[via Digg.com] “Here is the future of the green amusement park: The Skycycle at Washuzan Highland Park in Okayama, a pedal-powered roller coaster. They clearly have some dramatic topography to take advantage of here, and it looks truly frightening. Most North American amusement parks are on pretty flat terrain but they often build artificial mountains…”
Quite an interesting concept for a workout, however I don’t know if this type of thing would offer the same thrills as a real roller coaster. If it behaved like a real coaster, you would pedal up the first, and largest, peak and then gravity would take you the rest of the way. Hence, no more peddling needed. And you would experience the “g’s” which only real coasters can offer. What prevents people from slamming other carts from behind? Or taking way too long to enjoy the scenery?
That’s not to say I wouldn’t like to try something like this just to get a glimpse of a new type of experience. Though it might be a little nerve-racking if you’re afraid of heights.
Tags: roller coasters, thrill rides, coasters, green
