Matt N
CF Legend
Is it a possibility that Wicker Man’s extra speed and enhanced ride experience while still keeping the same smooth(ish) tracking could simply be the ride wearing in, and getting better with age? That’s often said to be a thing with wooden coasters, particularly GCIs; for instance, I know that Wodan at Europa Park was said to be quite slow in 2012, but is now said to be ridiculously fast.
I think it might be Wodan where the park even confirmed that the ride had wiped a few seconds off of its ride duration since opening due to the increased speed!
I’ll have to see what I think to Wicker Man when I’m back at Alton in 6 days’ time… I’ve always loved the ride, especially since 2020, but it didn’t seem notably stronger than previous years when I rode in April; my rides in July 2020 (in rows 8 & 9, I should add) were a little stronger, from memory. I’ll admit, however, that it wasn’t that warm, and I was on the front row, which is often said to be Wicker Man’s weakest row, so I might think differently if I’m able to ride further back in the train (fingers crossed!). It certainly felt reasonably fast and airtime-filled for a front row ride, though, so who knows what it was like further back!
I think it might be Wodan where the park even confirmed that the ride had wiped a few seconds off of its ride duration since opening due to the increased speed!
I’ll have to see what I think to Wicker Man when I’m back at Alton in 6 days’ time… I’ve always loved the ride, especially since 2020, but it didn’t seem notably stronger than previous years when I rode in April; my rides in July 2020 (in rows 8 & 9, I should add) were a little stronger, from memory. I’ll admit, however, that it wasn’t that warm, and I was on the front row, which is often said to be Wicker Man’s weakest row, so I might think differently if I’m able to ride further back in the train (fingers crossed!). It certainly felt reasonably fast and airtime-filled for a front row ride, though, so who knows what it was like further back!
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