keep me down.
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
|---|---|
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Inverted Coaster (Batman) |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 105 ft (2, 4, 7) 100 ft (1, 3, 5, 6) |
| Drop | 80 ft |
| Length | 2693 ft (2, 4) 2700 ft (1, 3, 5, 6, 7) |
| Max speed | 50 mph |
| Inversions | 5 |
| Duration | 2:00 |
| Capacity | 1280 (2, 4) 1400 (1, 3, 5, 6, 7) riders per hour |
| Max G force | 4 |
OK - so now that you've seen some the blah blah blah behind Batman, the Ride...
Yup- I rode it.
Yup- I hate roller coasters. Really I do. You may be suprised that with my outgoing spirit that coasters do me in..well it's simple, I like to control my universe. With roller coasters, I feel that all control has been stripped of me and I am at the mercy of something else..Larry on the other hand is absolutely thrilled and a total coaster addict.
Our family spent last Wednesday all day at Six Flags in St Louis. We had a great family day. No complaining, just we were all after a good day together. Prior to leaving I declared at the dinner table. 'I am going to ride Batman. As soon as we get to Six Flags I am getting on the Batman.' Larry was cheering me on and kept reminding me all the night before of what I said and that I had to do it.
Larry being the master of theme parks had an agenda of the day set. So I wasn't able to just go in and get it over with. I had to wait..all day. I watched that ride with a sly eye whenever I heard it whoosh throughout the park. I studied the inverted turns and cork screws - thinking 'just how does that feel with my legs upside down?' 'Surely that has to feel good no feeling crammed into a cart.'
At the end of the day it was time. The kids were all settled down from the excitement - really they were beyond exhaustion. Larry, Quinten and I walked the long ramp up to the launch pad. The big kids were riding the Scrambler while we went. I went first while Larry held Quinten. He was so excited that he went to the aisle that led to the front line of seats. 'Um I think I want to ride in the middle' So I head to the middle of the ride in the middle most seat. Thank God I was the only one in my row.
'You go mommy' was what Quinten was prompted to say by Daddy and off I went.
I buckled in. It was OK that the shoulder straps lock down on top of your whole chest and buckle in the middle. It was nice and tight. OK - this feels safe - I can do it. I pray. OK - the prayer has me covered. OK - I want to cry as I look at Larry and Quinten. What if I don't see that baby boy again? And the ride flew out of the station.
It had the usual climb and I glanced down and saw the earth leaving my feet. Which I really liked. I always wanted the super power of flying. As the coaster hit the crest and whoosh down it went. I held my breath and listened to the screams. I am processing the screams for crying out loud - is everyone OK? has someone died? are they scared? I'm scared. So I stop holding my breath, close my eyes and let the last bit of fear come screaming out of me as we head into the first loop. Oh that was a good cleansing scream..where am I? I couldn't open my eyes very well because of the force pulling against my face. So I kept my eyes closed through the next loop - which felt good to feel like I was flipping over like a super charged hand spring! As we spiraled into the corkscrew I got my eyes open for a brief second and saw some crazy vision of swirly metal that really jiggled my brain! So I finished out the ride with my eyes shut until I felt it smooth out a bit and it was over.
We had a pause in the station before we unloaded. They were busy loading the next set of chairs. I breathed in and looked down at my feet. Yup, still hanging and still flying. I loved it. I loved every second of that ride. I think I was really flying and it felt as good as I ever imagined it.
I'll do it again and again.
Larry simply says 'I'm impressed.' hands me the boy and climbs into the front row of chairs. He has his arms up and thumbs out ready to fly baby. Oh boy, next time I know where he is going to push me to sit. I take Quinten down to the ground and watch Daddy fly out into the night. As I am watching, instead of watching with a pit of fear, I am watching with a sense of wonder and thrill of flying. I am thinking 'I did it and I will fly again.'











