You know you’re in the midst of the rainy season when the first thing you see in your social feeds is excitement about the new Zwift expansion. And if you’re trapped inside on the trainer like us, then you too will probably be excited about the newest “level” in Zwift. Officially, it’s called the Alpe du Zwift, but you may know it as the famous climb up Alpe d’Huez.
Only open to Zwifters at level 12 or above, the actual climb includes 1036m or 3400 feet of ascent. Just like the real thing, the average gradient is 8.5% and there are the same number of switchbacks – 21.
The shortest way to get to the peak is the 12.4 mile Road To Sky route which starts you at one of the bridges just before the climb to the Jungle circuit. To get to the summit, you’ll actually ride half of the Jungle circuit then veer off to your right. From there, you’re in for the same 21 switchbacks on the famous Alpe d’ Huez, only on the Alpe Du Zwift.
Want more climbing and more punishment? The Tour of Fire and Ice is slightly longer at 15.6mi with 3827 feet of climbing, but if you really want to wreck yourself, the Four Horsemen is the way to go. Starting at the beach front in Watopia, the ride covers the entire map with 55.5 miles and 6929 feet of climbing.
All of the new routes are currently available with a quick download that starts automatically when you open Zwift. Time to get climbing.
The Zwift levels are really annoying. I’m already PAYING for the service, but this is only available to those at level 12 or higher? WTF?
Yeah, it’s a bit of a bummer, but you can get to level 12 pretty quickly. Look for the programmed workouts with the most stars available (the ones with the most frequent changes in target wattage). Doing these will help you increase your level faster than just riding.
I’m with you. This is one of the most irritating aspects of the ‘game’. I’m level 12 now but it was pretty bad being stuck on the same routes over and over while I ‘leveled up’ to get access to the Jungle routes.
I’m with you. I’m paying give me the content.
It’s not even April 1st. Totally laughable. You can’t climb without ascending. You can’t travel without moving. Virtual kilometerists/verticalists are a strange misguided bunch.
I’m sure that people that train indoors will be saddened by how confounded and yet so interested you are in indoor training.
I’m interested because they cheating and cheaters on Strava weekly kilometer leader boards. They are committing an act of sporting fraud. This truth needs to be pointed out to these entitled, cheating fraudsters.
Maybe you need to stop taking Strava leaderboards so seriously – I remember one distance challenge, back a few years ago, where one guy used to always pip me, every day. FInally got around to looking at his rides, and he lived in an area that was pancake flat and had no traffic. Was that guy cheating? No, he just happened to have an easier situation than me. Are these guys cheating? No, they’re just doing something slightly differently to you. They’re still putting in time and putting out watts. Maybe they can’t ride outside because there’s a foot of snow, or they’re injured, or they have to look after their kid. Or maybe they just enjoy Zwift. Either way, I doubt they have specifically chosen to use Zwift to gain an advantage on the leaderboards, and it’s not the Olympics – they’re not cheating anyone out of anything.
btw I don’t use Zwift because I prefer to ride outside. But I have zero hate for anyone who does.
Lol, it’s ok to think zwift is lame, relax!
And how does any of that impact you in any meaningful way exactly?
Is their digital trail hurting your ego and deflating your “actual” km’s)?
That’s funny. For a moment there, I thought you were serious.
Thanks Zwift! I know what I’m doing at 5:30 tomorrow morning.
I can’t wait to climb it in my 54×13 in erg mode at 225 watts ;-p
Been using Rouvy for the last two years. I am honestly am baffled by this love for zwift. It is a pretty limited platform
Limited how?
You can do free rides by yourself, solo workouts, group rides, group workouts and races. Plenty of roads to ride for variety and actually other riders to share the fun (and pain with).
Rouvy and the like are interesting in their own way, but they are canned videos and don’t offer the same multiplayer experience that Zwift does.
Different strokes and all that, so don’t knock what you don’t use.
I use both Zwift and video-based apps depending on mood and mission. Each has advantages and limitations. Given the length of winters here, it’s nice to have options…
Are e-bikes allowed?
Power drills are also acceptable
I dislocated and separated my right shoulder early in to DH season last year. Zwift allowed me to spin through the rest of the year and not be in too much pain, other than the hurt measured out by the smart trainer. The multiple courses, chatting with other riders and level upgrades made it fun too. The smart trainer and Zwift kept my spirits up and allowed me to still throw a leg over a bike.
That is awesome! I hope you stay this year. I also wish that everyone could understand how good trainers and these apps are for your situation or for anyone else who finds it as a positive outlet.
For those offended by the Zwift-haters: Zwift kind of takes something away from, um, ‘traditional’ bicycling. Training indoors is great and all, but sometimes going out in the rain, or snow or wind (or being around people in the flesh) is actually really fun and builds character and real world knowledge… imho
It’s like a spiritual issue :0)