FAQ
Common questions about Boulder Roller.
General
What is Boulder Roller?
Boulder Roller is a protocol that converts verified cycling effort into owned digital assets on Solana. You upload rides, we detect meaningful efforts (patterns), and you earn DUNG tokens for your work.
Is this like Strava?
No. Strava is a social fitness platform. Boulder Roller is a protocol for owning your effort data. We integrate with Strava (and other sources) but we're not trying to replace your training tools—we're giving you ownership of what you've earned through physical work.
Why Solana?
Speed and cost. Solana processes transactions in ~1 second for fractions of a cent. When you complete a climb, you shouldn't wait minutes or pay $10 in gas to verify it.
Is this a cryptocurrency project?
Yes, in the sense that we use blockchain for verifiable ownership. No, in the sense that we're not building speculation machines. You can't earn tokens without physical effort. The value derives from real work.
Patterns
What's a pattern?
A pattern is a verified record of effort on a specific geographic feature—usually a climb. Think of it as a protocol-level representation of a hill and the work required to climb it.
Why "patterns" and not "segments"?
Legal and philosophical reasons. "Segment" is associated with specific platforms. "Pattern" emphasizes the repeatable, verifiable nature of the effort—it's a signature that can be matched and proven.
How are patterns detected?
Our pattern engine processes your GPS and elevation data to identify qualifying efforts: sustained gradients, minimum elevation gains, continuous progress. It's deterministic—same ride produces same patterns.
Can I create my own patterns?
When you roll a climb that isn't already registered, you discover a new pattern. You become the first roller and can suggest a name. The pattern then exists for others to roll.
What if a pattern is wrong?
Pattern boundaries and difficulty scores can be disputed through governance. If a pattern's definition is inaccurate (bad elevation data, wrong boundaries), CAL holders can vote to correct it.
Tokens
What's CAL for?
CAL is the governance and staking token. Stake it on patterns to increase reward multipliers and earn passive DUNG. Use it to vote on protocol decisions.
What's DUNG for?
DUNG is earned by rolling patterns. It represents your verified effort. Future utility is being developed—but it's always earned, never bought.
How do I get CAL?
Initial distribution details coming soon. CAL will be available through community programs, contributor rewards, and eventually trading.
How do I get DUNG?
Roll patterns. That's it. Every verified pattern completion earns DUNG based on difficulty and staking multipliers.
Is DUNG inflationary?
DUNG is minted when patterns are rolled—supply grows with protocol activity. Emission rates are governed by protocol parameters that CAL holders control.
Technical
What data do you store?
We store pattern definitions, proofs of effort (effort hashes), and on-chain records. We do NOT store your full GPS tracks, personal information, or raw ride files.
Can I delete my data?
Your on-chain proofs are immutable—that's the point. Off-chain data (account info, sync connections) can be deleted through your profile settings.
What if Boulder Roller shuts down?
Your patterns and proofs exist on Solana, not our servers. Even if we disappear, your verified efforts remain on-chain, owned by your wallet.
Is the code open source?
Core protocol components are open source. Pattern detection algorithms are proprietary to prevent gaming but the verification layer is transparent.
Getting Started
Do I need crypto experience?
Basic wallet setup is required, but we try to make it as simple as possible. If you can install a browser extension and click approve, you can use Boulder Roller.
How much SOL do I need?
Minimal—0.1 SOL is enough for hundreds of transactions. Each proof submission costs a fraction of a cent.
What devices work?
Any device that records GPS cycling data: Garmin, Wahoo, Apple Watch, phone apps. Upload via Strava sync, Garmin Connect sync, or direct FIT/GPX files.
My ride didn't detect any patterns. Why?
Possible reasons:
Flat terrain (no climbs)
Climbs below minimum thresholds
Poor GPS data quality
Ride type not supported (currently cycling only)
Economics
How much DUNG can I earn?
Depends on pattern difficulty and staking. A moderate climb (difficulty 5) might earn 30-50 DUNG. A hard climb (difficulty 8) might earn 80-120 DUNG. Staking multipliers can increase this significantly.
What's the point of staking?
Staking CAL on patterns:
Increases rewards for rollers (attracts activity)
Earns you passive DUNG from that activity
Signals which patterns the community values
Can I stake on my own patterns?
Yes. If you believe in a climb you discovered, stake on it. You'll earn from your own future rolls plus everyone else who rolls it.
Safety
Is my wallet safe?
We never ask for your seed phrase. We only request transaction signing through your wallet. Standard crypto security practices apply—protect your recovery phrase.
Can people fake rides?
GPS spoofing is possible but detectable. Our system includes sanity checks for impossible speeds, teleportation, and unrealistic patterns. The economics also discourage botting—effort is the bottleneck.
What about my privacy?
Your full GPS tracks are not stored. Only pattern-level data (which climbs you did, when, how long) becomes part of your public proof. Your raw rides remain private.
Have a question not covered here? Reach out on Discord or Twitter.
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