If you use the ramps on the beach it seems to speed up your cycling. At first I thought it was my imagination but after trying it a few times it definitely makes a difference to use them.

Yep, hooray, keep a going!

I found that the ramps give me a speed boost only. That means that they are not very useful for the FLAG cycling since these only really count your distance. As a matter of fact, they hurt you a little: a slow FLAG route gets you more coins than a fast one (and more money is better than less... "bah hum bug").

The speed boost may come in handy if there is a ramp directly in your path on the BALLOON route. Otherwise, I tend to find myself just avoiding them. Also, I once saw my dog-companion run into the side of a ramp... poor puppy! It torn my heart out!!! I swore I'd stay away from them in the future (for his sake).

Too bad you can't toss him a biscuit for his effort.

I like the ramps; they speed you up, but you have to know when to use them and when not to- usually by experience with them. Some slow you down, like the one on the way to the ruins. It might be good heading out of the ruins toward town past the lighthouse, but not going in or toward the resort. I find the ramps really helpful out on the sand!

kescah, I was feeling pretty good until I just read a post you made that you did the free Ride in 16.5 minutes in your first try. That's more than 2 minutes faster than me..... AAGH, this this will kill me

Stop crying! That was an error, and I thought I had edited all that. I had subracted from 20 minutes instead of 30! So now you can laugh. At me!

Now my heart can rest. I have been dreaming how you could have done that

Jvv, don't let it slow you down. Keep it as a goal. Surely you can do it!

Regarding the Expert Course: There are 4 flags total on the path behind the waterfall and one is past the castle. Then you have to go all the way back down to get out. Next best to go to the tunnel directly across from where you come out. There is 1 flag in that tunnel and 1 flag on the grass at the top. From there you can go across the rope bridge to catch the flag in the tunnel above the beach. The beach has 3 flags, just keep going out further. Then cycle around the island on the path. One flag is in the ruins right after you come out of the tunnels again. Then the only other goofy one is past the lighthouse.
I can get 4 stars on the Expert Course, but can't on the Island View Course. Go figure.

I have been doing Island Cycle Expert and can only get 19 of 20 flags. Even after riding around the island I am unable to see the last flag. Has anyone been able to find it. Since it only will let you ride for one hour before it kicks you off I have not been able to complete. any suggestions????