Best way to ride Mantis?

HI...hate to ask this but need to know. Last year was my first time at CP and loved it. Had an awesome time on all the coasters and got some great ride photos. BUT....is there a proper way to ride Mantis without getting your head bashed on the second half of the ride?

Never was able to get a ride photo on Mantis because someone was always flipping the camera off. I don't mind riding it once or twice but would really rather not spend all next week trying to get a photo on it.

Is there a particular row and way to stand to help? I was thinking the front row but this is the only stand up I've ridden and don't have much experience with them.

Thanks...

I stand the way the ride op tells me and the only way i prevent the head banging is move my head to one side or the other and keep it there.

I almost always ride the front row. You basically just have to hope that the trim brake is on. If it's not, you're in for a rough ride.

And here I thought this thread was going to be how to ride defensibly to avoid a bashing of another organ...

that ride took my liver! haha sorry Mantis beats me up lately...

Stick your head out of the restraints.

The best way is to go into millenium forces line and watch mantis from a-far.

^^sticking your head out of the restraints works. Feet all the way back and knees bent slighty. It is still a little painful for me because I am a big guy. I have also heard it can be painful for tall guests.

^^ That's the best idea...I'd spend all day on Millie!

Thanks all...I'll try keeping my head out of the restraints, in the front row and pray the trim is on-thought I could hear it every time I rode last year.

Other than the head bashing, it doesn't hurt me but is probably the worst head banger I've ever ridden. Those corkscrews at the end are just killer-and not in a good way. Holy crap! Feels more like a Vekoma than a B&M.

The best way to ride Mantis is on Youtube.

I found the best way to ride Mantis is to not ride mantis, and pretend you did it works! You get off feeling good, and not like you need to go to a hospital.

I find the best way to ride is to sit on the bench by the exit and watch my kids ride it.

Funny this thread popped up because just the other day I was considering posting a thread asking "When will you ride Mantis again?!" or something since I last rode in May 07 and seriously have zero desire to ever ride again!! But I probably will again one year.

But honestly, even your 16th ride of the day on MF would beat a ride on Mantis!! I couldn't imagine waiting in those long queues either like I did as a fool for all those years earlier this decade! Seriously...this ride sucks!! (but it is photogenic! :) )

I don't know how to ride Mantis, because when you do the first loop, I can't feel my legs through out the whole ride.
Any tips?

Don't ride it ^

I ride Mantis at least once every season. It's kinda like Kentucky Fried Chicken - it always seems like a good idea at the time...

I like the front row, on the right, and like Your mom is to fat to ride TTD I always stick my head out as far as I can. Certainly not the most comfortable place, but the ear banging turns to neck banging instead, which is at least more tolerable.

I realize it came later (last?) in the line, but I find it interesting that Georgia Scorcher is such a lovely ride, fun and comfortable, and Mantis and Chang are so miserable. I haven't been to SFMM since Riddler went in, but my guess is it falls in there with the latter two.

I always get the crap beat out of me on this ride too! I thought I was the only one since nobody else I'm with ever complains. This year I rode in the very front on the right and it was the smoothest ride so far. I try to press my head to one side or the other of the restraints and keep it there, at least only one side of your brain gets beat up that way!!

I'd say the front row it the best, you get a good view of turn/element is coming up. I find that in the station if the restraint isn't tight, then wait till going up the lift hill, and from being on your back you can get it one or click. I find that a tight restraint helps a lot.

Yeah the first have of the ride is ok, the hang time you get going though the loop at times is fun, but the second have after the MCBR can be painful and hurt. I just lean my head to counter act the turn, and I'm fine. ;)

A couple of suggestions from someone who hasn't ridden Mantis:TCFKAB in years...

1) Stand up straight with your legs *straight up and down*. There is a natural tendency to lean against the backrest and put your legs out forward at an angle; if you do that, your calves will scream at you before you get through the first loop. Ideally, stand about a half-inch away from the backrest; don't lean against it.

2) Once you are secured in the train, put your hands on the "armrests" on the sides of the seat and push up very slightly. The idea here is to use your arms to stabilize your upper body, thus reducing or even eliminating the head-thwacking.

That said, since they added the safety belts, I can't actually ride M:TCFKAB anymore, so what good is my advice?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Rideman, why can't you ride Mantis anymore? Also, I'm quite heavy in the lower abdomen area.. will I be able to ride?