Early this morning ZwiftHQ released the new Watopia Volcano Climb we wrote about just a few days ago. The new climb corkscrews up the volcano on a road which is mostly dirt but also partly sketchy wooden platform. It also goes inside the volcano.
Route details:
Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 miles)
Elevation Gain: 126m (414′)
Strava Segment
There is currently no route option you can select to take you up to the climb; instead, you must choose to turn onto the climb while riding one of the volcano routes.
Riders must manually turn onto the new climb
Quickest way to get on the Volcano climb:
- Choose “Volcano Circuit CCW” from route menu
- On the third turn option that pops up you will see an erupting volcano if you turn left–choose that option.
Once you cross the KOM arch at the top you loop around and join the same path you climbed up, descending down the mountain on the other side of the road.
The Volcano KOM jersey which was previously awarded to the fastest volcano circuit rider on course is now being awarded to the fastest Volcano KOM climber. Also, the actual timed KOM does not begin at the stone arch near the beginning of the climb, but a short distance afterwards. (The Zwift Insider verified Strava segment begins where the timed KOM begins.)
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- Helicopter view of the new climb
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- Wooden pathway
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- Going inside the volcano
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- Don’t look down!
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- Cool gas effects
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- KOM banner
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- Inside the mountain
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- New Volcano KOM!
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- Beautiful view at the top
How hard would it have been to create a route. I mean seriously. Now people are forced to load the app.
When there’s tons of great content then sure, go ahead, create hidden routes and whatever, but when we’re starved for new stuff as we are now.. pull the finger out, stop being awkward, and create a route.
You don’t have to use the mobile app–you can use your computer keyboard if running it on PC/Mac, or just touch your screen for iOS.
But I agree, the lack of a route option is awkward–this is the first time I’ve seen Zwift release new roads without a corresponding route! Perhaps something they’ll fix in the near future.
What’s the shortest way and what turns do I need to get to the climb?
Quickest way to get on the Volcano climb:
Choose “Volcano Circuit CCW” from route menu
On the third turn option that pops up you will see an erupting volcano if you turn left–choose that option.
Cheers! Just ridden it, pretty sweet addition!
Yes you can use the keyboard, but no thanks, that’s even less elegant and even further away from my bike.
I wouldn’t mind loading up the app more regularly if it had some cool features, but face it, you can ride, race, workout, happily without it. Maybe it had voice or some killer features it’d be more interesting – LIKE CHANGING MAP MID RIDE IN 2017.
That’s super basic but sounds like alien technology to something so restrictive as Zwift. “Oh but we want maps to be populated, it’s for your own good!” Yeah in beta I let you off with that. I’m paying now and I want to change map without having to hack the thing, Y U NO COMPRENDE.
Really hope a competitor comes along to give these guys a much needed kick up the rear end. Zwift is great in that it’s the natural conclusion to current tech, but it’s also cripplingly lame and conservative in its development past that point. A cooler kid on the block needs to emerge for it to realise that.
This thing could be immense leave-your-wife fun, but I feel like it’s trying too hard to be inoffensive. Like when you have to walk your gran on a Sunday because you want that stash of greens under her bed when she kicks it.
That guy from Sufferfest, put him in charge. He understands cycling culture. Game would be way better stylistically if he was involved IMO.
Wake up on the wrong side of the bike today, Jay? Eric doesn’t work on the platform. Do you or have you worked in tech/software/apps? This isn’t Disney, Pixar or ILM. It doesn’t happen overnight and it’s a v.1 product currently. When I show any of my friends (cycling and non-cycling) this system and how it works, they are blown away.
Why don’t you raise the funds, start a competitor, build a team and we’ll see what you have in a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if another company appears one day with a competing product, but there’s no sense in whining about it.
Everyone knows Eric doesn’t work for Zwift. What’s that got to do with anything.
But yes, I’ll start a competitor to Zwift shortly, right after I solve political crises, world hunger and bottom bracket standards.
I complained about all those too yesterday and now I have to personally fix them, because you know, it makes perfect sense that every time I find a problem with something, I must drop my job immediately and solve it. Who do you talk to in real life that lets you get away with guff like that.
Aside from trying to silence criticism with some blanket go-do-it yourself response. We get this: “Oh things don’t happen overnight!” – yes we know ‘Ride On’ (doubly appropriate username), but they do tend to happen over years. You wade into the discussion on game development times and your point of reference here as a grown person is Disney and Pixar?
That wasn’t cringe at all.
Okay it was. A lot.
The route is blocked off for me. Any suggestions to fix?
Did your device run an update?
Same for me on iPad. Can I “force” iOS to update the Zwift app? ?
If I wanted nonstop straights I used to ride Richmond and if I wanted a 10 min climb it was London. Now Watopia has both. I hope Zwift now slice up Richmond and London and use the assets in Watopia.
There seems to be a duplicate segment here https://www.strava.com/segments/14270158
Thanks–deleted!
Completly agree that they need to pull something good off very soon interms of major expansions or route choice. If they think another competitor is not watching and learning, itll end in disaster. Im fasinated by sycophantic groupees that defend zwift to the hilt. Something else will come along and itll be ‘do you remember zwift’ if there not careful.
I think they should stop adding routes and maps for 6-12 months. Zwift’s excuse for everything is “we’re a small company” but then why do they keep focusing on big art updates? They should try and get more out of what they already have by adding UI features people want, add more timed segments, or even gamify things more. Like you never see ghosts out on track anymore so why not repurpose them for popup challenges like “catch up with the ghost ahead in under two minutes”.
Features like built in map switching would also help them allocate their time better. For example, if they were to implement it and find out that 90% of players stick to Watopia then they would know they can safely abandon Richmond and London and put all efforts on Watopia.
Zwift is starting to look mismanaged to me.
Also they’re not even that small of a company. Crunchbase says 50-100 employees which is technically a “small business” but that’s a lot bigger than many indie game studios. If you strip out the art teams most Triple A studios are a similar size.
Another obvious example: why is there still no uturning on Richmond? That would have added more content than the volcano update and should (assuming the engine isn’t a mess) have required a lot less work.
I think Zwift has created an awesome platform, but I do agree that lately the updates have been too far and few. Especially my gripe is with the lack of route selection within maps, lack of map selection, you have to load the game proper to change settings, and other small issues like small group rides are a pain to organize. In addition some important features are removed e.g. the auto-upload of image from the ride to Strava was recently removed without giving any reason – why? I hope they are working on these solutions right now and not giving us the carrot of new roads — which grow stale after a few weeks.
I’m a fanboy so it all looks fantastic to me! Love that new climb too, it’s just right.
Glad they “expanded” the map a bit, but nothing to be excited about. Never was a fan of going into a volcano in the first place. Prefer more “realistic” terrain like mountain route or hilly route. Would be curious to know what their long term plans are Map wise.
I would like to see Richmond blended with London by going through Heathrow (like the subwat tunnel is for Box Hill). Ideally , I wonder if they can merge London, Richmond and Watopia into one massive map?
Amazing idea, though I would propose a Hyperloop station instead. However, I think it might collide with the real map positions on Strava, since we would end up with long straight lines crossing the world. What they could do, maybe, is to upload a (partial) track to Strava/Zwift as soon as you cycle into the airport/Hyperloop, but show you the cumulative totals on-screen, in case you’re in a workout, for instance.
I really enjoyed riding the volcano climb and noticed some interesting tropical island flora! I’d love more of that if Zwift have the resources to create it. It augments the feel of cycling in Hawaii or somewhere similar.
This volcano bs is pathetic. To me it seems they are loosing contact with hardcore users (those who ride really often and care). It seems they are not using “the game” themselves anymore. They are just developing the business, attracting more newbies, but stopped listening to the real users. Hope some new similar product will emerge soon, because Zwift is going to hell… it is on same path as CompuServe.
Much smaller, but more open group of indie game developers with support from the community would smash this version of Zwift in few months.
I ride often and care and I’m satisfied with it. It’s a neat addition that’s very accessible from a number of routes and still is close to the starting point – anything beyond the KOM will take quite some time to get there in the first place. It’s not any less surreal than the existing Volcano route, which always has large numbers of riders on it – more than the Epic KOM (which I love, but I don’t always have time for it). Instead, it makes the most of having added the volcano, and I cherish the Volcano’s distinct appearance on flat and climb for breaking the monotony of green. The climb will also be a great feature in races once it’s integrated into some circuits. Currently, races over the Epic KOM are rare, again because it’s too long. The Volcano KOM is great for that aspect.
The other developer is already out there. Take a look at Road Grand Tours. They are dedicated to a full-reality experience. What they don’t have are the numbers. It’s a done deal. Strava is by far not the best training log out there. In its free version, it’s just bad. Still, we all use it because… all others use it, and they have partnered up with our beloved brands. With some add-ons like Stravistix or Veloviewer, you can turn Strava into something good. From my perspective, a Zwift API that others can use to scrape the data is what Zwift should really focus on. In terms of network effects, it seems pretty much like a done deal to me.
The Zwift API seems to me as a myth. Nevertheless, if behind recent lack of progress (sorry whole Volcano thing is a joke), are intensive works on the API, i’ll be as happy as a clam. But with their closed manner – we don’t know. From user’s perspective it seems they are focusing mainly on marketing and on attracting as many people as they can. Their choice… All i can do is to leave for something better or write posts like this.
With all respect to Zwiftblog, they have more power to speak to developers than average grinder like me, but they don’t give a s–t. For them – in Zwift – Everything is AWESOME!
What is an API?
Application program interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API specifies how software components should interact.
A Zwift API would let other tools (like ZwiftPower, etc) interact with the Zwift game.
Thanks for letting me know about Road Grand Tours. Looks a lot behind Zwift but I still want to check it out.
Personally what I’m looking for is a less realistic game. You could say I want a game and not a simulator.
If I still had all the free time of when I was a teenager I’d probably try to mod GTA5 to use a smart trainer as a controller.
I agree Jan. When, not if, another platform comes out with Mont Ventoux, Stelvio Pass, and Mount Washington real world climbs, Zwift is done.
I absolutely disagree. Road Grand Tours has real world climbs… have you tried riding Mont Ventoux on it? It sucks.
Long climbs indoors are soul-sucking. Which is why Zwift doesn’t have any. It sounds like a great idea, until you try it.
Why this complaining ? Sounds out of place to me. This post is about the Volcano Climb. So here is my take on it. I rode it twice yesterday. Visually it is in line with the rest of Watopia and the Volcano expansion, Might be an imagination stretch bu it is fun and different. I am glad Watopia does not reproduce stuff I already ride all the time… From the Volcano climb the view on Watopia is great. Now what matters most is from a cycling point of view. This is a nice climb for training. A rather steady incline not too steep so you can pick your rhythm. There is a break in the middle (the tunnel through the volcano) if you want to rest a bit. It finishes with a 10% kicker. Very nice flowing climb and at 150m a good height. Now where I think this is even greater is when you combine with the volcano loop, you then get a superb hill repeat training ground. You do 5km flat then 5km climb. Repeat that as many times as you can and you will have a great workout. Love it.
Cheers.
Totally agree Martin, it’s a great hill for training and a good addition to the long and short climbs already on the island. I guess my only complaint is that it’s hot when you go thru the volcano….but that might be good for plasma expansion so maybe it’s helpful even though….it’s really hot in there.
I do not understand why the top is not counter clockwise. Climbing the steep corner would feel natural. In the descent it is now just an additional unrealistic corner. For the rest it is a good addition. .
I am running Zwift from a Windows laptop w/dongle. Is the Volcano climb only accessible using the mobile app? Thx.
@Mike, no you don’t need to use the mobile app, you can just use the arrow keys on your keyboard to turn onto it. There’s directions to the fastest way to access it above.
I have a little in Zwift, I come from another platform similar to Zwift, and the 2 have good and bad things, but basically add more routes, it will be what keeps the users, but not forgetting that what already exists does not lose quality and even Expand it.
I have passed through image freezes, images that were cut, connections that went away and lost all the way made, and all that on the other platform, at the time we paid we were saying and enduring the many mistakes, in the end for Be equal in valuation than those who had just entered the platform and did not support all those errors. We must take care of veteran users and attract newbies, that’s the key to a product like Zwift.
It is necessary to advance offering contents and updating what there is, it takes time, logical, but I would not like it to happen like in the other platform, that the people did not stop to give complaint after complaint, at present I am very happy with Zwift, but for Course the future should be very broad in content.
Here in Spain Zwift is not very well known and you should look for an ambassador here in Spain, as well as in places or countries where it is also not known, and thus to reach the whole world, expand the platform with routes, expand what there is. And the future will be very good for Zwift and for us hanging around with him.
A greeting and to roll.
Sorry for my bad English.