Zwift has unveiled a wide range of fresh features for 2023, including a new map of Scotland, updates to the companion app, Discord integration and more sub-30-minute workouts for time-crunched riders.
All of this “will make Zwift more personalised, fun, and will help Zwifters smash fitness goals”, according to Zwift.
The updates will be rolled out gradually between now and April, Zwift says.
Scotland map added to Zwift
First up, Zwift is adding a virtual rendering of the Scottish city of Glasgow and its environs to the indoor cycling app's existing worlds.
There will be five courses designed for racing and fast riding, which will be used for the three stages of the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, starting on 18 February.
Scotland will be accessible before that to other Zwift users for ZRacing and route recon rides. It will debut in January, but will only be accessible for events until March, after which it will then be opened up to all riders.
Zwift says the new virtual map is inspired by the Scottish landscape and the city of Glasgow.
Among the features unique to the Scotland map – and now found anywhere else on Zwift – are a loopable hill climb and a dedicated time trial circuit.
Western Scotland is popular on indoor cycling apps at the moment, with Wahoo X announcing its Dunoon gravel circuit only a couple of months ago.
Zwift 'For You'
Zwift is adding a 'For You' carousel at the top of the home screen, which it says will enable users to find their preferred in-game content easier.
The carousel, rolling out gradually in December, will include group rides, other Zwifters they may want to ride with and on-demand workouts.
"All of the content Zwifters use most often will be right there where it’s easy to find," according to Zwift.
"In the future, 'For You' will allow Zwift to recommend content to you based on your recent rides, events you’ve signed up for and Pacer Groups rides you’ve participated in."
Personalised leaderboards
In February, Zwift will be updating its companion app to give you personalised leaderboards.
As a result, you will be able to track your times and other data over every Zwift segment and route.
You'll also be able to filter it by calendar quarter, so you can see how much faster (or slower) you’re getting.
'Join a Zwifter' is back
The app's 'Join a Zwifter' function is making a return.
This, Zwift says, "lets you easily ride or run with people you follow on Zwift, pro athletes or even the occasional celebrity".
With this update, you will also be able to see how long others have been riding and their average speed before taking the plunge. 'Join a Zwift' will also become part of the 'For You' carousel.
More sub-30-minute workouts
What else is new? Well, Zwift says it has doubled the number of available sub-30-minute Zwift workouts on the platform.
In an effort to provide greater variety for time-crunched athletes and the growing number of beginner and recreational cyclists on Zwift, we’ve added 10 new sub-30-minute workouts," Zwift says.
"These new workouts will help anyone fit in a fun, productive ride in even the shortest window of time."
Discord integration
Another social upgrade is the integration of Discord chat links into Clubs on the companion app.
Discord is a social platform for voice and text chat, and is a popular way for Zwifters to communicate when linking up for a virtual ride.
"To make it easier to find your club’s Discord chat, we’ve introduced a way for clubs to integrate a Discord link into their profile in the Zwift Companion App," says Zwift.
HoloReplay
Announced last September as part of Zwift’s FutureWorks programme, HoloReplay enables you to compete against your own best time of the last 90 days, your last ride or both.
Whereas the feature was previously only available on segments, Zwift is now adding it to entire routes.
"HoloReplays can come on during Pacer Group rides and free rides, and all your segment and route times are recorded, except for group workouts, meetups, or other activities that have rubberbanding enabled," Zwift adds.
New challenges
On specific weekends starting this December and ending in April 2023, Zwift is hosting the Zwift Fondo Series, with endurance challenges over 90km, 70km and 50km.
You may have already spotted the first of these, which took place on 2-4 December; the next is 30 December 2022 to 1 January 2023 – ideal to burn off the post-Christmas stupor.
Another way to keep riding, whatever Christmas throws at you, is to jump on Zwift for all or part of the Rapha Festive 500. And yet another, starting in January 2023, is the eight-stage Tour de Zwift, for which registration opens on 20 December.
Zwift Racing League will also return for another round in January, with four points races and two team time trials.
The top teams will gain entry to the ZRL Championships in March.
Other options to compete include the SLT Arena Games for triathletes, Zwift Academy Run and the Tour of Watopia in March 2023.
