There’s no telling where you’ll find cryptocurrency these days. I spent some of my winter break hiking near the small town of Brevard, N.C., where I was surprised to see a Bitcoin ATM advertised on the sign of a gas station that looked like it was built in the 1960s. A quick Google search shows about a half dozen such ATMs in this popular tourist town with a population under 8,000.
Well, MyWhoosh seems hip to the crypto-scene as well, since the virtual cycling app just announced a monthly treasure hunt offering Bitcoin — or at least, pieces of a Bitcoin. The contest will give out 1/12th of a Bitcoin every month to the rider (or riders) who find one of the “treasure gates.” Each month, a new gate will be hidden in one of the app’s sprawling virtual courses.
And since multiple riders can find these treasure gates, that 1/12th of a Bitcoin will be shared equally among everyone who finds one. That may not sound like a major prize, until you check on the latest valuation of a single, full Bitcoin. As of Tuesday, Jan. 6, the coin’s value hovered around $92,000.
More importantly, who doesn’t love a treasure hunt? For cyclists living in states covered in snow right now, even a virtual hunt can be appealing.
MyWhoosh Bitcoin Contest: Details
The MyWhoosh Treasure Hunt is designed to “encourage exploration across MyWhoosh’s visually stunning virtual worlds,” the brand said in the announcement. For the uninitiated, MyWhoosh users connect an indoor bike trainer to an external device, like a phone or tablet. Then they can tackle one of the app’s many free-to-use courses. These range from lush jungle vistas in Colombia to tech-filled urban settings like Japan.
The first hunt is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. GST. Unlike competitive races, these hunts are designed to “reward riders for exploring the platform rather than racing through it.”
On event days, a treasure gate will be hidden on one route within a MyWhoosh open world. Once the start time is announced, riders will have a single hour to find the treasure gate. Once a rider passes through the gate, the action will trigger a “You Found the Treasure!” notification, securing their share of the rewards.
“We want to make indoor cycling more than just a workout — it should be an adventure,” said Matthew Smithson, director of eSports and game operations at MyWhoosh. “The Treasure Hunt adds an element of mystery and reward that encourages our global community to explore every corner of our virtual environments.”
Rules & Regulations
But what if someone figures out how to game the system? MyWhoosh has thought of that, too.
To ensure “fair play,” MyWhoosh has several qualification criteria. Participants must complete a minimum of 60 km (37 miles) on the platform during the 7-day qualification period to be eligible for the prizes.
Moreover, riders must use a heart rate monitor and a smart turbo trainer to verify the integrity of their effort. So, if you find a treasure gate and meet those requirements, then you’ll be the proud winner of a piece of a piece of a Bitcoin, depending on how many other riders can track down the treasure.
Winners will receive an email from MyWhoosh with details on how to claim the prize money, the brand said. For more information, visit the MyWhoosh website.
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