ZWIFT AND MAAP TAKEOVER LA BIKE SHOP TO LAUNCH OFF THE MAAP TOUR
Luft Los Angeles has grown a following that extends beyond the limits of the Venice, California, community it’s nestled in. The shop’s alternative style and weekly group rides have bolstered its reputation among many L.A. cyclists and bike geeks in general. Drawing on the allure of the LA cycling hub, Zwift and Australian cycling apparel maker MAAP teamed up to kick off Zwift’s Off the MAAP Tour. Four days before its official start on August 1, Zwift and MAAP staged an in-person-team relay inside the cozy confines of Luft to celebrate the third edition of OTM.
Attendees pulled on their MAAP kits and faced off on a pair of Wahoo Kickr Bikes. Five riders each rep’d Team Zwift and Team MAAP with an appearance from Tyler Pearce of The Vegan Cyclist YouTube channel riding for the Zwift squad. On tap was the Watopia Zwift KOM. It’s run on the same roads as stage one of the Tour and a pretty straight-forward half-mile-long course with 150 feet of climbing at an average gradient of 5.5-percent. Whichever rider won the face-off up the climb would score a point for their team and to keep things interesting MAAP offered up kits to whichever team won.
Once the relay was underway, it was a stark contrast to a typical Zwift effort. It supposed to take less than two minutes to complete and the crowd added an element that made it feel like the riders were racing up the slopes of Alpe d’Huez during the Tour de France. Legendary cycling announcer Dave Towle rallied the room as shouts and cheers pushed the riders to PRs. The Vegan Cyclist set the fastest time of the day at 1:3 . He also rode a one-minute power PR of 576 watts up the climb. Each rider was spent after their ride with the main takeaway being a reminder of just how effective a ride on Zwift can be.
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WHAT IS OFF THE MAAP?
Off the MAAP is a four-stage-long group event on Zwift that challenges riders to complete the Tour at their desired difficulty and distance over a twenty-two-day period. Once a rider completes three of the four stages they’ll be able to use an exclusive in-game kit with their avatar designed by MAAP. Riders must register on Zwift to be eligible for the prize. Anyone that earns the kit has the opportunity to purchase a physical MAAP kit to wear as well. Each stage is available on Zwift for four days starting August 1. After the fourth stage there will be a make up week to complete the rides anyone missed.
Off the MAAP Tour dates and stage details:
Registration open – 7/25/22
Stage 1 – 8/1-8/5/22. Warm up your legs in Watopia’s wildlands
Stage 2 – 8/6-8/9/22. Test your endurance on London’s climbs
Stage 3 – 8/10-8/13/22. Soar above New York City on Zwift’s imagined roads
Stage 4 – 8/14-8/17/22. Explore the new Yumezi Backcountry for the last stage
Make Up Week – 8/18-8/22/22
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