Vegas Jan 4-6

Well, not much to report here. Two days before I left for Sin City, I came down with the worst cold / flu i have had in over a year.

Jan 4: I arrived at Buffalo Bills, 15 minutes after the Desperado closed for the evening, boo hiss. Gambled, won $500!! :)

Jan 5: The virus was in full force, I felt horrible, did not feel up to hitting any coasters. Gambled, lost the $500 I win yesterday, plus $200 more. :(

Jan 6: Had to leave town around noon, no coasters in town were ridden by me this trip. Lost another $100. On the drive home, I hit the Desperado twice, once in front, once in back. Is it just me, or is this ride getting better with age? MUCH better than I remembered it. 3 really good "Magnum" style airtime pops, 2 really good drops, and an OK helix. Too bad all the drops after the first 2 do not go to the ground, that is the only thing holding this monster back. I have put Desperado back on my personal "A" list of coasters. Still not as good as Magnum, but better than I recall in years past.
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!

Awwwwwww Too bad you were sick and didn't get to try out Speed and the Big Shot. I thought Desperado was super rough! The only coaster I have ever been on that left me bruised! Am I missing something? I rode in the front and back. The scenery was awesome though :)

Well, I did not find it any rougher than Magnum or The Beast (2 of my all time favorites). As long as there are no metal bars to ram your head into, I can handle almost any amount of roughness. It (the Desperado) seemed like it was faster and had more air than I remember. Rough? Yes. Too rough? No.

P.S. I have ridden Speed, just not this trip.

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"X" marks the spot in 2001!

Desperado is getting better with age. They have done extensive work testing new wheels and oil. That us why there has to be a minimum number of riders per train. I have been riding that ride since 1997, and it is improving.

I would have been sick too after losing that money. ;)

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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer