Rough vs. Violent

In talking about certain wood coasters, there is a lot of discussion about what "rough" is.

I would say that there's a difference between a coaster that is rough and a coaster that is violent. Wood coasters, when built and maintained correctly are rarely rough. See the Kennywood very old woodies. A coaster might throw you around in "rough" transitions, but this is by design.

A violent coaster often suffers from some kind of design flaw. Mean Streak is a perfect example of this. Because of its inability to negotiate curves (a combination of non-trailered or articulating trains and a lack of lubrication), it is violently rough. The train skips around the track in a way that was not intended, and it hinders the ride's speed.

I only bring this up because we all have our preferences, but I think understanding this difference helps explain the difference in opinion some of us have.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I would agree that rough is a good part of a wooden coaster, and even some steel coasters. But there are, as you said, those violent coasters such as Mean Streak (so I've heard), and Outer Limits. Sometimes too much pounding can decrease the pleasure of a ride.

A good example is SFGAm. American Eagle is rough, and Shockwave is violent.

Steel Coasters can be Rough and Violent also. I would have to say that the Outer Limits: Flight of fear is Violent. On Mantis right before you hit the station is Violent ass all HECK, my dad busted his ear drum on that, could not hear for months out of his ear. Now Rough? thats like the turn around on Magnum XL-200. It really is not bad at all, but it does shake you up. *** This post was edited by Relic on 5/3/2000. ***

I still contend that OL is not rough or violent, but rather the restraints are too large and don't give you enough freedom of movement through the first three inversions.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

After the first time I rode Outer Limits, I wrote PKI asking why the ride was so violent, and why the restraints were so large. A gentleman wrote me back saying that the ride's wheels wore very quickly, and to make it any smoother they would have to slow it down. As for the restraints, he said that during testing there were "problems" with the normal overheads. "Many riders," he said "would experience serious neck injuries." I'm not against the restraints, but do they have to make them out of concrete?

Well I rode Mean Streak, first time was very smooth and a very enjoyable ride. The line was short so I jumped on again, bad move. I must have gotten a different train because after the second ride I had no desire to try again. Thats what is interesting to me in that one train is perfect and the other sucks. Just to add, Psyclone at SFMM is in my book violent.

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"May the Force be with you"

I think any steel coaster that is rough should be considered violent. Considering how incredible smooth they are, now. ie. Goliath. Wood bends, roughness to a certain degree is to be expected, but IMO a rough steel coster is something you have to work at.

Gimme rough and violent. I'm young...I can take it and love it. WOAH! Mean Streak and SFMM Psyclone are my favorite woodies!!!

Hercules (Jerkules) at Dorney is a violent coaster to me. I'm not sure if it needs to be retracked or what. The roughness on Hercules is thruout the whole ride. Instead of side to side movement you get forward and bacward movement in the seat. Your spine bashes off the back the seat the entile ride. When I first rode it when it opened in 89 it was rough around the turn over the lake but it was the good type rough. After Dorney was bought by Cedar Fair they added two trim brakes on the main drop almost stopping the train on the hill. then there is another trim on the next hill as well. These three brakes make the rest of the ride dull. Dorney should remove the second half on the ride. It should go up the hill, turn over the lake, then hit the brakes and enter the station. Maybe Hercules will be running better this year. i guess I'll find out this Saturday.

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Parks hit for 2000!
PKD,BGW,Knoebles *** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 5/4/2000. ***

I think it's the rider. I have never been on a 'violent' coaster. I want to get beat up, but in the late 70's people wouldn't ride the Corkscrew at CP because of the head banging of the shoulder harness. I thought they were insane, but that's them. People have different tolerances for rides, thus it's up to the individual. Mean Streak is perfectly rough, like a good woodie should be, but my thighs are bruised for a week after a ride on the Magnum, but hell, I don't care. It's up to the rider.

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There's nothing like a woodie...

I thought of another way to approach this...

You shouldn't have to fight the ride for it to be enjoyable. Mean Streak is just such a ride, where you have to pull your back off the seat to come off in one piece. To contrast, I found Villain at SFO to be rough in the transitions, but I didn't have do anything to keep from being uncomfortable. Does that make sense?

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Yeah, it's like on OL, you have to hold your head to one side the entire time so you don't get head trauma. You shouldn't have to have a list of precautionary positions to maintain comfort.