RCCGB Loopathon 2011 (Day 2)

Date: Sunday 9 October 2011
Venue: Drayton Manor Park
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B, Dave Perry, Death, Emerald Evans, Gareth Arkell, Gareth Preece, Lucy Cosnett, Mary (Regatta) and Andy Knight, planenut, Sarah Booker, Smiler.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a list of members who I spoke to / rode with. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've forgotten.

Rationale For Trip

The RCCGB's annual two day autumn event to mark the end of the coaster season: Alton Towers on the Saturday and Drayton Manor Park on the Sunday. This was actually my third Loopathon since joining the RCCGB in March 2005, but my first time of attending Loopathon day 2 (Drayton Manor Park). Having attended Loopathon day 1 (Alton Towers) only in 2005 and 2006, and given Loopathon a miss altogether 2007 to 2010 inclusive, I was determined to attend Loopathon day 2 (Drayton Manor Park) in 2011. The main reason being, Loopathon 2011 day 2 happened just 9 days after my 40th birthday (30 September 2011), and I saw this as an opportunity to celebrate my milestone birthday with the RCCGB. Furthermore not only was this my first time of attending Loopathon day 2 (Drayton Manor Park), it was my first ever visit to Drayton Manor Park at all, which made this trip extra special for me so close to my 40th birthday.

Getting To Tamworth

In order to attend Loopathon 2011 day 2, I travelled to Tamworth the day before (Saturday 8 October). Just after 13:00 I caught the train to Bristol Temple Meads, for onward 13:30 train to Birmingham New Street, and finally the 15:19 train to Tamworth. Having arrived around 15:40 I checked into Tamworth Arms where I stayed the night. Around 17:10 I went for a walk around the Castle Gardens. Also I called into Snowdome, where I looked at going to the 18:30 ice skating session, but after some thought decided not to. Nonetheless I took the opportunity to explore Snowdome, without getting involved in any activities. I returned to Tamworth Arms where I had a delicious evening meal, before relaxing in my room the rest of the evening.

Sunday First Thing

I awoke at 6:45am, in order that I could get ready and go downstairs for an early breakfast around 7:45. For breakfast I had cereal, orange juice and a pot of coffee. I could have also had a full English breakfast, but I chose beans on toast as a lighter alternative (I thought a full English would be a bit risky before riding Apocalypse, Maelstrom etc). At 8:25 planenut was waiting outside to give me a lift to Drayton Manor Park.

Welcome To Drayton Manor Park

When planenut and I reached Drayton Manor Park around 8:35, we went straight into the Hospitality Suite where everyone was waiting. Coffee was available, so I had a cup. When I met Christine Hine, I gave her a birthday card (as it was her birthday the preceding week). In return, she had a birthday card for me, but I told her to hang on to it for presentation to me lunchtime.

Apocalypse ERS

The day began around 9:30 with an ERS on the tall drop tower Apocalypse. There are three ride options: sit down, stand up with floor, stand up no floor. In all cases, a large clasp comes down, locks on to the top of the rider unit and pulls the rider unit all the way to the top of the tower. After a short delay the rider unit is released for a freefall drop. Being an adventurous rider, I was determined to try out all three options.

First go: sit down

I began with the easy option: sit down. Once seated, the harness was pulled down and the ride unit was raised to the top. The ascent was quite a scary experience, I wondered if the ride unit really would reach the top of the tower. Words cannot describe the feeling I experienced during the freefall drop. Nonetheless, I remained quiet during the ride.

Second go: stand up

After the warm-up, it was time to try stand up with floor. This time I spoke to Alan Chilvers whilst waiting. There was just a narrow saddle (similar to a bicycle saddle) to fit between my legs whilst standing, and a harness to hold me in place. The ride unit tilted forwards a little at the start of its ascent, which made the ride experience somewhat scarier. Having reached the top, the drop was considerably more frightening in the standing position; I shouted "God save me" during the drop.

Third go: stand up no floor

Now for the ultimate test: stand up no floor. Being my first ever visit to Drayton Manor Park ever (let alone as part of Loopathon) I felt I had to try it. Once again, there was a narrow bicycle saddle type seat between my legs and a harness to hold me in place. The only difference was that there was no floor beneath my feet. I was nervous this time and even asked the attendant if this was safe. Anyway I went ahead with the ride, the seat unit tilted forwards and was pulled up the tower. The climb seemed to go on for ever this time. During the freefall drop, I shouted "Kyrie eleison" (Lord have mercy). Having landed and left the ride, I had the feeling "terrafirmer at last".

At the end of my third go the entrance to Apocalypse was closed, indicating that our ERS was over.

Normal Time

Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission

Around 10:20 many RCCGB members were queuing outside the entrance to Ben 10, eager to take over this new-for-2011 Vekoma Junior Boomerang. Currently this is the only such model in the UK, and one of only two in the world. I joined the back of the queue, and spoke to Lucy Cosnett whilst waiting. When the ride opened at 10:30, everyone had to pass through the heavily themed arcade. Shortly after the entrance, you loop around an area with touch screens. Presumably those are to amuse riders when the queue tails back that far. Further on you go through a section with multi-coloured flashing lights. Are they really necessary? Eventually I got on to the coaster itself, which thankfully is entirely outside.

The train was pulled backwards to the top of a hill, then released and went around its course until it reached the top of another hill the other end. After that it had to travel backwards the way it had come. On the return journey it overshot the station to go up the hill, and had to travel forwards again to terminate at the station. A fun ride, but tame compared to the much larger Boomerang at Pleasure Island Cleethorpes which I rode last year. For now I only had one go.

Maelstrom

A large gyro swing, which swings and spins. The seats face outwards. Once again I spoke to Lucy Cosnett in the queue, but she was unable to get on to the same ride as me (she was at the front of the queue whilst I had my ride). In the aftermath of riding Pendulus at Pleasure Island Cleethorpes last year, I had my concerns about what the ride experience would be like. I actually enjoyed this ride, and even sang "Hard Rock Hallelujah" on it. My conclusion: Maelstrom is not as bad as Pendulus, but even so, once was enough, I wouldn't like to risk two goes straight off.

Troublesome Trucks Coaster

One of the rides in Thomas Land, this Gerstlauer Junior-Coaster has been operating since March 2008. I had to wait about 20 minutes to get on this. Although only a family coaster, and a rather tame ride, it was worth the wait just to be able to tick it. One ride consists of two laps.

Cranky's Drop Tower

Also in Thomas Land, this is a mini drop tower. The seats are arranged on a circular seating unit surrounding the tower. Once everyone was harnessed in, the seat unit rose and fell several times, I counted ten up-down movements altogether. Naturally for me this was a tame ride after Apocalypse, but it still had some young riders screaming.

Rockin' Balstrode

Another Thomas Land ride, this swings and spins about a central base pivot, in the same manner as the Zamperla Rock 'n' Tug I've ridden at various other parks. Therefore it suddenly occurred to me this could even be Zamperla's own variation of their Rock 'n' Tug. At the end of the ride I asked the attendant who made this ride, although not 100% certain she was pretty sure it was made by Zamperla.

Buffet Lunch

With the time was now coming up to 12:30, it was time for lunch at the Hospitality Suite. At the time I happened to be near Emily's Adventure Play. Just as I was about to get my map out to find my way to the Hospitality Suite, Mary (Regatta) turned up, so I asked her to lead me to where we were due to have lunch.

When we got to the Hospitality Suite, there was a long queue for the buffet table. I had a brief word with Sarah Booker, before joining the back of the queue. Initially I saw triangular sandwiches, and was surprised to discover those were part of the buffet, so I had a prawn one, plus some side salad. By the time I reached the hot food section, I was disappointed to discover all the scampi had gone, and that no more scampi would be brought out. There weren't many chips left either, so I put some on my plate whilst I had the chance. Someone said more food was being cooked, but rather than wait I sat down to eat what I already had. A few minutes later some spring rolls were put out, so I went back to get one. To be honest and truthful, I was disappointed with the buffet.

One of the managers gave us a speech about the success of the new Ben 10 coaster, and forthcoming rides including the possibility of a wooden coaster. After that came my most important moment: I was called on to the stage as a way of celebrating my recent 40th birthday with the Club. Andy Hine presented me with a Drayton Manor Park notebook and pen, plus a birthday card from him, to add to my collection of cards I already had. I held up Andy's card, and briefly raised my other cards for all to see. Finally I gave a brief outline of my birthday outing to Thorpe Park, which in turn led to more wood v steel coaster talk from both me and Nev. Many thanks to Nev for the birthday card, and to everyone who sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

Afternoon Riding

At 2:15pm I returned to riding, starting with Shockwave.

Shockwave

This Intamin AG Stand-Up Coaster has been operating since 1994. It is currently the only stand-up coaster in Europe. I was surprised to find such a big coaster was walk-on when I approached it around 2:15pm. My first ever go on this coaster was in the front row. The train set off up the lift hill, around a vertical loop, another inversion and a double corkscrew before returning to the station.

Having left the ride, I met Sarah Booker and spoke to her for a few minutes before having a second go on Shockwave, this time in the back row.

Stormforce 10

A variation on a log flume, the boats seat several riders. You have to go upstairs to reach the platform. Riders are warned they will get very wet on this ride, which is why I put on two cagoules and two pairs of leggings. I sat in the front row of the boat, which set off downhill from the station, around a u-bend, around a spiral and up a lift hill to a dead end. The boat was now on a turntable, which rotated the boat to go down another slope backwards! As expected there was a mighty splash at the bottom. The boat was now on another turntable, which rotated the boat again, to continue forwards along the rest of the journey. The boat continued forwards, around a u-bend, up another lift hill (taller than the previous one), around two bends to the left and down a drop, to create an even bigger splash. Finally the boat completed its journey with two more bends to the left and a final climb back to the station. Wow, a mega fun ride, it's much more than your average log flume (the likes of the one at Flambards). One go was enough for me though.

Splash Canyon

Being as I still had my rain gear on, now was a good time to ride Splash Canyon. From a rotating platform I got into a small boat, which I had to myself. The boat made its way around the circuit, with undulations along the way, until it was time to disembark back at the station. Another fun ride, but tame after Stormforce 10.

Polperro's Express Train

A train ride around part of the Park. I arrived at the station and got on. Shortly afterwards the train began its journey, which lasted about 10 minutes. This could be seen as a rest ride, a way to explore part of the park from a route you can't take on foot.

Jeremy's Flying Academy

My final Thomas Land ride of the day: a go on Jeremy's Flying Academy, i.e. planes on spokes which travel around the central point. I had a plane to myself. By touching a lever it's possible to make the plane go up as it travelled around the central point. Another fun ride, albeit a rather tame one. If nothing else, a rest ride before returning to the big boys' rides!

The Bounty

A swinging pirate ship, need I say more? There was no queue for this when I approached it. I took an empty space in the third row in from the end. A mega fun ride, but I'm not sure my body could have stuck two goes straight off.

Buffalo Mountain Coaster

This Zamperla Buffalo Coaster is a powered coaster. It has been operating since 1987, which makes it the oldest coaster currently operating at Drayton Manor Park. One go consists of two laps. I found the route a bit boring really, it doesn't rise and fall much, and there are no inversions. However it's quite a long circuit. Although tame, Buffalo Coaster was worth riding to add to my coaster count. I had two goes: my first go was towards the back and second go was the fourth row from the front. Once again I was surprised how quiet this was, the ride was walk-on both times.

I wanted to go on Pandemonium next, but it was closed for maintenance. Suddenly I met Smiler and spoke to him for a few minutes.

Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission

I happened to be by Ben 10, so I decided to have my second (and final) go for today on this. It was now walk-on, which thankfully meant being able to take a rapid walk non-stop through all parts of the arcade. Whilst on the coaster itself, I noticed no difference in performance compared to when my morning ride shortly after it had opened.

Shockwave

Back to the stand-up coaster Shockwave hoping to get one more go in before closing time. When I arrived it was still walk-on. This time I rode it roughly mid way. My final coaster ride during normal time.

Maelstrom

With the time coming up to 5pm, I wondered if I'd get any more rides (other than G-Force) before the ERS. The entrance to Maelstrom was still open, so I joined the queue, and ended up getting on its last run of the day. Once again I enjoyed the swinging, spinning ride experience, and sang "Hard Rock Hallelujah" on the ride.

G-Force ERS

Now that the Park had officially closed, it was time for our evening ERS on G-Force. This Maurer Söhne X-Car Vertical coaster has been operating since July 2005, and is still one of only two coasters of this model operating worldwide. You have to go up a few flights of stairs to get to the platform. The train sets off downhill whilst going around a bend. Having reached the bottom of the initial descent the train climbs the lift hill, which unusually continues part way up and around the first vertical loop. After that first loop you go uphill again, and down, around another vertical loop, up and over (upside-down), barrel roll to become upright again, downhill, up around a u-bend to the left and down again (staying upright through that bend), up again and back to the station.

During the ERS, I enjoyed a total of six goes on G-Force, including the front row, third row and back row. Although certain sections were a little rough, it was nothing like as rough as Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island.

By the time I left after my sixth go the time was 18:02, and the coaster entrance was now closed.

Final Send-Off

Everyone assembled in a circle near Emily's Adventure Play for Hokey Cokey. I was surprised how short this version was. We only did two verses: 1) left in / right arm out, and 2) whole self. I'd have thought there'd have been separate verses for left arm in/out and right arm in/out. When I did it at Devon's Crealy with Dina the Dinosaur two years ago, I think there were five verses (left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, whole self).

At the end first timers were called into the centre of the circle. Although this wasn't my first Club trip, or even my first Loopathon, I was allowed in as it was my first time of attending the Drayton Manor Park half of Loopathon. Those in the centre had to form a small circle facing outwards for the group hug. This officially marked the end of the 2011 coaster season, at least as far as RCCGB trips are concerned.

Finally everyone headed out of Drayton Manor Park. Back at the car park members said their last goodbyes before heading home.

Summary of day in order of activity

Welcome at Hospitality Suite

ERS: Apocalypse 3 (sit down, stand up, stand up no floor)

Morning normal time:
Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission 1
Maelstrom 1
Troublesome Trucks Coaster 1
Cranky's Drop Tower 1
Rockin' Balstrode 1

Buffet Lunch at Hospitality Suite

Afternoon normal time:
Shockwave 2
Stormforce 10 1
Splash Canyon 1
Polperro's Express Train 1
Jeremy's Flying Academy 1
The Bounty 1
Buffalo Mountain Coaster 2
Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission 1
Shockwave 1
Maelstrom 1

ERS G-Force 6

Hokey cokey and group hug

Total 26 rides (ERSs 9, normal time 17)

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Free Time Combined)

Ride	Total
Apocalypse	3
Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission	2
Buffalo Mountain Coaster	2
Cranky's Drop Tower	1
G-Force	6
Jeremy's Flying Academy	1
Maelstrom	2
Polperro's Express Train	1
Rockin' Balstrode	1
Shockwave	3
Splash Canyon	1
Stormforce 10	1
The Bounty	1
Troublesome Trucks Coaster	1
TOTAL	26

Journey Home

At 18:30 planenut took me to Birmingham International. Having said goodbye to him I then caught the 18:53 train to Birmingham New Street. Once there I got myself takeaway burger and fries, plus pancakes with syrup from Burger King in the station concourse. Afterwards I went into the Fairtrade café in the concourse to have a cup of coffee. Eventually it was time for me to join the 20:12 train to Bristol Parkway, followed by 21:30 rail replacement bus to Bristol Temple Meads and finally 22:10 train to Bath Spa. I finally reached Bath Spa at 22:21, and home a few minutes later.

Outro

Highlights

Meeting members I'd met on previous Club trips again.
ERSs on Apocalypse and G-Force.
Adding five more coasters to my coaster count.
High overall ride count (ERSs and normal time combined).
Being called on to the stage during the buffet lunch for my birthday song and speech.
Hokey Cokey and group hug at the end.

Lowlights

Buffet lunch a bit disappointing (I'd been led to believe some years ago it was really good).

Summing Up

Another excellent trip, and a great turnout too. The weather was reasonable: sunny all morning and cloudy in the afternoon, but at least it was dry all day. It was great meeting other members again, including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Chilvers, Big Stevie B, Death, Emerald Evans, Lucy Cosnett, the two Gareths, Mary (Regatta) and Andy Knight, planenut, Sarah Booker and Smiler. Also it was great to add five more coasters (Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission, Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster, Shockwave, Buffalo Mountain Coaster, G-Force) to my coaster count. Just one point, they're all steel. Come on Drayton Manor, get some wood! For me the best thing of all was using this event as a way to mark my recent 40th birthday with the RCCGB, including my appearance on stage lunchtime, and showing my cards to various members at certain times of the day. Everyone I spoke to liked my birthday T-shirt. Wearing that instead of either of my RCCGB T-shirts on this particular occasion added to the fun of celebrating my 40th birthday with the Club.

Many thanks to Andy Hine for organising this trip, and for giving me the birthday card, plus Drayton Manor notebook and pen. Thanks also to planenut for kindly giving me lifts from Tamworth Arms to Drayton Manor Park in the morning, and Drayton Manor Park to Birmingham International in the evening.

Roll on the 2012 Blackpool Bash, I hope to be there.