This ride is criminally underrated and its layout is under-appreciated. It’s just regarded as a terrible layout with plenty of dead spots, but today I was able to truly appreciate the ride and its lay...
This ride is criminally underrated and its layout is under-appreciated. It’s just regarded as a terrible layout with plenty of dead spots, but today I was able to truly appreciate the ride and its layout. I did it in the back row, so the first drop immediately kickstarted the ride. Between the fast lift and the long train, this drop was one of the best I’ve done and had incredible whip. The next turn introduces the under appreciated part of the ride, the intensity. There’s genuinely good positives on the first turn, although it’s overshadowed by an element I’ll get to. Also, you cross over one of the lakes and it’s amazing. I reached out my arm and, accidentally, I was able to touch the water. It was only a light touch, so it didn’t hurt too much considering it was over 70 mph. A light sting for a few minutes was worth it. The next hill is mainly for the view, which is awesome. Towards the end, it has some floater, but nothing noteworthy. The main star of the show and such a deeper hit of an element is the first helix. Nobody talks about it and I feel like it’s unfair. This was just the third time (out of over 90 coasters) that I grayed out. The sustained positives last for so long that it’s enough for me to gradually lose my vision. Honestly, this makes me like the straight track. It gives a few seconds to get back to reality and enjoy the rest of the layout. The next hill is also pretty good and providing whip. Next helix isn’t anywhere near as intense as the first, but it still provides sustained positives that I really like. It also continues the trend of being low to the ground over the water. Next hills are the best for airtime. Each one provides some pretty good airtime, and it does this into the breaks. In terms of airtime, I prefer the clone at Six Flags America. However, the sheer intensity of this along with the great setting propels it above in my rankings. I do admit, it has a bit of a rattle. However, it wasn’t nearly enough for me to find it to be hindering the experience. The only areas that are noticeably rough are the first turn and the final hills that shuffle you from side to side. Still, it doesn’t matter and I love Ride of Steel for what it is.