Welcome to the L’Equipe Provence Badge Hunter Series. Together, we share two goals: stacking badges and having fun! It’s going to be a blast. Whether this is your first time badge hunting or you just want to tap into the contagious enthusiasm from like-minded Zwifters to help get you through a 100 km ride, you’re in the right place.

Ride Format

All aboard! Teamwork makes the dream work. Let’s ride together and share the esprit de plaisir in the L’Equipe Provence Badge Hunter Series. That way, we can all benefit from the group draft, which helps us go faster than we can solo. There’s a metaphor in there!

Let’s get down to brass tacks: riding in a group is an essential discipline, inside and out. Please follow the leader's pacing instructions. Feeling strong? Take some big pulls or offer to help the sweeps. All rides will be between 2.5–3.2 w/kg

Staying together provides ample time to chat during these challenging events. Striking up a conversation is easy on Zwift. Here’s a great refresher.

Achievement Badge And Route - Watopia, Volcano Circuit (25 laps)

Things are getting hot! This Sunday Hunt will test your legs and equilibrium. We will embark on 25 dizzying laps of the Volcano circuit and collect up to five badges, a new jersey unlock and up to 6,000 XP for newer riders! This ride will challenge your minds as you attempt to maintain your effort and focus. The key is to not think about how much you have left, but to simply take on the Volcano one lap at a time. Though this course is mostly flat, a few risers will certainly feel like mountains near the end. Mark off your achievement on ZwiftHub and check out the elevation profile on Zwift Insider.

About Your Ride Leader and Sweeper

Mark Hagan

A new dad and American ex-pat based in France, Mark Hagan works as a race timer. This recovering New Yorker is always on the lookout for the next place to “play bikes with friends.” Because bicycles are where he feels most at home. Even when his legs feel otherwise. An early adopter, he’s been on Zwift since the Jarvis Island days. He loves the wide spectrum of cyclists the game attracts and that all Zwifters share the same roads, regardless of background.

Be sure to ask him about how old he was when he learned to ride a bike. Here’s a hint: he was old enough to pedal to the voting booth.

Maria Victoria Vazquez

Maria Victoria Vazquez is from the north of Spain, but she’s lived in the UK for 18 years. A runner at the time, her life changed eight years ago when she started bike commuting on a hybrid bike. She fell in love immediately. She bought a new road bike and started exploring all aspects of a two-wheeled life: racing, seeking out hills to climb, and a bit of everything, really. Eventually, she started using Zwift as a winter training tool. Fast forward: it’s now a huge part of her cycling journey. She’s Zwifting to prepare for her next adventure penciled in for July 2022. “I will tackle the Swiss, Italian, and Bavarian Alps with some wonderful friends,” she says.

Does this Zwifter with a sweet tooth still jog? “Now I wouldn't even run for cake!” Maria says.

Get To Know L’Equipe Provence

L’Equipe Provence started in New York with a few friends wanting to escape the everyday grind of living in a city. In the summer of 2015, they set off for a week-long cycling tour across the most beautiful place in the world, the Provence region in the South of France. It was a huge undertaking and would not have been possible without partner support, welcoming locals, and everyone who joined in on their first adventure. It was a real team effort, hence their name. They're here to support each other, motivate each other, and hopefully inspire each other to set off and discover and share the world by bike! They also love meeting up weekly on Zwift to catch up and stay connected between their rendezvous in Provence. Join the team, grab a wheel, and chill the rosé. It’s time to play bikes! Join their Zwift ride group on Facebook here.

Achievement Badges on Zwift; What’s All The Fuss?

Achievement Badges have been on Zwift from the very beginning. They are Zwift's own trophy case for completing a new route, learning a skill in-game, or simply riding every day. Along with the satisfaction of collecting these badges of honor, did you know it's also the fastest way to level-up in Zwift? Each Achievement Badge rewards you with additional XP, allowing you to unlock new kits, bikes, wheels, and even new roads on Zwift!

Completing these achievements is always fun and faster with a team. That's why Zwift has joined forces with L’Equipe Provence to lead you on badge hunting adventures across Watopia, France, London, and New York this March. Badge season is open, Allez!

Additional Info

Team Shop: https://lequipe-provence.myshopify.com/Opens a new window
Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leqpprovencezwift/Opens a new window
Add your favorite track to our Spotify Playlist!: https://tinyurl.com/y5ocfckcOpens a new window
Chat on our Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/a8TCFftOpens a new window

#doubledraft #badgehunter #lequipeprovence #lequippeprovencebadgehunters