By Lars Hundley
Zwift, the popular online cycling and running platform, is set to release its latest expansion, “The Grade,” in Watopia between June 11th and June 13th. This new climb, located on the west side of Watopia’s Southern Coast, will provide Zwifters with an alternative to the traditional FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test while offering a challenging and scenic route.
The Grade begins at the base of the climb, with the first section heading straight up without any bends or respite until the midway point. This segment is the steepest part of the climb, pitting riders against gravity, with roaming wildlife and a tram to chase for motivation. After conquering the first segment, riders can choose to either turn at the crossing and head back down to the coast or continue climbing to the top. From this point, the road begins to twist and turn as it makes its way to the backside of the Epic KOM.
One of the unique features of The Grade is that it provides riders with their calculated FTP as they cross the finish line at the top of the climb. This innovative approach to FTP testing was created using data collected from over 700,000 FTP tests conducted on Zwift, allowing the platform to calculate FTP on any completion time over 8 minutes. Riders will see their average watts displayed on the screen as they climb, with the route broken into ten segments, each displaying segment times on a unique HUD.
If a rider sets a new personal record (PR), their new FTP will be displayed on digital signage along the road, accompanied by a burst of confetti and an FTP notification at the end of the activity.
The Watopia expansion also introduces eight new free-ride routes, ranging from the 7.8km “Oh Hill No” to the 44km “Elevation Evaluation,” which boasts 1,493m of elevation gain. Two new event-only ZRacing Routes, “Mayan San Remo” and “Itza Climb Finish,” will also be available.
Zwifters can access the new roads once their game is updated to version 1.64, which begins rolling out from June 11.