Zwift turns unexpected roadside toilet stop in new real-world video route into sprint segment

Zwift has found a rather creative way to deal with an unexpected discovery in its new real-world video routes. After a rider spotted what appeared to be a man taking a toilet break beside the road, the indoor cycling platform responded by adding privacy barriers and introducing a new sprint segment called "When You Gotta Go!"

The unusual moment was spotted by Zwift user Sam Sky while riding the Colorado River Sunrise route, one of the new video experiences introduced with the launch of Zwift Plus.

Sky noticed a figure wearing a white top crouching in the bushes beside the road and shared a screenshot in the Zwift Ride Owners Group on Facebook.

"Zoom in on the green circle. I saw a guy taking a dump by the side of the road during my session this morning on the new videos," he wrote.

The discovery quickly became a talking point among riders, with plenty of jokes about the unexpected realism of Zwift's latest feature. Some even drew comparisons with Tom Dumoulin's famous roadside toilet stop during the 2017 Giro d'Italia.

Zwift initially confirmed to Road.cc that it was aware of the screenshot and would address the situation. "I'm sure that some readers may be slightly disappointed," a spokesperson added.

It didn't take long. Eric Schlange of Zwift Insider subsequently shared the update in the Zwift Riders Facebook group, showing the new privacy barriers and sprint segment.

"Amazing," was his verdict.

The timing coincides with one of Zwift's biggest product developments in recent years. At the end of October, the company launched Zwift Plus, a premium subscription tier priced at €29.99 per month, introducing two major features: Zwift Video and Zwift Coach.

Zwift Video brings real-world cycling footage into the platform for the first time, allowing riders to experience famous roads while retaining familiar Zwift features such as PowerUps, segment leaderboards and virtual competitors.

The initial collection includes 21 routes covering 385 kilometres, featuring destinations such as the Col du Galibier in the French Alps, Sa Calobra in Mallorca, the Scottish Highlands and the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Additional routes and destinations are expected to follow in 2027.

Alongside the video routes, Zwift has introduced Zwift Coach, an AI-powered training feature that creates personalised plans based on individual fitness levels, goals and riding habits. The system adapts recommendations using training data and feedback, helping riders balance structured workouts with their everyday schedules.

Existing subscribers are also benefiting from improvements to the platform, including an expanded Watopia world, a redesigned home screen and additional wearable connectivity.