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Most roller coasters rely on speed, tight turns and steep slopes to get
riders’ adrenaline levels up, but SkyCycle, a pedal-powered coaster ride
in the Japanese city of Okayama is proof that roller coasters can be
even more terrifying at low speeds.
Located on a greenery-covered hill at the Washuzan Highland amusement
park in Okayama, SkyCycle is probably the world’s slowest roller coaster
ride. That’s because it’s pedal-powered so it goes as fast as the rider
can pedal. It doesn’t have any steep slopes or spectacular drops either,
but it still manages to get your heart racing by constantly conveying an
uneasy sense of danger and uncertainty. It may look like a quaint ride
for people who are too scared to go on conventional roller coasters, but
once you get on one of those flimsy carts and realize there’s nothing
but a loose safety belt keeping you from falling to your doom, your
pulse goes up instantly.
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SkyCycle carts are nothing but flimsy-looking side by side tandem bikes
attached to a metal rail at about 50 feet above ground. And if you’re
brave enough to get on one by yourself, you may feel it banking toward
your side, which isn’t exactly reassuring. Strong winds can be
terrifying as well, considering there are no safety rails or anything
else to keep you from falling, other than a simple safety belt.
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This unusual amusement park ride went viral online a couple of years
ago, thanks to a video shot in a time when the metallic pillars holding
the SkyCycle track in place was in desperate need of a paint job. They
looked rusty, and even though you could tell the damage was only
superficial, it wasn’t exactly the most reassuring sight for riders.
They look a lot better nowadays, but the ride itself is still
terrifying.
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A ride of the SkyCycle lasts about three minutes, more or less, but it
can feel like a lifetime. If you can take your eyes off the metal rail
as you approach the end of the track you will be treated to one of the
most amazing views in Okayama, featuring the stunning islands in the
Seto Inland Sea and the Great Seto Bridge.
So if fast and twisting roller coaster no longer pose any challenge you
you, maybe try a really slow one? You can find the SkyCycle ride at the
Washuzan Highland amusement park in Okayama, Japan.
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