Are enthusiasts too concerned with coaster roughness?

I just ride what feels good to me. There are a lot of coasters and flat rides that I just refuse to ride anymore. They may be kickass but that doesn't mean my body is going to agree. ;) I really don't like "rough" woodies. I don't like most old school Arrow headbangers. Just ask anyone who has travelled with me. ;) I am not riding anything that I know will induce a headache. It's not that I don't appreciate the rides, I just prefer pleasure over pain. I like smoothness, air, speed, floaty sweetness, etc. I hate being bashed around. Some people like that which is cool. The more power to them. :) We all have our preferences. I am highly picky and fussy. I make no apologies. ;)

I will try any new-to-me coaster or flat ride once, that way I can give an educated opinion about it. There is nothing more annoying than a person complaining about a coaster they have never been on or a park they have never been to.

Basically if a coaster or flat ride hurts me or bores me chances are I won't ride it again. Coasters are a lot like sex. You only ride what pleases you. :) That works for me at least. :)

-Tina

^More emoticons! More emoticons!

But there are only two to choose from. I for one would like to see an emoticon that conveys 'smug superiority'...

I would use that one a lot. ;)

Another way to avoid spine compression on a wood coaster is to make sure your back is not in contact with the back of the seat. I dont know why, but it works, so on most wooden coasters youll see me holding onto the handrail for dear life, not due to fear, but to keep my back away from the seat.

^you can also avoid wheel seats. On a ride operating 2-bench PTCs I find it hard to believe the airtime is significantly different between the very last row, which is over the wheels, and one row ahead of it.

^In that case I'll be happy to ride one row behind you. Is it "rougher"? Sure, why not. You're just too concerned with roughness. LOL, seriously though, good advice for people who ARE more sensitive to it. :)

For me personally, the longer the car, the more pivot action in the back. Which is why CI Cyclone has my favoritest wooden trains running. But I don't believe that I'm in the majority, or even a plurality. And for the record, MS isn't "too rough" for me, but it is unbelievably boring for a wooden coaster of its stature.

I didn't say I avoided wheel seats, Bill.

I have to tell you, I never gave the vehicle wheels a thought until I started "hanging out" with you guys. You can learn so much from CoasterBuzz. :)

The only coaster I've found that's roughness outweighs its fun-factor is Roller Soaker at Hersheypark...which is why it is the only coaster I refuse to ride again.

But at least I got the credit! (Maybe that is what we are too concerned with...? :))

Perhaps its not that we're too concerned with roughness but rather we're too concerned with enthusiasts being too concerned with roughness.

There are people who thought I was crazy for riding the Cannonball 7 times when I hit Caonbie last Saturday.

I enjoy classic wood, plain & simple.

I did not find any roughness on Roller Soaker. It was kind of boring (the day I went the water effects were off), but not rough.

"If the ride seems too rough and your sides feel hurt, you are obviously not guzzling enough gravy!"

-anonymous. 2008

As others mentioned, there is a difference between a rough but intense ride, and a rough and painful ride.

From my experience, Son of Beast and Dragon (Adventureland) are 2 rides that roughness is serious enough to cause pain. The headbagers you get on Dragon are so incredibly painful, and you always get off with bright red ears. A favorite example of a rough woodie (due to its intensity) that still provides a great ride every time is The Boss at SFST. Also rides like the Arrow Corkscrews tend to be rough, but usually not painful.

I agree with you about the Arrow 'Screws being on the rough side. Part of that might be due to age. Weren't most of those built in the lete 70's - mid 80's?

Arrow "roughness" is due mostly to the gap between the upstop wheels, inside guide wheels, and the rail. Conversely, one of the reasons B&M coaster are so smooth is that the upstop and guide wheels are spring-loaded to always be in contact with the rail.

I often wonder why no one has come up with a retrofit for those old Arrow/Vekoma trains. Seems you could make a small fortune.

^Vekoma is starting to make a move...

http://rcdb.com/id962.htm
http://rcdb.com/id4269.htm

Hopman, I agree. Most of them were. That's why I blame the coasters' age AND my age for my pickiness. ;) 20+ years ago I could power-ride those. With the exception of the TN Tornado the thought is not so attractive anymore. Whenever I approach a new-to-me old school Arrow I am like "Oh crap, this is going to hurt. Let's get it over with and checked off!"

Usually they DO hurt, but the TN Tornado was one of those that totally floored me on how smooth it was, and that's why I keep going back to it. ;)

-Tina

That is part of the fun! I don't care how rough a coaster is, just how exciting it is.