Protection?

This coaster is looking more and more like it's going to break the height and speed records. If this coaster is going 110mph+ do you think there will be any protection at the fastest parts of the rides to keep the face clear from injury? I mean one big bug at that speed could do some damage.

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If you meet me and forget me, you've lost nothing. If you meet Jesus and forget Him, you've lost everything.

No. Ride at your own risk. There isn't anything stopping you on MF. I don't think a bug at 50 mph will be different than one at 100 mph. Same thing with a bird. Its going to hurt, no matter what.

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Michael McCormack CP '02: 36
Magnum XL 200: 315 (440)
Millennium Force: 7
Wicked Twister: 24

When i come off the MF...my eyes are full of dust, and other particles.... A Big Bug Would not hit you are that speed...you can try this at home if you have a fly in your house...try to smack it with your hand...it doesn't work the bug gets pushed out by the Wind given off your hand...and before it hits your hand it will get pushed out of the way. Same thing here, The speed of the train would just push anything away...unless its a big bird...but i dont think those are that stupid to fly at an on-coming train.

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- Dennis

That's not true, Daniel-son caught a fly with chopsticks! LOL

CP_Jigga said:
but i dont think those are that stupid to fly at an on-coming train.
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- Dennis

Try telling that to Fabio.

That's right! I was cracking up when I first seen the video!

Stinky Pete said:
That's not true, Daniel-son caught a fly with chopsticks! LOL

Yeah, but that was beginner's luck.

Anyone who had riden a motorcyle for a moderate amount of time knows you can hit a bug. I have caught one right in the face and let me tell you, it felt like I got punched (at 80 MPH that is ; ) )

Yeah, I've been hit by bugs many times test riding in the mornings, and late nights on Magnum. I wish your theory was true, though.

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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02

I got hit, well more of which I hit a bird on Millennium Force in 2000. It was the first part of the turn on the 4th hill. It cut my hand up pretty bad, but I lived. As for the bug issue, I think they will hurt very much. Going back to a quote made by Werner Stengel when Millennium Force was being constructed: ...rider protection will be critical as coaster speeds approach 125 mph. and "getting hit by a bee or fly, it's like a bullet." Also, if you've been on MF in the rain, you know how much that hurts, and plus I've had the uniquely painful experience of riding MF in hail. We'll have to see what CP does.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
http://www.pbase.com/blah
(Coaster Pictures)

CP_Jigga said:
When i come off the MF...my eyes are full of dust, and other particles.... A Big Bug Would not hit you are that speed...you can try this at home if you have a fly in your house...try to smack it with your hand...it doesn't work the bug gets pushed out by the Wind given off your hand...and before it hits your hand it will get pushed out of the way. Same thing here, The speed of the train would just push anything away...unless its a big bird...but i dont think those are that stupid to fly at an on-coming train.
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- Dennis

Sure, it works for that. But think about this:

You hand is small and slower moving, so the fly has time to be pushed away. When its your whole body going 120MPH, the bugs do not have time to get pushed clear.

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"Sit down right, hold on tight, and enjoy your flight on Shivering Timbers!!"

If the windshield of a car going 65 mph doesn't escape the wrath of a bug, what makes you think your face at 110 mph is going to escape?

When the muffleheads visit in late May and June, don't open your mouth on this new ride.

How about a pop bottle or a coin in the place of a bug or bird, some people...

Chief Wahoo said:

When the muffleheads visit in late May and June, don't open your mouth on this new ride.

I have some not so fond memories of my first time battling with muffleheads the first time i road Magnum, i was so terrified i had to scream. Since, i have been more terrified of the taste of muffleheads in my mouth and have tried to keep my mouth closed, the opportune word being tried.

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"Why does this one hour drive seem so looong"

I'm sure that we can all agree that getting hit in the face with an object at 92 MPH or above is painful. If you are very worried about it, you can always buy goggles with a headband to solve your woes.

Those bugs can really get bad, magnum was down for about an hour one day and just before they opened i saw the ride ops scrubbing as much of the bugs off as they could, it was really funny.

This is where the nosepiece on Magnum makes a whole lot of sense. If you ride in the front seat on Magnum, you don't get hit in the face with anything because the nosepiece diverts the airflow over your head.

I was surprised that they didn't do something similar with Millennium Force.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

muffleheads taste like vinegar

I have said this before, I keep a pair of motorcycle glasses in my fanny pack. They are great, very wide angle view, and elastic strap, they are not going anywhere. Yes, I look pretty lame with them on, but not as lame as Chris with his welding goggles...;) As soon as it starts getting dark at CP, the bugs are out. I have been hit plenty of times by bugs and just about anything else. Eye protection is almost a must if you are traveling in an open train at highway speeds.

They also make the ride a bit more fun, I have been on rides when the person in front of me has long hair hitting me in the face. On go the glasses, and no prob. Same thing for rain and sleet. Adverse weather is the best time to ride, but what is the point if you cannot open your eyes?

-j