Cyclone at Lakeside

A few years ago, I saw the Lakeside Cyclone in Denver on a Discovery Channel show. Ever since, I've been fascinated with the coaster and love looking at pictures of it. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ride it. Has anyone here ridden it? How does it compare to the new smaller woodies that CCI made? Thanks.

-Charlie Weingartner

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If I were an artichoke, I'd give you my heart.

I lived in Denver in the mid-90s and rode Lakeside's Cyclone quite often. For one it has one of the most beautiful coaster stations...ever! Check this out:

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery211.htm?Picture=2

From the station is a quick trip thru an S-shaped tunnel to the lift. The coaster is a twister/out-n-back hybrid. The first half of the coaster consists of a undulating counter-clockwise helix-like structure, best seen on the left side of this picture:

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery211.htm?Picture=4

and here:

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery211.htm?Picture=5

The second half of the coaster is the out-n-back portion:

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery211.htm?Picture=3

I could be wrong but I believe the coaster originally began as an out and back and the first half was added later to extend the length.

Anyway its a fun coaster despite the lack of extreme air on the out-n-back portion - and that's not a complaint, just an observation.

Moosh

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Sig under construction!

Hey Moosh, would it be okay if I emailed ya? There's some more stuff I'd like to know about it.

-Charlie Weingartner

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If I were an artichoke, I'd give you my heart.

Email away, Charlie!

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Sig under construction!

Cyclone is quite a fun little ride. The only thing Moosh forgot to mention was the trains, which are absolute classics. There is only one lap bar for both riders, and no seat dividers. Over my forty or so rides during the past two years, I found the best ones to actually be where I rode alone. When you ride next to someone, you either end up smashing them, or getting smashed. Without someone next to you, you slide around on the thick, comfy seats. Some of the most fun I've had anywhere.

The park's wild mouse (Wild Chipmunk) is also one funny ride...:)
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You are about to discover what lies beyond the 5th dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination in the Tower Of Terror.

Thanks, PT, for filling in the holes in my post. And yer right, their mouse is awesome, too. Thankfully I have a clone of it here in LA at Adverture City.

Moosh

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Welcome to the New & Improved Coasterbuzz...tomfoolery allowed!

After the Old Elitch's closed, and Mr. Twister and Wildcat were torn down, Cyclone became the best wood in Denver. It has a great drop, helix, and out and back section, and is the only coaster that has ever taken a hat from me. As said above, the station is stunning, as are the cars. My favorite part of the station are the molded pewter coaster cars and riders on the railings of the station. The park is great too. In the last few years they have done work to fix it up, and it is really starting to look good. The lighted tower at the entrance of the park reflected in the lake at night is one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life. I urge anyone to make an effort to get to this park if they are in the Denver area. The park is located off of I-70 at the Sheridan Exit.

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"Look out kid. It's something you did. God knows when but you're doin' it again." -Bob Dylan

...and to add to Mustang's post:

Stay after sundown and take the train around the lake...you won't be sorry ;)

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Welcome to the New & Improved Coasterbuzz...tomfoolery allowed!