Review: Zwift FutureWorks Boost Mode
(2020) The indoor training platform that is Zwift has been hosting record numbers of cyclists during the pandemic, especially during the quarantine phases. While many people are eager to remove themselves from the trainer relationship, Zwift has tested a new feature that has interesting promise.
To many auto racing fans, top tier sports have experimented with little boosters to spice up the action. Indy Car experimented with a feature called push-to-pass. This function allowed a driver to push a button that would boost power output in the engine briefly. Drivers would use it to get around another driver, hence the name. It wasn’t unlimited though. Drivers were all given the same amount of push-to-pass accessibility at the start of the race. Meanwhile in Formula One, there is the Drag Reduction System, or DRS. Aside from a dizzying array of requirements, drivers could activate the DRS to flatten the wing in straightaways. The wing would return to its job of providing downforce once disengaged.
Several years ago, Formula One experimented with a kinetic energy recovery system, or KERS. This system recovered the - typically wasted - energy from braking and applied to horsepower during acceleration. The driver was, again, given a maximum amount of KERS. Considering Formula One is the pinnacle test field of automotive technology, it only made sense to see engineers focus on energy recovery systems.
The in-game icon shows battery/ boost level. Here we spent one Boost and had one remaining. The colors change side depending on whether a recharge is required or all boosts are available.
It is that KERS system that popped into our heads today when riding in the Zwift FutureWorks Boost Mode race. What we saw was impressive and practical. Let’s not forget Zwift is considered a video game, but today’s experience was easy to get lost in. Luckily for us, we signed on with a healthy amount of navigation time prior to the race. Let’s talk about what is possible in the coming months on Zwift:
Prior to entering the race along the Volcano Circuit, we were asked to take a gamble. A rider could take a conservative boost package, an average boost, or an aggressive approach. We selected the average boost. Conservative boosts would prove to be exactly what they advertised: small boosts with the smallest recharge time. (We will get into the logistics of charge soon.) We went with an average boost, which provided a healthy dosage of Zwift nitro. Those who sought aggressive boost would have to use it wisely, as it required the largest effort to recharge. The two new controls of recharge and boost appeared in our home row on the Zwift Companion Application. A scant amount of users reported control issues, but hardly anyone else reported problems.
The Home Row on the Zwift Companion Application featured two necessary keys to ride in Boost Mode. Tap the battery icon to recharge your boost(s); tap the double-up arrow to fire the boost. Don’t confuse them.
The race got underway in an unusual Zwift way. Users pledged uniformity, figure the buttons out first before having a go at racing. Sure enough the roll of the line from Watopia was relatively tame considering. Issues sorted out, such as getting the buttons reversed, the Boost Mode became quite enjoyable. Power Ups were still a thing, but they couldn’t be combined with the Boost Mode. That is, don’t expect to use a Boost in tandem with a Feather. And the leaderboard displayed any rider who was on the Boost, just in case we had designs to overtake a person who suddenly flew away from us.
The Boost Mode is this: Our average power selection gave us an approximately five-second power boost of 200 extra watts. We were gapped several times in difficult areas; having the boost saved the race. At least for the first half. For anyone who knows the Volcano Circuit, the downhills were where we engaged the agonizing recharge. We could only use two Boosts before they were depleted. The recharge takes as long as you want it to, but there are no pauses. One must ride 100 watts harder to aid in the recharge. For example, if we were riding at 200 watts and tapped ‘recharge,’ we were then only theoretically riding at 100 watts unless we stepped on it. The faster you ride, the faster the recharge. Tough taxes to stay up front.
The Zwift FutureWorks Boost Mode has remarkable potential. According to the ride leader, the Boost Mode will be an option within events. That means it won’t be standard in all races. One area that appeared to be an issue was the struggles with the Zwift Companion Application, but that is certainly something that can be patched later. While some might say it is unrealistic to cycling, the Boost Mode is short in duration. Think of it like a quick strong gust of tailwind to push you back into the pack. Since we can control when that gust of wind benefits us, riders can stay in races longer or go for a harder finishing sprint. With sanctioning bodies such as Formula One and Indycar using boost features, it only was only a matter of time for it to inspire the developers of Zwift FutureWorks to implement it into their platform. Let’s hope this makes it to the final product.
