bgwfreak

Boo! I didn't make the top 10! My life is ovar!!!!1!!1!

^ LOL. I actually never had any problems with Wacky Worms. It's usually flat rides I have issues with. Of course I haven't been on an Intamin (excluding Volcano) in about 4 years, so this summer will be the test to see what I can fit back in again.

^Are you talking stationary or a road bike? Stationary...that would be a good workout, road it would be ok as well but that would only be about 30 minutes of exercise but still not bad. Stationary bikes, except for the ones that actually simulate hills just don't give me enough of a workout compared to actually having to ride up and down hills and such. Charlotte is very hilly, despite what a lot of people think. Just to get out of my neighborhood, I have to pedal up this big hill...about the worst one on my route I take. lol But it gets the blood flowing, especially when it's cooler and I've got tights and more clothes on. I don't think I said in my last post my weight. My current weight is 255. Which sounds huge to me still because at one time around 9 years ago I was 180. But it's a big improvement from 300! Plus I used to squat 300lbs at one time, so I've still got a lot of muscle under that fat. My legs and arms are almost completly free of fat now though!

I have a good update for a change! I've lost 5lbs this week! I got serious about watching my carlories and fat and exercising and it's really paid off in a hurry! I've lost 45lbs to date and want to lose another 20 (which is very possible) by June...just in time for Coastermania!!! I'll be able to fit in TTD for once! I'm riding the bike again (a road bike, not stationary) like I used to and hope to build up again to where I can ride 10-20 miles a day without a problem. I also walk, do free weights and aerobics on the bad weather days. EDIT: Wow. Who would have thought my little thread about losing weight would get 6300 hits!

^ I didn't see anyone really large trying to ride. I'm about a 39 or 40 inch waist now and had no problems at all. In fact I think I had a ton of room. But someone 300lbs+ might have issues like any coaster restraint. The restraints are similar to an Arrow OTSR, which are usually the easiest to fit in. The only weird thing is the way the OTSR is shaped. For someone with bigger arms it could be a bit uncomfortable. But the Germans probably don't have all the overweight people that we do. lol (speaking from experience, I used to be around 300 myself).

I just uploaded all my pics to my webshots album. There's a ton more than I posted here and a few of different parts of the ride that weren't in the PTR. If you want to check them out go here:

*SPOILER!!!* The first drop is actually a normal drop, they sike you out and you think you're going to go over at 90 degrees. About 20 or 30 ft away though you hit the first of two 90 degree drops (well, I guess the 2nd one is 95 degrees, but whos counting?), not counting the egg-shaped or horeshoe shaped element which is basically 90 degrees or very close.

What! Johnny was there and I missed him! Dude, I don't know how I did. lol I saw Dave and a bunch of other peeps too. My PTR is up too if you guys want to check it out. And I'll do a full review for www.thrillnetwork.com one of these days.

So I know this is probably old news by now (LOL) but yesterday was the Media Day for Mystery Mine at Dollywood. We Americans finally got one of those fancy Euro Fighters! Can I call it an Ameri-Fighter? Mr. Gerstlauer won't care. Anyway, this may well be my biggest PTR to date. Enjoy! By the way, I'm not into getting booted out of the park, so nope I don't have any shots inside the "mine". The ride is very fun, but it's not going to kick Thunderhead out of my favorite spot at the park. I thought it was one of the best themed coasters though I've seen in a long time at a regional park. For even more pics and full resolution versions visit my album: This PTR is so Ogre! Hope you guys enjoyed it. The coaster is great fun, but Thunderhead is still my baby at the park. This PTR has been brought to you by the Official Cola of TPR, Coca-Cola! This was the line to catch the tram!!! It was insane! I walked. Pretty! Did I mention it was crowded? Good night my love. We shall meet again. Thunderhead was a very busy queue all day since it's just down the hill from Mystery Mine. Bummer, only 3 rides. Some coaster down the hill from Mystery Mine. Thunder Road??? Thunder Run??? uh... I finally got to ride Timber Tower. It was OK. Not as good as I thought it would be, but still fun. I rode it twice. How's it going Julie? Time for a few quick shots around the park...EXCLUSIVE LOOPAGE SHOT! Lumberjack Lifts looks different somehow. OK I'm not even going to try and use the word now. After the initial rush of the General Public, the line wasn't bad at all to be so busy. About 30 minutes all afternoon. I got 5 rides total. More helix or is it helices or is it helixes..oh nevermind! Uh oh. Someone forgot their boots. This is not a good sign. That there be the entrance to the mine. Watch your head! Yes! They have a single rider line that WORKS!! The view from Thunderhead's queue is different somehow, but I can't put my finger on it. This thing somehow reminds me of the Shreiking Shack in Harry Potter. Grrr!!! I'm the evil Mystery Mine lockers! Give me your stuff or else! Some of the theming on the Mystery Mine. Dollywood did an awesome job with theming! A view of Timber Canyon from Mystery Mine's queue entry (at the top). How's it going Joe? I like your new coaster. Helix goodness, with minimal banging around. One of the cool trains. Thankfully it doesn't bang around much. Just a little over in the helices. (Is that spelled right?) The spelling nazis will get me! -- The two guys on the right are all: Yes! We're going to be on TPR! What in the world are those girls doing!? OK it's time to light this candle! You get about 3 seconds hang time here! That's the back of Pete Owen's head over there by Dolly. He's the head of PR for Dollywood. Just thought you'd like to see the back of his head! He put the "GQ" in Gerstlauer! Mr. Gerstlauer was standing right near me with his son (who I think does their design work). she shot off some confetti and such! The Mystery Mine is offically open! Dolly did a little Q&A with the media, greeted the "first riders" and then... Dolly made it! Black leather and all. So I got a GREAT spot in the station and we waited for Dolly to come up out of this hole, that was in fact the transfer track (a vertical one). Uh...I think you guys can remove the sign now. After getting checked in we make it up the hill and discover a roller coaster has been built! What! I was shocked! The Sun rises on a beautiful (if freezing cold) morning. It was in the upper 30s. Brrrr!!! Well I stepped out from my hotel room door and who would greet me? Dolly of course! Dolly MM.wmv Here's some footage of Dolly at the opening.

Here's the link. http://www1.cedarfair.com/carowinds/visit/visit_park_map.cfm

The strangest theory about them I've heard was that they are there in case of a rollback. Uh, wouldn't that be somewhere on the launch section? Why would you stop it on the vertical section of the track.

To answer the question... I think they are used to control how fast you go over the top, but I'm not sure. I've never felt them come on, but usually I'm in so much pain and shock at that point I'm not really paying attention. Scrap the stupid thing.

I got one of those cards in the mail as well. Good thing I'm not renewing it this year. The .01 transaction thing is a big problem though. Someone got my check card number one time by running one of those.

This even made it on the Charlotte local news. It really was a slow news day I guess. The lady said "It's good there wasn't a loop" and behind her was video of the loop! I was like, lady turn around and look at the video!

Just an FYI, the age limit is 21.

Correct. You win 2 tickets, one for the winner and 1 for the guest. I've already checked their calendar, they are open all day that Friday. http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw/sweepstakes_popUp.aspx

Hey, I'm 34 and still watch Nick. Nothing wrong wtih it.

I hope nothing happens to the park. I was planning on visiting it for the first time in June!

^You must not watch Nick. Man he looks really old since he left Coach (He played Dobber).

It's working ok in IE.

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw/sweepstakes_index.aspx Click the link to enter the contest. Must be 21 or older!

It's a Six Flags. How is this a surprise?

OK this is too funny. I read this thread yesterday and then watched 24 last night (via Tivo) and the Santa Monica Pier was in 24 this week! Or if not, it looked just like it.

^ It wouldn't be bad at all except for that stupid pretzel section or whatever they call it. It bangs you all around. The rest of the ride is not too bad on the banging. Thanks Arrow for not knowing how to bank anything. Nice report! At least your Hurler trains have a name on them. Ours are just plain old blue. But ours kicks KDs Hurler any day of the week, logo or not.

Can't wait for the 13th. Thanks Dave for the report! Oh...and they're feeding us too.