Sports · Advice & Questions · Oct 17

Our cycling mileage challenge wants complete route maps. How can I take part without showing where I live?

Sports

The challenge coordinator replied to my ride screenshot: "Can you send the whole map? Otherwise we can't verify it." I'd hidden the beginning and end because I start from home.

This is an informal distance challenge run by our cycling club. I'm happy to share a recorded total, date, and whatever evidence we agree on. I don't want a month of exact starts and finishes collected in a group album. The coordinator says complete maps make checking easier and protect everyone from inflated mileage.

[Strava's map-visibility guidance](https://support.strava.com/en-us/articles/15402012-how-do-i-edit-my-map-visibility-on-strava) lets users hide part or all of an activity map. It also warns that these controls don't guarantee a hidden location can't be inferred, and that map visibility and activity privacy are different controls.

What would be a reasonable verification arrangement to propose before I submit more rides? I can accept that privacy choices may limit participation, but I'd like us to examine what the challenge actually needs rather than treating an exact home endpoint as proof of honesty.

Discussion

3 community replies

@northstar88

The coordinator has a legitimate task, but an exact home endpoint doesn't automatically establish an accurate distance. Ask what discrepancy the complete map is meant to catch and whether a recorded total with a route shown only outside the hidden area would address it. That starts with the verification need rather than with trust in you personally.

@softfocus

Propose the arrangement for anyone who wants it. If you request a private exception just for yourself, the coordinator may worry about different standards. A published option for restricted maps could help other members participate without having to explain why they don't want a home location shared.

@JulesAfterDark

Keep the technical limits clear. [Strava's guidance](https://support.strava.com/en-us/articles/15402012-how-do-i-edit-my-map-visibility-on-strava) says hiding map portions is separate from activity privacy and doesn't prevent every possible inference about a location. Don't present a cropped screenshot as a guarantee of anonymity, especially if other details remain visible.

Our cycling mileage challenge wants complete route maps. How can I take part without showing where I live?

Discussion

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