I almost feel that not giving the Cyclone a 10 is sacreligous. Its tradition and history almost make it a 10, regardless of what kind of ride it gives. But fret not, for I am not rating it just due to its history, but indeed on the kind of ride it is. And that ride, simply put, is nearly perfect. This is easily the best wooden coaster I have ever ridden, and one that produces some of the best forces I have ever felt on any coaster period. I rode this beast in the front row of the last car. The chain lift is surprisingly zippy, which works to the rides benefit, as you are pretty much thrown over the lift and down the first drop. That first drop is at the same time one of the coolest and scariest things you will probably ever experience. It may not be very big, but it is plenty steep, and it is one of the best coaster moments I have ever had. And the airtime doesnt stop there. In my seat, I ended up standing up for just about every drop. AT times, I wondered if I was actually going to be flung from the train. Thats how far I was out of my seat, only to be slammed back down into the nicely padded seat again. The laterals on the majority of the turns are also quite nice, though I think they pale in comparison to the wicked airtime that is found from start to finish on this coaster. It seems that the coaster was designed with nothing more in mind other than to fling you out of your seat and terrify you out of your wits so that when somehow you get back to the station alive, you have an almost overwhelming urge to do it again. And while I resisted this urge, I will always remember my 1 (for now) ride on this legendary coaster. Its legendary for a reason, folks - I can think of no finer example of a roller coaster than the Cyclone, and no coaster count is complete without checking this one off your list.
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