If you’re looking to level up quickly, Zwift has just posted a set of “surprise” events on the next two Tuesdays (April 16 and 23rd). What’s special about the events? Double XP!
These events may be of particular interest to newer Zwifters looking move up levels, or perhaps also to veteran Zwifters trying to hit level 100 before Zwift increases the level 90-100 requirements soon.
Events are classified as rides (not races). They are 45 minutes long, with no leader or stated pace, and are scheduled every three hours.
See upcoming XP Express events at zwift.com/events/tag/xpexpress
As you ride, your distance XP will be double the normal rate: 40XP per kilometer or 64XP per mile.
Learn all about how leveling up works with Zwift XP >
This week’s events are on Watopia’s Tempus Fugit route. Next week’s are in Makuri Islands on Island Hopper.
Zwift isn’t promising that these events will continue, but it sounds like, if there’s enough interest in the events, we’ll see more of them. Ride on!
Questions or Comments?
Post below!
Definitely! Am in.
What will reward more XP:
Côte de Domancy Climb Portal
Or this double XP ride?
Both. Surprise ride is only 45 minutes, so
For me the XP Express will be slightly better relative to 45 min. But it is restricted to specific start times and duration.
And I hate seeing the psychotic environment of the climb portal.
I do not understand the climb portal XP, are you rewarded more XP for that climb?
~10% chance of getting 250XP in each of 10 arcs.
In general a flat route will always gain more XP than climbing (for effort made) since it’s based on distance. The portals are a bit of a gamble though, you could get the bonus on every gate, or none at all. I’m doing the Tempus Fugit ride today as it’s a nice easy route for a quick 45 minute bonus.
Ride the climb portal on a TT bike, you only get XP bonus that way.
“Ride the climb portal on a TT bike, you only get XP bonus that way.”
That is a terrible idea as you will never get the 250xp bonus which you should on average get every climb so you are wasting XP using a TT bile on the Climb Portal.
You get more XP on the Climb Portal if the climb is short because of the opportunity of getting the 250 xp bonus.
Yes Colin, I do state that the portals are an option as you could get the larger bonus, as I say, it’s a gamble.
Based on my experience and logging all bonuses for tracking (200+ portal climbs), I average 65% 10xp bonus, 20% feather (useless LOL) and 15% 250xp bonus. On short climbs like Domancy, it’s significantly more advantageous to chase XP than on a flat stage. One trip up/down Domancy nets me 438 XP (128xp on distance alone, 60xp on 10xp bonus and 250xp on 250xp bonus). I can do that in 13 minutes (up and back down)/lap. If I did 4 miles flat even with double XP, I’d only get 256 XP. Of course, on longer portal climbs like Tourmalet, etc, going the double XP on flat routes is WAAAAAY easier and more efficient. I have made it point to target the short Portal climbs (Domancy, Trebiac, Cheddar Gorge, Rosier, Old Wilunga) and do hill repeats on those as much as possible when they are available. It’s been a phenomenal way to XP mine IME. I’ve moved up from Level 46 on Jan 1 to Level 79 today using this technique.
GREAT TIP!! I just tried it and did that math… checks out. Thanks. Have you found out if “scaling” the climb (50%, 75%, 100%, and 125%) change any of the points?
I’m already on the “XP Express” until level 89.
Isn’t that sweet, I get double XP for my birthday!!! Last year was Tour of Watopia …
Is the double XP only for the 45 min or you get it for as long as you ride after the event ends?
Only during the ride. So at 40kph you’ll travel 30km in 45 min, earning a total of 1200XP (600 would be the normal rate).
It’s probably worth noting the double XP ends immediately. I finished today’s ride at x.9 km and only got 20 XP a few seconds later when the distance ticked over.
Hope they keep it around. Interest might be higher if these weren’t the same days as the ZRL finals!
Does any one have intel regarding the double XP if you are already getting double XP from your previously banked efforts? For example I am double XP through Level 98 so is there any advantage to me at my current level 92 to go out of my way and play this game?
Sure. You’ll get 60XP per km if you’re on the accelerated leveling. You earn 20XP for the km, Zwift pulls 20XP from your bank, then gives you the extra 20XP from the doubled event.
Thank you Eric.
Xavier – This is from a Zwift Insider article on the new levels. It is what i was trying to communicate.
Ride On, Gents!
So I’m still on accelerated levelling up – does this mean I’ll get 80 xp per km on these events? Sounds too good to be true!
60XP per km is what you’ll get. Just tested it!
Thanks!
You don’t really get double XP you know, you just use XP you already sweated for, only at a reduced pace
Consider these as ‘dividends’ paid out for sweat you invested earlier 😉
Are the developers at Zwift on weed, another shit show we don’t need. I hope someone comes up with a better platform than zwift as it really is becoming Mickey Mouse.
More woke bs to follow –
Shift the 3-hour window each week please!
Can i ride multiple time this event and still grt double xp ?
Sure!
Tha ks !!!
But it is a lame that consecutive events are 3 hours apart !
I cannot do 2 or 3 hours in a row !
Can one ride the course twice in one day?
I did 3 today so, yes
I assume this is double base rate of xp not already doubled xp for accelerated levelling? So 40xp/km then the 20xp for accel levelling? There are some saying they expect 80xp/km but Zwift haven’t done that before
Correct. If you’re on accelerated (2x) leveling, you’ll get 60XP per km in the end, and not 80XP like you might expect.
Yess!!! I did today April 16, 2024 theTempus Fugit but No 40XP per Km just 20XP
Do you know if this been extended at all? DIdn’t know about it until it was too late and would love another chance before they release the new XP rules.
Randomly running again today (Fri 3rd May), again without announcement by ZwiftHQ.
One event started a short time ago at 1215 BST, next one in just under three hours, final one in just under six hours.
Discovered the May 3 XP Express just in time to get on board. Is there a way to “search” for future XP Express events?
Yes – click the link above. Or just click it here: https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/xpexpress
Eric -you’re an angel. I tried every which way and I could not search. Your link works! Thank-you!
Hi Eric will there be more “The XP Express’ Events coming up and if so how can we search when they are ? Or is it just a case of checking on Companion? Thanks
It’s back and quietly started last night on 1st June ’26!😱