I've ridden outdoors every single day for over 7 years, and I've averaged nearly 10,000 miles per year during this time. I'm proud of this accomplishment, and it's pretty disheartening to look at any of the cycling challenge leaderboards when they are dominated by people who only ride indoors. Prior to the Covid pandemic in 2020, virtual rides did not count toward the cycling distance or elevation challenges. Since there are no longer any restrictions on outdoor gatherings or group rides, it's time to go back to the old rules. Riding a real bike outdoors is not the same thing as riding a trainer in the comfort of your home. No one has ever been hit by a car or chased by a dog on Zwift. No one has ever suffered from hypothermia riding in the freezing rain on Zwift. No one has ever crashed on loose gravel or black ice, or been blown into a ditch by gusting winds on Zwift. I have no doubt that Zwift is a great training tool, but riding a stationary bike in air conditioned comfort is not the same thing as riding a real bike on real roads in real weather conditions. Please make Cycling and Virtual Cycling 2 separate sports.
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