Mantis....ahhh!!

I have this Mantis problem. I rode it opening year, and the positive G's were too intense. I don't know if I was riding it right or not, but my legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk after it. Then two years later (98) my friends forced me on again. So I got on front left and the same thing happened. It was so bad this time my friends carried me off the ride and I was so embarrassed and full of pain. Last year, I went to PC and rode Vortex which I had no problems on in the last row. This brings me to Thursday. I am going to Cedar Point with some friends and agreed to ride Mantis again. They all love it, and tell me day in and day out how great it is. Now already I am scared stiff of not the ride, but will be in such pain that I will be embarrassed I couldn't do it. These are the friends that will let it hang over my head, and I am trying my best to like it, so that's why I'm riding again. (Note: I have had season passes to Cedar Point for over 10 seasons, I am not a rookie to Cedar Point by any means, but I need to stress that I genually don't like this coaster.) These are the questions I need anwsered:

*What is the best way to ride it, without any gimmicks? (put feet up here, go to the left, stand straight here, lean right there, etc.)

*What is the best seat to avoid forces? (not personal favorite seat, the one that will be most pleasent to ride)

*I have only experienced Mantis without the brake on, so should I look for it to be on or off and how do I prepare?

Thanks guys!

The way I've always been told to ride it, though I've never had any troubles on it, is just relaxed. I don't think you can really fight the G's and win here. They're going to pin you to the floor no matter how you want to twist your leg. You fight too much and you'll end up a paraplegic. The only time I ever had trouble in the legs on Mantis was when I rode it 4 times in a row with no wait. My calves were in a bit o' pain at that point and I had to go back to Gemini just to recuperate. The front seat always seemed easiest on my legs, but then, I'm no expert. From what I've read, this year, the breaks are off, so it may be rough for you.
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Nobody tosses a Dwarf!!!

I've got a torn ACL in one knee so Mantis is always an adventure. Just make sure that the shoulder harness is just touching your shoulders or slightly above. You do NOT want it pressing your body down or you will suffer pain. Like Smacker said, put the harness like I said and just relax, don't think about fighting, just stand normally (as normal as you can going 65 upside down) and you'll be fine.

I recommend standing on one of the outsides so you can stand straight. I hate the middle seats because of the multi-level floor that can mess up your legs by putting more weight on one foot. Next, I recommend pulling your harness down so it is just barely touching your shoulders, and they staddle the seat so the ride ops don't try to jam the bike seat where you don't want it. :) Keep your legs straight, and feet back against the back of the vertical portion of the harness. Lean into your harness during the ride.

This is what I do, and I haven't had a bad ride yet with this techinque. It may be a "gimmick" but it works for me...

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Snoopy Rocks! On Ice starts June 22--Do you think they'll let me drive the Zamboni machine?

I want to drive the Zamboni!

What seems to work for me is relax. If you can with out it hurting maybe sit on the seat a little to take the forces off your legs. It sounds to me that you stand straight up and tighten up you legs a lot, Maybe this is what is hurting you. Just try to let them go around, but don't total sitdown that could HURT!

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Go to: http://www.thepointOL.com/~simplycp
Once you drop, the fun don't stop!

I rode it 12 times in a row during Millennium Mania without getting off. There were only 4 of us on the train the whole time and I didn't experience any leg pain. The trim brake was off the whole time too. I think all you just need to do is relax your feet and not lock your knees and you'll be fine.

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Troika/Chaos Triangle Crew 2002
http://www.msu.edu/~kemppai8/ --- My stupid website

We were there tonight and rode it with only 4-8 people on the train. We offered the ride op money to turn off the trims with no luck.

Ever since I can remember in recent memory the trim brakes have been off, making it a slower, and less forceful ride.

I don't know if you would be able to handle it because I am not a doctor, but it definitely is easier to ride in its slower pace.

My problem with the Mantis and sore legs has always been related to blood circulation. My circulation isn't the greatest and on the Mantis all the blood rushing to my legs causes a problem for me, too much blood and not enough room for it.

I found that by moving my legs throughout the parts of the ride, such as any of the loops, where the centripetl force is sending the blood legward seems to solve the problem. Pretty much any shifting or flexing and unflexing of the legs seems to alleviate the pain, for me at least, making it a much more enjoyable ride

I found that last year with the "speed paint" on Raptor, the blood felt like it was pooling in my feet. Usually it's a nice ride to rest your feet on, but last year towards the end of the year, it was just insane. The G's in that helix cut off the circulation to my legs...very cool! :)

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Snoopy Rocks! On Ice starts June 22--Do you think they'll let me drive the Zamboni machine?

I want to drive the Zamboni!

Like someone else said, DON'T lock your knees. Keep them slightly bent and readjusting yourself throughout the ride (stretching or bending) should help.

I totally disagree. Bending your knees in any way means you have to flex muscles to maintain your leg position, and in doing so you're fighting two or more times your body weight in some cases. That's where the pain comes in.

I still maintain that the best thing to do is stand straight, leaning forward into the harness. In doing this you put your body solidly in line with the direction of the forces acting on you.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I don't know how you guys all feel, but my problem with this ride has always been that "seat" thing in that I think it is too wide. I feel like I have to stand bow-legged as it presses into my thighs. If it was narrower, more like a bike seat or something, this ride could be far more pleasant.

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cyberdman

Hmmm, well right now I think your head will be hurting more than your legs..
MANTIS GOT ROUGH, I'd say!
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Drink Milk. Goto Cedar point. Love Life.
MF count: 24.

Just relax....oh to answer your question.....the brakes are on on Mantis...I felt the brake right after the first drop before you go up the loop.you can actually hear the brake too. Mantis seems to me that it is alot smoother and faster. I love it!

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At the turn of the Millenium......there were signs...