Zwift has added a new portal to its virtual cycling worlds to offer users a vibrant new environment that mimics real-world climbs. Born from gaming, the fitness company uses multiplayer online gaming technology to create immersive 3D playgrounds for cyclists and runners - London, New York, and Paris as well as its own Watopia.
Zwift’s app connects wirelessly to exercise equipment: bike trainers, treadmills, and more, to allow users’ real world effort to power the avatar in the game. Zwift’s Climb Portal is the newest addition to the virtual worlds of Watopia and France. It recreates the Col du Tourmalet and other legendary Tour climbs, as part of a partnership between Zwift and A.S.O., organiser of Tour de France and Tour de France avec Zwift. Zwift is the official training software partner for both races in 2023.
Inside the portals, cyclists can see the challenge ahead, illustrated by a ribbon that changes colour to mimic the gradient variations of the climb. The pitch and direction of the climbs match their real world inspirations, giving users the realistic challenge of these climbs, as well as a new visual experience. There will be two portals in Zwift: one just outside the volcano in Watopia, and one in France. To access the portals, cyclist can choose the portal climb options via a dedicated tile on their homepage, from within the routes list or they can navigate their own way to the portals in-game if riding in Watopia or France. The Climb Portal routes all feature a flat warm-up before cyclists enter the portal and begin climbing.
