Zwift version 1.87 begins its phased rollout today. This release includes a new “Streak Flair” feature to reward consistent work, upgrades to the Ven-Top climb, and more…
Note: I’m at Simon Schofield’s home in Spain as a stopover on my way to Mallorca for Zwift Community Live, so this post may be a bit light on details. If you see additional changes beyond what I’ve noted below, please comment!
Streak Flair with Scotty
Ride Streaks were added to the game in December 2023 as a way to motivate Zwifters to train regularly on the platform. Today’s update adds what Zwift is calling “Streak Flair”: a visual upgrade to our avatars that changes based on the length of your ride streak.
What is the visual upgrade, exactly? Well, it turns out that yesterday’s April Fools Scotty was actually a sneak peek at a new game feature. Our jersey pocket can now be filled with a bit of Scotty flare:
- Level 1 (4 weeks): the first bit of flair is a pocket Scotty medal when your streak hits 4 weeks. (You’ll keep this flair until you reach 12 weeks.)
- Level 2 (12 weeks): the medal is upgraded to a keychain Scotty peeking out of your pocket.
- Level 3 (24 weeks): animated Scotty! Now your pocket companion moves with a fun animation. This Scotty will stay with you as long as you hold onto your streak from here on out.
Important note: at launch, everyone’s Streak Flair will default to being turned OFF. You’ll need to select FUN from the Settings screen to show your flair.
New France Routes/Badges
Nine new France route badges have been added to the achievement list, although these routes won’t be available to ride until April 7th.
- Ven-10
- Croissant
- Three Musketeers
- Gentil 8
- Bon Voyage
- Hell of the North
- Knights of the Roundabout
- Sacre Bleu
- Macaron (event-only)
Read more about the France expansion, including screenshots, in This Season on Zwift.
Ventoux Upgrades: Sections and Spinner
Zwift’s release notes say, “… the Ven-Top route now includes a HUD display mirroring the Grade’s climb experience with 10 equidistant sections highlighted on screen. Additionally, when you summit this epic climb, you’ll now receive the Alpe du Zwift spinner!”
This is a welcome upgrade. Ventoux is the longest climb in game (apart from a handful of climb portals), yet it has always lacked the segments and spinner that help make Alpe du Zwift a more attractive climb. I predict we’ll see increased traffic on Zwift’s Ventoux KOM in the coming days.
Release Notes
Zwift provided notes on additional tweaks and bug fixes in this update:
- Standardized the look and feel of scrollbars throughout the game.
- Fixed an issue that could cause an incorrect value to be shown in the Weekly Goal Met in-game banner.
- Improved the reliability of The Zwift Big Spin reward spinner.
- Fixed an issue that could cause a Zwifter’s kit to revert to the default Zwift kit after leaving a group ride or event.
- Enabled more detailed 3D lighting on newer Apple devices and Windows machines with dedicated GPUs.
- Improved an issue that could cause intermittent shadows to flicker on Zwifter avatars in some conditions.
- Android: Improved readability and usability of form input fields (login, profile settings, custom workout editor on tablets, etc.).
Discuss this update in Zwift’s forum >
Questions or Comments?
If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!
Begging Zwift to please let me buy a physical Scotty plushie.
Yes! And I want to buy the watopia map I see some zwifters have. Huge wallpaper size
Eric will sell you that map, or email the file if you ask so you can print yourself. Dig around the website and you’ll find it. I opted for the pdf so I could make it sepia toned as the zwift setup is in a public space so needed to blend with the “decor”.
https://zwiftinsider.com/map/
For goodness sake, enjoy your holiday and we will await your updates when you get home! Thanks for all you do for us Zwifters! Enjoy Mallorca and be safe!
Normally when taking a holiday I would step away from Zwift Insider stuff much more, but it’s literally been the busiest news month on Zwift in years. (I see it as a good thing, and am happy to help cover the news. Just a bit less time to do it! 😀)
Just giving you a hard time…thanks for all you do!
If you’re a complete degenerate like myself with a streak over 70 I feel I deserve my avatar to be a Scotty Squirrel.
I was thinking the same thing, even though my streak is 70, not over 70 🙂
The longer the streak, the bigger the Squirrel!
(thinking about the saying “Can’t get the monkey off my back” right now.)
The longer the streak, the more aero/lighter the squirrel?
I’m pretty sure 70 is the longest possible streak as I’ve been essentially a daily user for the past five years and my streak is at 70 this week (and it is unbroken since they introduced streaks to the game). I only know it’s at 70 because I am a different kind of degenerate who snapped a photo last Monday when my streak hit a different number of weeks.
70 is the max, had it confirmed in an email, as i wondered where mine had gone
I’ve contacted zwift offical support and they ‘ve just confirmed me that i’m on a 71 weeks strike at the moment (3 april 2025). I don’t know why but maybe the streaks update has just arrived to my pc before others.
Same here, it’s 70 weeks since they launched it.
i’m at 71 and since i ride indoor in every season my goal is 100. Not so easy cause i think i ll be on holiday in august for 2 weeks..far from my pain cave.
I hit 73 today. Is that Max now?
every year my streak is exactly 51, damn November cruise
I have a pretty long streak too but not Scotty, when will I get it, my streak started Dec 2023 when they started streaks
You need to enable “Fun” in the Zwift settings:
Then when we burn out, Zwift can keep track of how long we don’t ride and call it a strike instead of a streak.
When you turn it on (in zwift app)
Good news on Ventoux! It remains IMO the most soul-draining climb in Zwift, portal or not, but the spinner is a welcome carrot. Are the prizes exactly the same, or will Zwift take the opportunity to introduce some other nice unlocks …?
So far it looks like the items are the same, so if you don’t already have the millie wheels, at least you have the potential to look forward to being crushed after ven-top and not receive them as well.
I like it, it feels like an actual achievement reaching the top, I almost cried last week when I. It definitely felt harder than my Über pretzel (turned century) or the four horsemen
This looks excellent. Is it the same segment map as the one on the right for ADZ?
Will users will long streaks already get the top reward immediately or is everyone reset to zero?
It’s based on your current streak. No reset.
You know it’s funny that just yesterday when riding I though “Wouldn’t it be funny to keep Scotty in a pocket?” Thought granted lol. 🤙
On today’s ride I was complaining that I had lost my squirrel, it will be so good to get it back.
I am an absolute fanboy of Zwift carrots. Especially ones that show off my consistency.😀
Wish Simon all the best from me, and I’m sure many other loyal listeners of the ZwiftCast
See some pics and vids of the man himself here: https://strava.app.link/rkiRxGQofSb
How can I install the new version?
Last time up AdZ I didn’t get the hairpin segments (or Hr/power data) at all. Have they taken this away? Or did I not see them because it’s been a while since I rode this climb?
Were you doing a workout?
Not a workout. Just a regular climb up AdZ. I had no segment info no power info and no hr info showing for any of the hairpin segments unlike those I’ve always seen in the past.these still show for others?
I had the same problem, last 3 times (no workout or race), since the GUI update. I thought that they removed it, but I saw in videos that it works for others. So maybe it’s a bug if you have certain GUI options enabled / disabled?
I don’t belive so. I’ve always kept evening at default settings. How about you?
I have changed some settings. Maybe I’ll do a test series there, if there is an gui option which let it appear again.
When are they going to fix the leader board time gap display. It’s been broken for a few months.
Really? Streak flair? How about new roads?????
Watch this space… 😉
I need more scotty levels 😆
I am a Zwift addict and excited for the pocket squirrel. Big spin reliability? Don’t make up rides end in 3 days?
Zwift garage is now alphabetical after latest update.Doesn’t have your preferred frame, jersey etc at top.
It’s been temporarily disabled in the latest update.
was just about to post this.. I think there was a bug in the “most recently used” sorting that caused people, including myself, to be placed on the wrong bike in various circumstances.
I thought I was starting to get dementia, doing longer flattish routes on the Aethos when I could have sworn I was already on the sl8
Would’ve been nice to have included this in the Update notes informing users as I thought I was going mad or my install was broken
To be fair it is included in the full release on the forum. And Eric has been in Majorca with Zwift group.
Can you call it Climb Spinner rather than ADZ spinner especially when referring to Ventop? Ta
Epic KOM and Epic KOM reverse to radio tower should get sector stats too though not prize wheel (and be verified zwift insider segments). Reaching Ventoux KOM deserves 2 spins…..
Eric,
Any idea why the “press z to return a ride on” feature is gone? I thought I read it was being temporarily removed for some reason, but that was quite a awhile ago now.
I’ve asked Zwift about this, will report back. Last I heard they hadn’t removed it, but there was some bug so it wasn’t working consistently…
Spinner atop Ventoux is great. Next they should add a badge for a sub 1-hour climb (or maybe 90mins?) that might actually motivate me to do it again..
Sub 1-hour?!?! That would be tough…
C’mon that’s only 5.5 W/kg 😛
For the Ventoux KOM it’s roughly 5w/kg.
Ven-Top route might be 5.5w/kg for sub 1h? At 5.2 it took me 1:01:48.
There’s a couple of riders that hold that for 100k+, riding with Big Mig currently 🙄
Did zwift update the camera angles as well? Noticed last night that my 3rd Person view is a lot closer than it normally is. Basically it’s the same as 3rd Person Short view. Not a fan of it as I liked 3rd person so I could see my whole avatar, bike and those others who may be right behind me.
I noticed that too, it looks right if I have my Play controllers connected, but if I disconnect one (it’s forcing me to the left all the time) I get moved to what looks like 3rd Person Short.
Eric with the new update, their seems to be a glitch in the “Matrix” “Scotty in the pocket”. trashed my garage and reorganized all my gear. Waz-up with that.
You’ve got a rabid squirrel 😂
I took am begging Zwift to please let me buy a physical Scotty plushie.
what does “improved big spinner reliability” mean? 20+ spins and still no BMX for me 😭
I’m at 35 without BMX…
And when exactly is the FUN setting coming to iPadOS, iOS, and macOS? Upgraded to 1.8.7, but no FUN setting to be found…
I’m on a Mac and couldn’t find it after the update. Just logged in to look again.
In the Zwift program, click on your profile photo, then settings, then Audio/Video and there it is! It references Streak , not Scotty.
Looks line 9 new cycling route and 2 new running route achievement badges added in game. Possibly all in France.
I am like 60+ weeks and I do not have a scotty … why not
It’s turned off by default in settings.
It looks like 9 new route badges have shown up …. any details?
Probably new routes in France, seems to be a shortcut between ballon fields and mont saint-michel.
Just drove France – RGV and the turns were already visible.
Someone has posted a No HUD ride on YouTube, lots of cobbles.
Zwift new roads in France
https://youtu.be/alDZHsMYksA
related “Streak Flair with Scotty”sometimes I feel like I’m in a video game for children
When is “Race mode” for Wahoo Kickr bike Shift? please please …. we are still waiting…and yes …you will need the the hardware upgrade of a cable adapter.
Seems like the Ventoux spinner is rewarding differently than AdZ? When I landed on a non-wheel prize, I expected to get 250XP, but instead received 15k drops. That’s a huge thumbs down for me.
it seems that with this update all my garage items have reverted to when they were acquired and/or stock or basic items, but definitely not based on usage. Is there any way to reorder items based on use? Many thanks.
The ventop spinner gives drops instead of XP so it’s more like the big spin wheel (especially since the prizes are all useless). Overnight or intentional by ZHQ?
Where can I check my streaks
In game, after doing your first ride each week. Or in the companion app starting this week!
I’d be happy to 3D print Scotty’s for people as long as Zwift doesn’t feel like I’m stepping on their IP?
Eric, do you think this would upset anyone at Zwift?
As a frequent ride leader, I wish there was a way to filter the per-world route lists on ZwiftInsider to only show routes that are loops… Would make it easier to pick routes for longer rides.
Damn … my garage sorting was completely destroyed with this update 😕 … I hope, this option will come back soon and will stay unlimited
Companion app failed to update.
Now currently in stalled load and unusable. Primary application working as usual.
There are some glitches with the updated Companion version: the Groups chat function pushes messages to phones even though the notifications are set to mute them. Plus the new Zwift version on MacOS did the fairly usual thing of breaking the link between the Zwift app and the Companion app, requiring a reinstallation of the Zwift app with restoration of Activities and Workouts folders in order to use Companion mid-ride.
I have a streak of 59, but Scott is not animated. Howcome?
Anyone else have problems with the rider list on the new roads in France?mine goes every time I’m on a new bit….really annoying
Ghost riders aren’t drawing properly, shadows are all over the screen
Hello everyone!
Does anyone know if outside rides will show up in the “Activities” section on Zwift companion?
They do not.
Thanks, but you still get the XP right?
Yes, 5xp per km outside.
Purely just to test…
I went for a walk, had my Garmin watch recording.
When I finished, 2kms, I saved the walk as a ‘Ride’ in Garmin Connect and it appeared in the Activities list in CA with the briefest of details and no screenshot but it did have a blue coloured banner with the ‘Garmin’ logo to the right.
When clicking on it, in CA, it takes you straight to the activity in Garmin Connect.
I was unable to see if I had ‘earned’ 5XP per kilometre.
I have now deleted it from CA.
They ruined the Garage again by going back to alphabetical order on your bikes/wheels instead of by recently used.. so stupid and annoying
Temporary thing because there was a bug that was swapping bikes without people wanting them swiped!
The segments on the Ventoux climb are based on the Ven-Top route. I recently rode the La Reine route, which joins Ven-Top a short distance after the start of segment 1 (so the first complete segment for La Reine is 2, the last is (I think) 7). It’s sort of like coming in halfway up The Grade in Watopia: the completion stats act like you’re riding the segmented route regardless–with one noticeable difference.
My KOM timer said “Mostly Ventoux” instead of “Ven-Top.” The timer kept going after I finished La Reine, so I decided to continue. The summit banner serves as the common finish for two KOMs: Ven-Top and “Mostly Ventoux.” The start for the latter appears to be after the Petit KOM banner, where the road joins the Ven-Top route (I did not see any start marker, however). The KOMs are timed separately, so you can now get a KOM time (and maybe a jersey) if you ride La Reine and continue to the summit, even though you never passed the Ven-Top start.
“Mostly Ventoux KOM” includes the “Petit KOM”. So, if you ride Ven-Top, you won’t get a match for Mostly Ventoux.
But I’m wondering, did you get the “prize spinner” at the top when coming from Petit KOM instead of Ven-10 or Ven-Top?
I had to go back to my screenshots directory to check, but yes–I got the spinner for Mostly Ventoux. What I don’t remember is whether I got an XP bonus because I already have all the prize items.
Hi Eric, I had a long streak interma of weeks consecutive, but with the latest release and Scotty streak it reset! Do you know if this so co.mon? Cheers !
My streak got reset also. I was at 75 on 4/13 and then rode on 4/14 and my streak was at 1. Hopefully that is bug that will get resolved?
Good news, they reset for me..it seemed their system didn’t pick up one of my rides..but I screen shot the companion app.. so a little bit of back and forth as they will need to explain the week that they think you missed… If you can show a ride in that week then boom, they will reinstate it..so for me that’s 46 weeks! Anyway they were really great about it and apologised
I’ve been doing it every day for about 2 years and my squirrel is a medal. I don’t understand how there are already people with a whole little doll in their pocket
Did Ventoux and landed on the wheels, expecting 1000XP and got 40k drops. Why is the prize worse on this longer climb than on ADZ.. I won’t be adding Ventoux to any regular climb training.
Did I read that outside rides and runs will show on Zwift as they do the other way around, can’t seem to see anything. At nearly 60 would be nice for those few more stats.
Outside rides, yes. Runs? Not yet. But it’s coming.
read more: https://zwiftinsider.com/fitness-tracker/
Did they remove the Ven-top segments? I’m doing it now and haven’t seen anything like that yet.