Well, that session was disappointing. I am going to need to map out a different route. Pedaling afap, I was at the lighthouse with only 8 minutes left. Just enough time to get to town and out to the end of the beach for the next startup. So I think I will rethink it and after B4 I will take the tunnel around back of the mountain, through the ruins etc. I'll get the lighthouse on my way out of that loop and then over to the waterfall area passages. Meaning all the remaining passages in the mountain. Then town and back out. Hopefully that will be faster.

A thought: Drive carefully. Don't let yourself loose control for the sake of speed, because if you crash into a rock, miss a balloon without a helper pet, or go off a cliff you lose time. So slow down and even use the brakes when necessary. Especially when coming downhill onto that green mossy brick area. When they put you back up after falling, you are facing the wrong direction on that run!

Also, do grab a pet. Does anyone know where else to get your pet other than up on the obstacle ledge? I want to get one early on so it can help me with my balloons so I don't have to slow down quite so much near them.

There's a couple of pets (our are all cats so I don';t know if that changes with different games)

If you "pick up" the cat at the castle and keep ringing the bell (A button) you can use the pet to pop alot of the balloons.

Other pets are
on the pinnacle once you've got the balloon on the plateau.
on the pier out in front of the town
sometimes a pet will be near the lighthouse, but have noticed that ones not there all the time

Quickest time is just on 25mins still, and distance 15.42kms for me, and hubby new record of 21:43mins - using the pets, 14.97kms

Incredible, you two! How long have you been at this? Do you have a set route? Or can you just take off and go for it?

I honestly, at this point, don't see how it can be done. (Maybe if I ate more chocolate raisins.) You can't pedal too fast or it stops you and tells you it doesn't register so slow down! There are such distances to travel. And you can't afford to make any mistakes.

BUT! I am glad to know you are succeeding. It keeps me going.

I managed to get so I could see the finish when I ran out of time. I had just popped the ball in the park in town and headed for the ramp when it ran out! Total frustration. My route has been to start at the end of the beach and get those 4, come up the hill at the tunnel then into the cave to the sand pit, out and across the swinging bridge, across that field, get the ball and into the tunnel on right, right at the bottom to the ball on the ledge, back up under the waterfall for the balls in the castle area, down and head for the lighthouse, down and left to get the balls on the grassy areas, up to the temple, left again into town for the ball at the bridge and the ones in town. I made a couple mistakes going up hills and lost some time because I slowed down or hit a wall. I took along my knitting counter to count my popped balls so I was sure I wasn't missing any this time.

Same as my route. But I can't do it on time. I just tried again and wound up with only 8 minutes to go at the lighthouse. Just enough time to hit the city balloons and head back to the beach. Can't go toward the ruins! How do you do it any faster? Any particular shortcuts? I am going to save the park balloon for last in the city and then use a ramp to go across the river instead of the bridge. That might save some time. Other than that, I am making beelines, going as fast as I can and trying to be careful as well. This time I skipped picking up a kitty at the viewpoint and went on to get one at the castle. Then I lost it when I nicked the entrance to the red brick bridge coming down. I missed balloons twice; that wastes time. Any suggestions on getting through this route faster?

I haven't tried it yet but when you come down the tunnel that has the metal part instead of going to the right to get that ball, just head up to the castle. You can get that other ball on the way to the lighthouse because you can drop off the little drop there to the road without dying. That should cut some time off. I thought I had done it on time today but I missed a ball somewhere because nothing happened to say I had all 20. I need to really sit down and think about my route.

My daughter is considering a wii intervention, she says she's tired of hearing about balls and beaches and tunnels. Hubby just shakes his head.

I think I'm missing this ball that is on the ledge mentioned above. Anyone have any directions for it? I'm not sure which is the path that leads to the ridge.

Yes, and if you all can speak in American English it would help.

Sorry, since all I have is Canadianese (and East Coast Canadianese at that), I'll have to draw you all a map.

I'm not finding it easy to post an image

So I've sent my image here, and made a little page for it.
http://houseofjanus.ca/dangball.htm

Ok, thanks, I'm off to pedal my legs off again!