Zwift distance record broken by Chris ‘Hoppo’ Hopkinson

A new Zwift distance record of 1,625km has been set by Chris ‘Hoppo’ Hopkinson. The first Briton to officially complete the Race Across America (RAAM) solo, Hopkinson attempted the record as a fundraiser for Solo RAAM 2017, where he is targeting the 50-59 age group.

Zwift is the indoor training software in which you ride a bike in an online virtual world via your turbo trainer. The previous distance record was held by Derek Boocock who rode 1,620km.

Hopkinson completed his ride a few days before Christmas and had the record confirmed by Zwift shortly after finishing.

Congratulations to Chris Hopkinson for setting the new Zwift distance record of 1,010 miles (1,625km)! https://t.co/vjQKz2vL7K

— Zwift (@GoZwift) December 21, 2016

Despite being undertaken indoors, the ride featured one crash (of Zwift) and two punctures, and with under 200km kilometres to go, Hopkinson tweeted, “knees are a bit painful but on rides like this something is going to hurt.”

After finishing a ride he only semi-jokingly described as ‘just a few base miles’ he made every effort to celebrate in appropriate fashion.

Cheers everyone and thanks for all the support pic.twitter.com/YTgTI6lIOg

— Chris Hopkinson (@Hoppo347) December 21, 2016