New Zwift features enable you to briefly pause a ride then rejoin your group, teleport to ride with a friend and access emojis more easily.
Setting up a ‘no-drop ride’ is said to be easier, while the indoor cycling app claims the draft dynamics of Zwift racing now better resemble the real thing.
Additional software updates and features coming soon include riding challenges, spring cycling workouts and climbs inspired by Alpine peaks.
Coffee Stop
The new Zwift Coffee Stop feature enables you to pause without losing ground on the pack in a meet-up, Pacer Group or free ride.
From May, you’ll be able to select the Coffee Stop option from the Action Bar or Zwift companion app.
Your avatar keeps pace with the group for three minutes. So you’ll only have time to quickly brew an espresso (the only coffee you should drink while cycling), answer the doorbell or refill your bottles before getting back in the saddle.
Action Bar restructure
In the summer, Zwift will divide its Action Bar (used to control in-game features) into sub menus. This removes the need to scroll to the far left or right to give a Ride On or perform a U-turn.
For example, the emote sub menu brings all the reactions – from toast to wave – to one place.
Group riding and racing features
The Keep Everyone Together feature will be available this summer for club events. This allows any Zwifter who is a club administrator to turn on the virtual elastic band for any club ride. It was previously only possible to use it in certain events.
With the new Rider Teleport feature, you can catch up with a mate who joins the same virtual world as you without ending your current activity. You can also teleport between RoboPacers of different speeds. For example, you could warm up with a slower RoboPacer before jumping to a faster speed.
Zwift also claims its refined Pack Dynamics make riding in a group more lifelike. It says you won’t be overtaken so easily or get sucked into a pack if you’re riding solo.
What’s more, it's now easier to hold your position in a group, drop to the back or break away off the front, according to Zwift.
The new Player Highlight feature will arrive this summer. This suspends a glowing halo over your avatar and that of Zwifters you follow.
Zwift says this helps you pick out yourself, friends and the ride leader in large groups. The halo fades in smaller groups and disappears when you’re riding on your own. Zwift says Player Highlight is useful when a peloton of riders are wearing the same jersey.
Climb Portal
The Climb Portal will give virtual access to some of cycling’s most iconic climbs.
From its launch this summer, Zwifters who ride through the Climb Portal will be to scale simulations of the Col du Tourmalet and Col D’Aspin. More mountains will follow.
New challenges and sessions
The Zwift Spring Training Series contains “six effective, efficient, achievable workouts that will get you ready for all your summer goals”, according to the brand. You can sample the selection of VO2 Max, Functional Threshold Power and climbing sessions during April and May.
In June, the Ride With Pride mission will challenge Zwifters to maintain their monthly riding streak.
A four-stage Zwift event with a choice of courses will coincide with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in July.
