# Would you ride a roller coaster 420 feet tall? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2003, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777 "2003-04-06T01:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/41 "2003-04-07T13:41:38Z")
Oh no! I had a nightmare once about riding a very tall roller coaster, and it looks like it might be this very one! So, no, thanks, I’ll pass. (a little afraid of heights, me) ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/42 "2003-04-07T13:57:16Z")
Are you kidding? I’m re-arranging our summer road trip so that I can be at the park. While I’d love to be there opening day, to be the first to ride it (May 4th), I think I’ll give them a month or so to work out any bugs. Not because I’m concerned for safety, but just because when I get there, I want to actually be able to ride the damn thing. Nothing worse than showing up at a park, to find that a ride is down for maintinence. I should be there sometime the 2nd or 3rd week in July. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/43 "2003-04-07T14:23:43Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Gundy, Asterion, me, et al._ > Hell, I’ll take two… > > but what the hell? > > Hell yes, I’d ride it. > > Hell, I’d ride one 4200 feet tall > > Hells yes! > > I’d do it, hell… This must be some kind of a record, what with the number of “hell’s”…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/44 "2003-04-07T14:45:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Heloise \* > \*\*You’re in love with a roller coaster? _Really_? Interesting. \*\* Well, I’m in love with it in that adrenalin-pumping, near-death-experience kind of way that no woman yet has provided me with. Not that I’d like you to try, either. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/45 "2003-04-07T16:02:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m so there. I believe UncleBeer lives in the area, wonder if he’ll let me crash at his place. Sixty miles, door-to-door. And yeah, you can crash at my place. I might even be home one or two weekends this summer. If not, I’ll leave the door unlocked for ya. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/46 "2003-04-07T19:33:58Z")
I have to agree with LouisB on this one. You couldn’t pay me to ride that thing. I get nauseous if I so much as look at a picture of a roller coaster. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/47 "2003-04-07T20:00:59Z")
> [@](#): > > And I’m not a guy, but all woman, baby. Okay, all you roller coaster guys and gals are stark raving mad. How’s that? ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/48 "2003-04-07T22:53:28Z")
DT’s dilemma: Afraid of heights, love the thrill of speed. On most coasters, the thrill of speed overcomes my fear of heights about three seconds over the top. I’m sure that going up that 420ft is a long, slow, ride. They may have to pry my hands off of the handle when it stops, but hell yeah I’d ride it. ---
**Author:** ![Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Watcher_of_the_Skies)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/49 "2003-04-08T02:44:58Z")
Yes, yes, and yes again. Thanks for the link to the video. I had the Cedar Point pleasure once a few years ago and can’t wait to go again. As I recall, Cleveland was somewhat closer than an hour and a half, and the R&R Hall of Fame was kind of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/50 "2003-04-08T03:20:56Z")
Oh yeah. I’ll ride that thang and then some. Too bad it’s not closer. Wait. Does it go upside down?? If so, it might take me a few minutes before I said,“Aw what the hell…” ---
**Author:** ![Jessity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jessity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jessity)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/51 "2003-04-08T03:28:57Z")
Hell yeah, I’d be all over that. I think a trip or three to Cedar Point is in order for this summer. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/52 "2003-04-08T04:03:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Okay, all you roller coaster guys and gals are stark raving mad. How’s that? Much, thanks. I’m afraid I don’t have any money to go there this summer. Anyone want to sponsor me? I’ll wear a t-shirt with your logo on it. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/53 "2003-04-08T04:39:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lainaf \* > \*\*My screen saver is a picture of it. > Hell yes, I’d ride it. I’d ride it till they dragged my sobbing limp body out of the front car. \*\* Silly creature! The back car is where all the (high acceleration) action is! ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/54 "2003-04-08T07:45:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DaToad \* > \*\*DT’s dilemma: Afraid of heights, love the thrill of speed. On most coasters, the thrill of speed overcomes my fear of heights about three seconds over the top. I’m sure that going up that 420ft is a long, slow, ride. They may have to pry my hands off of the handle when it stops, but hell yeah I’d ride it. \*\* No worries, my friend! Watch the video on the link in the OP. The whole ride lasts 20 seconds, and you’ll be launched towards 420 feet at 120 MPH. Won’t last long at all! **Zenster** , I’ve seen that claim before. But how does that work? How can the last car of a roller coaster have more acceleration? I mean, the rollercoaster is not connected by rubber bands: all cars have the same speed at any given time. Sure, the last car will experience acceleration on different parts of the track than the first car, but it doesn’t have more “acceleration action” per se. Or am I missing a logical step here? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/55 "2003-04-08T09:47:17Z")
Coldy, you’re right. The catch is that the front car dangles over the first drop and therefore doesn’t have the sudden snap of acceleration which coincides with the visual cues once you crest. Its the timing of the acceleration, not that its any greater. I suppose there could be slight differences in the g-forces felt. But both the front and back would even out in the end. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/56 "2003-04-12T22:45:32Z")
Yeah, this ride is the latest version of what is called a _launch coaster_ because the trains are launched toward the big hill and then it coasts for the remainder of the journey. 'Way back in the late 70’s, a German company named Intamin used a huge flywheel to launch trains toward a vertical loop. Now, nearly every manufacturer uses either linear induction magnets or hydraulics or compressed air or spinning wheels to launch trains up and/or toward the first big drop. But these launch systems are expensive and LIM’s use a lot of electricity, so chain-lifts are still the most common method for starting coaster trains on their way. I’m 45 years old. I remember when 100 feet was tall for a coaster. The first 100-footer was the Great American Scream Machine, a woodie at Six Flags Over Georgia, and I rode it in 1977. My first 200-footer was Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and I’ve ridden Titan at Six Flags Over Texas. My brother has been on Millennium Force. He thought that M.F. is kinda boring after the big drop. When I was a kid, I told all my friends that I thought it was possible to build a coaster 300 feet tall and they all laughed at me. Who’s laughing now? I ride the front seat for the view, the middle for smoothness and the rear for airtime. There is a kind of “whiplash” effect in the last seat. Some coasters have extra restraints in the final one or two cars because a lap bar may not be enough to keep the rider in the seat. Also, one feels more positive g’s (IOW, you feel heavier) in the final seat when exiting vertical loops. This heaviness comes directly after feeling like the train won’t make it all the way through the loop! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/57 "2003-04-12T22:51:27Z")
Yeah, this ride is the latest version of what is called a _launch coaster_ because the trains are launched toward the big hill and then it coasts for the remainder of the journey. 'Way back in the late 70’s, a German company named Intamin used a huge flywheel to launch trains toward a vertical loop. Now, nearly every manufacturer uses either linear induction magnets or hydraulics or compressed air or spinning wheels to launch trains up and/or toward the first big drop. But these launch systems are expensive and LIM’s use a lot of electricity, so chain-lifts are still the most common method for starting coaster trains on their way. I’m 45 years old. I remember when 100 feet was tall for a coaster. The first 100-footer was the Great American Scream Machine, a woodie at Six Flags Over Georgia, and I rode it in 1977. My first 200-footer was Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and I’ve ridden Titan at Six Flags Over Texas. My brother has been on Millennium Force. He thought that M.F. is kinda boring after the big drop. When I was a kid, I told all my friends that I thought it was possible to build a coaster 300 feet tall and they all laughed at me. Who’s laughing now? I ride the front seat for the view, the middle for smoothness and the rear for airtime. There is a kind of “whiplash” effect in the last seat. Some coasters have extra restraints in the final one or two cars because a lap bar may not be enough to keep the rider in the seat. Also, one feels more positive g’s (IOW, you feel heavier) in the final seat when exiting vertical loops. This heaviness comes directly after feeling like the train won’t make it all the way through the loop! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Merla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Merla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merla)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/58 "2003-04-14T19:48:57Z")
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA Pardon me while I laugh maniacally… but I’m going!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA _Merla kisses the sweet ground_. Cedar point is my life. I know it like the back of my hand. I’ve ridden every roller coaster (except the new one) many times. Yet my parents despise the place, so it’s rare I get to go. But, miraculously, on May 10th, my school is driving students who want to go the two hours away to Cedar Point! I’m hoping I make it on the big one- the line might be too long- I have bad feet, and want to be able to have enough time to ride old favorites like the Raptor and the Magnum. And a few niggling details need to be cleared up, like who I’m walking around the park with. But still- HAHAHAHAHAHA well, I’ll tell you all how it was when I go on it! Merla ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/59 "2003-05-10T21:02:50Z")
Good news! Dragster is open! Bad news! Be prepared for a wait of 5 to 6 hours! How big is your bladder? ---
**Author:** ![japatlgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777/60 "2003-05-10T22:42:29Z")
A new obsession! I must ride this coaster! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ride-a-roller-coaster-420-feet-tall/166777.md?page=4)