Almost all roller coasters have one main feature in common - while riding them,
you are in a sitting position. However, a few rides require a different position to
ride, such as the Flying Dutchman, where riders lay down, and the stand-up coaster, where
riders stand, not sit.
Standing
tall at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA is The Riddler's Revenge: the
world's tallest, fastest, and most twisted stand up coaster.
Built in 1998 by roller coaster geniuses Bolliger and Mabillard, Riddler's
Revenge stands 156-foot in the air and sends riders flying at speeds of 65 mph. The
ride is the second B&M coaster to be installed at Six Flags Magic Mountain - the first
being Batman: The Ride.
.............
The
ride's boarding station is equipped with flashing green lights and techno music is
played. Once you enter the trains, you straddle the bicycle seat, pull down your
restraint and lock in the safety belt. Before long, you are heading towards the lift
hill.
Once
you reach the top of the lift, you head over the standard B&M dip, and then fly down an
incredible 146-foot drop, which twists to the left. As you reach the bottom, you begin
to feel the strong positive g's. You then head into the ride's first inversion
- a 124-foot vertical loop, which offers a ton of hang time at the top.
From
the bottom of the first inversion, you enter the first of two diving loops. These
disorienting inversions also feature a ton of hang time at the top. After the second
dive loop, you enter an inclined loop, which is a standard loop that is tilted 45 degree.
After this, you hit a small bunny hop, which gives some great airtime, and make a upward
right-hand turn into the mid-course brakes.
The
brakes are applied very lightly; coming off the bake run, you take a surprisingly fun dip
into the first of two barrel rolls. After you exit the barrel roll, you take a left
hand turn into a bunny hop, which offers some more airtime. Next up, you travel
through a spiral and then down a dip into the ride's final inversion, another barrel
roll, which travels over the queue line.
Your three-minute journey concludes with a right-hand banked turn into the final
brake run.
.............
Riddler's Revenge is one of B&M's finest projects to date. The
ride is very smooth, fast, fun, and disorienting. The only major flaw of the ride is
the lack of intensity and forces. But if you are looking for an awesome stand-up
coaster with a wide variety of elements, then be sure not to miss The Riddler's
Revenge.
Rating: 8/10
Pros:
-
Wide variety of elements
-
Smooth
-
Hang time
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