what's on zwift l'etape du tour

VIRTUAL L'ETAPE BY ZWIFT

This year, for the first time ever, Zwift is hosting the Virtual l’Etape du Tour de France as part of the virtual TdF. This year’s Zwift event series will allow participants to test themselves on the same (virtual) roads as the professionals, like the outdoor event, but across three stages instead of just one.

We have teamed up with the virtual cycling and training app Zwift and the result is several digitized segments of the 2022 race route that you can enjoy online from the comfort of your home. All you need is a bike, a smart trainer and a Zwift membership. 

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The first of the 3 planned virtual races will take place in the Paris. And it will be a spectacular premiere! You will have a chance to meet winners of the Tour de France stages who will be racing on site. Visitors and hundreds of cyclists from all over the world will be joining the race online.

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Virtual Tour de France & L’Étape du Tour on Zwift: Everything You Need to Know

Today ASO and Zwift have announced a Virtual Tour de France, which will start taking place this weekend with 23 Men’s UCI WorldTour teams, and 16 Women’s UCI WorldTour teams racing. The truncated event won’t quite mirror that of the real Tour de France. After all, it’s only 6 hour-long stages over three weekends instead of the usual 21 stages that are usually 3-5 hours in length each. Plus, riders can only compete in a maximum of three (men) or four (women) stages – with the aim of it being more akin to a team event than an individual one.

Still, some of the biggest names in professional cycling will participate – including Chris Froome, Marianne Vos, Geraint Thomas, Anna Van der Breggen, and more.  The Virtual Tour de France (that’s the official name) stages will also be broadcast on regular TV in over 130 countries, complete with webcams showing the riders suffering away in their living rooms, or posh Mediterranean homes.

But the real winners here are probably regular Zwifters who get not one, but two new Zwift worlds worth of virtual roads to ride. These new roads ‘reimagine’ regional parts of the French countryside, while also replicating the famed Champs-Élysées and Mt. Ventoux. Oh, and there’s a non-pro event, l’Étape du Tour, where you can ride some of those routes now. And then ‘Discovery’ rides where you’ll be able to ride what the pros rode from the previous weekend.

Phew. All of these details are painstakingly outlined below. With that, let’s dive in.

Virtual Tour de France:

Now, I’m basically going to slice this section into two parts. First, is the super-quick Cliffs Notes version, and then second is all the nitty-gritty details. So, to begin, here’s the bulleted ‘give me the facts quickly section:

• It’s a 6 stage event: Stages 1 & 2 are in a dressed up variant of Watopia, whereas Stages 3, 4, 5, and 6 are in a new France virtual world
• The Stages are semi-fictional: While it would have been nice to see all of the new French roads mirror some real-world counterpart, the reality is that with the exception of Paris and Mt. Ventoux the terrain doesn’t actually align to a specific real-world locale
• The race will take place over three weekends: Starting this weekend, one stage on Saturday, one on Sunday. Rinse/repeat for the next three weekends
• There’s both a men’s and women’s race: Parity, look at that!
• There are 23 men’s teams competing, and 16 women’s teams competing: So in a nutshell, basically all the major UCI WorldTour teams that would normally be at the Tour de France (men), and at the Giro Rosa (women)
• It’s more of a team race than an individual one: A team can only have 4 riders per stage, and those individual riders can only compete in a maximum of three stages for the men, and four stages for the women
• There are jersey/team/GC winner categories: Like the real TdF, you can pick up a KOM jersey or a new rider jersey. And by ‘you’, I mean those professionals. Heck, there’s even a Twitter poll for “Most Combative” rider planned after each stage
• The overall winner is points-based: While normally for the Tour de France the overall winner is time-based, in this case it’s based upon points assignments from each stage
• It’s being broadcast on TV: In short, if there was a TV station broadcasting the Tour de France planned, it’s likely now broadcasting the Virtual Tour de France

Ok, let’s step back and start with with the Stages:

Stage 1: Saturday 4th July – Watopia’s Hilly Route : 36.4 km (4 x 9.1 km, hilly stage) Stage 2: Sunday 5th July –  Watopia’s Mountain Route , 29.5 km (682 m of ascent, mountain stage) Stage 3: Saturday 11th July, – Representing North-East France, 48 km (flat stage) Stage 4: Sunday 12th July – Representing South-West France, 45.8 km (2 x 22.9 km laps, hilly stage) Stage 5: Saturday 18th July – Replication of Mont Ventoux, 22.9 km (finish at Chalet-Reynard, mountain stage) Stage 6: Sunday 19th July – Replication of Paris Champs-Élysées loop, 42.8 km (6 laps of the circuit)

So, as you can see, the first two stages are within the existing Watopia world, albeit dressed up in Tour de France banners and such. After that, the event moves to Zwift’s new French world and Paris world. They’re separate worlds, but more on that later.

These routes/roads are designed to represent given regions of France, rather than replicate a specific road or Stage. The exception to that though is the finale in Paris on the Champs-Élysées, and then the climb of Mt. Ventoux. However, note that for Stage 5 of the Virtual Tour de France, the riders will not ride to the top of Mont Ventoux. Instead, they will finish at Chalet-Reynard, which is roughly 2/3rds the way up.

Here is a nifty mini-gallery are the elevation profiles of each of the Stages. Once I have the actual VeloViewer links (I just have imagery right now), I’ll link to those.

Ok, next, to the riders. Well, actually, let’s start with the teams. That part is a bit easier. Here’s the men’s:

– AG2R La Mondiale – Arkea Samsic – Alpecin-Fenix – Astana Pro Team – B&B Hotels – Vital Concept p/b KTM – Bahrain McLaren – Bora Hansgrohe – CCC – Cofidis – Circus – Wanty Gobert – Deceuninck-Quick-Step – EF Pro Cycling – Groupama FDJ – Israel Start-Up Nation – INEOS – Jumba Visma – Lotto-Soudal – Mitchelton-SCOTT – NTT Pro Cycling Team – Rally Cycling – Sunweb – Total Direct Energie – Trek-Segafredo

And here’s the women’s teams:

– Ale BTC Ljubljana – Arkea – Boels Dolmans – CANYON/SRAM Racing – CCC-Liv – Ceratizit-WNT – Drops – FDJ – Nouvelle Aquitaine – Futuroscope – Lotto Soudal Ladies – Mitchelton-SCOTT – Parkhotel Valkenburg – Rally Cycling – TIBCO-SILICON Valley Bank – Trek-Segafredo – TWENTY20 – Sunweb – Valcar-Travel & Service

Ok, that huge list of teams complete, what about the actual riders?

Well…this is where it gets a bit messy. See, the riders aren’t competing for themselves. Instead, they’re competing for their team. Zwift and ASO have mandated the following two things:

Rule #1: No more than four riders per team per stage Rule #2: No male rider can race more than 3 stages total, and no female rider more than 4 stages total

As such, this is more of a team PR event (and honestly, in my mind, a hugely disappointing aspect). There are however still various jerseys that can be won, and then the team decides which rider will wear that jersey the following day (after winning it).

When it comes to jerseys, the points scoring varies with each jersey/awards:

GC Winner (Yellow Jersey): First 25 riders receive points at finish King/Queen of the Mountain (Polka Dot Jersey): First 10 riders on Stage 5 Ventoux finish, first 5 riders on Stage 2 Epic KOM finish, and first 3 riders on any other Category 3 climbs Sprint Jersey (Green Jersey): First 10 riders on intermediate and final finishes Young Rider (White Jersey): First 10 riders born after Jan 1st, 1995. This category is not combinable within a team, only the highest ‘winner’ gets the points Most Combative (No jersey): This is a daily Twitter poll where the three most combative riders are offered, and points are given based on the Twitter poll placement

The amount of points varies widely within each jersey for each ‘win’. For example for the Yellow Jersey the points for a stage win start at 50 points, then 40 points for 2nd place, 35 for 3rd place, all the way down to 1 point for 25th place. Whereas for the green jersey, it’s simply 10 points for the sprint winner, 9 points for 2nd, and so on down to 1 point for 10th.

Of course, that’s all just collecting points. The actual awarding of those jerseys is an incredibly complicated affair. However, the main thing you’ll want to know is how tie-breakers are handled within points for a given jersey (including the GC). And in that case, if two teams have the same number of points, then for the GC it’ll defer to the highest place rider of that finishing stage.

For the sprint jersey it’ll first defer to most stage wins, then most intermediate wins, and then best GC ranking. For the KOM/QOM jersey it’ll defer to most 1st place CAT 1 finishes, then CAT 2 finishes, then CAT 3 finishes, and finally failing everything else best GC ranking. For the young rider jersey it’ll tie-break to the highest U25 rider in Paris. Same goes for overall team win tie-breaker if required, which will be highest place team rider to determine the win between the ties.

Last but not least, here’s the rough broadcast dates/times, the women always go first, and the men follow basically an hour later:

Stage 1: July 4th @ ~15:00 CET / 06:00 US Pacific / 23:00 Australia AEST Stage 2: July 5th @ ~15:00 CET / 06:00 US Pacific / 23:00 Australia AEST Stage 3: July 11th @ ~14:45 CET / 05:45 US Pacific / 22:45 Australia AEST Stage 4: July 12th @ ~14:45 CET / 05:45 US Pacific / 22:45 Australia AEST Stage 5: July 18th @ ~14:50 CET / 05:50 US Pacific / 22:50 Australia AEST Stage 6: July 19th @ ~14:45 CET / 05:45 US Pacific / 22:45 Australia AEST

These will also be broadcast on Zwift.com too, as well as the following broadcasters:

Worldwide: GCN App Zwift.com Europe: Pan-Europe (incl UK): Eurosport & GCN Denmark: TV2 Sport Norway: TV2 Sport/TV2 Sumo France: FranceTVSport Belgium Walloon: RTBF Belgium Flemish: VRT Netherlands: NOS Portugal: RTP2 Spain: Teledeporte Sub-Saharan Africa: Supersport Americas: USA: NBCSN Canada: FloBikes Asia Pacific: Australia: SBS Japan: J Sports China: Zhibo.tv New Zealand: SKY Sport Pan-Asia-Pacific: EurosportAsia & GCN

Also of random note, is that if you’re a professional rider in these races you must be in the starting pen 30 minutes prior to the start of the race (though are allowed off your bike), and the riders must stay in the game on their bikes until the Team DS is alerted by officials they can get off their bikes.

And as far as cheating and accuracy? Well…let’s be honest, people are doing this from their homes with what is little secondary validation. Also, it’s largely a PR event. Meaning that unlike some of the provisions that would be in place for an in-person Zwift event (such as validated rider weigh-ins or disallowing access to the trainers/power meters), those won’t apply here.

Still, Zwift is taking some precautions here. Riders must submit video weigh-ins in advance of the race, and Zwift says that each team is doing a specific equipment and validation check with a Zwift individual responsible for that team. There aren’t however going to be any post-race verifications with ZADA for this, nor is there any prize money on the line. Instead, all the events are in support of Le Tour United, which is raising money by ASO for Emmaüs, Secours populaire français, Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, BiJeWa, and Qhubeka.

L’Étape du Tour & Discovery Rides:

Now, unless you’re one of the pros riding, then you’ll instead want to be riding within the Virtual l’Étape du Tour de France. Now, normally l’Étape is a physical event with around 15,000 riders that can ride a real Tour de France stage each July from that year’s Tour de France. This is typically a mountain stage in the Alps or Pyrenees, and is a one-day affair.

However, with that postponed for now, a virtual version of that will take place in Zwift (literally dubbed Virtual L’Étape du Tour de France). While still considerably shorter than the real thing, it’ll run over three different weekends. So while the pros will race two stages each weekend, you’ll race one stage each weekend. There are 16 different race sessions per weekend to choose from to get that Stage finished. Here’s the event details:

Stage 1: July 4th/5th – Zwift Watopia’s Mountain Route: 29.5km with 682m of ascent Stage 2: July 11th/12th – Zwift France’s Casse-Pattes Route x2 laps: 45.8km with 155m of ascent (emulates South-West France) Stage 3: July 18th/19th – Zwift France’s Mont Ventoux Route: 22.9km with 1,539m of ascent (finishes at top of Mont Ventoux)

In addition to that, you’ll be able to ride the same routes as the pros for the week following each pro race. So basically:

Week of July 6th: Just the Watopia routes you’ve already got access to Week of July 13th: The France World routes Week of July 20th: The France & Paris world routes

These will be accessible via group ‘Discovery’ rides, that include the specific routes from the weekend prior. These rides will be scheduled every 2 hours all week long. Of course, knowing how Zwift typically works, this means you’d be able to likely finish the group ride and keep on going to explore other aspects of the France map. In the case of Paris, that’s a separate map, so you wouldn’t be able to connect from the first map to the 2nd map.

Speaking of which, let’s talk new Zwift Worlds.

The New French Worlds:

The best bit of news here is all the new pavement for Zwifters. And that actually comes in two worlds, not one. There’s the France Zwift World, and then there’s the Paris one. I know, it’s confusing – Paris isn’t part of France. Don’t worry, as much of the rest of France would tell you, they don’t see Parisians as from their world either.

In any case, BOTH of these worlds will become part of the standard Zwift guest world rotation starting after the Virtual Tour de France. Zwift’s head of PR Communications, Chris Snook, confirmed this earlier today saying “these worlds will join the regular guest world rotation soon after the Tour de France”.

However, you’ll actually be able to ride these new routes earlier than that. Each week after the pros race, Zwift will host so-called ‘Discovery Rides’ every two hours on Zwift, which will feature the routes from the previous weekend of racing. More on that in the previous section.

Ok, so details about these new worlds are still somewhat thin. But to begin, the new ‘France’ map is fully interconnected between the routes, so if we remember back to the Virtual TdF Section, we’ve got the following portions:

Stage 3: Representing North-East France, 48 km (flat stage) Stage 4: Representing South-West France, 45.8 km (2 x 22.9 km laps, hilly stage) Stage 5: Replication of Mont Ventoux, 22.9 km (finish at Chalet-Reynard, mountain stage) Stage 6: Replication of Paris Champs-Élysées loop, 42.8 km (6 laps of the circuit)

However, this divides up into the two new worlds:

A) France World: Including Stages 3, 4, 5 B) Paris World: Just the Paris Champs-Élysées loop of Stage 6

Within the French world, that’s a single cohesive map that you can ride 8 different Zwift Routes, though that includes going over certain roads both directions and loops and such. Essentially there are two loops, and then one out/back to Mont Ventoux.

The France routes are as follows:

Casse-Pattes: 14.2mi /22.9km with 508ft/155m Douce France: 14.9mi /24.0km with 436ft/ 133m Petite Boucle: 37.8mi / 60.8km with 1,584ft / 483m La Reine: 14.0mi / 22.5km with 3,953ft / 1,205m (finishes at Mont Ventoux midpoint, Chalet-Reynard) R.G.V.: 14.9mi / 24.0km with 436ft /133m (Douce France in reverse) Roule Ma Poule: 14.2mi /22.9km with 508ft / 155m (Casse-Patte in reverse) Tire-Bouchon: 37.8mi / 60.8km with 1,584ft / 483m (Petite Boucle in reverse) Ven-Top: 12.9mi / 20.8km with 5,049ft / 1,539m (Mt. Ventoux replica) Notable: There’s also a road that connects from couple-mile/km long road that connects from the upper loops to the start of the Ven-Top route. It doesn’t have a specific name on the maps, but is included on La Reine.

Phew, got all that? Good. Here’s a few more screenshots of those routes:

Oh, and then there’s the Paris routes. There’s just two of those, simply going forwards and backwards the same loop:

Champs-Élysées: 4.1mi / 6.6km with 127ft / 39m Lutece Express: 4.1mi / 6.6km with 127ft / 39m (Champs-Élysées in reverse)

The route profile is pretty straight-forward:

And here’s a gallery of images from it:

Again, these routes will become available as regular guest worlds in the normal Zwift calendar following the conclusion of the Virtual Tour de France, which of course ends later in July. Zwift doesn’t have an exact date, but did note it’s not waiting until the real Tour de France to release these. Also, you’ll be able to ride the specified routes following each pro weekend, as well as within the l’Étape du Tour.

When you ride the France World routes however, it’s notable that your completed workouts will appear overlaid on Strava in New Caledonia, sorta like Watopia appears overlaid on a Pacific Ocean island. However, the Paris Champs-Élysées route will actually overlay atop Paris (like how Richmond does).

Oh, one last thing, Zwift’s Chris Snook did make one final comment about the France map specifically, staying that “For launch, there will be eight routes, but there’s a heap of expansion room in France.”. Just to leave that nugget there…

Undoubtedly this will dramatically increase visibility for Zwift as a platform, making it more visible via broadcasting to the numerous partner broadcast networks in 130 countries. As a result, it will undoubtedly increase Zwift subscriber numbers. I don’t however think it’ll do much (if anything) for ASO or the Tour de France, except all but the smallest amount of publicity. It will however raise a slight bit of awareness for some of the teams and their sponsors (ideal at a time where many teams are struggling to stay afloat).

But I think the real value here for Zwifters is simply more virtual pavement. While a Tokyo addition was reportedly planned for this summer (tied to the Olympics), that got pushed back till a later date. Instead, now we’ve got two new worlds, one of which sounds like it’ll be expanded upon going further. Though I do think this does probably re-ring the bell on so-called Guest World choice paradigm a bit. Previously you didn’t really have that many overall locales – so having 2 guest worlds + Watopia was fine. But as the number of worlds expands, so does the desire for people to have more flexibility in where they ride. With Zwift numbers dramatically up from where they were earlier this year or 18 months ago when Guest Worlds were announced, it’s probably time to re-visit that.

There’s also the reality that, based largely on self-inflicted communications stumbles this past weekend, a lot of Zwifters are still asking for more focus on current aspects of the game. Teams have been promised for nearly a year, and it’s been three months since the team beta rolled out with no visible expansion beyond a single beta team. And while the new worlds do benefit regular Zwifters, the Tour de France race partnership has brought up questions again on whether Zwift is a software company that services its paying end users, or a media company for occasional race sponsorships. Sometimes those two overlap well, whereas other times their goals appear at odds with each other.

Still, I’m interested in seeing where this goes beyond this year. Will this be a one-off due to COVID-19, or will Zwift and ASO find a way to bring a Tour de France 2021 that still includes pros? Ideally, by that timeframe, the pros are spending their time riding real-world races. Speaking of which, I’d like to see where this can shift next year towards having riders actually race the entire event, so as to make it more similar to the real world Tour de France that ultimately features a single rider standing atop the podium for their efforts over the entire event. Until then though, there’s no doubt this is the biggest event in sports tech, and will likely even take the cake for the biggest esports event as well in terms of global viewership.

With that – thanks for reading!

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62 Comments

it’s likely not broadcasting the Virtual Tour de France.?????????

Odd that the race finishes at Chalet Reynard, yet the Ven-top route appears to go to the observatory?

Was going to say the same, why do the screen shots show riders on the final 100-200m to Ventoux observatory when the article says the stage finishes at Chalet Reynard. The route from Bedoin to Reynard is tough but through the forest and not the iconic Ventoux that everyone thinks of.

If you check the profile, in the article, that is to the top of Ventoux (22km) not to Reynard which is only about 15km.

So it looks like it is indeed the full Ventoux climb.

That Stage 5 in the Zwift TdF starts well before Ventoux, which is what makes it confusing. But it definitely only goes to Reynard. The exact route used for that stage is La Reine, which starts off in the rest of the France world and makes it way over to Ventoux.

The imagery of the top is actually showing l’Etape (you can see it written on the finishing banner).

I suspect the reason they aren’t finishing at the top is purely for TV reasons (too long including the warm-up).

Thanks Ray,

But presumably the map goes to the top of Ventoux? Otherwise why would they show the Ventoux observatory in the press screen-shots.

Finishing at Chalet Reynard would be like releasing the Alpe du Zwift and having it finish at Huez Village.

Correct, it goes to the top, and is used in l’Etape and the rest of the Zwift France world, it just isn’t used in the TdF race.

I agree with you, but, I’m also not at Zwift HQ/ASO HQ.

maybe its too windy on top for the TV 😉

Related point: with the observatory on the right hand shoulder of the riders at the summit of Ventoux, it implies theyve ascended from Malaucene not Bedoin otherwise itd be on the left hand shoulder. Im guessing this is a minor error /to make the composition of the picture look good, rather than both ascents.

I think that’s actually a valid angle. They just haven’t double-back yet to the parking lot. When I did it, you see that angle right before you make a sharp turn up to the tower.

Though, not sure why they’d put the banner there, versus at the tower parking lot.

Also, for those that want a laugh on how young I looked: link to dcrainmaker.com

As you approach the summit from Bedoin, the observatory is on your your right hand side all the way up from Chalet Reynard. Only in the final 100m does after the hairpin and steep final ramp is it on the left.

Strange for the pros not to go to the top on Mont Ventoux?

I can only assume that they wanted the stage to be more than just start at the foot of the mountain and go uphill for an hour.

This is great news, more Zwift tarmac! Let’s hope they have the Northern ascent of Ventoux already in the works to create a looped route from the valley section. Zwift publicity department should have kept the update under wraps until this announcement and save a load of grief from impatient zwifters!

> Now, unless you’re one of the pros riding, then you’ll instead want to be riding within the Virtual l’Étape du Tour > de France. Now normally l’Étape is a physical event with around 15,000 riders that can ride a real Tour de France stage each July from that year’s Tour de France. This is typically a mountain stage in the Alps or Pyrenees, and is a one-day affair.

> However with that cancelled for this year, a virtual version of that will take place in Zwift (literally dubbed Virtual L’Étape du Tour de France).

Afaik l’Etape du Tour is not canceled, I received a mail last week that it will be hapenning on the six of september (ie this mail snippet in french) :

` Comme initialement prévu, la date retenue se situera le weekend suivant le Grand Départ, à savoir le dimanche 6 septembre 2020.`

Ahh, I missed that – great! Will update.

I wonder if the idea of not allowing riders from the same team to compete on more than 3 stages came from Zwift or was derived from teams’ desires not to have some of their riders “stuck” to competing on Zwift for 6 days over a 3 week period during training camp. Still, it’s very disappointing and will likely make the competition a lot less fun to follow.

I would guess the rule is so Rohan Dennis doesn’t win all the stages. Which could increase the fun – depending on who you are.

I’m sure that’s exactly it. They should have accelerated things and done this earlier so that riders weren;t faced with the immediate realities of the (real) UCI calendar. Still, I think it will be fun to see a different group of pros just kill it for an hour… just for bragging rights 🙂

> Spain: Teledeports

The Spanish channel is “Teledeporte” (aka TDP)

Thanks! That was originally from the full ASO/Zwift listing. Corrected!

L’Étape du Tour isn’t cancelled Ray, it is on the 6th of September

Yup, already updated! You may be seeing a cached version. Thanks!

If we join a Discovery ride up Ventoux, will we be allowed to continue riding up and down it as much as we’d like after the first ascent? Sure hope so, as we could move our virtual Everesting attempt the weekend of July 24 from the Alpe to Ventoux to try something new.

That’s my assumption, based on how Zwift events typically work.

It would be cool if Zwift could account for the Everesting craze by setting aside specific times for Ventoux Everesting attempts. It would be good to have a “get on the bus” day when sprinters and rouleurs could enjoy the “scenery” at a more humane pace;)

Ray, Please have a look to your advertising partners. I get hate-ads on your site against migration.

That’s not good. I’ve never heard or seen of that, and I don’t accept political ads.

All ads go through Google Adsense, and they don’t accept them either (hate content of any sort, they do accept political content, but I have that as ‘Not Allowed’). If you’ve got a link or name or such where it went to, I’d love to know so I can at least add a black-list ban there.

I have send you an mail using your contact form. I can provide a screenshot if needed.

Thanks, much appreciated for the detail.

From that information I was able to find the ad, and block them for showing anything here. I was able to see that specific ad was showing exactly four times on the site. Three times today, and one time on June 10th. I cannot see in Google Adsense which ‘Category’ they belong to oddly, so I’ll follow-up with them if that organization has mis-categorized itself or under some odd category that’s not politics or law/etc…

Thanks again!

Maybe a little bit off-topic, but apart from the Tokyo world for the Olympics, didn’t they as well plan for a new world for the UCI e-sports world championships (whatever the correct name is). Do you already have any news on this?

I am very surprised to see pros and pro teams happy to share racers data such as power/HR….. it is usually a well hidden data and only specific part of it is released when a performance is too outstanding… Even if the data is not shown it is send to Zwift so it is there somewhere.

Thanks, great post as usual ! When this came out on cyclingnews clear as mud, I was hoping for exactly such a precise and well documented piece. Any idea how the virtual bike situation will play out ? Everyone on Zwift/Tron bikes equivalent (maybe disguised for sponsors) or each team will use it’s own bike sponsor as already implemented ? If so I’m Worried for FdJ, No Lapierre in Zwift as far as I can remember… Just hope we won’t have to go through the whole Cam Jeffers charade again, although admitidly, I agree this is mostly a PR thing and results should not be taken too seriously. All in all, great news, that Ven Top route is going to be excellent.

This sentence needs a bit of attention (although I think I know how it will end 🙂 )…Meaning that unlike some of the provisions that would be in place for an in-person Zwift event (such as validated rider weigh-ins or disallowing access to the trainers/power meters).

Here’s how it ends: Nothing.

Will Zwift be verifying Froome’s treadmill for the Ventoux stage?

“Lutece Express: 4.1mi / 6.6km with 127ft / 39m (Champs-Élysées in reverse)”

Going wrong-side up les Champs, and clockwise around l’Étoile? Don’t people get excommunicated for suggesting something like that?

This is Zwift going too far with Ventoux. Does this now mean that I will need a treadmill in case the camera moto suddenly stops, Richie Porte and I collide with it and then I have to run part of the way up the mountain? Do I then need to attach a yellow child’s mavic bike with the wrong pedals to my home trainer? I mean I simply can’t afford all this new kit.

Ineos is going to love this because it opens the door to many additional ways of cheating

“on whether Zwift is a software company that services its paying end users, or a media company for occasional race sponsorships” Well said, Ray! I’m one of those who complained about their really worse communication concerning this update. And I even more complained that they seem to focus on publicity instead of doing a lot of homework concerning their software. Yes, I WILL enjoy the new routes. But I would even more enjoy a lot of bug fixing and enhancements beside new routes. Actually I don’t feel very serviced by them – but they never complained getting my money every month 😉

That last image put a smile on my face. It’s a true replica of the event now.

Dumb question, but is this instead of the Tour that was rescheduled or well?

The Tour is rescheduled to start Aug 29th. They’ve set out numerous measures how they (ASO) believe they’ll be able to execute that.

I’m pretty skeptical it’ll go on (or if it even makes sense to), but, we’ll see….

Super excited about this! Love the new tarmac!! thanks for the excellent write up too!!

HI First, I’m not a zwift user, and only ride for fun. But I love watching TDF Now I see on Strava that friends use zwift all the time, and while this virtual TDF is for the pros, wouldn’t it be fun if we could join the race to see if we could ride with the pros? So only you could see yourself in the race with the pros, and that would only be open for 50-100km of a stage!

just a thought… I sometimes feel I could ride with the peloton (ok maybe for only 30min on the flat!)

keep safe and healthy

Stuff like this has already happened, e.g., with Cancellara chasing down a huge herd of Zwifters: link to zwiftinsider.com

Very helpful, DC, thank you! Heckuva piece of work.

I’d quite like Zwift and Strava to work together to sort the maps out properly!

Thanks for this! Any info on whether there is a requirement regarding the Trainer Difficulty setting for the virtual TdF?

None to my knowledge, but I can check with Zwift.

I’d love to see that sort of thing actually locked by the race organizer when you enter a given event. I feel like there’s such potential for a ‘Race Organizer Dashboard’, to be able to set all sorts of things like that. Perhaps there already is, but I haven’t heard of it.

I’ve honestly never understood why it’s even an option in a race. If the goal is realism, then people setting it to 10% Trainer Difficulty just isn’t that. I know it doesn’t technically change your power output, but of course it changes the difficulty of a climb, because you can spin at 100rpm much easier than grinding away at 50 or 60RPM for a hard climb. After all, if there was no difference, then we wouldn’t see racers purposefully setting it crazy low. 😉

AFAIK there is no difference in power, effectively it just gives lower gearing. Since lower end trainers have lower maximum torque resistance, wouldn’t forcing them to use 100% “difficulty” increase the likelihood of riders exceeding their trainer’s limit and actually getting an advantage? (asking for a friend)

It’s true there’s no difference in pure power to speed in Zwift. However, in reality, there is.

For most people, they’re more efficient at higher cadences. So if you’re at 10% trainer difficulty, then you can easily spin at a much higher cadence than at 100% on climbs grinding away at 60RPM. As such, many racers will set it super low.

Personally, I always just set mine for 100%. I’m trying to replicate the terrain, so anything less isn’t doing that.

Seems nuts to me that Zwift couldn’t do what they did with the London map and have you jump on the metro and appear in Malaucene or Bedoin or wherever, rather than have two discrete maps. I’m keen to ride Zwift’s Ventoux and see what it’s like, but I think If I want the challenge I’ll stick with RGT.

Very informative, had seen the advertisement of Zwift , but had created more questions than answers. Good job ,?

Is the Tour doube-draft or regular? I would assume for all real pro races the would do double.

I’m also curious about the trainer difficulty setting! And whether all team’s bikes have the same weight and aero characteristics. Lastly whether there is a choice of trainer? Hot tip from Lama on the Kickr Core’s slight overestimation of power at the top end ?

Saturday I rode L’Etape du Tour. The climb to the radio tower was challenging. The course was well designed and the event went without a hitch. Riding with over 5000 other Zwifters was fun and a nice distraction from the current stream of bad news. I am glad that I bought my Wahoo Kickr Core a month before the lockdown. Thank you Zwift for a very enjoyable event and thank you DC Rainmaker for a very comprehensive review. Here is a picture from the event. Yes, I know that I did not post the best of times, but I am old(er) and I am riding with a broken rib and two additional cracked ones. ?

You did it that’s what matters. I’m 73 and I completed it. A very satisfying experience!

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L’Etape du Tour de France Training Club: Phase 2 – Late Base

Phase 2: Late Base 

We are now into the second phase of the 2019 L’Etape du Tour de France training club. This ‘Late Base’ training phase aims to build upon the excellent work completed in the ‘ Early Base ‘ block of training.

The goal of this phase is to extend the time completed at intensities just under threshold. Much of your day in L’Etape du Tour de France will be spent at a sub-threshold intensity, so it’s important that this aspect of your fitness is fully developed. Training in this phase will also prepare for the high-intensity work expected in the next training phase.

Sub-threshold intervals are an integral part of building aerobic endurance. This style of training results in a high oxygen consumption which provides the boost to your aerobic system. Simply, sub-threshold training helps your body utilize fuel more efficiently for long rides and races keeping you fresher for a final effort at the end.

In addition to the structured workouts, the Late Base training phase will also include a free-ride session. This session provides you with the opportunity to complete the many long climbs available on Zwift. In these free-rides, look to increase the amount of elevation gain you completed in the free-rides from the Early Base training phase.

If you have more time on the weekend, look to ride outside in a group and work on the dynamics of riding with a bunch of people and pacing. Zwift should complement your cycling lifestyle and schedule.

While the focus in this block of training is to complete a high volume of sub-threshold work, it’s important to include some unstructured high intensity. This is where Zwift racing is ideal. Each week, look to compete in a Zwift race of your choice and challenge your high-intensity fitness.

Late Base Phase Training Schedule

You can perform the workouts at any time that suits you and you are not date-restricted. This training schedule can help map out which days you do what. Use it as a guide and feel free to switch up days to best suit your schedule. Recovery is as important as training during this period. Remember, if you’re feeling sick or stressed, rest is often the best option.

• Workouts highlighted in Yellow must be completed to count towards completion to receive unlocks. These workouts can be found in the workouts dropdown in Zwift.
• You will receive completion email once all Phase 2 workouts have been completed from start to finish.

Other events: (does not add to unlock progression but does add to your fitness progression)

• L’Etape du Tour de France Training Race – Schedule here
• L’Etape du Tour de France Endurance Training Event – Schedule here

WEEK 5: APRIL 22

• Sub-threshold intervals are an integral part of building aerobic endurance. By training at an intensity slightly lower than threshold, you are able to complete large volumes of work with minimal anaerobic impact.
• Completing sub-threshold intervals results in a high oxygen consumption which provides the boost to your aerobic system.
• Tuesday: Rest Day
• Find a Zwift L’Etape du Tour de France Training Race in the events calendar here or check on the Zwift Companion app. Go hard and see how you stack up. We’ll use this as a benchmark of your fitness.
• Find your race here
• Thursday: Rest day or 30–45 minutes of Zone 1**
• In this session we include short, controlled intervals above threshold with minimal recovery. This type of training provides the perfect stimulus to increase mitochondrial density and sustainable power.
• There is a sting in the tail though. The session finishes with a 10 minute sub-threshold effort. There is no getting away from the benefits of long aerobic intervals.
• Ride a route in Zwift with more than 2000ft of climbing . If you’ve done this route before aim to climb just a little faster than before and see how that feels. It should not be an all out effort. Just a slight raise in pace.
• Want to ride with a friend or 50? Use our new Meetups function in the Zwift Companion app to organize your own group ride. Learn more here . Or
• Head outside and join a friend or local group to get in some solid endurance miles. Don’t worry about managing your efforts, just go with the flow, have fun, and get used to riding in a group.
• Sunday: Rest day or 30–45 minutes of Zone 1

WEEK 6: APRIL 29

• Sub-threshold intervals are an integral part of building aerobic endurance. By training at an intensity slightly lower than threshold, you are able to complete large volumes of work with minimal anaerobic impact. Completing sub-threshold intervals results in a high oxygen consumption which provides the boost to your aerobic system. This is an important aspect of your preparation.
• Tuesday: Rest day or 30–45 minutes of Zone 1**
• Find any Race in the events calendar here or check on the Zwift Companion app. Go hard and see how you stack up. Use this to measure your fitness.
• The focus today is on your ability to produce a steady Zone 3 effort after first completing some high-intensity accelerations.
• However, across the course of the session, the intensity and duration of the Zone 3 interval will increase.
• Ride a hilly route of your preference on Zwift. Focus on sustained climbing endurance.
• Head outside and join a friend or local group to get in some solid endurance miles. Don’t worry about managing your efforts, just go with the flow and have fun.

WEEK 7: MAY 6

• In this session, we are focusing on your ability to ride at a tempo effort after first producing a short, high powered acceleration.
• However, the target power of the tempo interval descends over the course of the effort.
• Tuesday: Rest day
• Find a Zwift L’Etape du Tour de France Training Race in the events calendar here or check on the Zwift Companion app. Go hard and see how you stack up. Use this to measure your fitness.
• Zone 3 training is ideal for building muscular endurance during the late base phase of training. During L’Etape du Tour de France you will more than likely be spending a considerable amount of time at this intensity.
• To train this area effectively requires completing longer medium intensity intervals. Today’s session consists of 3 x 12 minute Zone 3 intervals.
• Look to get some good climbing in today. Aim for 3000ft+. Three Sisters route would be a good choice.
• Want to ride with a friend or 50? Use our new Meetups function in the Zwift Companion app to organize your own group ride. Learn more here

WEEK 8 (REST WEEK): MAY 13

Maintain volume. Reduce intensity.

• Monday: Rest day
• A lower intensity endurance session today that incorporates 30-second surges.
• However, with ample recovery, you should be hitting each effort refreshed.
• Wednesday: Rest day or 30–45 minutes of Zone 1**
• Thursday: 30–45 minutes of Zone 1
• Find any route that looks fun to you and ride and at endurance pace, or join a community group ride.
• Want to ride with a friend or 50? Use our new Meetups function in the Zwift Companion app to organize your own group ride. Learn more here .
• Saturday: Rest Day
• Join and Ride the L’Etape du Tour de France Endurance Training event here. Test your legs against hundreds of others or sit in and focus on pacing.
• Find your endurance event here

**If you perform a recovery ride on Tuesday, then you should use the Thursday as a rest day or vice-versa.

To access these workouts you will need to log onto Zwift to see them.

The 2019 Zwift L’Etape du Tour de France Training Club .

16 weeks. 4 blocks of distinct training phases. This plan will shape you into the best cycling version of yourself. You’ll need it to take on all 135km // 83.8mi of the 2019 L’Etape du Tour de France and its 4,563m // 14,970ft of climbing.

Each of the four training blocks carries a specific focus. Geared toward leveling up your fitness in tangible ways, you’ll come out of every block fitter, faster, and ready to ride.

• Phase 1: Early Base
• Phase 2 : Late Base 
• Phase 3 : Build 
• Phase 4: Preparation

View more details about the L’Etape du Tour de France Training Club here.

L’Etape du Tour Gran Fondo series exclusively on Zwift

In December, Zwift announced that it was an official partner of the L’Etape du Tour, a consequence of their relationship with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), who host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes.  The ASO organise the L’Etape du Tour, which is a mass participation cyclosportive that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same closed roads as the Tour de France stage and Zwift are hosting a series of events to support.

Zwift and L’Etape du Tour

Zwift are hosting a L’Etape-inspired Gran Fondo series to get you prepared for the in real life event, which takes place on 7 th July, in France.

Zwift states “We’re bringing Europe’s hardest amateur race to the Zwift universe with a L’Etape-inspired Gran Fondo series, running February, March, April, and July. The Virtual L’Etape du Tour kicks off with Prologue rides from Tuesday through Thursday and brings the heat with a Gran Fondo from Friday through Sunday during one week of the month.”

The rides will follow a set format, which include a short prologue, followed by a longer rider of around 60-70km.

The events will take place in Watopia, London and Makuri.  The first event is on 20 th February and is a 15.9km ride in Watopia, followed by a 69.9km longer route, which kicks-off on 23 rd February.

Mountain Massif, Sportive Breaks and L’Etape du Tour

For those that are interested in undertaking the in real life L’Etape du Tour on 7 th July, Mountain Massif have partnered with Sportive Breaks and are able to provide a 5% discount on one of the packages.

To do this, simply click here , and once you select your package use code mountainmassifetape24 to get your discount applied. 

Mountain Massif will be attendance and those which book to stay at the finish (Hotels in Valberg and Beuill) will have an opportunity to connect with the Mountain Massif team.

Ride L’Étape du Tour de France with Mountain Massif and Sportive Breaks

Recommended for you, all you need to know about the norseman charity marathon on zwift.

Weekend Events on Zwift 20-21 April

Weekend events on zwift 13-14 april, begin your journey to new heights with mountain massif.

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3. 30/30 Anaerobic #1

Workout overview

Duration: 52m

Stress points: 57

Zone distribution

During the 'Early Base' training period, it's fine to spend time at intensities above your threshold. The key is in the duration spent above threshold for the interval. By completing short efforts above threshold you are able to accumulate more time in this area than if completed in longer efforts. Today's session will give you 8 minutes in Zone 5. The short recovery periods also increase oxygen uptake. Particularly towards the end of the set!

No longer available in Zwift* More workouts like this

*From Zwift 1.49 (early October 2023), Zwift has decided to reorganize its workout library into new collections. Use More workouts like this to find identical workouts in new workout collections or training plans in Zwift. Workouts that are no longer available in Zwift can be downloaded from the official Zwift forum. See more info here: FAQ: How do I obtain and use old Zwift workouts that are no longer available in Zwift? .

All workouts in 

1. Aerobic 12's #1

1h 3m | 55 SP

2. Strength Endurance Rotations #1

52m | 57 SP

4. Strength Tempo #1

57m | 58 SP

5. Mitochondria #1

6. Strength Tempo #2

56m | 58 SP

7. Endurance + 3x1min

50m | 49 SP

Similar workouts

30/30 Anaerobic #1

52m | 54 SP

Day 5 - 40/20's #1

51m | 52 SP

Day 6 - 40/20's #1

7. 40/20's #1

50m | 51 SP

FRNKLN - January 19

30m | 42 SP

6. Tempo Climbing #1

1h 1m | 71 SP

Tempo Climbing #1

30/30 Anaerobic #2

Ramp it up to the X

1h 7m | 80 SP

Day 2 - Progressive Over-Gear

51m | 54 SP

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What’s Coming Next? Read “This Season On Zwift” Winter Press Release

Zwift just sent a press release announcing key new features and content (events) for the next few months. Read that full press release below, apart from a few portions we removed that discussed features or events already announced:

• New levels 61-100 and Drop Shop reorganization
• Ride streaks
• Climb Portal updates : scaling, completion tracking, and rankings
• Steering gamification events for Repack Rush and Crit City
• zFondo Series 2024

New Features

Companion app update: ride and route queuing.

Coming in January

With this new update to the Zwift Companion app, it’s never been easier to plan your Zwift rides and workouts. Once live, this update will let Zwifters browse workouts and routes in the companion app and select the ones you want to do. Then, selections will be queued up on the Zwift home screen—no more searching through content options when it’s time to ride!

Avatars Get a New Look!

Coming in February!

Zwift avatars’ faces will be getting a whole new appearance in February. Our avatars haven’t been refreshed in a long time, and this change will give avatars a fresh new look.

Choose Any Avatar

Coming this Winter!

With Avatar Choice, you’ll 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 your profile. Instead, cyclists can choose any avatar.

While we’re excited to let Zwifters 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.

Apple Watch Becomes a Heart Rate Monitor

Coming this Winter

The best heart rate monitor is the one you’re already wearing, so we’re adding Apple Watch heart rate compatibility to Zwift, making life easier for any Zwifter who already owns an Apple Watch. Pair Watch in the Zwift Companion app, as with any other heart rate monitor, and track your heart rate on-screen as you ride and run.

Zwift Games

Join the Games from February to March

Zwift is transforming cycling esports with the Zwift Games. This new event will be the largest event of its kind and is designed to give any member of the community a chance to enjoy fun and challenging racing. Elite racers can qualify to compete in championships events!

Community Racing: The Zwift Games will be Zwift’s biggest-ever community racing tour, featuring three Sprint stages, an Epic stage for endurance riders, and a Climb stage for the mountain goats. Zwifters can challenge themselves by completing all five races as a stage race, or pick and choose their preferred stages throughout the month of March.

With a number of specially designed new routes and some awesome Zwift Games unlocks available, there’s truly something for everyone.

Events will be available at multiple times every day throughout March, for all categories.

Elite Racing: During the first three weekends in March, the world’s best male and female Zwifters will take on the same courses as the community in a bid to be crowned the Zwift Games Elite Sprint, Epic, and Climb champions. The best performing female and male athlete across all three events will also earn the ultimate accolade of becoming the inaugural Zwift Games All Round Champion. The eight champions will earn a share of Zwift’s biggest ever prize purse and each unlock one of Zwift’s most recognisable icons, resplendent in gold.

All championship racers will be subject to pre- and post-race performance verification and all races will be broadcast all around the world.

Information on how any top level Zwifter can qualify for the elite championships will be shared by the 15th of December.

Rapha Festive 500

Join the annual Festive 500 challenge and complete 500 kilometers between Christmas and New Year’s! Both Zwift and outdoor rides count toward your total, so tick off the kilometers and earn an event badge and Festive 500 kit!

Fitness Jumpstart with Coach Kristin

January – February

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong is busy. She’s a successful coach, entrepreneur, and a mom who needs to be efficient when working out. Her new training series is approachable, efficient, effective, and fun—perfect for any busy cyclist and a great way to start the new year with a commitment to your fitness.

Starting in January, the eight-week Fitness Jumpstart with Coach Kristin invites all Zwifters to start the New Year right. Program workouts are available on-demand and live to fit any schedule. Kristen will lead select sessions. Each week of the program is designed around helping riders learn about a specific aspect of training.

Plus, you can stay motivated, make friends, and ask questions in the Zwift Women’s Training Club group chat on the Zwift Companion App.

Tour de Zwift and Rebel Routes

Start the tour in January

Ride routes that are inaccessible most of the year during one of the year’s largest Zwift events, the Tour de Zwift, and earn route badges that are not otherwise available!

This year, Zwifters who complete stages or the whole tour will also unlock a new in-game kit—including Zwift’s first-ever bucket hat! Zwifters can also buy a matching real-world kit from Le Col!

l’Etape du Tour

Start Training in February

Every year, L’Etape du Tour de France hosts and organizes the biggest amateur Gran Fondo in the world on one stage of the Tour de France. As an official partner of L’Etape du Tour de France this year, Zwift is bringing all the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement of the world’s hardest amateur race into Zwift.

Starting in February, there will be monthly two-stage Fondos over weekends in February, March, April, and July. Zwift will also introduce an eight-week training program for the L’Etape du Tour and add some of the famous climbs from the route to Zwift’s Climb Portal. These climbs are a great way to prepare for this challenging one-day cycling event or just get ready for a summer of tackling the most challenging climbs in your local area.

New March Event

Join in March!

In March, Zwift will reveal an all-new event and introduce a new way to earn rewards! Look for more information in February, and get ready to take a spin to earn Zwift rewards in a whole new way.

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Training for Etape du Tour

Is there a specific training plan in Zwift for this year’s Etape du Tour?

There’s a Gran Fondo training plan which I would imagine covers the same sort of thing?

Welcome Colin.

I’ve trained people before for this event (the Australian version). It’s basically long rides - don’t panic about intervals or sprints or that sort of thing, it’s the whole distance and getting the big kilometres and the elevation.

You just have to gradually work your way up to the distance and as you do more of these big rides they will become easier.

Me personally preparing for the kinds of big mountain stages you find in Haute Route 7 day events, the training I do falls in winter where the days are short, it gets dark quickly in the evening after work and it is cold or wet - so on the trainer I’m looking at these sorts of training because I cannot go and do big outdoor rides during Mon-Fri:

• 2x30min intervals at 85-88%
• 3x20min intervals at 85-90%
• 4x10min intervals 85-90%, low cadence, then as you progress over the weeks you can increase them to 12 or 13 minutes and maybe decrease the rest time in between each interval slightly.

Those last ones are getting you used to what it will be like to be riding up hill for close to 1 hour. As you get the longer interval blocks with shorter recovery, it’s becoming less like 4 intervals with recovery and more like one constant very long block. Then when you ride the real thing at normal cadence you should feel okay with that.

Then on the weekends, weather permitting get out and do long rides, you don’t have to go flat out, but distance and some decent hills on the Saturday ride and Sunday should be just low intensity, still reasonable distance but easy pace.

Make sure you fit in recovery. I tended to do Monday and Friday as recovery days - typically not doing anything on those days - or if I did, very easy rides with small chain ring only and low power.

Also important if you don’t ride many hills in real life, make an effort to find them and get comfortable on the descents. You don’t have to go crazy attacking the descents, but be comfortable and safe on them.

Thanks much Chris. This really helps!

Thanks James!

Having done two of them, including the 2017 of which the last 30km was climbing, sometimes above 12% and at a high enough altitude for oxygen to be a little problem, work on efficiency, nutrition and finding your most efficient cadence. I was a little surprised when my friend told me he had stuck a triple on the front and a 34t long cage on the rear, up until the point we managed to clock up a day climbing in the peak district and after 6 hours of riding he just kept spinning. Followed his lead for L’Etape and was the best decision of the day. Whilst others went away on most climbs at first, I just kept spinning and soon got back up. Whilst tiring it was never absolutely exhausting despite it being well above 30c

Hi Dabby, Great insight into the Etape? I just completed the Zwift Gran Fondo training but the Etape isn’t for awhile. Any advice on how to train for the last month and a half? I live in Minnesota so not a lot of hills to train on. Should I do a bunch of long Zwift hill rides? Thanks much, Colin

Dappy sorry for the typo.

Hi Dappy, Great insight into the Etape? I just completed the Zwift Gran Fondo training but the Etape isn’t for awhile. Any advice on how to train for the last month and a half? I live in Minnesota so not a lot of hills to train on. Should I do a bunch of long Zwift hill rides? Thanks much, Colin

Sorry for the delay in replying. Long rides are essential but would complete these long rides with efficiency in mind rather than pure grinding away. You also have the L’Etape Du Tour Training Club plans on Zwift which offer a mix of tempo, high intensity etc (4th from the bottom on my Zwift) and these no doubt are developed by people far more knowledgable than me. Having done the Galibier and Croix Der Fer, they are not too shocking, however by the time you reach Huez your legs will feel a little tender so play with your nutrition now and get use to it, as nutrition is the last thing you want to worry about when it hurts on the last climb. The number of people you see struggling having tried new gels on the day is astounding. Also, both my L’Etapes were on scorching days (coming from the UK anyway) with temps up to 35c so just in case, get use to cycling in heat where possible, drink loads+salts. As for the last month and a half, if you have completed the training plan above, I would stick with long steady rides with a few interval sessions and wind it down in the two weeks leading up but still get steady mileage in. If your main goal is to avoid the broom wagon, then steady is the way to go, if you are aiming for a brisk time still go steady leading up with nothing too onerous and don’t get dragged along in a fast pack only to be totally battered on Huez. Been there, done that, wholly unpleasant on the Col De Joux Plane

Greetings again. One last question. How did you fuel the morning of the ride and during? Thanks again and have a great summer. Cheers, Colin

Personally pasta the night before, a few croissants in the morning and then during the ride I ate bananas and pastries at the aid stations, my own wine gums (never knew squashies existed then) and sweets as I knew I could eat all of them in reasonable quantities with no ill health. On my recent Ironman I had loads of squashies, flapjacks, their bananas and their cola. Try squashies if gels don’t suit you as I have found I can eat super large quantities to no ill effect and no horrible aftertaste/sore teeth (of course diabetes is a concern if you do it loads in your training.). Also electrolytes, carry spare tabs and some spare euro (20 euro in one bar end, and 4 paracetamol, 2 diarroehha tabs in clingfilm in the other, small tub of chamois cream taped under the seat wrapped in two baby wipes)). You go through plenty of villages with shops open, and you can always pick up a bottle of water if you run out, although in fairness plenty of spectators watching from their lawn will be more than happy to fill up your bottle. I went to my first L’etape worried about fuelling and liquids and it was never really a problem or shouldn’t have been had I been sensible. Do not fall into the trap of being low on food/water and then going past an aid station thinking you will hang on to the next one, takes 5 mins to stop and replenish. It all sounds a lot to remember but if you plan ahead, it is far more enjoyable.

Thanks again for all the useful info. Its much appreciated. I’m coming from the US and riding with Trek Travel. They have all the accommodations and fuel stations set so off the bike I’m covered. Just rode a 100 miles on the farm lands of Minnesota so I do have some miles in my legs. I have to ask, what are squashies? I think its what we call energy chews. Cheers and take care, Colin

Just keep going with the milaege, training and prep. Make sure you are used to using whatever Trek Travel supply prior to the event and you will clearly be fine. As for squashies, never occurred to me that you might not know them from the US, sorry. PS still stick some paracetamol and diarrhoea tablets in your bar stops and forget about them https://www.google.com/search?q=squashies&oq=squashies&aqs=chrome.0.0i131i433i512l2j0i512l8.2685j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8