I don'..t know, folks - I'..m something of a discriminating coaster fiend, and I happened to get quite a kick out of this one. It is NOT for the faint of heart, and maybe it tried a little too hard to push the boundaries of what wood is capable of - but hell, that'..s why I enjoyed it so much. I never rode it when the loop was intact, but holy hell, this coaster doesn'..t need it. In fact, I'..d say it was likely improved when they got rid of it.
Anyhow. To begin with, yes - SOB would be massively improved with better trains - there is something ludicrous about a coaster of this size and intensity carrying such piddly things. However, I do not fault the character of the coaster itself - frankly, I thought it was bordering on wonderful. It'..s big, it'..s fast, and yes, it'..s rough - but I didn'..t disboard with a headache, leg issues or even a strain. I really don'..t understand the complaints. Rather, I came off charged as all get out, thanks to the deep hills, strong laterals and sheer speed of the experience. I rode in the middle of the train both times - day and night rides were enjoyed (night is THE time when this thing comes to life).
I wish I could find it in myself to explain the ride itself - layout-wise and all - but it was almost an holistic experience, involving a hell of a lot of blatant POWER. A great first hill and drop, intensity that is challenging to say the least, and a pretty wonderful finish. No, it isn'..t the perfect coaster. But it is seriously fun, as far as I'..m concerned. As far as the hatred for this coaster is concerned, I don'..t get it. Maybe people just don'..t dig rawness anymore - because that'..s the nature of SOB. Raw, powerful, deeply intense. I personally see noooooothing wrong with that.
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