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Anyone that even remotely considers themselves a fan of roller coasters has to experience The Coney Island Cyclone; it is the "holy grail" of rides. A wicked white-knuckle experience for the uninitiated, if you are not spiritual you WILL find religion quick on this ride (Jesus-Allah-Buddha! I love you all!) There are so many things about The Cyclone that makes it a great roller coaster experience; the urban/beach setting, the station that looks unchanged since 1927, the ride operators (who look like they would be at home at one of Brooklyns social clubs, with names such as Tony Two-fingers or Nicky Fats), the big comfy trains with a locking pin that lets you know you arent falling out, and the wonderful smell of the chain grease as you ascend the lift (someone should make car fresheners in this scent!) The ride itself does exactly what it was designed to do - thrill. Some may complain that the Cyclone is too vicious and rough or poorly paced during the first half of the course, but it is these features that help define the ride. An incredibly steep first drop is followed by a creeping fan turn that gives you just enough time to think about what you just experienced, and ponder what is to follow. From there you are thrown into the maelstrom that is The Cyclone. I hadnt been to Coney Island in about 10 years, so this past June when I had to travel to Queens on a business-related trip I couldnt pass up the chance take the 30 minute or so drive down to get a Nathans hot dog and take some rides on the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel and Break Dancer (but not in that order - the Break Dancer is best ridden on an empy stomach.) It was a tremendously hot and humid Thursday, and the beach was crowded. It was great to be back in line for the Cyclone with a rather eclectic mix of riders; a father taking his daughter on a ride his father surely took him on; guys with their dates hoping their girl would grab onto them tight during the ride; an aging punk wearing a thread-bare "Dead Kennedys" T-shirt. I started off with a ride in the front to regain my "Cyclone legs", then immediately moved to the back to bear the full brunt of this ride. Fantastic! Intense! Unforgettable.
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