The new millennium started with a bang for the amusement park industry.  The height record was smashed three times, the world's first flyer was introduced, and new coasters were being built left and right.  Unfortunately, amongst all of this, the opening of Superman: Ride of Steel was largely overlooked.

Superman: Ride of Steel was the first major adult roller coaster added to Six Flags New England under the new management.  The ride features a 221-foot first drop into an underground tunnel, a top speed of 77 MPH, several camelbacks, two helices, and concludes with three bunny hops.  Quite an impressive list of elements!

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When you catch your first glimpse of the ride upon entering the park, the ride itself does not seem too threatening to the experienced enthusiast.  It's only 208-ft tall and is located in a much lower elevated section of the park, making it look even smaller -- but looks can be deceiving.

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After using my Q-Bot to avoid the 2-hour line, I headed towards the front, hopped into the 3rd row, buckled up, and pulled down the lap bar.  Once the restraints were checked, we were clear for dispatch and began ascending the lift-hill.

As you're heading up the 208-foot lift, the first thing to notice is the majestic setting.  Looking out over the lusciously green hills of Massachusetts, a river to your left, and the rest of the park's attractions to your right, you just have to appreciate the incredible setting of this coaster.

After savoring the amazing view, it's time to sample your first taste of the incredible amount of airtime this ride offers.  As we begin to fall down the first drop and rapidly approach the underground tunnel, I put my hands up, but only to quickly pull them back down in fear that they will be knocked off.

Soaring out of the tunnel you head back up towards the sky, getting another dose of airtime and a great view of Batman: The Dark Knight.  You quickly plunge back down and head into an overbanked turn, which offers an amazing sensation of speed.  When sitting in the right seat, I feel as though I'm flying and love looking down towards the ground.

Upon exiting the overbank, you make a slight curve into a tiny drop, and then go soaring back up into the next camelback, which sends you flying upward into the restraints.  You quickly plummet back down towards earth, only to go sailing back up into the sky.  This camelback provides the single greatest amount of airtime I've ever experienced on a coaster.

Next up, you head into what appears to be a predecessor to the 'Stengel Dive': you fly upwards making a slight left-hand curve, then quickly fly back down towards the ground.  From this point, you soar into the first high-speed helix.  As you travel downwards, the Gs increase, relentlessly building up the pressure on your body.  Soon after you exit, you head back up and fly into the second helix, which provides a similar sensation.

Coming out of the second helix you ascend up into the air, only to plunge back down into the abyss of the second and final tunnel.  After exiting out the tunnel, thankful to be blasted with mist on such a hot day, you head through a turnaround before navigating the ride's three final bunny hops.  Following these incredibly designed hops, which all provide an amazing sensation of airtime, you make a final right-hand turn and abruptly come to a stop.

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Superman: Ride of Steel is simply an incredible ride.  It offers an amazing amount of airtime that is almost indescribable (though words such as magnificent, unparallel, phenomenal, unbridled, and unrestricted come to mind).  Further, the design of this ride is about as close to perfection as it gets.  The only possible setback is the trim brake located on the final bunny hops, which barely seemed to detract from the ride.

Superman: Ride of Steel is one of the few rides out there that truly deserves a perfect score of 10.  If you have not yet experienced this underrated airtime machine, I highly recommend getting out to Six Flags New England as soon as possible.

Rating: 10/10

Pros:

• Insane amount of airtime
• High forces
• Very smooth
• Open, comfortable trains
• Excellent setting

Cons:

• Trim Brake on final bunny hops

-Matthew Bohle