What are your thoughts on going backwards on roller coasters?

Hi guys. With the swing launch seemingly being the flavour of the month in launch coaster world at present, as well as shuttle and semi-shuttle coasters increasing in popularity, the number of coasters that go backwards for at least a portion of their layout is ever increasing. So my question to you today is; what are your thoughts on going backwards on roller coasters? Do you love it? Or do you think it’s an uninteresting gimmick?


For me, I honestly think it depends on the ride and the way in which backwards travel is used.


In rides where backwards travel is used to traverse over an exclusively backwards section of track, like Thirteen at Alton Towers, I think it can be quite fun. I do quite like Thirteen’s backwards section; it’s a real laugh!


However, I’m not huge on shuttle coasters. I’ve done 3 now, and while I wouldn’t say that any of them are terrible rides per se, none of them are exactly my favourite either. I often find that the backwards stretch isn’t as fun as the forwards stretch, and even on milder shuttle coasters (e.g. family boomerangs), the backwards g’s are often a bit uncomfortable and make my head hurt a bit. I don’t find Revolution’s backwards section especially pleasant, in terms of a thrill shuttle coaster; it often makes me grey out and gives me a bit of a headache.


But what are your thoughts?

Aah another great @Matt N poll can't resist!
So I voted for depends of the ride as I think certain rides its fine on and other not so much. I think things like thirteen is pretty fun but I'm not sure I'd like to ge to be going backwards on thrill coasters although I'd love to try both nemesis and oblivion backwards. I think if a coaster has been designed with going backwards in mind or the layout is fairly simple it should be fine and can be quite fun.

Interestingly, I was reading something the other day and it said Drayton Manor used to let enthusiasts ride shockwave backwards at events. Did anyone do it? What was it like?

JAperson said:

Interestingly, I was reading something the other day and it said Drayton Manor used to let enthusiasts ride shockwave backwards at events. Did anyone do it? What was it like?

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You stood up in the 'seat' backwards, they didn't flip the the train, for clarity. It was quite an odd experience as it was (obviously) not designed to be ridden in that way, the head rest felt like it was precariously close to your face, as I recall.

I don't have a strong opinion on going backwards, but I am a big advocate of them flipping Oblivion.

I like a direction change on a ride, it can really boost a ride in my estimation, Firechaser Express is tons better because of the clever use of that, for example.

I quite liked Swarm backwards, it's just a shame the scenery is so intrinsic to the experience, that aspect was lost.

Batman TR backwards is one or the most intense experiences I've ever had on a coaster.

Edit, I guess I like it more than I thought.

Rick said:

You stood up in the 'seat' backwards, they didn't flip the the train, for clarity. It was quite an odd experience as it was (obviously) not designed to be ridden in that way, the head rest felt like it was precariously close to your face, as I recall.

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So your saying you literally stood backwards in the restraint? Was that even safe? Sounds a bit strange but something worth giving a go. I imagine it was very uncomfortable though. I wish there was some video footage of that as it would be cool to see but I can't find any.

Rick said:

Batman TR backwards is one or the most intense experiences I've ever had on a coaster.

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I've always wanted to try an invert backwards. Not really sure why as I imagine it's very intense and no good for the average rider but I just fancy giving it a go one day.

JAperson said:

So your saying you literally stood backwards in the restraint? Was that even safe? Sounds a bit strange but something worth giving a go. I imagine it was very uncomfortable though. I wish there was some video footage of that as it would be cool to see but I can't find any.

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I might have some video on a VHS maybe, but I don't have a VHS player.

If you bosh a cryptic search query like "Drayton Shockwave Backwards" into Google, you'll find these ...

Rick said:

You stood up in the 'seat' backwards, they didn't flip the the train, for clarity. It was quite an odd experience as it was (obviously) not designed to be ridden in that way, the head rest felt like it was precariously close to your face, as I recall.

I don't have a strong opinion on going backwards, but I am a big advocate of them flipping Oblivion.

I like a direction change on a ride, it can really boost a ride in my estimation, Firechaser Express is tons better because of the clever use of that, for example.

I quite liked Swarm backwards, it's just a shame the scenery is so intrinsic to the experience, that aspect was lost.

Batman TR backwards is one or the most intense experiences I've ever had on a coaster.

Edit, I guess I like it more than I thought.

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I thought I was the only one on here who found the Swarm backwards enjoyable. I find the Swarm one of the most overrated UK coasters amongst enthusiasts (there's an idea for you there @Matt.N for a new thread, most over and underrated) and Ioved being able to ride it from another angle. It made it more interesting, was intense and the first drop backwards was brilliant. It was great not knowing quite when weightlessness or positive G's would occur.

I'm also an advocate for a backwards option on Oblivion. How terrifying would that be? I'd love to give it a go.

There is no other ride experience like Revolution that I've done. The feeling of being pushed off and going round backwards is quite unique I think.

Can't say I'm a fan. I always feel nauseous when I'm going backwards.

Likewise.
I didn't do Rev last weekend because I wanted to keep hold of my two pints of beer and megakebab.
I don't mind sharing my food, but there are limits.

I can't think of a single backwards ride experience that hasn't improved the ride in question for me.

Thirteen, Everest, X, Swarm, Rev.

I love it.

I guess there is several types of backwards.
Fun - Everest, Thirteen etc. Usually involves a switch track.
OMG nauseus weird feeling - Revolution and similar
Fast-paced shuttle - somewhere inbetween.

Matt.GC said:

I find the Swarm one of the most overrated UK coasters amongst enthusiasts (there's an idea for you there @Matt.N for a new thread, most over and underrated)

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That’s a great suggestion @Matt.GC! I’d love to make it (although I’d perhaps call it something different as I’m not personally a fan of the terms overrated and underrated), although I seem to remember there already being a topic like that.

Come to think of it, it might even have been me who made it…
EDIT: Here’s the main topic I can find on “overrated and underrated”, although it’s 3 years old: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/most-overrated-and-underrated-coasters.3917/page-2

And there’s also this one, with a slightly different premise, that’s also about 3 years old: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/overrated-but-still-great-coasters.4592/

Would it be time for me to make a new one, or would you rather bump one of these old topics?

Really enjoyed the newish Gerstlauer swing launch coasters when you launch forwards and backwards, plus of course Fury which you can vote to do the whole thing backwards.

Matt N said:

That’s a great suggestion @Matt.GC! I’d love to make it (although I’d perhaps call it something different as I’m not personally a fan of the terms overrated and underrated), although I seem to remember there already being a topic like that.

Come to think of it, it might even have been me who made it…
EDIT: Here’s the main topic I can find on “overrated and underrated”, although it’s 3 years old: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/most-overrated-and-underrated-coasters.3917/page-2

And there’s also this one, with a slightly different premise, that’s also about 3 years old: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/overrated-but-still-great-coasters.4592/

Would it be time for me to make a new one, or would you rather bump one of these old topics?

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Didn't know one already existed. I suppose there's no need for a new one then

Matt.GC said:

I thought I was the only one on here who found the Swarm backwards enjoyable.

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I found Swarm backwards enjoyable as a novelty, but I still hated it as it took away what were by far the best seats for forward riding.