Musicforall brought up the notion of doing the balloon race with no death plummets.

I haven't done that in quite a while.

I decided to give it a go and did it in 16:36 with only using the dog for a cheat.

Not too bad for a first try, if I do say so myself.

That's moving, man. Congratulations!

Very good! I needed 18:16.35 and 11.221 km doing it this way.

Today I did it in 16:15.

Had one flub and need to tweak my strategy in places.

Should be able to get it under 16 minutes, I think.

Oh, you are all amazing. I was being complacent, and telling myself that of course I could not get those fast times, because I do not want to do the whole reincarnation thing. Um, I guess I just need to actually move faster. And use my pets better. And use a better route. And not miss any balloons and have to turn around. And not bump into anything or get stuck in a courtyard corner. And stop getting distracted by ramps and thinking they are actually going to speed me up. Onward!

Ah, all the fun is it's not easy to do.

Yesterday I did it in 16:12.

Today I did all the balloons without any help from the dog in 16:52. Should be able to do better.

Practice, practice and sweat, sweat. That's the stuff.

16:44 today with no dogs, plummets; just huffing and puffing beginning to end.

Might be able to get this under 16:30 if the wind is right...

What route do you use?
On my route, down from the top, the wind is always against me.

Start on the mountain, pop balloons all the way down, get the balloon on the ledge below the steel ramp tunnel, up the steel ramp and get the balloon on the plateau, jump off dog leap, pop the balloons on the way to the ruins, do the ruins, return to the lighthouse then drop down to the uptown balloon, then the balloon on the far side of town then the balloon on the way to the red bridge, over the bridge and jump through the railing and pop that balloon, up to the s-ledge balloon, then over and up to the dry lake bed, then pop the balloon on the way down to the 1st beach balloon, then the usual all the way out to then end of the beach.

I keep forgetting to note my distance. Sorry...

Thanks!
I think the different route "return to the lighthouse" is the key. Try do check it tomorrow (and hope not to forget a balloon on the way...) .