SFGAm 7/17: Deep Reflections, Sad Conclusions

Another quick coaster fix for Bull Fan. Got into the park at about 6:15

Deja Vu: One hour wait, row 8b. I'm starting to really get a feel for this coaster, having ridden in 4 times now. I love the first climb and lift, and the rest of the ride delivers. I appreciate the intensity after three seasons of power-riding Bull. But does the GP prefer its 2001 sibling V2? That's another thread. Score: 8/10

American Eagle Forwards: Crucial mistake here. In the interests of getting a walk-on ride, my buddy and I went into a middle row. As Richard Marx would say: "Should've known better..." Absolutely no air whatsoever! This ride has the capability to deliver, but this particular ride was a waste. Score: 3/10

Vertical Velocity: I'm afraid that I'm reaching the point where this ride is becoming a bit routine. No!!!! Score:7/10

Raging Bull Back Row: Through welling-up eyes, I must admit that this beast, which was previously the highlight of my coaster riding existence, has become...it pains me to say it....boring. I'm not sure how else to say it, but Sedated Bull just is not thrilling. I got no air whatsoever, except maybe the first drop, but even that seems to be losing its power. Score: 5/10

Giant Drop: To my shock, this was one of the two highlights of the night. This is the only moment in the park that delivers true sustained air for me. Great Fun. 9/10

Viper: I decided to retry row 1:3 after a disappointing ride on it last season. This time, it made me a believer. Here's the interesting observation, though. The air seems to come at a slightly different time. I'm not sure if its earlier or later, but the air caught me by surprise, and that never happens when I'm in the back. Also, the air seemed to be a bit more violent than I'm used to in the back, but I didn't quite get the same "butterflies in the stomach" feeling. But I got some painful air on a couple of occasions. Does this happen on all rows near the front, or just the "magical" 1:3? I also like the speed around the turns when riding near the front, particularly at night. Anyway, this was an outstanding ride and the highlight of my evening. And this leads me to my big conclusion of the evening: Bull Fan's new favorite ride experience at SFGAm is Viper at night. It blew everything else away.

Raging Bull, 2nd row: Well, my buddy still has a love affair with Bull so we went back. Newly energized from my experience near the front of Viper, I thought riding towards the front of Bull might give it a little freshness. Wrong. Even more boring than the back. My user name is no longer appropriate. (Wipes away a tear).

So, there you have it. My new rankings (not that anyone cares) are: 1)Viper (night) 2. DV 3. GD 4. V2 5. AE 6. RB

Thanks for your time.

-----------------
SFGAm: 1)DV 2)V2 3)AE Blue 4)Viper 5)Bull

Bull is the same ride its always been. They haven't changed anything on it since it first opened the only two trims have always been there. I still find Bull as thrilling as ever even after 60+ rides on it this year. Sure you could have your bad days when you staple yourself or get stapled but even then you still get a good ride.

-----------------
Deja Vu Count = 18
CoasterWorld

You're right. The ride hasn't changed, I've changed. I'm desensitized to it. And as more thrilling rides come along (read: V2 and Deja Vu), the old favorites seem to be a little dull by comparison. And there's really nothing I can do about it.

In 1998-1999-2000, Bull provided me amazing suspense climbing the hill, awe down the first drop, and sheer glee during the rest of the course. For me, in 2002, Bull gives a nice breeze, and that's about it. In the thrills department, it's neck and neck with the Carousel at the park's entrance. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a brilliantly designed coaster, and, in a sense, the best coaster in the park. Most people still love it. But I just can't get much pleasure from it anymore.

Nice TR!

-----------------
Sean

Ahh, the "override syndrome". It's easy to do, with B&M's especially. The ride becomes so predicible you get bored with it.

I've had the same experience with Montu in the off season, after multiple re-rides. The only spot on the ride that was even remotely interesting was the little pop of air you get coming off the midcourse brakes.

I think you can still be a fan, even if it isn't your "favorite" any more. Who knows - one day you might climb aboard for your obligitory ride and find it running just a little better, and you'll remember why you liked it so much in the first place.

-----------------
Without the chaindog, you'd never get up the lifthill...

Funny, I was almost to the point that you were... I went as far as changing my handle (which I can't get back now due to my email being screwed up) and now changing it back (well, sort of. I used to be RagingBullGuy, now it's just BullGuy). In May/June Bull performed weaker than I had remembered it to be. I was dissapointed and worried sick. My Bull rides per visit went from 4 all the way down to 1. Let the records say V2 took its place. Anywho, I took a ride on it on July 2nd, around 4pm, last row as usual, and was expecting another frustrating lap. When the train arrived back at the station, I swore to myself I would ride only this ride for the rest of my stay. I don't know what was behind this sudden change, but the ride I had was reminiscent of Year 1. Since then I've visited GAm about 6 times, and have been getting the same great ride.

I reccomend keeping your lapbar loose. I found that if you don't sit your butt all the way back in the seat you get monster space between you and the bar. Only problem is you have to hold on to the bar while the train passes the valleys so it doesn't go down any. Perhaps this technique explains how my ride experiance went from "bah" to "Hot Damn" in a matter of a few days. I've also noticed that while the trim on the third hill may take away ejector air in the back, it adds heavenly floater air in the front row. You actually get pushed forward while traversing the hill. Hope this helps...

-----------------
Thank You for challenging TOS: The Ride. We hope you enjoy the rest of your day, here at SFCB.

How is the 'override syndrome' especially pertinant to B&Ms? I find Arrow, Vekoma, Intamin, etc. to be the exact same way. In fact, I've sort of stopped riding V2 because the last few times I did I was disappointed in my lack of thrill. Deja Vu is the same reason. I'm not sure what it is about that ride, but I think it is starting to lose its point. Of course, once they learn how to load people, I think it'll change.

And yes, Bull has been tamed by the trims, and we can only hope they lighten up (they won't...), but it is still the best ride in the park, if for nothing else, the shortish lines and layout.

I also have feel into the 'override syndrome' on V2. I rode this ride so many times last year and this year its just not as thrilling as it once was, and they didn't change the ride at all.

-----------------
Deja Vu Count = 18
CoasterWorld

Well, Looks like B&M speed coasters, are becoming out dated and overated as they progress.

-----------------
Im the #1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!!These are my top 3 coasters:
1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Cyclone/B:TDK

Ahh, another Viper 1.3 convert! I had been riding Viper for a long time in the back and it was a nice coaster but not magical. This season I tried 1.3 and it is now my favorite coaster in the park. I have been real successful getting 2 or 3 click rides on there too. Never been stapled by the Viper crew.

BullGuy, I totally concur with you on leaving a little bit of room on the restraint for Bull. Changed the ride completely. I always stapled myself into that ride and last weekend when I was at the park I left a one or two click clearance between my lap and the bar. Going down the first drop was extremely terrifying! It was wonderful.

-----------------
Bob Hansen

A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"We are not responsible for anything the Demon takes or breaks"

The override symptom can occur on any ride. You can easily cure it by staying away from a coaster all offseason. I think my little early season problem with "Bullie" was a result of a nice POV I found off the net. I watched it religiously every time I got on the computer. Sadly, that POV was wiped out along with all other files when I caught the Klez H virus and had to re-boot the system. :( At least now I look forward to The Bull even more, and when I ride it, it's just that much more rewarding. The moral of the story? POV's are evil! ;)

-----------------
Thank You for challenging TOS: The Ride. We hope you enjoy the rest of your day, here at SFCB.

It's good to have a coaster support system in place. Thanks guys. Bull Guy, I appreciate your advice, but I've been keeping the lap bar high since 99. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Bull with a high lap bar will get old for you as well.

Bull Guy is right that the override syndrome can occur on any ride. Maybe an interesting issue is whether rides should be judged by their staying power, not the initial thrill they give after the first ride. By that standard, American Eagle might take top prize among SFGAM coasters in my book. And here's another controversial notion: AE's first drop is better than Bull's. Anyone else agree? I think it's more interesting to plunge into a sea of white, and I think the rattling of the wood makes the sensory experience more interesting. Plus, the air it gives seems to be just as powerful, though I will admit that Bull tops it in the "falling out of your seat feeling" department.

I don't think Eagles drop comes close to my top 3 drops at the park. My top 3 drops are: 1.Raging Bull 2.Deja Vu 3.Demon

-----------------
Deja Vu Count = 18
CoasterWorld

Hmmm... I might rank Deja Vu's drop over Bull's as well. Actually, the best drop in the park is Giant Drop, but that doesn't really count, does it?

-----------------
SFGAm: 1)DV 2)V2 3)AE Blue 4)Viper 5)Bull

I was at SFGAM last week and Raging Bull was as great as ever!!! i rode the back several times and had great airtime. V2 and DejaVu are ok coasters but dont compare in the least(imho) to Raging Bull. But it is nice the other coasters are in the park as the line for RB was only about 10-15 minutes midday!!! The wait for dejavu looked very long with all que's filled (i went on 7/180/02) .

Nice TR, but I hate to hear it when people complain about raging bull, I think that you Bull Fan have ridden it one too many times, that is exactly why you are tired of it. Try going to a different amusement park this summer besides SFGAm and maybe you will have more respect for Raging Bull. No offense intended just stating My Opinion.

B&M speed coasters are the most fun of any coasters I've ridden. Not the most intense, exhilirating, or scary, just the most fun. Granted, I've made one trip to SFGAm and one trip to BGW, but I wish that I had either Bull or Apollo in my home state so I could ride them enough to get tired of them.

And MikeMir87, exactly how many B&M speed coasters have you ridden? That's what I thought.

-----------------
No love for the whiners