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 >
What happens if you choose three laps but have to abandon after two ?
You don’t get credit for completing the stage.
I think the distance listed for Stage 4 Group B/C/E is wrong as I found out today: “Total distance with lead-in: 23.6km (14.6 miles)” actually doesn’t include the lengthy lead-in which was 7.4km. Looks like this is the same issue for Group A.
Ah, you are correct! Not sure how we missed that. Fixed.
Peux t’on changer de groupe ?
I completed the 5 stages but do not clearly see where to obtain the kit. No message popped up at completion that I had unlocked it. Is this a known issue or did I do something wrong along the way?
You can combine the categories of the stages ….
Do 2 stages long A, and 2 short B To complete the Tour?
Yes
I finished the 5 stages but I have not seen the London kit
Where do I find it?
I have the same issue, I complete stage #5 this morning and received no message or kit. I did the A routes for all but one when I rode the B shorter distance, does this have any impact? Would like to know in case I need to do a catch up session (I received confirmation emails for all the stages except stage 5 this morning)…although I crossed the finish line (a little broken but alive 🙂 )
Just seen a thread on the Zwift Forum about this. It appears the kit will be sent out to everyone’s garage after the catch up rides are complete, e.g. the 23rd Dec.
does anyone know what time we can sign up for a catch up, i missed stage 1 and was hoping to do early saturday 21st
Makeup dates have been on the calendar for a while, see https://zwiftinsider.com/tour-of-london-2019-makeup/
My kit for the ride has not appeared yet. When does it appear please
I have completed all 5 stages, how do you unlock the london kit?
When we will receive notification of kit unlocked now I have completed all 5 stages?
From what I’ve seen, Zwift is promising the kit in your garage today (now that all stages are complete).
Completed TDL . Still no kit in my garage.
Still No TDL kit!! A buddy that didn’t finish got his kit. What’s up Zwift!!????
Same for me, no kit received. Really disappointing by Zwift!
You should email [email protected] and ask. Then report back here with the answer!
I havn’t got a kit either! What is wrong?