I'm a wimp. I love roller coasters, but I'm a wimp. Scared to death of heights. I closed my eyes the entire ride up the lift hill. I'm sure it was a great view, but I didn't want to see it. They have this steel champion built right on the shore of Lake Erie and if you look to your left, all you can see is water. Or so I'm told - remember - eyes closed the entire time up. I had chatted up another single-rider waiting in line, a pleasant woman by the name of Diane, and we decided to sit together. As we were going up the lift hill, she was talking to me and I couldn't say a word. Finally, as we approached the top of the hill I did the old "take a deep breath and pray" maneuver that has gotten me through so many rides. . I'm sure Dave's description of the ride up is accurate, but I can't remember - I've blocked it out. Oh, yeah, back to the story. Deep breath and then...the ride of my life!!!!!
We began falling and the speed, even at the beginning, is mind-blowing. Finally (after I realized I wasn't going to die), I opened my eyes...only to find out that we weren't even half way down the first, gargantuan 300 foot drop. Fantastic!!! We wipped around, up and down and the air-time on this baby in incredible! Once we were done with the first hill, I couldn't get enough.
As Dave mentioned, the speed on this thing is unprecidented. I tried to put my arms up at some point, only for good ole G-force to slam them back down. I do have to disagree with my wonderful, loving (cough cough) husband and say that I did love this ride. I didn't have the distraction of worrying about contacts or glasses so I could contcentrate on the rush.
Bottom line for me - Not my favorite rollercoaster, but in the top five and WELL worth the wait in line. Now I can say that I rode the biggest roller coaster in the world....and lived.
--Cathy