Explorer tile hunting has been in the spotlight recently and becoming an increasingly popular pastime with VeloViewer users. If it’s new to you, discover how others are using the VeloViewer platform to collect tiles and give a new focus to their riding, which isn’t all about chasing KOMs/QOMs.
In our Intro to Tile Hunting Series find out from everyday riders their motivation to claim tiles, equipment they use, and the adventures along the way.
For British cyclist Jeffrey Ott tile hunting has helped to give him focus in the British winter, and when faced challenges claiming squares he’s resorted to offering home-baked goods to try and ‘sweet talk’ residents to let him gain access – unfortunately yet to be successful!
Over to Jeffrey….
What prompted your interest in tiling?
I need motivation to cycle when the weather is being ‘a bit British’, and when I can’t find a riding buddy on a day I put aside for cafe cycling!
Whenever I have not wanted to ride, I have plotted a course on RidewithGPS, downloaded it to my Garmin and just gone out and ridden it, grabbing 3, 4, sometimes 13 squares at a time. Currently a mere beginner, with just 31 x 31; the minimum distance for me to ride (from home) to get one square towards my next X by X is at least 60 miles now, as I live by the coast, and all the low hanging fruit has been picked! I love the nostalgia that these rides invoke as I ride through areas I used to work, or visit for pleasure, before becoming a cycling enthusiast. My fast cycling years are running out, but I hope to see plenty of slow years ahead, picking off squares well into my retirement.
How much time do you dedicate to tiling in a week/month?
I dedicate a set time to riding two or three days every week (health / family / domestic responsibilities allowing). If I can, I ride with others and if they have an idea of where they want to ride to, we do that, otherwise I tell them I have a square or ten to get, and they come along for the ride. If my usual riding buddies cannot ride (same reasons plus “work commitments”, as they are of that age) then I fall back on VeloViewer to inspire me, and go out solo.
How has tiling changed your riding experience/types of riding?
Squares at the southern and eastern edge of my 31×31 have been attained by walking in salt marshes. Jumping between clumps of samphire and marsh grass, and landing in the sloppy mud between them when I get it wrong! Some private land squares remain unattained thus far, when I have tried and failed to ‘sweet talk’ the residents. ‘Sweet talk’ is quite relevant because I make my own sweets for nutrition on long cold days in the saddle, on one occasion I offered a vehement resident some of my home made sweets by way of a bribe, when the alternative route she initially advised I should alternatively take, transpired to be a quagmire on steroids. She refused. I will return when the sun shines long and hard enough to make the tracks traversable.
Most memorable riding moment
To visit an ex-work colleague, I rode from Benfleet to Happisburgh three years ago, deliberately using roads I had not used before, to hit extra squares. We had a beer, or two, and a meal, and I stayed in the pub where these were served, then I rode back home the next day. Naturally, a headwind both ways, with all kit on board for all weathers with fresh cycling gear for the second day, and smart casual civvies, and washing gear etc., so the initial 265 miles took its toll, but has led to yearly meet ups, with our respective other halves and now it happens on a tandem!
What are your kit essentials for tile hunting?
Rain jacket. Water. Sweets. Mobile phone to take photos. Garmin Edge 1030 Plus, to ensure that the squares are gained without any fears of flat battery, a route planned while checking and double checking the VeloViewer map and RidewithGPS maps. Lights – winter riding, going out after the rush hour, doesn’t give much daylight time, so dynamo lighting makes sense, in case of delays. Fog often requires lights when you least expect it. I sometimes print out the screen shots from VeloViewer too, so that I have a reminder of where I have to get to up dead end tracks, before doing a U-turn. I also have the Life360 app on my phone. This enables my forgiving and lovely wife to see exactly where I am so that she can plan her life around when I am likely to come in the door, freezing cold, soaking wet, hungry and happy!
How would you recommend others get into tiling?
If you love cycling but need motivation to keep active, there is a natural progression from just having Strava, to using it to its fullest effect. Getting a dozen squares on a 90 mile ride, upgrading your max square from 27×27 to 29×29, gives an enormous sense of achievement. You can’t really put that feeling into understandable written words.
Have your own tiling story to tell?! Email us at veloviewer@gmail.com for your chance to win a VeloViewer casquette and be featured on our blog.