Backwards Coasters

[TTD03]

Hey all,

So this year I am heading back to Dorney Park and I plan to ride all the rides including Stinger. One thing though, last year when I rode Stinger, I really got my neck messed up after that ride. So my question is, what is the best way to hold your head on Stinger, specifically when you are going through the loop backwards.

Thanks

[gouldy]

People are all different and some things affect some of us more adversly than they affect others. Given that; my advice woruld be that if you have personally found a specific ride to cause you problems - it might be best that you just don't bother with it. Depends how serious an issue it causes you, versus your desire to ride it.

[TTD03]

I'm not sure its just Stinger that's the problem. It could be all shuttle coasters. I loved the ride, except for the neck issue. I mean, do you keep your neck straight forward, or do you tilt it upwards or downwards?

[gouldy]

Well, personally, I just ride shuttles like I would any other coaster, and suffer no issue. I'm not certain why there should be any difference. Is it the travelling backwards that causes the problem?

[TTD03]

Yea its when you get pulled through the loop backwards is what killed.

Sounds like you ought to keep your head back. That's what your supposed to do when there are any forces so you don't get sucked down.

Yeah it probably was caused from your head tilting. Thus, the forces pulled your head down whichever way causing you to react by pulling your head up against gravity which could put strain on your neck. The best advice is to allow the seat to support your head.

[TTD03]

So keep my head back and look straight forward?
Or Tilt/Look up a bit?

Just keep your head back against the seat.

or just not ride. I know then when I go to dorney with my family I'm usually the only one to ride thuderhawk because of the jolting

I don't do anything special when riding backwards, so it's either:

A) Stinger is Vekoma and headbangy (and has long trains with more whip)
B) You have a problem with shuttles (so you may have to just not ride them)

No special technique really. Perhaps just make sure your head doesn't go completely loose and flop around, but like gouldy said I just ride reverse like I ride forward.

I never did anything special when I rode Mindbender at Galaxyland backwards but I can tell you it's probably the 2nd most thrilling thing I've done after bungee jumping lol.