BOULDER DASH

Lake Compounce

Boulder Dash has been consistently ranked among the top ten wooden coasters in the USA since its opening in May of 2000 so I was very much looking forward to riding it.  Built into the side of a mountain and surrounded by trees and boulders, this coaster takes the riders on a wild ride through the woods.  It has two trains although only one was operating at the times that I rode because the ride queue was not long enough to warrant adding a second train.  From the loading station, the train veers slightly to the right before ascending the lift hill and disappearing from view.  Once at the top, it does not drop immediately but rather goes around a short bend.  Then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for.  With a sudden burst of speed, the train drops 115 feet sharply to the right and goes up into the next hill.  From that point it never lets up and there’s never a dull moment.

The train passes the loading station in the other direction and takes the riders through one airtime hill after another, on a 4,672-foot track with tree branches overhanging the track.  The ejector airtime is so extreme that I had to brace myself with my feet and got tossed from side to side even with a lap bar and seat belt; when riding in the back, I crashed into my seat mate more than once.  Although the maximum speed is 60mph, it feels a lot faster, partly because of the relentless pace and partly because of the track’s layout.  Towards the end of the ride, there's a quadruple down – and that’s before the final airtime hill.  (These were somewhat similar to the dips on Phoenix at Knoebels.)

This coaster is so good that I could have ridden it all day.   The ride experience is truly awesome.  And a night ride on Boulder Dash is among the most thrilling and exhilarating experiences I've ever had on any coaster.   You can't see anything!  Also worth mentioning is that the ride ops on the day of my visit were outstanding, not only in operating the coaster efficiently but in interacting with riders to the extent of asking for a round of applause for first-time riders and people celebrating birthdays.  Boulder Dash might not be the biggest or most imposing wooden coaster in existence, but it is unquestionably one of the very best.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Lake Compounce, visit www.lakecompounce.com

WILDCAT

Lake Compounce

Wildcat is a vintage wooden coaster (operating since 1927 and renovated within the last 7 years) which is one of the first things you see upon entering Lake Compounce.  It has two trains although only one was operating at the time of my visit due to low demand.    Out of the loading station the train turns slightly right and then left before climbing the 85-foot lift hill and dropping 73.7 feet.   The initial drop is followed by a left-banked curve and a few more drops, then a right turn leading into several more drops.  The train then traverses a series of bunny hills, angling toward the right, before returning to the station.  Someone who had ridden this coaster long before I did warned me that it was extremely rough but I did not find this to be the case.   I sat in the front and from the back it may be a different story, but I experienced no discomfort whatsoever on the ride.   Wildcat has no pretensions; it is what is: a small, classic wooden coaster in better condition than could be reasonably expected given its age.   2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Lake Compounce, visit www.lakecompounce.com

MIND ERASER

Six Flags New England

Mind Eraser, operating under that name and others at numerous parks, is markedly different in design from other inverted coasters I’ve ridden. What I’ve come to expect as standard for suspended looping coasters is an initial drop followed by a vertical loop whereas this is a horse of a different color.   Seating two across, the train goes directly from the station up the lift hill, drops 91 feet at a right angle and goes up into a rollover, which sort of resembles a pretzel with a twist at the top.   From there it goes downhill, banking left, and into a sidewinder.   Other elements of the ride include a sharp turn to the right and double inline twist.  It’s a mass of twisted steel.  The ride is extremely rough, both on the head and shoulders, so brutally rough that I couldn’t wait for it to end.   Mind Eraser doesn’t lack thrills but in my opinion it certainly lacks enjoyability.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags New England, visit www.sixflags.com/NEWENGLAND/

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT

Six Flags New England

Batman: The Dark Knight is not appreciably different from other floorless coasters I’ve ridden.   Seating four across, the train proceeds from the loading station up a 117.8-foot lift hill before dropping to the left and going up into a vertical loop.   This is shortly followed by a dive loop, then a left turn which results in the train travelling on the far side of the track.  The next element is a zero-g roll.  Coming out of the zero-g roll, the train makes another turn and takes the riders through interlocking corkscrews.   It’s a nice, smooth ride, not too intense and not too tame.   However, I found that it lacked the kick of, for instance, Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great Adventure although that is probably not a fair comparison because the coaster at SFGA is an inverted one.    Batman: The Dark Knight is enjoyable but not exceptional.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags New England, visit www.sixflags.com/NEWENGLAND/

THUNDERBOLT

Six Flags New England

One of two wooden coasters at Six Flags New England, Thunderbolt is the older and smaller one.   In fact it’s the oldest operating coaster at any Six Flags park with the exception of one that was transplanted from a park outside the Six Flags chain. It features a classic out and back layout with a figure 8 configuration.  From the loading station, the train makes a left turn, ascends a 70-foot lift hill and goes around a bend to the left before dropping 70 feet.   It then goes up into a right-banked curve and takes the riders through two consecutive drops.  This is followed by several more turns and drops, right/left/left.   Surprisingly, I liked Thunderbolt more than I liked Cyclone at this park.   It’s hardly a high thrill ride but at least it has some life – and airtime – left in it.  Thunderbolt isn’t great but it’s quite OK.  2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags New England, visit www.sixflags.com/NEWENGLAND/