Radical Roller Coasters: Longest

Crazy

I think Joe Biden rode all of them, maybe that's why he babbles on so much. Just a thought!

Why did they leave out The Beast? Idiots or people that really do not know what they are doing!

At one time Chicago had one of the largest amusement parks in the country.  It was called Riverview Park.  I can't remember exactly how many roller coasters but I think it was 5 or 6.  Despite the thrill of the roller coaster rides, (they were all wood by the way), there were two rides that made a roller coaster seem tame.  These were the Flying Turns, and the Parachute Drop.  The flying turns were somwhat similar to a roller coaster but instead of riding on a track the train which resembled a roller coaster traveled in a chute without benefit of any tracks.  It was incredibly fast and twisted you every direction imaginable since it did not have to remain on a track.  The other ride, the Parachute Drop, could bring tears to the bravest of souls,  I can't tell you how high it was but I can tell you the first time I rode on it I never stopped saying, It can't go much higher... but it did.  You began this ride by being strapped into a seat that resembled a chair.  You held onto a support cable that came down on each side of you.  There were two of you to each parachute.  A collapsed parachute was hanging above you and your seat was suspended by cables to the parachute.  The ride contained 4 parachutes and each one operated independent of the others.  When they started the ride the collapsed parachute was pulled up and you and your seat with it.  When you thought it shouldn't go any higher, you had reached the top and without warning it released and you began to free fall toward the ground.  I would guess it was at least 200 feet, maybe more.  Your first impression was something broke and you were about to die, just about the time you were ready to pray the chute inflated from the drop and slowed your fall toward the ground.  All this time your feet dangled with no support whatsoever.  When you hit bottom a series of spring devices permitted you to hit and bounce repeatedly until you finally settled.    I have never experienced a ride like that at any amusement park since.  It will never exist again since it takes too long for a ride.  I can still remember had certain days that many kiddy rides were 2 cents and special evening when many rides were a nickel.  Two cent days and nickel nights, that was Riverview.