Zwift’s Climb Portal feature went live a year ago, in July 2023. This week, for the first time ever, Zwift begins holding group rides on Portal climbs! It’s all done in conjunction with the Tour de France, which kicks off along with the first Climb Portal events on June 29th.
What we have here is a compelling and rare mashup of virtual and real cycling worlds. While the men’s pro field races the climbs in real life, listening to the cheers of thousands while breathing in clear mountain air and battling the burning in their legs, Zwifters can ride GPS-accurate replicas of the same climb in game. That’s pretty cool!
Eight different climbs will be featured on the same day they feature in the Tour, with events held hourly throughout the day:
| Climb (click for details) | Date | TdF Stage | Register |
| Côte des Forche (3km, 148m) | June 29 | 1 | Sign up > |
| Col du Galibier (Lautaret) (10.3km, 539m) | July 2 | 4 | Sign up > |
| Pas de Peyrol/Puy Mary (10.2km, 603m) | July 10 | 11 | Sign up > |
| Pla d’Adet (12.1km, 847m) | July 13 | 14 | Sign up > |
| Col de Peyresourde (Avajan) (8.3km, 559m) | July 14 | 15 | Sign up > |
| Isola 2000 (18.9km, 1145m) | July 19 | 19 | Sign up > |
| Col de la Couillole (18.3km, 1209m) | July 20 | 20 | Sign up > |
| La Turbie + Col d’Eze (15.2km, 616m) | July 21 | 21 | Sign up > |
“Grand Depart” Kit Unlock
Zwifters can unlock the new Santini TdF 2024 Grand Depart kit by finishing any of the Climb Portal events listed above:
You can also unlock the kit by finishing July’s TdF Mission (riding any two different routes in France or Paris) or by completing one of the portal climbs listed above as an on-demand free ride in the Climb Portal Challenge.
Climb Portal Challenge
It’s hard to miss the Climb Portal Challenge Zwift has just rolled out for the TdF! Click the homepage banner, register for the challenge, then you have access to all of the climbs above whenever you’d like.
Bring Your Climbing Bike
The Climb Portal events are technically group rides, not races. But you can still chase leaderboard placings and try to set your fastest time on each climb! Be sure to use a lightweight bike in game. Here’s a guide that tells you the lightest bike frame and wheelsets available at each Zwift level.
Questions or Comments?
What do you think of the Climb Portal event concept? If you’re planning on joining any of these TdF events, will you be going big on Isola 2000, or just knocking out the easy Côte des Forche? Or maybe you’re an animal and plan to do them all?
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