Zwift has announced a number of new features and events that will launch between now and March. The leading indoor cycling platform noted that… ‘All new features are designed to enhance the Zwift experience and reward cyclists with more unlocks, drops, badges, and more.’
First up is a new level structure that gives Zwifters more opportunities to unlock virtual bikes, jerseys, and accessories. Instead of only 60 levels, Zwifters will now be able to ride all the way to level 100, with unlocks at each level along the way. To complement this new level structure, the new Ride Streaks feature is designed to motivate cyclists to ride more consistently, gaining levels and XP along the way.
March’s Zwift Games is being positioned as the indoor riding season’s marquee event. Zwift adds that… ‘this new competition will be the largest and most inclusive cycling esports event ever. Every Zwifter is invited to join in the fun and see how they compare to other cyclists.’
A new feature, Ride Streaks, is rolling out. Here, Zwifters will be rewarded for consistent riding. So, those who ride two or more times in a week will get an extra bump in Experience Points (XP) to level up faster.
For each of the first two Zwift rides of the first week of a streak, Zwifters will earn 300 XP. In the second week, Zwifters will earn an additional 100 XP per ride for a total of 400 XP per ride. In week three, an extra 200 XP is available (500 total) for the first two rides. Keep the streak going beyond week three, and Zwifters will continue to earn 500 XP for every ride for as long as they can keep going.
Since launching in July, Climb Portal has become one of Zwift’s most popular features, challenging cyclists to tackle virtual versions of real-world climbs. Zwifters can now choose from different versions of the climbs – a GPS-accurate 100% version, a 125% version, or easier 50% and 75% versions.
Each version of the climb will have its own leaderboard and will show Zwifters what percentile of climbers they’re in – providing motivation to try the climbs multiple times.
Zwift will continue to offer a Climb of the Month in the France Climb Portal and a rotating selection of climbs in the Watopia Portal.
The Zwift Play Beta experience continues with new test events this winter, and any Zwifter with the right hardware can join to help improve the gamified racing experience.
Joining these events gives Zwifters a chance to test the different ways Zwift can integrate steering, braking, and new kinds of Power Ups and hazards into gamified racing and other events. Any Zwifter with a Zwift Play handlebar controller or other compatible steering device can participate.
Coming in January, a new Ride and Route Queuing update to the Zwift Companion app is for planning Zwift rides and workouts. Once live, this update will let Zwifters browse & select workouts and routes in the companion app. Then, selections will be queued up on the Zwift home screen.
Zwift avatars’ faces will be getting a new appearance in February. Meanwhile, with Avatar Choice, riders will be able to choose between all of Zwift’s available avatar types. Zwifters will no longer only see the avatars that correlate to the gender selected in their profile. Instead, cyclists can choose any avatar.
While Zwifters can choose any avatar they’d like, event categories will still match the gender of the rider’s profile for social events and racing, no matter which avatar is selected. Male profiles will only be able to enter male and open events. Female profiles will be able to enter female and open events, even if a woman chooses a male-presenting avatar.
This Winter, Zwift is adding Apple Watch heart rate compatibility, making life easier for any Zwifter who already owns an Apple Watch. Zwifters can pair their Apple Watch in the Zwift Companion app, as with any other heart rate monitor, and track heart rate on-screen.
A raft of other features are being rolled out by Zwift in the coming months. These include:
- Elite racing in the Zwift Games
- The Zwift Fondo Series’ seventh season with Bambino, Medio, and Gran Fondo distances
- Rapha Festive 500 in December
- Fitness Jumpstart with Coach Kristin in January to February
- The Tour de Zwift and Rebel Routes, which get under way in January
- L’Etape du Tour de France training – starting in February, there will be monthly two-stage fondos over weekends in February, March, April, and July
- A new event coming in March, with further details to come in February
