Zwift has just announced its third annual Tour of London. Like prior years, this is a 5-stage event showcasing all of Zwift’s London map. But Zwift has made a few changes for 2019:

  • More climbing: we’ve got three climbing stages instead of just two
  • No Double Draft mode this year
  • New “E” race category: a “elite” category has been added for anyone wanting to race the stage. Zwift says groups A, B, and C are not races–just a personal challenge against the clock. But E is for racing, and will presumably be managed by Zwift on ZwiftPower. Zwift says, “Recommended w/kg is 3.5-5.0. If going anaerobic out of the pen is your cup of English tea then is the group for you.”
  • Scheduling: each stage happens across two days, giving people more chances to ride.

Read below for more details on what will certainly be a popular series of events!

Schedule

Each stage is scheduled across two days, with different times for each day. This gives Zwifters maximum opportunity to find a ride time that fits their schedule for each stage.

If you miss one or more stages, makeups stages will be scheduled December 21-22.

Kit Unlock

Complete all five stages to unlock the Tour of London kit. Note: it appears from Zwift’s messaging that this kit is the same as last year’s, which could be a bummer for anyone who already has the kit. Hopefully Zwift has something new in store for us!

Groups

Each time you sign up to ride a stage, you can select which group you want to join:

  • A Group (Long Distance) = The A Group rides the long-distance event. It’s not a faster group. Just a group that wants to ride a longer stage. Men and women can join this group.
  • B Group (Short Distance) = The B Group rides the short-distance event. It’s not a slower group. Just a group that wants to ride a shorter stage. Men and women can join this group.
  • C Group (Women Only) = The C Group is just for women.
  • E Group (Elite Racers) = New for 2019! The E Group is the race group averaging 3.7-5.0 w/kg. Separate races for men and women.

Stage Details

Stage 1: Greater London Flat, Dec 9-10

We start the Tour on Greater London Flat, a popular flat route through the streets of downtown London and along the Thames.

  • A Group (Long Distance): 3 laps
    Total distance with lead-in: 40.2km (25.1 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 176m (577′)
  • B Group (Short Distance): 1 lap
    Total distance with lead-in: 16.8km (10.4 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 82m (269′)
  • C Group (Women Only): 2 laps
    Total distance with lead-in: 28.4km ( 17.6 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 127m (416′)
  • E Group (Elite Racers): 2 laps
    Total distance with lead-in: 16.8km (10.4 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 127m (416′)

Learn more about the Greater London Flat route >
See event schedule/sign up >

Stage 2: London 8, Dec 11-12

This stage’s London 8 route covers the entire original London course by combining the “London Loop” and “Classique”. There’s one climb in this stage, the legendary Box Hill. It’s the same climb used in the 2012 Olympic Road Race!

  • A Group (Long Distance): 2 laps
    Total distance with lead-in: 40.6km (25.2 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 476m (1561′)
  • B Group (Short Distance), C Group (Women Only), E Group (Elite Racers): 1 lap
    Total distance with lead-in: 20.3km (12.6 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 238m (780′)

Learn more about the London 8 route >
See event schedule/sign up >

Stage 3: London Triple Loops, Dec 14-15

The action moves to the Surrey Hills for Stage 3. The London Triple Loops route begins flat, but includes both the Leith Hill and Box Hill climbs. All groups ride one lap for this stage so there’s no B group.

  • All Groups: 1 lap
  • Total distance with lead-in: 40.8km (25.4 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 544m (1785′)

Learn more about the London Triple Loops route >
See event schedule/sign up >

Stage 4: Greatest London Flat, Dec 16-17

After two climbing stages, your legs get a break with the Greatest London Flat course.

  • A Group (Long Distance): 2 laps
    Total distance with lead-in: 54.6km (33.9 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 476m (1561′)
  • B Group (Short Distance), C Group (Women Only), E Group (Elite Racers): 1 lap
    Total distance with lead-in: 31km (19.3miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 294m (968′)

Learn more about the Greatest London Flat route >
See event schedule/sign up >

Stage 5: Keith Hill After Party, Dec 18-19

We end the Tour with a mostly flat stage that ends atop the Keith Hill climb, meaning more than half the overall elevation gain is completed in the final 4.1km! All groups ride one lap for this stage so there’s no B group.

  • All Groups: 1 lap
  • Total distance with lead-in: 36.2km (22.5 miles)
    Total elevation gain with lead-in: 407m (1335′)

Learn more about the Keith Hill After Party route >
See event schedule/sign up >