THE BIG MIKE ROAD SHOW - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PICS ON PG 769

[Chadley]

Keep it up Big Mike! These trip reports are awesome, didn't know about either one of these little parks you just visited. ^And when you're heading for KI drop me a line too!

[digidude18]

Congrats on number 600!

 

Man, I am having coaster withdrawals. I haven't been to a park in a while, and seeing all of those awesome looking coasters makes it all that much harder.

 

I couldn't tell from the picture, but is Mantis a standing coaster? And what exactly is Coastermania and how do you get tickets for it?

[TheRapidsNerd]

Awesome you got the Tuscora credit. Got a kick out of that one.

Way to go!

[Chadley]

Coastermania is CP's annual event that happens in the beginning of June each year. It's an awesome enthusiasts event, usually draws a couple thousand, at least. It's a very full day, (we usually get to the gates at around 5am that Friday and won't leave until close to/or beyond midnight...yeah, about 18-19 hours!). But it always has a morning and evening ERT, plus a nice mid-afternoon lunch, and Q&A time with park management. They went all out this year with free sweatshirts, refillable cups, coffee/donuts, and evening snacks. The ERT's are just awesome though.

 

If you have passes like we do, the event is free, if not, it still costs less than a reg. days admission to CP. YOU DO have to be a member of an accepted coaster club, (such as ACE), or know somebody who is, since they usually allow one guest for each club member, (I think). There aren't really any tickets for the event, you show up with your coaster club card or the person who's gonna piggy-back you, and then your pass or admission.

 

A little tip...we always stay on-property so if we get tired after lunch, we can exit to our CP resort, (whichever one you choose, except Breaker's Express or Castaway Bay, they'll wanna charge you for parking again since it's off-property!). It gives you a nice break to able to go take a nap, go to the beach, or take a swim!

 

Try and make it some time, it really is a memorable event! And yes, Mantis is a stand-up...a very intense stand-up!

[socalMAN123]

Once again Big Mike, I can't wait till the Roadshow comes around here. It's gonna be loads of fun!

---Brent

[spaceace12]

 

Preseason starts with the Colts run to the Superbowl!

 

I was at the HOF induction when Dan Marino or some big name Dolphin was inducted (perhaps the coach of the 72 Fins). It was the year the Browns made the return to the NFL.

[Guy T. Koepp]

^And their season ends with a crushing run in with the Chargers.

 

But back on topic. It's all about the Big Man!

[digidude18]

Coastermania is CP's annual event that happens in the beginning of June each year. It's an awesome enthusiasts event, usually draws a couple thousand, at least. It's a very full day, (we usually get to the gates at around 5am that Friday and won't leave until close to/or beyond midnight...yeah, about 18-19 hours!). But it always has a morning and evening ERT, plus a nice mid-afternoon lunch, and Q&A time with park management. They went all out this year with free sweatshirts, refillable cups, coffee/donuts, and evening snacks. The ERT's are just awesome though.

 

If you have passes like we do, the event is free, if not, it still costs less than a reg. days admission to CP. YOU DO have to be a member of an accepted coaster club, (such as ACE), or know somebody who is, since they usually allow one guest for each club member, (I think). There aren't really any tickets for the event, you show up with your coaster club card or the person who's gonna piggy-back you, and then your pass or admission.

 

A little tip...we always stay on-property so if we get tired after lunch, we can exit to our CP resort, (whichever one you choose, except Breaker's Express or Castaway Bay, they'll wanna charge you for parking again since it's off-property!). It gives you a nice break to able to go take a nap, go to the beach, or take a swim!

 

Try and make it some time, it really is a memorable event! And yes, Mantis is a stand-up...a very intense stand-up!

 

Wow, that sounds like more fun then sliced bread! (Because sliced bread is fun for some reason) I will definitely have to check that out sometime. Get a chance to go to a park thats not in California.

 

I thought Mantis looked like a stand-up. It looks very wicked indeed.

 

Thanks for the info!

[orangecats2]

Hey I am from the Canton (actually Massillon) area. I went to TPFHOF once and I see no mention of Paul Brown on that sign who is from Massillon. Have never gotten the Tuscora credit and lived half an hour away most of my life! If I had known you would be in the area I definately would have met up with you!

 

Did you know there is a kiddie credit in Cleveland? Just wondering if you meant to skip it or not. I don't have that one either! Thanks for the great TR.

 

Carrie-cant believe I still need a kiddie credit in New Philly-Gardner

[slither37]

free sweatshirts, refillable cups, coffee/donuts, and evening snacks. The ERT's are just awesome though.

 

 

Evening snacks??? where were the evening snacks???

 

You are right, Cedar Point did go all out for Coastermania this year, was the best one I have been to.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Mike,

 

Congratulations on Coaster 600!! I think I saw you there now that I think of it? Definitely saw Scott and his cousin up in line but lost them when we made it in and didn't have a chance to say hi.

 

What a cool event, it was my first. I was just so happy that they served Starbucks and donuts at 5:30am!! BTW, were those sausages or hot dogs? haha My sister and I arrived to the buffet a bit late so all the candy apples and candies were being raided by moms with massive purses hahah I did manage to get some left on the tables

 

Did they end up running anything for night ERT? I was a bit tired and ended up heading back to the hotel after the second rain shower.

 

Also, great pics! Now that I know for sure what some TPR folks look like, I definitely hope to run into you guys in the future and to say hi. We met some great people over the weekend!

 

All the best and safe travels to your next destination!

 

Jason

[Homer]

Mike,

 

First off, I don't know why I've been skipping this topic in the first place. But all of your TR's have been very amusing and a great read.

 

Second, congrats on number 600!

 

Third, Fun Fore All, God that brings back memories of visiting my aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh. Haven't been there in a while, but I still need to whore that Fiesta Express.

 

Godspeed on your expedition and hopefully more HOT BIKINI BABES!

[angryemobeaver]

Coaster Mania was amazing! I didn't see you there, or else i would of said hi. And i made it too On Point (CP Blog) also.

[pacoasterrider]

hey big mike.

 

curious if you knew just how much money you've spent on gas in the hot rod, or how many miles you've gone so far?

[Big Mike]

Hi my really good friends of TPR!

 

 

The Big Mike Road Show 2008 stopped at two more parks on the way back from Cedar Point, and here they are.

 

Whenever I am near Lakemont Park, I like to stop in and ride Leap The Dips!

 

I remember vacationing in Alabama in 1999 and seeing a headling scrolling on the bottom of the tv screen that Leap the Dips was going to open back up after being closed for 12 years!!

 

I went that year and that started me on my coaster collecting!

 

 

I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

..... The park started shutting the lights out on us lol. The Crazy Mouse if you can see it! Nice meeting you Brian and Erin! Take care everybody! Peace, Big Mike

More Friends!!! Brian and his sister Erin! Brian says he follows the Road Show all the time We talked for a long time and...

The Wacky Worm!

Hey, it is Sue yet once again!! She has to have a tracker on The Hot Rod.

The park map.

Here are your prices.

10 minutes down the road from Lakemont is Del Grossos!

The coaster from the other side of the fence.

Here are some other rides at Lakemont Park.

Everytime I came around this turn I would wave to the fans and yell at the right fielder.

I have to watch out for fly balls hitting me in the head as I am riding!

The Altoona Curve! Now I get it!

The coaster is right next to a minor league baseball stadium!

I will go up the lift and investigate the answer for you.

Any ideas at all?

Go Curve? What do you think that means?

The train.

Skyliner!

Help!

I sure hope I survive this, I still have 62 stops left on the Road Show!

Air!

Damn, it is hot in this thing, get me outside.

The Money Shot and Signature Shot all in one!

Can I change my mind?

I had to take one for the team as I did not want to let all of you down!

I remember jamming Big Mike into this was not fun! I walked away and thought to myself... For the Big Mike Readers!!

I already had this credit and wanted to get a picture of the lift for The Big Mike Readers.

Toboggan!

Once a year they let adults ride, the day after PPP at Knoebels. I already had this credit!!

You have to be under 12 to ride.

The Little Leaper.

Big Mike says Leap the Dips is cool!

I am ok everybody.

I almost fell out!

Ah, here comes the drop! I'd feel safer with a seatbelt!!

Phew, no drop at the top of the lift. Now I feel better.

Pretty high to not have any seatbelts!

Big Mike excited to ride Leap the Dips again.

The lift.

Have you ever ridden a coaster that had NO seatbelts??

Nice old fashion cars.

Leap the Dips!!!!!

The park map.

Here is the colorful prices.

Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania!

[THE ONE]

Hey Big Mike Congrats. on #600.

It was Great to finally meet you after all these great TR', Maybe if I can get the time off work I can meet you @ SFSTL. Have a great time in Europe.

[Bruno Lancetti]

Hey "Giant" Mike... we are all waiting you here in Italy for your 601# ride on "Mammut" (Mammoth - The ride), the fabulous Vekoma Mine Train!!! Why not??? Com' on!!! Have you already booked your flight??? Eheheh... Ciao, Bruce

[digidude18]

Wow, Lakemont Park looks like a nice place to visit. I remember seeing Leap-the-Dips on some kind of PBS special, or something. It looks like a lot of fun. I mean how many 100 year old coasters without seat belts are there? The train on it looked pretty comfortable.

 

Toboggan looked interesting too, I'm not so sure about the cars though.

 

I really like the idea of putting a roller coaster next to a baseball field. I wonder if there have been any problems with the two being next to each other?

[307]

Wow, Lakemont Park looks like a nice place to visit. I remember seeing Leap-the-Dips on some kind of PBS special, or something. It looks like a lot of fun. I mean how many 100 year old coasters without seat belts are there? The train on it looked pretty comfortable.

 

Toboggan looked interesting too, I'm not so sure about the cars though.

 

I really like the idea of putting a roller coaster next to a baseball field. I wonder if there have been any problems with the two being next to each other?

Y'know I thought Lakemont was a giant pile of crap when we visited in '06... the rides were dilapidated, the crowds were non-existant [seriously, there were only about 15 people in the park], and the operations were mediocre. They had one guy basically running around trying to operate a bunch of different rides at once!

 

As for the baseball field, I had read on a double-A player's blog [who had played in the park] that they didn't run the coaster during games a few years ago. But now it appears as though that's chanced. I can't imagine that it would create too many ball-hitting-rider problems, as the coaster is probably a good 400 feet from home plate, and it's rare that double-A left handed hitters would have that kind of power [or else they'd be in triple-A!].

 

Oh, and Toboggans are death traps! I still have the dent in my head from that thing! Jeeeeeesus!

[verticalzero]

Leap-the-Dips looks great fun esp as it's so old, there was a simular coaster at Folkstone in England, but the park closed and before anyone could save it, the ride was razed in typical "english" fashion as below.

 

the Runaway Coaster at the former Rotunda Amusement Park, Folkestone, was demolished yesterday.

 

Built in 1922, it was the only remaining side-friction coaster in the UK.

 

Save Dreamland Campaign Leader, Nick Laister, made the following

statement last evening: “The ride was earmarked for demolition first

thing on Monday. As soon as we found out that demolition was imminent,

the Save Dreamland Campaign worked tirelessly over to save the Runaway Coaster, being the only side friction figure eight coaster left in the UK.

 

We contacted the developers of the former Rotunda Park and said that we

wanted to move the ride off the site and place it into storage. The

developers said they would delay demolition by 48 hours to give us time

to confirm to them in writing that we would remove the ride from the site within six weeks.

 

An engineer visited the site and inspected the ride, which was found to be in remarkably good condition, although some wood replacement would have been necessary. We contacted an established ride transportation company and got a quote for dismantling the ride and moving it to storage.

 

We were able to secure financial support for this amount and, on our behalf, our supporter wrote to the developer confirming they would underwrite these costs and the ride would be removed within the required period. Despite confirming receipt of the letter, demolition proceeded today regardless with no explanation. This is disappointing as there are no more traditional side friction coasters left in the UK."

 

You can find pic's of this 1920's coaster below:

 

http://rcdb.com/ig862.htm

 

POV:

 

[downunder]

Leap The Dips is definitely one I'm looking forward to on the Behemoth / Ravine Flyer trip - thanks for the preview.

 

Everyone loved your Voodoo pics that I selected for the East Coast trip coaster of the week thread.

 

Have a good one on the Europe Trip.

[digidude18]

 

Oh, and Toboggans are death traps! I still have the dent in my head from that thing! Jeeeeeesus!

 

So, on a scale from 1 to 10, exactly how rough was Toboggan? Sounds about as rough as it looks.

 

When you went in 06, did you get a chance to ride Leap-the-Dips? Did you like it any?

[downunder]

I went on the Toboggan at Little Amerricka last year and I didn't think it was super bad. The car is very cramped, and the spiral bit doesn't kill you though the lttle dips at the bottom offer a bit of a jolt.

[Big Mike]

Hey there great friends and loyal Big Mike Readers!!

 

 

The Big Mike Road Show 2008 and the whole crew that goes into bringing you all these reports week after week would like to apologize to you!!

 

We took a week off

 

 

The Big Mike Road Show caravan has been on the road non stop since March 15th hitting up 39 parks and traveling over 11,000 miles so far!!

 

 

Last week we had the huge Coastermania party for Big Mike's 600th coaster and this upcoming week will kick off the TPR/Big Mike Road Show Mainland Europe Trip!!!

 

Just like in NFL football, you come off a big game and are looking forward to another big game, but in between, you have a klunker team.

 

This is how it would have been if we traveled anywhere, it just would have been overlooked.

 

So instead, Big Mike Productions has been in overdrive cranking out the trip reports that we were behind on!

 

Good News - All the backlogged Big Mike trip reports have been posted and we are currently up to date!

 

 

Now Big Mike has been relaxing, packing, and entertaining the ladies while getting ready to cross the pond for The Big Mike Readers!!!

 

This thread will be your source for the Mainland Europe Trip

 

Look forward to a First Third Review coming up tomorrow as The Big Mike Road Show 2008 has passed the 1/3 way point in bringing you the promised 100 parks!!!

 

3 more days until Big Mike lands in Paris and hits the Eiffel Tower!!! Pictures to follow!

 

For now, check out some of the pictures of Big Mike's first TPR trip to England 2 years ago in a segment we love to call.... Big Mike Back Then!

 

 

Big Mike Meets Big Ben!

 

 

 

Wimbledon - A place to showcase superstars, like Big Mike!

 

 

 

Interview Room at Wimbledon - Big Mike waiting to be interviewed.

 

 

 

The Crown Jewels - Royalty opened their arms to Big Mike.

 

 

 

The Prime Meridian - Big Mike in the Eastern and Western Hemisphere at the same time to keep all readers happy on both sides!

 

 

 

It did not take long for the press to figure out Big Mike was in town!!

 

 

 

Watch for the big updated review tomorrow and Mainland Europe trip updates in the next two weeks!

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

[Y2J2003Y2J]

Well have a safe enjoyable trip. I wish I was going on a trip to get away from here. I could get away from everything especially after today and all of Cedar Fair's lies and deceit.