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Kirkland's Top 5 "Woodies"
By Craig Kirkland
1) The Raven (Custom Coasters International, 1995;
Holiday World, Ind.)
From its opening plunge to its last frantic dash through a
forested gully, this terrain coaster never lets up. The
unofficial slogan among many park employees and enthusiasts
is "Fly Raven Air," because riders spend more time out of
their seats than in them.
2) Boulder Dash (Custom Coasters International,
2000; Lake Compounce, Conn.)
An engineering marvel, this out-and-back woodie is built
directly into the side of a mountain. The use of the
terrain makes the coaster seem even faster, as it tears
around, above, and over rocks and trees. Boulder Dash is
long, has air time in variety and abundance, and is
wickedly fast and smooth.
3) Phoenix (Herb Schmeck, 1947; Knoebel's Grove,
Pa.)
One of the greatest coaster preservation monuments, and
proof positive that bigger is not better. This 76-foot-high
ride, with its signature double-up, double-down maneuver,
may feature more air time than any other woodie on the
planet.
4) Shivering Timbers (Custom Coasters International,
1998; Michigan's Adventure, Mich.)
Every enthusiast's darling, this giant out-and-back is an
air time monster, with four big hills on the run out from
the station, followed by a phenomenal return leg, featuring
six bunny hops, a double-up, a rare trick track that throws
riders from side to side, and a helix, most of this
blasting right under the claustrophobia-inducing structure
of the ride itself.
5) The Legend (Custom Coasters International, 2000;
Holiday World, Ind.)
Legend, with a Headless Horseman theme, has plenty of air
time, but it's more noted for its incredible speed,
forcefully sustained but smooth laterals (thanks again to
the crew for keeping it in great shape), and the single
most out-of-control feeling of any ride in the country.
Kirkland regularly contributes reviews to
coasterglobe.com, one of a plethora of coaster Web
sites.
Go to
High Rollers
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