Riding a standup backwards

I've seen this before, but never thought about it too much. Anyone do it? Seems like it would be a bit painful.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/coasterollie/drayton4.jpg

OK, either it's photoshopped or we have a few riders being idiots.

Actually Drayton Manor has been known to allow backwards facing people on their standup during ERT sessions. Not sure if they do it during regular operating hours, but I know of plenty of people that have attended ERT there and had backwards facing rides.

The guy in the right seat is Tim Baldwin and the guy in the center is another ACEr. I've seen this pic somewhere before.

I've read reports saying the park occasionally allows backwards riders, but have yet to hear how it is.

I doubt B&M approves of that.

^Which is why you're extremely unlikely to see something like that happen over here.

Overall, it's a decent stand-up. (Not that we tried it backwards, LOL). The star attractions are G-Force, Apocalypse, and the carousel older than George Burns...oh, and the crazy-exciting kiddie coaster Troublesome Trucks.

It's not a B&M anyway.

Looks like a still taken during ACE's European Coaster Odyssey in 2003.

You don't get much of a view, unless you like sweaty black vinyl. It can't be too comfortable holding your chin up, holding onto the top of the seat. Not to mention what could happen down in your crotchal area.

So they do actually allow them to turn around before being locked in? Weird. Seems like you would lose your lower jaw. :)

I did the ACE trip in 2002. ERT is the only time they allow riding it backwards. It is pretty awkward, especially with glasses. I basically turned my headto side a little and enjoyed the ride. It was actually better than facing forward, which beat the crap out of you!

I bet that's the best smelling ride too!

Yuck!

~Rob

^Ew. That reminds me of riding the Vekoma SLC at Six Flags America a couple years ago. The harness smelled like warm moist moldy cheese and hair grease. And we sat in the brake run for like 5 minutes. It was awful.

I'm hungry now.

I rode Shockwave backwards during the 2002 Coaster Odyssey as well. Fun, but rough, like all Intamin stand-ups.

Roz

CoasterDemon said:
The harness smelled like warm moist moldy cheese and hair grease.

You've just described every single OTSR I've ever been near.

Sorry, but a stand-up is the LAST type of coaster I'd have ANY interest in riding backwards.

Make it Toro or Nitro, then we'll talk.

I kmow ex-employees of cedar point who have done it on Mantis. And no, that's not why they are ex-employees. bigboy is right, on the left is Tim Baldwin, and to the right of him is Jeffery Seifert.

Lord Gonchar said:

CoasterDemon said:
The harness smelled like warm moist moldy cheese and hair grease.

You've just described every single OTSR I've ever been near.

. . . and people laugh at me for always bringing my moist towelettes.

It does seem, though, that the stand-ups are the nastiest of restraints. I'm not sure why. And yeah, there are an awful lot of former Mantis ride-ops who can tell you about riding backward.