Do you raise your arms? Or relax and enjoy?

Not long ago, ShiveringTim took some haranguing for not holding his hands in the air during a photo session. It got me thinking. Is there a difference in the ride with arms held high and screaming wildly or relaxing and quietly enjoying the ride? As a result, I played with the idea a bit while visiting a couple of parks this weekend.

When I was doing the wilder thing, it was a whole lotta fun and exciting. It can create a lot of energy and make the ride seem more thrilling. Its a social thing too ... high fiving buddies amid all the excitement. However, it was also distracting to watch to keep from whacking someone.

The more relaxed version of a ride allowed me to experience the coaster more. I could concentrate on the subtleties of the rides flow and theme. Or just relax and enjoy the ride. Being relaxed, I also felt the G's a little more.

I think the best thing I learned with this is that when I'm quiet, I can hear my wife giggle all through the ride. For me, that's priceless.

Anyway, both riding styles seem to have their place for me. It might depend on who I'm with and the mood I'm in.

What do you like about your style?

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If I'da thought about it a little longer, I'da spent more time thinking.

Im an "Airtime Whore" so I keep my hands up. Its sort of an adventure, it tests your endurance....when you see those tunnels and you have to fight the urge to keep your hands up! Shoot Off rides also are a challange

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©Bruce's Posting Co.

The first time I don't raise my hands, but after that...

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www.geocities.com/six_flags2002
RAMPAGE, THE #4 WOODIE,ONLY AT VISIONLAND

Oh, the arms go up and i scream until i can't talk

I hold on for dear life!

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

You know I just don't enjoy riding with my hands up. I would much rather keep them down and as you said "concentrate on the subtleties of the rides flow and theme". This is much more enjoyable for me.

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/s/

I don't see what the big deal is about riding hands up myself. All it does it tense up the body, and whether you realize it or not, you're fighting the forces and natural flow of the ride.

I ride hands resting on the lapbar but not necessasarily holding on unless I'm on the
Legend.

I enjoy the ride more hands down, besides people riding hands up block my view if I'm not in the front seat... :)

I like riding hands down most of the time for the reasons others have mentioned but also because I tend to bang my ribs with my hands up -- and that's not fun.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

I ride with hands up. It is the only way. If I wanted to relax I would stay home and take a nap. I have experimented with screaming and it is much more fun when I scream my head off.
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Bull rides:41
Batman rides:33 *** This post was edited by SFGA2001 on 5/31/2001. ***

I like to just sit there with my hands down and enjoy the view...rarely do I hold my hands up.

Depends on the ride for me,if it is smooth like Nitro,i will put my hands up.If it is rough and shaky(Rolling Thunder) i keep my hands down just in case i need them.Loopers i keep my hands down because there really is no room sitting next to my 6ft 280 lb husband's huge arms and,the bulky OSTR'S don't leave much room either :)

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~*Rickyswmn*~

Hand up and screaming! (Unless I'm taking pictures, ;)) I love to scream the whole ride, so you lose your voice by the time you get off.

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Don't fight it, Ride it, Raging Bull!
Webmaster:SFGAm 2001
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/Coasterz

I love to raise my hands on loops and stuff like that, but on drops Im holding the restrain so tight my hands are pure wight.

For some reason, it's almost involuntary for me to put my hands up. Even if I say I'm not going to, like I did on MF, as soon as we reach the top of the lift, it just happens...I also feel that it enhances the air.

-Raven_Rider

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"Hold on tight, with all your might, and enjoy your flight on the Raven!"

The first time on a ride, I keep my hands on the handles and get a feel for it.

Hands up all the way... its most exciting the 1st time you've ever been on a certain coaster... ive learned to keep them up but my first time on S:ROS@sfdl...I never realized how steep it was gonna be so my hands went down.... but now of coure I always put them up, no matter what the ride and if its new or not.

Alan Jacyszyn
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SFDLnet: The Ultimate Darien Lake Guide.
http://sfdl.coasterbuzz.com - BE THERE, June 2nd

Hands up I enjoy the ride much more and plus if you keep your hands down when your scared and hang on whats the point fight your fear besides if the train falls off the tracks your going down with it no matter what;-)

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Ryan
Raptor Rules The Sky!

The only way to ride is hands up the first hill, then after youve had the rush, you put your hands down and feel the flow!~!

I don't raise my hands in the air, but I still scream like a banshee. Where do you think my name came from? ;) Also, if I'm on an inverted, I kick my legs like a maniac.