Superman: Ride of Steel. Ride of Steel, boy, that sure sounds powerful, doesnt it? Well, to me, the name really fits the ride well. Located on the banks of the Connecticut River, Superman is an amazing ride for various reasons. I only got a chance to ride once, but that ride was in the back row of the second car from the rear.
The ride itself is phenomenal. Ascending the lift, you will get a fantastic view of the area, with the river to the left and the park to the right. Up you go more than 200 feet in the air and then the drop comes. Oh, the drop. While it (for some reason) didnt seem as steep as the Darien Lake version (perhaps its because I was in the back) it was still spectacular. Bye bye river, hello tunnel. Out you go into the first major air hill, and from the back there is some killer air. The overbank was nice, but its that second major bunny hill that makes these rides, and the airtime from that hill is hard to beat. Then you enter the twists and turns of the second half, and the airtime is generous. Lets use an analogy: most hypercoasters have airtime comparable to a McDonalds happy meal, but this sucker gives us a Thanksgiving Dinner, full of turkey, yams, legumes, potatoes and even desert. This thing has some insane airtime, and it will be hard to match.
The setting is pretty good, with the use of tunnels (the mist on the last one is neat) and a decent location near trees throughout the ride. The track could use some paint, however.
Now for a short editorial. The ride features three types of hills that produce some great airtime. First are the mega-tall hills that give a little ejector and some nice floater, and they are located in the first half. Then there are the bunny hils that launch riders into the ozone layer, with the best examples being near the end, and then you have that funky s-curved hill which combines air with some neat lateral forces. I loved them all, and they were each unique, but I cant help but adore thas s-shaped hill. Its just one of the best elements out there, and this Supermans s-hill was better than Darien Lakes.
Now for the big fuss about the restraints: sure, they arent the best, but they dont kill the ride like most of the typically disgruntled New Englanders complained about. Scroll down and read Hercules review, I think he touched my sentiments well.
In the end, everything imaginable comes together: a big drop with nice floating, airtime, decent scenery, tunnels, mist, airtime, laterals, helices, airtime, open trains and finally, the airtime. Go to Six Flags New England and if not for anything else ride Superman, if you like great hypercoasters you wil like Superman.
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