Tour of Watopia Spring 2023 – Stage Details, New Features + More

February 21, 2023

LAST UPDATED September 22, 2023

Zwift has just announced its next major event series, and it’s a crowd favorite: the Tour of Watopia featuring double XP!

The 5-stage tour begins March 6 and runs through April 16. With double XP on tap, powerups doubled in duration, and a fresh kit to earn, you can bet Zwifters will be putting in the work to complete stages, earn points, and level up. Because everyone wants those fast bikes, fire socks, and level 60 status!

Table of Contents

Registration

Registration is now open at zwift.com/tour-of-watopia/.

Note: registering really just sets you up to get some email reminders of upcoming stages – you will still need to sign up for specific events in order to ride or run the ToW.

Double Up: XP, PowerUps, and Drafting

Typically riders are awarded 20XP per kilometer or 30XP per mile, depending on whether you have units set to metric or imperial. In ToW events, riders receive 40XP per kilometer/60XP per mile. Learn all about ride XP and unlocks >

Runners typically receive 10XP per .25km or 15XP per .25 mile. You will receive 20XP per .25km or 30XP per .25 mile in ToW events. Learn all about run XP and unlocks >

Additionally, powerups will last twice as long during ToW events. Here’s a list of powerups and their doubled lengths:

Lightweight (feather): reduces your weight by 10% for 30 seconds.
Use on climbs, when weight matters the most.
Draft Boost (van): increases the draft effect you are experiencing by 50% for 60 seconds. In a double draft event like ToW, this powerup will give you 3x the standard draft effect.
Use at higher speeds (flats and descents) when you are already drafting off another rider (since this powerup only helps when you are drafting.)
Aero Boost (helmet): makes you more aerodynamic (reduces your CdA by 25%) for 30 seconds.
Use at higher speeds (flats and descents), especially when no draft is available (although it is still useful when drafting.)

All ToW rides will use double draft mode as well, making it easier to sit in the pack so you can hang with friends.

New This Year

Zwift is rolling out a pile of fun new event features for riders in ToW! Here’s what you can expect:

Ride in dino and Kaiju costumes in special locations! If your route takes you over Fuego Flats you’ll be automatically dressed in a Kaiju costume. Riding through Titans Grove? You’ll be placed in a dino outfit.
Automatic bike swaps to the Big Wheel on certain KOM descents, and Zwift Mountain bike on the Jungle Circuit.
Double-duration powerups are strategically placed to give you an extra boost to level up faster.

See stage details below for more information on where to expect these features.

Ride Stages

Cycling events for ToW use the following category/group setup:

Group A: Longer Ride
Group B: Standard Ride
Group C: Shorter Ride
Group D: Women Only (same route as Group B)

Late join will be enabled for all rides, but Zwift encourages everyone to get into the pens before the event begins in order to maximize the fun.

Stage 1: March 6-12 “The Flats”

Put your head down and clock a lot of distance and more XP in a hurry on this fun, flat, and fast inaugural stage!

Longer: Triple Flat Loops – 33.9 km (21.1 miles), 134 m (440′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup heading into the finishing sprint.
Standard: The Magnificent 8 – 28.6 km (17.8 miles), 131 m (430′)
- Feather powerup assigned as the road turns up the Zwift KOM.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.
Shorter: Tempus Fugit – 17.3 km (10.7 miles), 16 m (52′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.

Stage 2: March 13-19 “Long Haul”

Pacing is key because this is the longest stage of the Tour. Make sure you’ve got plenty of food and water!

Longer: Big Foot Hills – 67.5 km (41.9 miles), 707 m (2320′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on the Volcano KOM descent.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feather powerups assigned up the Volcano to make the climb easier.
- Aero powerup heading into the finishing sprint.
Standard: Out and Back Again – 39.8 km (24.7 miles), 303 m (994′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feather powerups assigned up the Volcano to make the climb easier.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.
Shorter: Watopias Waistband – 25.5 km (15.8 miles), 95 m (312′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.

Stage 3: March 20-26 “Queen Stage”

Like any tour’s Queen Stage, it’s the most challenging stage you’ll face!

Longer: Quatch Quest – 45.9 km (28.5 miles), 1683 m (5522′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on the Epic KOM descents, and automatic bike swap to Zwift Mountain bike as you ride through the Jungle Circuit.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feather powerups assigned up the Alpe to break up the long climb.
Standard: Mountain Route – 29.5 km (18.3 miles), 682 m (2238′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on the Epic KOM descent.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feathers powerups assigned up the Epic KOM.
Shorter: Volcano Climb – 22.8 km (14.2 miles), 192 m (630′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on the Volcano KOM descent.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feather powerups assigned up the Volcano to make the climb easier.

Stage 4: March 27-April 2 “Jungle Love”

Keep your eyes peeled and your safari hat at the ready! You’ll see plenty of wildlife under the cover of the jungle canopies, plus more XP!

Longer: Dust in the Wind – 52.1 km (32.4 miles), 529 m (1736′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Zwift Mountain bike on Jungle Circuit.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
Standard: Road to Ruins – 29.6 km (18.4 miles), 268 m (879′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Zwift Mountain bike on Jungle Circuit.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
Shorter: Serpentine 8 – 17 km (10.6 miles), 133 m (436′) – custom route length
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Zwift Mountain bike on Jungle Circuit.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.

Stage 5: April 3-9 “Victory Lane”

Call it the bell lap of the Tour of Watopia: you made it! All that effort brings us to the last stage and the last chance to unlock your next level. Choose your route, then do your victory dance.

Longer: Big Loop – 42.4 km (26.3 miles), 651 m (2136′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on Epic KOM descent and Zwift Mountain bike on Jungle Circuit.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Feather powerups assigned to help up the steep Epic KOM.
Standard: Three Little Sisters – 37.7 km (23.4 miles), 401 m (1316′)
- Bike Swap: automatic bike swap to Big Wheel on Volcano KOM descent.
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Multiple feathers powerups assigned up the Volcano to decrease weight and make the climb easier.
Shorter: Sand and Sequoias – 20.2 km (12.6 miles), 146 m (479′), Lead-In: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Draft powerup assigned during selected long flat stretches of road.
- Aero powerup assigned heading into the finishing sprint.

See stage details and sign up at zwift.com/tour-of-watopia/ride

Run Stages

Stage 1: March 6-12 “Splash and Dash”

This stage sounds like it’s Watopia’s own water park. It’s not, but just as fun!

Splash and Dash – 6.2km (3.9 miles)

Stage 2: March 13-19 “Two Bridges Loop”

More Watopia fun on this abbreviated version of the Hilly Route Reverse.

Two Bridges Loop – 7.1 km (4.4 miles)

Stage 3: March 20-26 “Dust In the Wind”

Classic rock fans will start humming when they read the name of this route. It’s as flat as Kansas!

Dust in the Wind – 5.1 km (3.17 miles)

Stage 4: March 27-April 2 “Jungle Circuit”

Keep your eyes peeled and your safari hat at the ready! Get ready to see lots of wildlife, no bushwhacking required.

Jungle Circuit – 5.63 km (3.5 miles)

Stage 5: April 3-9 “Volcano Circuit”

All that effort brings us to the last stage and the last chance to unlock your highest level.

Volcano Circuit – 6.9 km (4.2 miles)

See stage details and sign up at zwift.com/tour-of-watopia/run

Make-Up Stages

Missed a stage or two? Or maybe you just want more of that sweet double XP? Make-up stages will be held from April 10-16. During those 7 days, Zwift will host multiple events covering all 5 stages.