Cedar point 8/17-8/18/08; LOOONG; Part 2

^^Bunky, can you believe at one point going to Great Adventure was my "dream" as well!?! LOL...

So anyway, why didn't you ride Magnum a couple of times while there?? I mean, the line's not usually long, and I generally treat Magnum like a good brie...I go to it often and it's a good way to warm up my coaster "palate" so to speak! ;)

I actually find MF in front to be a much more enjoyable ride than MF in back. The drop is better in the back, but the air isn't great anywhere and the speed gets you the most in the front.

I remember thinking that Gemini's helix could be dangerous, but only when the trim brake is off. Usually it was on when I was there. BTW this is the only coaster I've ever been on that has a lighted sign in the station saying whether the trim brake is on or not. What's up with that?

Most of my rides on Mean Streak didn't bother me at all, as a wooden coaster enthusiast, except that it would've been better without the brakes. But on my last ride I had horrible pounding, the worst I've ever experienced anywhere, for no apparent reason whatsoever.

Mantis was the only coaster I've ever been grateful for trim brakes on. But I keep seeing people say it's better when they don't use them! I can't figure that one out.

Tig, speaking of Magnum, they just mentioned it on the Travel Channel. :) I really wish I WOULD have ridden in a few different seats, but I've gotta tell you, I was honestly too scared. I got the beating of a lifetime on my particular seat, and I didn't want to do anything else painful after my whole Gemini thing. However, like I am pretty sure I said before, I got AMAZING airtime on Maggie. I can see where people believe this coaster coined the term "ejector air".

Going to Great Adventure used to be my dream too a long time ago before I really rode a lot. It just sounded so wonderful. I didn't even hear of Cedar Point until I was in....college?

Aah, I'm watching footage of Millie right now. :) I miss it already.

Okay, next time I go to Cedar Point, I PROMISE all of you that I will get back on Magnum in a non-wheel seat and keep that restraint nice and loose. If I like it more (which I would imagine would not be too difficult), I'll eat my hat. Okay?

Jim S., I noticed no braking before the helix on Gemini. I noticed some braking at other points in the ride, or it kind of seemed like it, but we went what felt like absolutely full speed into the helix. Mantis I noticed the trim brake, but I didn't know that that was a brake at the time. I just remember a really loud clangy noise, and it startled the heck out of me.

-B

Here's one "secret" I use to make the 'ejector seat' a lot more comfy for me and L (cuz let's face it...the lap bars when we ride are so high up we could stand up and swan dive outta them!!...but I usually don't wear my seat belt that loose)

But basically after the first two drops (with hands up!), for each ejector air bunny hill we grip the bottom of the lap bar, palms up...that way, our legs/thighs are hitting the backs of our hands instead of the bar and with our palms as shock absorbers, and it's actually a pretty decent way to go!!

The best way to have Magnum not be painful is to staple yourself in, seat belt and bar. That way when the air comes, you aren't slammed into the bar because the bar is already on your thighs, problem solved.

It works, I rode Magnum 15 times in a row without getting off during CM this year, didnt feel any ill effects until the next morning, which I attribute not only to me riding Magnum but to being at the park for 16 hours. My thighs were mush but no black and blue marks.