Can I UNLOCK THE 100KPH BADGE on Zwift?

[@Papa-Bogey]

I’ve tried it more than once on AdZ and failed. I didn’t bump up my weight, but I did switch to the Zwift TT bike at the top. But I did Mountain 8 last week, and as I was climbing to the KQOM tower I noted the HUGE inclines (14-15-16% grades) near the tower. So, same deal - switch at the top to a TT bike then turn and pedal like mad. I hit 100kph within a minute on my descent. I only hit a peak power output of 400-500. I think the Tower Descent is the way to go.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I've tried the tower and bologna I can't get close even at a max sprint for me which is usually 750 watts lol

[@runarsim]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic Have you tried using the "Helmet power boost" just before the steepest part down the radio tower (17%) to reach 100 km/h? Worked for me

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@runarsim yep, tried a sprint with an aero boost... There's not enough time for my avatar to pick up speed. It's all a weight equation

[@Papa-Bogey]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic ... I’ll admit, I’m a bit north of 100kg ... legit Clydesdale territory ... maybe next time I go up, you can draft me down! 😜

[@alantaylorfarnes]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic Have you tried it coming down the Reverse KOM in Innsbruck? That's where I got it and I think I didn't even have to try.

[@matbouc]

Would I lower my weight to get the Alp du Zwift in less than an hour? No. Would I crank my weight up to ride 100km/h? No. Call me scrupulous, but I'm still chasing those two badges... Otherwise, love your content (and Pritchard's). ;)

[@DonaldLL825]

I have to agree with you. To each his/her own but I wouldn't do it either.

[@daveb2235]

Totally agree with you, and just think how good you’ll feel when you do achieve those badges completely legit!

[@matbouc]

​@@daveb2235 I'm preparing for the sub-hour AdZ Badge (losing weight and working on my FTP), which should be doable since my current PB is 63 minutes. After that, I plan to work on my sprint abilities to get those 1100W, 1200W, and 100km/h badges without any hack. That's how stupid I am. Thanks for encouraging me to be stupid. :D (not stupid enough to gain weight IRL to get the 100km/h badge, though)

[@enteekay4087]

You can get the 100kp/h badge more easily going down from the Radio Tower Bonus climb. Switch to a TT bike at the top and ideally you'd have an aero update from Hilly Route or any sprint sector which you release as you put down the watts. It is possible without the aero, but you would need to sprint hard for that.

[@matbouc]

@@enteekay4087 thanks for the piece of advice ;)

[@SuperEdws]

I got the badge today. Coming down from the Radio Tower. I am not a very strong rider, but I am 94kg. Using the aero boost and cranking out 400 watts I was able to break 100km. And I did not use a special bake. Just the road bike you first get when you sign up with Zwift. I was lucky my first attempt.

[@saintuk70]

I did it off the radio tower descent with the aero buff, the first part of the descent is setup for speed. I've never managed it off Alpe...... As for my size, I don't need to "adjust my weight to reflect Christmas" I'm already 260lbs and 6' 2" so getting down hills is easy :) Of course, you gain more being able to up rather than down....... Zwift races with even short sharp inclines kills my positions.

[@johnwillome1840]

Same. I’m 235 and used an aero boost off of the top of radio tower. Oh, and got my watts temporarily up to 800. Hit 63 mph. Very satisfying. My favorite helmet now.

[@neilveitch5761]

Love the channel btw. Only been on Zwift 4 weeks and have watched all your relevant vids. Taught me so much, inspired by your passion.

[@werdsmyth]

Only one place I've done this (although I guess you only need to do it once) and that was the drop down from the top of the radio tower. Riding on the Cervelo P5 with 808/Super 9 wheels and aero helmet. Also dropped an aero power-up 5 sec before the descent (this is important because it means I got some of the power up benefit getting up to sprint speed and the rest helping me on the descent itself). Hit the power up...sprinted to within an inch of my live...left gravity to do the rest...think I actually got to 102kph. Didn't touch my rider weight (71kg = 156lbs).

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Yeah it is definitely tough to get. At 51 kg and a max sprint of 900 watts on the best of days with an Aero powerup, its still impossible for me to get the badge. Top of radio tower is just too short for my avatar to pick up that speed. I max out around 55mph

[@jasonhowie9416]

The best option is off the radio tower where the gradient is 15%. I hit 102kmh on a road bike with light weight wheels a couple of days ago, but I had to hit 800w in order to achieve it. I’d suggest doing the radio tower on a TT bike, with 808 wheels or better and the aero power up as the easiest way to achieve it without cheating on your weight.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Have already done it. With an 800 watt sprint, the fastest aero bike in the game and an aero powerup. There's not enough road to get a 51kg rider up to speed. It's just the algorithm. I would have to draft or weight dope. It is what it is.

[@jasonhowie9416]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic It seems even the virtual world is set up to favour men. That's a big weight disadvantage to overcome on a downhill run. Women need to ride longer for the route badges, hurt more for the power badges, and work harder for the speed badges. If you need to weight dope to even the field, I'm 100% in favour.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@jasonhowie9416 you know what, most of that isn't a big deal for us, but I appreciate your willingness to say so. Most of us are ok with that... Riding with men makes us better but the two parts of the algorithm that really penalize us disproportionately is descents - I can get aero as hell and keep up and even pass much heavier riders in real life and then the flats because of the drafting effect. Raw watts are king on the flats and I don't discount that, but I know that I can tuck in behind men in real life and sit my happy ass at zone 2. In the draft I have to put out no less than. 1 W/kg more than men just to stay in the draft. Zwift Power changed it so women can cat down in open races because we have that disadvantage but small male riders are left in the dust. It gets a little frustrating at times but I'm generally happy to work harder to stay in the bunch. The descents have gotten me dropped in races though. I've put out 4 w/kg to have guys literally coasting fly past my avatar leaving me in the dust. It's ok though, at the end of the day, its just a game and I still like it 😉

[@pelolocoblue]

I got to 98kmph coming Down the radio tower, then I broke the 1000w badge and pulled back. Then realised that I had got the wrong badge 🤣

[@jakethesnake1976]

🙈

[@MrIanD1]

😄

[@davidpickles6348]

I think there should be a general agreement on Zwift. YES, bump your weight for the 100km badge, but you have to keep it there for a run up the Alpe

[@neilveitch5761]

You really put me off trying, but I'd just seen Shane Miller's video with his Buffalo bike and disc wheels and 1200W power, so just wondered how far off the mark I was with my standard Zwift carbon wheels, 70kg weight, 200W ftp, 67 year old self. I'd just bought the Focus Izalco bike which is a notch up on the standard Zwift carbon, and I had acquired an Aero boost early on in Saturday's Uber Pretzel (which your video inspired me to enter, even though I'd just come off the ZdT doing most of in the catch up week so hardly a rest week), but I'd thought I'd just try it out. Then I was distracted with a phone call as I reached the top of the radio tower, and had to drop the call as I realised that I was reaching the top of the steep section. Hit the Aero boost on the bend, pedalled like hell, hitting my meagre 500W 5 sec peak and got it no problem!

[@tiagoafonso7793]

I got this badge on Innsbruck on a group ride without changing the weight or using a TT bike. Guess the blob just got everyone rolling super fast.

[@scottwatters4433]

I just did it yesterday coming down the radio town descent with no hacks. Riding the Pinarello Dogma F12 with the Lightweight wheels. Of course I'm just a shade over 100 kilos at 6'0". Top speed was listed at 63.5MPH. "Badges, we don't need to show you no stinking badges!" :-) :-) :-)

[@JN40214]

Sarah, ever thought of hosting a group ride on zwift? It would be cool to ride with you sometime.

[@Fredhouinato]

I ran a couple of group rides to get people over 100kph. I recommend the radio tower on a TT bike, and only sprint the bottom third of the radio tower downhill

[@GregoryNash]

I've got this in a 3wkg group ride in Innsbruck. 100 rider draft helps a lot.

[@MrIanD1]

I clock in at 200lbs and I hit 90kph coming down from the radio tower in the super tuck on a trek madone.

[@peternewton2200]

I managed this last week on my first attempt after watching a few videos. Hit 100.8kph descending from the radio tower on the swift TT bike with the aero helmet boost and pushing around 850w for 30seconds. Body weight is currently around 92kg but forgot to update it on Zwift was still working at 89kg so made it a bit harder fro myself but then again it would have made the climb easier

[@thriftest]

At 75kg I had to go at 500w down the tower descent, then just before the second slight left turn, hit an aero power up and punch it to 750w+. Got to 105kph. Of course I now weigh 85kg thanks to lockdowns etc, so would be easier now!

[@peterbystrom6799]

It's easier down from Radio Tower or Bologna where it's steeper. I got my badge in Bologna without hack.. :)

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I've tried both with a sprint. At 51kg I don't get enough speed, there isn't enough time

[@donbarnard82]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic I could see 51kg being a problem, but low 80's kg at 6'4" I got it with aero helmet on radio tower. Later on the italy tt course I'm pretty sure I broke 100k again without really trying. It has a fairly long stretch of 15% or so. You might have been able to get it there with some ideal setup like drafting behind a bunch of heavy people.

[@stephencrean1164]

I'm 56kg and got this badge easy, got it following advice from Lama. Started my sprint from the radio tower before I reached the tight right bend at the start of the decent. Got it on my second attempt as I started my first attempt way to early.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@stephencrean1164 I'm 51 kg with a sub 1000 watt sprint. I've used all the known methods 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@ejpeiker]

I found that hitting 100KPH is a bit easier on the Bologna TT dwonhill. There's a short 16% grade section that I hit 65.5MPH on using the stock Zwift TT bike (with the DT Swiss wheels) with a height setting of 5'11" and weight of 148lb. I could only get to about 60MPH on the Alpe du Zwift and Ven-Top downhills.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I've made the attempt on several occasions on bologna. There isn't enough road for a 51kg avatar to build speed. Most riders under 60kg run into the same limitation. Just the way the algorithm functions

[@esixx17]

Reminds me of the day I wrecked the motorcycle riding at Bear Mountain NY.

[@stevesummerfield1731]

I did the same after watching Pritch do it...

[@collider4378]

I was shocked when you got the badge at the end - the whole time I was thinking she's nowhere near 100, then I realized you were in mph, not kph! Great job - I tried last week on my first attempt up the Alpe, but was so tired I could only manage a half hearted burst half way down. Made it to 90kph, I think if I time a good 15% grade I might make it without weight doping (I feel like I weigh close to 600lbs, does that count?), but this is a fun trick to know. Nice job!

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I thought I was going to miss it lol would have had to hit up radio tower

[@ATBRides]

Cool video! Is noticed you make a lot of good videos about route badges and how many xp you get for them. Is it possible to make one of the *normal badges* and how many XP you get for them. Like *ride 3 days in a row* or *Ride the Volcano lap 25 times* I can't seem to find that online? I can find the badges and what to do for them but how many xp you get for it?

[@lonzomer3704]

Climb with a light bike to the tower. Change to the heavy buffalo bike. Start at the flat for a run up.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Buffalo bike does not add enough weight to offset 51kg. My avatar will not exceed 85KPH with any equipment.

[@lonzomer3704]

It did work for me better than the aero.

[@lonzomer3704]

I had the real data. 80 kg 183cm. But I realise it could be different for everyone.

[@paulmccormack4462]

I'm pretty sure your avatar was airborne a couple of times !

[@jandercito]

How did you get that colors for the Shiv?. I bought it some weeks ago but that color scheme is not available.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Unlocked it during a kona heat it up challenge last winter

[@thriftest]

Any tips for the 1.21 gigawatt badge? Seriously!😄

[@davidbacon2726]

I actually got this badge by accident when my wattage suddenly started increasing during a ride until I was putting out watts like an olympic track sprinter 😂 (I'm not, by the way).

[@frazergoodwin4945]

Just checked and even though I thought I had this badge its not in my collection - but its also not showing "grey" either. This explains why I have so many badges left to collect (have 113 of 138) even though I only have as shown to collect: the "Masochist" badge for 25Xthe Alpe (got 7to go), the "No big Deal" badge for a 100 mile ride, and the PRL full route badge .... So, where is there a list of all the badges? I can't find one on Zwift insider. Plus WHY are your badges not accessable in "my Zwift"? Doesn't make sense to have to get on a ride and go to the menu just to check your badges, we need a campaign to get Zwift to change this!

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

You have to complete the running badges as well. They're all in there.

[@frazergoodwin4945]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic Damn - the reason I'm on the bike is because of the knee issues I got when running (some time ago now, but still...)

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@frazergoodwin4945 yeah I wish they'd split them up into subgroups it's obnoxious

[@saintuk70]

I wonder, if you reduced weight to a heavy person then drafted someone of similar avatar size you'd push that 100kmph barrier easier?

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Seems like several here got it drafting on less steep descents. The power of the blob prevails lol

[@saintuk70]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic as we would perhaps say here in Scotland " 'mon the bloabs" which is basically c'mon the blobs. :)

[@kevinyang367]

Good to know, I was wondering how I would ever achieve that badge. Will weight affect my watt output too? I still need everything from 800-1.21 gigawatts badges.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Won't change your output at all, just your speed. You don't need to hit those big wattages long, a second I think. Get up to a decent speed on the flats, stand up and try to rip the bike off the trainer. It's a little harder with smart trainer power than actual power meters because of the delay and power transfer, but if you can dial in the right gearing to get one big spike you'll hit it. You don't want to rev up to it because you'll top out to soon. You would probably hit them no more than 5 pedal resolutions in to an all out sprint

[@kevinyang367]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic I'll have to keep on trying when the legs aren't dead.

[@PingJocky69]

I wanna see how long it takes you to ride up ADZ at 600lbs, shit, try it at 300lbs.

[@maximilianseng1224]

are there extra points for the weekly goals?

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

No 😔 because people would likely game the system by setting their goals to 5 miles or something ridiculous, they probably didn't bother. It would be cool if they gave points for mileage or time goals preset by the system. Maybe 50 miles gets you 500 points and 100 gets you 1000. A little extra incentive would be nice on top of the overall distance points.

[@walcottav]

LOL. Ok, I'm in...once I climb the Alp. ;)

[@harrygrey8825]

Fun times. The animation was challenged to keep up 😉

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Very realistic hairpin descents lol

[@harrygrey8825]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic and no road grit, debris and who needs brakes!

[@sarahnewton2550]

Think you can smash it as hard as possible off the radio tower with your most aero gear and get there without the weight... but saying that... I’m a chubbster.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Tried it with the aero powerup, the aero bike and a pretty strong sprint. Just ran out of road. Might have gotten it cranking my weight up by only 10kg rather than by 220 or by finding someone to draft, but the algorithm doesn't give us as much CdA advantage as we would find on the real road... Granted no one takes hairpins at 100kph in real life either 😅

[@sarahnewton2550]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic no one alive... 😀🤔😂

[@boomshine7]

I find this less hard than 1200W even tho im pretty light

[@MelRunsThings]

Do you think if you supertucked earlier, would you have got it sooner? Might pay to go back up, lol. Well done!! I know some that have achieved it while in a large blob of group riders.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Maybe... Not sure, the turns seemed to slow me down regardless I know I probably could have started with more speed lol

[@allmac7504]

Fun

[@zacharypeattie]

How did you get that VC kit?

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Unlocked it on one of his 100 mile rides early this year

[@ZwiftingWithGranny]

You? Swearing up a storm? Nah. I got up to 55 once coming down the Alpe without a hack. I might join a Bologna race at one point because you can't get in there otherwise, get dropped, which isn't difficult for me, and boost my weight to 602 pounds at the top. Bam.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Lol I've tried to do it honestly everywhere. Bologna, top of radio tower... I said scree it, weight doping it is!! 🤣

[@ZwiftingWithGranny]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic waiting for the barrage of negative comments to follow about weight doping...it's a freaking badge FFS.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@ZwiftingWithGranny no shit lol whatever, its not an attainable badge for most women, I barely got it at 600 lbs, how on earth do they think a typical woman with sprints usually under 1000 watts are going to get to 100kph lol.

[@authorjohnwquinn]

Woo Hoo! Tour De Zwift this morning!

[@artDDS]

Love your content, but I do feel like weight doping here is cheating. I got this badge yesterday off radio tower. If you start Uber Pretzel you will start behind a gate and get a chance at a power up before the Epic KOM. Keep tryin till you get the Aero Boost. At the top switch to a TT bike. I used a Shiv Disc and 808s and used the aero boost. I'm 68 kg and i don't think i sprinted at the best spot but still got the badge. Actually caught it on video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqqiGmsf9itkMU

[@livegreatalways]

How to get that very cool helmet worn by your Avatar 😉?

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I unlocked it completing Zwift Academy Tri

[@waynobots]

Radio tower works best

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

It does for riders over 69kg

[@wesfree]

Fun vid, thanks! I'm confused about your use of imperial units, which is not only contrary to your own advice, but also to common sense and even game tactics. Why? @wesfree

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I live in the US we use imperial. It's the unit of measure we are familiar with. I don't manipulate my unit of measure to gain am advantage. It's not a lack of common sense, it's choice. I am not personally concerned with levels or points. I ride indoors because I have to due to weather. Zwift is a visual distraction and a training tool, the rest is window dressing. I appreciate that many people are really into the game element and therefore I make these videos. It encourages people to get on the bike and be a part of the community and that, I have a passion for. But, the gamification is ancillary for me. Do events and unlocks help to give some impetus to get on the bike when motivation is low? Absolutely. But looking at a measurement system that conflicts with what we use on the road and my sense for time and distance for the sake of a 7% XP advantage isn't worth the constant mental math 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@wesfree]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic perhaps then you would be surprised to learn that the metric conversion Act is an act of Congress that US President Gerald Ford signed into law in 1975. This law declared the metric system the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce. Yes the law does permit the use of United States customary units in all activities, but it is cumbersome and arbitrary. But thanks for your explanation.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

@@wesfree @Wesley Freeburg I'm not surprised as this is common knowledge as a part of US history. As is the abolition of the metrification board 7 years later and in 1988 the act was amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act to narrow the scope of the congressional act to trade and commerce which you omitted here. The customary unit of measure in the US is imperial, not because it is "permitted" but because it's standard.

[@wesfree]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic the vast majority of the cycling Community worldwide as well as America, that Community which you have expressed a passion for, is dominated by the metric system. The use of imperial units in the cycling Community is quite rare in my experience. That explains why so many were confused by your speed metrics in this vid. Think about joining us! Besides you're already using the metric system on your Strava feed... why not be consistent?

[@karl8805]

I did it 6 hrs ago down mont von top

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Nice!!

[@edwood7741]

I'm confused. You call it one of the most ridiculous badges on Zwift yet you weight dope to attempt to get it. ?

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

It's a demonstration of how absurd it is. Not sure how that's confusing for you. I don't care if I have the badge, its intended to he lighthearted... Apparently that's lost on you. 👍 enjoy your day.

[@edwood7741]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic Somehow I missed that intention. My bad. I look to your channel for Zwift advice. Keep up the good work.

[@All4Grogg]

One of the few advantages to being 5'6" & 180lbs, got it legit; coming down from the radio tower, 100% trainer difficulty, zwift TT Bike, enve 3.4 wheels, Aero power up leading into the second steep section and a full gas sprint from the overlook leading in. It still isn't easy, managed 750-800w for 10 seconds AFTER climbing all the way up, netted me 104kph and i was TOAST. For those of us who simply aren't climbers this achievement is a consolation prize of sorts, since most who can achieve it legitimately aren't built for mountains or really for staying close enough in a race for a sprint to matter. The attitude that a rider who is better built for general road racing is entitled to it just because slower overall riders have gotten it is rather off. It causes me no injury, so I don't really care, but you didn't earn it. Pritchard has the raw power, has gotten it legit and was just having fun on his livestream, but if he did the opposite on the climb dropping his height/weight to get an achievement I'm sure many small riders would be screaming rather loudly about it.

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

I never said being "better built for road racing" made me entitled.... It's a game... I bust my ass on the bike all year long and work my ass off. I did a sub one hour effort to get to the top of the climb. Because I'm a 51 kg female that doesn't sprint like an ex champion MALE track cyclist doesn't diminish the work that I put in it is supposed to be fun. It's not like the badge earned me any advantage in the game... Moreover, I don't give a shit if you drop your weight or trainer difficulty to go up a climb. Keep it legit for races and train how you want. You know how many people don't adjust their weight each day with fluctuations? How many don't calibrate their trainers every ride? How many people who use metric rather than imperial (their home measurement) to get extra XP? I could go on all day. While youre acting as white knight... Might want to give Prich the same speech given the lions share of his XP, drops and badges were done on an ANT+ simulator to make videos to support the community and feed his family... Make sure you give him the morality speech. But there's always a contrarian in the bunch.🤷🏼‍♀️ enjoy your day.

[@All4Grogg]

@@EverythingIsPhotogenic Oh boy, it appears you took my comment far differently than I intended. I honestly don't care, am not upset and was watching the same stream live! What bothers me is that there really are a large number of zwifters who maybe don't understand that weight is not a massive disadvantage in all parts of riding and thus CRY LOUDLY when a larger rider outperforms them even on flatter courses. The math here isn't actually wrong, my short height IS a bigger advantage than another riders light weight. Eric at zwift insider has even made a number of great articles explaining this reality. This is something that has unfortunately been carried over from real life, our sport can feel VERY intimidating for heavier athletes when in reality, unless you are climbing steep grades, the difference is marginal at best and watts vs aero actually does rule the day. Katie Kookaburra talks about her experience starting into the sport and how uncomfortable she felt being "large" when she started. This is something that needs to change, unlike feet those wonderous circular things are great at carrying momentum and the push for getting lean is wildly out of proportion, even at the enthusiast level, to the point of gatekeeping. What i find somewhat ironic are the lighter riders reacting so bitterly to not being physically able to get the 100kph achievement when the major factor behind that is such an advantage for other badges such as the sub-hour Alpe climb, sorry if I can't offer any pity?