The Cyclone: an easy way to lose your dignity

This, my friends, is The Cyclone, the wooden Coney Island rollercoaster. A mere 35 mins subway ride from the East Village, and built in 1927, it's one of the oldest rollercoasters in the US. The relatively small area that it occupies has meant that The Cyclone has become famous worldwide for its exceptionally steep and twisty ride.

Within a couple of seconds the cars reach the first 85-foot, 60 degree drop. I sceamed continually for the entire one minute and fifty seconds that it took to travel the 2,650 feet. Horrifyingly, the ride's top speed is 60 mph. At least I can say I've done it now. As can PS who was staying with me last weekend on a 3 day escape from London. I had to eat quite a lot of ice cream on the beach afterwards as an aid to recovery.


Picture above: Astroland - the Coney Island amusement park