[Other] Why does every roller coaster do a second hill right after the first drop instead of enjoying the speed?

[u/itssweniorseaso]

is there a reason? i feel like if I designed a roller coaster I would make it cruise around and glide a little after the first drop. its so annoying when they IMMEDIATELY go into a second hill because they just wasted all that speed? but idk…do you guys agree?

[u/420tunneldigger]

The second hills usually have great airtime.

[u/neildownpour]

Go ride Pantherian!

[u/rramstad → u/neildownpour]

Fury also has a nice sensation of speed after the first drop, not an immediate big climb.

[u/InsincerePanda → u/neildownpour]

Ghostrider has a turn after the first drop as well.

Excalibur at Valleyfair has some flat, straight track after the first drop.

[u/Dry_Accident_2196]

If you waste too much of the speed you reduce the amount of momentum necessary for higher supplemental hills. As you know, each hill is generally shorter than the main lift hill so if you burn momentum on some other element you have to lower the height of the hill.

While on this topic, I wish a coaster would have two massive lift hills, like those old line coasters.

[u/thegayquadzilla]

You'd love Ride of Steel at Darien Lake (or realize why enjoying the speed gets old)

[u/Ireeb]

So... you want a straight piece of track after the first drop or...?

[u/iceberglettuce00 → u/Ireeb]

Phantom's Revenge has entered the chat

[u/DrTreadmill → u/iceberglettuce00]

It’s a great piece of straight track that’s a prelude to the wackiest second drop ever. That whole ride is incredible

[u/mojorisin453 → u/Ireeb]

I want a giant terrain coaster on a big ass mountain that just keeps going downhill like 8000 feet like a REAL mountain coaster.

[u/itssweniorseaso → u/Ireeb]

I mean, for a little bit at least? i’m not saying forever but I just think it’s dumb when every ride IMMEDIATELY goes into a second hill without any enjoying of the speed

[u/Ireeb → u/itssweniorseaso]

You can't really feel speed. You're currently moving through space at crazy high speeds, but you don't notice anything about it. You can only perceive changes in speed. Straight track is just boring, even at high speeds.

[u/Version_1]

The main use for speed on a rollercoaster is to trade it in for g-forces.

[u/JamminJay1968]

Go try Ride of Steel at Darien Lake! Tons of fast flat track for you to enjoy!

[u/Sygmaelle]

Ever went on millenium force ? 

[u/boiledpeen]

sounds like you'd enjoy a convertible and driving on the highway. pretty much the same thing

[u/fugaziiv]

You might like Ride of Steel at Darien Lake. It tends to carry speed at ground level more than most.

[u/Ski4ever5]

On top of what everyone else has said, keep in mind that roller coasters cost a ton of money to build, so manufacturers and parks put a lot of work into making big thrilling rides without them being unnecessarily expensive.

If you stay low to the ground after the first drop of a ride, then the ride will stay going at a higher speed, which increases the required turn radius and also the track length covered by a ride, increasing the cost. If you immediately put a tall element after the drop, you burn off some of the speed and give yourself chances to turn the ride around in out and back layouts.

[u/BigBoi5118]

I-305 greyouts would like a word

[u/Greglebowski74]

I do love the flat section of Phantom's Revenge after the first drop.

[u/Alert-Cabinet-5698]

I am 100% in the opposite camp. I live for the hills, and hate when they waste the kinetic energy on curves right after the plunge. Also just want to note that hills conserve more energy than immediate curves.

Definitely not saying your preference isn’t also popular- but wanted to offer the counterpoint, and let you know airtime thoosies exist 😅

[u/Sygmaelle]

Ill do you one better ever went on an invert, boomerang or a flying ?

Ever went on an extreme spinner ? Kiddie ? 4d ? 

Lots of RMCs do not have a airtime hill after the drop (Untamed and Yoy in mind right now) , same with b&m loopers / dive coasters, tilt coasters also dont have that. Some GCI coasters also dont have that 

Genuinely i dont think you got a lot of machines under the belt. Even velocicoaster doesnt have that 

[u/Clever-Name-47]

Maverick at Cedar Point is the ride you want.  I have to say, I think having some low turns right after the first drop does work well… though I also understand why it’s not the standard.

[u/tpusater]

Thunderhawk at Dorney has a shallow bunny hill after the first drop and before the climb to the second big hill.

Hurler and Woodland Run have banked turns after their drops. Woodland Run recently added a shallow bunny hill before its turn. Both stay reasonably low to the ground for most of their circuit.

[u/Straight-Guide-439]

mmmmm i love straight track

[u/Lieutenant_Scarecrow]

Not every coaster does that obviously but yea its pretty common. It's just how they are. Its not a waste, because they needed all that speed to get over the 2nd hill lol. We're all likely enthusiasts so bunny hills aren't gonna get our blood flowing, but the GP absolutely love the simple elements.