“Zwift Gran Fondo 2022” Route Details (Watopia)
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Gran Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s very similar in length and elevation to the original Gran Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads and ends on the Epic KOM Reverse instead of Epic KOM Forward.
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Gran Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s very similar in length and elevation to the original Gran Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads and ends on the Epic KOM Reverse instead of Epic KOM Forward.
Route Basics
Length: 92.5 km (57.5 miles)
Elevation: 1116m (3,661′)
+0.2km (0.1 miles) lead-in
Map: Watopia
ZIMetrics
Rating: 52.1/100 🛈
Time Estimates 🛈
4 W/kg: 146 minutes
3 W/kg: 164 minutes
2 W/kg: 207 minutes
Start & Finish
Begins at downtown arch, ends at Epic KOM Reverse
Format: Point-to-Point
Restriction: Event Only
Run Achievement Badge: none
Strava Segments
Route Description
This route begins nice and flat, providing an excellent warmup in the early minutes. We begin in downtown Watopia, then ride around the Volcano before heading out past the docked Spruce Goose and up the hill toward the Epic KOM.
But don’t worry – it’s not Epic KOM time yet. Take the KOM bypass road along the cliff, then descend before turning right and heading into the redwoods then across the fast, flat Fuego Flats. Take on the Fuego Flats Reverse segment if you’d like, then loop around and hit the much shorter Fuego Flats Forward sprint also.
Then we descend back to the Ocean Boulevard tunnel toward downtown Watopia and our first timed KOM of the day: the original Watopia KOM, named “Hilly KOM”. Over the Esses, back through downtown, then we head out to Titans Grove for our second KOM of the day: Titans Grove Reverse.
Then it’s once more through downtown and over to the Volcano, which is our third KOM. Catch your breath as you descent and make your way past the Spruce Goose once more… then it’s time for the big final effort! The Epic KOM Reverse is a twisty, punishing climb, but look on the bright side: at least it skips the Radio Tower. Good luck!
Better then previous version without the extra flat/rolling distance between another volcano lap to epic climb as in the old one. Much tougher last half with the bulk of the climbing in it. Epic rev. for finish at that distance done will hurt thoes did not pace themselves leading into it.
do you know why the Epic reverse does not show up as a segment
I’m not sure what you’re asking, but the Epic KOM Reverse Strava segment is here: https://www.strava.com/segments/16784850
I mean in the top map of this article
Got tired just watching this animated route.
I wonder if route badges will be created for the 2022 Fondo Series routes…?
I doubt it. They weren’t created for the old routes, and badges aren’t generally made for event-only routes (Neokyo Crit Course being the only exception).
It’s a shame it couldn’t be Gran Fondo length of 120 kms.
Great article Eric, like always
I will try to do it in 2h.
.
Any bike recommendation?
94 km and 3700′ climbing in 2 hours?
I recommend a Ducati.
I did laugh when I read this, then looked up the segment.
The record holder did it in 2:03:05, and 11 people did it in 2:10:00 or less.
How does routes like this works, is there a way to launch it in zwift or should I just need to remember all turns?
It’s an event-only route. So you have to choose an event that uses it, then ride it. These routes are for the Zwift Fondo 2022 series: https://www.zwift.com/uk/events/series/zwift-fondo-series-2022
Which bike best to use you reckon. Tron?
For this Gran Fondo and the other one, is there a way to continue past the finish line to rack up 100km? Haven’t checked off a metric century yet, and wasn’t sure if finishing the event went into an auto-save, or if I could push on for another 2kms.
Great article as always and thanks for all the in depth info!
Kevin you can certainly push on for the extra 2k. The added bonus being that it’s mainly downhill 🙂
What’s the average duration for a weekend rider?
3,5-4 Hours with an pessimistic approach I would say
If you do 150-175 watts on the flats and 200-220 on the climbs this should be around 3.5 hours. Depends how many people to draft with on the flats and your weight.
Friday, impossible to find an event for the 97k fondo?