Georgia Cyclone and Mind Bender in 1990

I was a scanning machine the other night; wish the scanner could show all the beauty of the original prints, but these ain't too bad. I'm surprised how good pictures from a 110 camera look. Better than many I capture with a digital camera. Of course, I don't know much about settings and stuff, too lazy.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3311089768929.146352.1018...6d61d81e85

I couldn't find the topic using the 'search' tool, but there had been some debates about whether or not the Georgia Cyclone's first drop had been altered. Also, about Mind Bender having 3 trains. Hopefully, these pictures will round out those debates.

The cool thing is that the GA Cyclone's first drop is back - almost what it was originally. I dunno if they used the original prints when doing this topper track deal, but there are videos on youtube showing the 'new' topper track Cyclone - and it looks pretty good!

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing, Billy!

I've always been a huge fan of both of these rides. The Cyclone has so much potential to be great--hopefully the new topper track will bring it more towards that.

I don't recall seeing photos of the Georgia Cyclone. Strange, since your photos make it look fantastic.

What is the difference between the Georgia Cyclone and the now long gone Texas Cyclone at Astroworld?

^The Texas Cyclone curve's were a bit tighter, and the drops a bit more harsh overall. Bill Cobb designed the Texas Cyclone with the famous *snap* going over the first drop. This was removed from TC in the 80s, to make it a more gentle parabolic shape.

When Georgia Cyclone was being built in 1989, the same *snap* was designed into it's first drop. This was gone after a year or two of operation. You can see the modified drop here. Note there was also a slight increase in the banking at the top for the little 'dog leg' turn. If you look at a recent pics or video with the topper track, it seems they have put the snap, somewhat, back on that drop.

Bill Cobb put a couple of these "kick your butt outta the seat as your dropping" snaps on the Riverside (now Six Flags New England) Cyclone. One on the first drop - which hasn't been touched*, and one on the 5th drop ("station drop"). The problem with the snap on the station drop is that it would jerk you out, and immediately slam you back down - hard. So it was great but bad at the same time. That area received topper track a couple years ago, so that 5th drop snap is gone.

*edit - the first drop on the New England Cyclone has been altered on the pull-out, but not the apex.

Modified drop or not, GA Cyclone was one of the better wooden coasters I've been on. I think I first rode it in '98 or '99, right around the time this coaster stuff was becoming a hobby for me. When I rode Viper later that year, it just didn't compare. It was like going to a Guns N' Roses show in 1993 with the original band, and then going to a Guns N' Roses show in 2011 with what is essentially Axl and a (talented) cover band. Great show, but inferior to the classic lineup in many ways.

Minor technicality: Gn'R in '93 wasn't (entirely) the original band. Analogy understood, though. :)

Gun Club* anyone? It's expected, but a little too bad Axl is so attacked recently. I mean, what else is he supposed to do?

My bad, was thinking of the LA Guns.

It will always be my opinion that Axl totally makes G 'n' R unlistenable. He has to be the most overrated rock singer of all time. On the other hand, I totally love the sound of the rest of the original band.

I mean, just take a listen to Paradise City or November Rain (especially the pretentious ending of that song), and tell me that he sounds good.

He did a decent job with Welcome to the Jungle and Mr. Brownstone though, but not well enough to allow me to allow me to forgive the noise that normally comes out of his face.

As a vocalist myself, I almost always respect other vocalists craft, but I just can't stand Axl's voice. lol

He's not my favorite, either, but without him the rest of the band sounds like every other hard rock band. I think I prefer his voice over Billy Corrigan's (and I dig some Pumpkins).

Velvet Revolver was better than G-n-R, while it lasted at least.

I agree, Jeff. I think that Scott Weiland is one of the greatest vocalists of that era.

Jeff said:
Velvet Revolver was better than G-n-R, while it lasted at least.

You have the worst taste in music. :)

Let me be more clear... I always hated G-n-R. Working in college radio when the Use Your Illusion records came out didn't help. Strip away the crappy singer, and I think there was some talent there.

Lord Gonchar said:

You have the worst taste in music. :)

The Master of Reality has spoken.

GnR to me, is kinda like a B&M... they have lots of fans, but ... yadda yadda yadda. I have a soft spot for a few GnR songs (Travis, thanks for mentioning Mr. Brownstone) and I really like the B&Ms at the Busch Parks. The rest ... meh.

Back to the SFOG coasters. I spent time there last summer, over a 4 day period, rode Mind Bender over 80 times and Goliath once.

So long as we're equating music to roller coaster terms, does that mean Slayer is like an OTSR because of all the headbanging? Hiyooooooo!

Nahh... not at all, Josh. Slayer rocks :) Shoulder bars are lame.

(Besides, I can wear ear plugs at a show, or stuff toilet paper in there. Try taking some pillows with you on Maverick.)

Yeah, but the Axl hating is based on the idea that talent is all it takes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Talent is one piece of the equation and can easily be made up in other areas.

Hell, I'd argue that the most talented people often don't make it because it does take more.

And here's why Axl is still a semi-badass (if not a little whiny about it). Love the big middle finger to the RNRHOF.

Axl:
That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Ha! That's awesome.

With all of that said, I'm not really a big GNR fan myself. I like some way less talented people far more.

That's not awesome. He's a talentless douche.

You can't sell that many albums, still sell tickets after 25 years, be on a single-moniker basis and not be offering something.

Simple as that.

You can debate whether or not it's talent, but as I said before, I'm not sure it really matters. Talent alone gets you nowhere.