifters including the “Dorrito” shortage and a new quiet trainer from Aussie company JetBlack.

The podcast is wrapped up with a light-hearted discussion on “my favourite thing” from this show with two out of the three hosts confessing to coveting the CLIMB.

Zwift releases update 1.0.21516

Zwift releases update 1.0.21516

Zwiftcast Episode 36

Zwiftcast Episode 36

Zwift Mayan Jungle course expansion added

Zwift Mayan Jungle course expansion added

Course Profile

New Routes

Well Done, Artists

Level 10+ Only

What else?

Watopia “Road to Ruins” expansion coming soon

Watopia “Road to Ruins” expansion coming soon

Women’s Endurance Lab begins October 23rd

Women’s Endurance Lab begins October 23rd

Zwiftcast Episode 35

Zwiftcast Episode 35

Zwiftcast Episode 34

Zwiftcast Episode 34

Watopia “Volcano Climb” Route Details

Watopia “Volcano Climb” Route Details

Cycling Esports Goes Big as CVR World Cup Paris Prize Pool Rises to $44,735

Cycling Esports Goes Big as CVR World Cup Paris Prize Pool Rises to $44,735

Prize Purse

New cycleVIEW™ Application

Tickets to Live Event

Alienware Alpha Giveaway

Who Is Racing?

Zwiftcast Episode 33 – Eurobike Special

Zwiftcast Episode 33 – Eurobike Special

[email protected]

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