I understand that to get a new bike you need to cover (or should I say "uncover") all of the dark tiles on the island grid in the Free Cycle mode. I believe that I have done this in all of the cycle-able areas, but there are still many dark tiles in areas I can't seem to get to. I have tried jumping off mountain tops and riding into the ocean, but I just can't get to these tiles.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
ggg

In some areas, you have to ride far enough into the ocean to actually drown before the tile lightens.

Yes I have done that. But some I can't seem to reach. I wonder if it is a tidal issue. Does the tide change at different times in the day? In other words, can I go out further on land only at certain times?

How do I reach the dark tiles that are on the other side of a steep cliff, with no cycle-able area? For example, past the lighthouse over the water there are dark tiles. I have tried plummeting, but I always die before the tile lightens, so it seems these tiles are unreachable.

I have read that lots of people here have gotten new bikes, so I figure I must be missing something.

Can someone help?

Thanks,
ggg

The tiles that you can't get to are not important. Just keep riding and get all the ones that are reachable. Once you've done that, it will happen! Welcome to the forum.
When fall falls harder around here, there will be more people on the forum again.

Don't forget to go round all of the coast, at the tops of all the cliffs, especially around the large stone arch between the lighthouse area and the ruined temple area; jump off the cliffs if necessary.

Go all the way up into the corners at the Big Oval Hole near the temple, where the balloons are.

Ride along the full length of both sides of the beach, all the way from the corner nearest the Big Red Cable Stay Bridge, around the edge of the bay where the dinghies sail, out to End Rock, back along the other side all the way until you run out of shore. Ride in the water the whole way, as deep as you dare (with the saddle touching the water).

On the beach, make sure to explore all of the small jumpable onnable rock between Camel Rock and End Rock - you need to go onto it to get one of the balloons.

Hug the edge of Duckling Lake, and ride out to the two sides of the top of the waterfall.

Enjoy...

I started working the edges today. I have ridden in the water the entire length of the beach, drown about 50 times in the process... hahaha. I was able to get a few more tiles uncovered. I am now having a hard time finding dark tiles, but I guess there must be some left because I still have my old bike.

I am a bit frustrated by the reference map on this level.... when you zoom out, you get the whole island, but it twists it around and gets really small, so its hard to see.

Thanks for all your tips!

ggg

Jumpable onnable?

I got my new bike finally! It was all beach-related way out by the last balloon. And I did get a message on-screen indicating that I had successfully explored the entire island.

ggg