Coaster-like: Jman does the Olympic Bobsled

Not really about coasters, but is related to bobsled coasters-

Well, this weekend I was up in Lake Placid for the ECAC hockey tournament, and while there we headed over to the 1980 Olympic Bobsled run. They do passenger rides in the bobsled, and I did it. You don't do the entire course, but you do the lower half-mile of the 1980 Olympic run (the full course is 1 mile), basically it's a 5-6 man bobsled, and they provide the driver and brakeman.

Even though it's not the whole course, you still hit about 60MPH. The course that day was FAST, and we were flying through the turns. The speed you pick up on the ice is amazing, and it's like a thrilling roller coaster, except if the driver screws up you'll end up flipped over on your heads. The turns are wild, flinging you up nearly horizontal, with massive sustained Gs. I can't even imagine what hitting those curves would be like with the speed from the full run. If you're ever in the area, I suggest ponying up the $30/person for it. It's not really as thrilling as most of todays big coasters, but it's an experience that you should just try! I had a blast! Wish we could've done the full mile run! (You can, but it's $125 and it's only during certain parts of the year, and it's by reservation only)

*** This post was edited by Jman on 3/17/2002. ***

That's sounds cool. I remember back in 1994 (I remember b/c I have it on tape) the Columbus NBC station use to have a special segment every now and then called Steve's Sports World. Steve use to go around the area showing various sport events including a segment about "Ohio's Wildess Rides." Well, he went to Lake Placid that winter to talk about bobsledding to coinside with the 94 Winter Olympics. He, along with former USA Bobsled Team members (they were medalists), stapped a cam to the front of the sled and rode the track. It looked crazy! But certainly fun! They talked about the Gs and had a MPH read-out on the screen as they went through the course. I would like to try that sometime, even though it looks insane. LOL.

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OHIcOaster
"Back seat, no hands."

*** This post was edited by OHIcOaster on 3/17/2002. ***

Don't let Markey hear about the Gs. He'll be trying to get bobsleds banned.

Jim, Too late, he's already filed the bill.....