Log vs Bike

In my 27 years of living in southern California I have never set foot in Six Flags Magic Mountain.  I HATE roller coasters.  The rushing wind in my face is like being smothered by a pillow.  The sudden drops are like my stomach is trying to escape through my face with its entire contents out first.  Anything that spins incites panic.  When those seat-belts, lap-bars, shoulder harnesses are fastened I'm immediately looking for the exit.  Filled with regret and fiery anger at whoever convinced me to get on this god-forsaken ride.  The straitjacket is on and I'm shoved into the rubber room to endure the torture... 


Now Disneyland is actually enjoyable (but IronMel it's rides made for children!  SHUT UP), all except Splash Mountain.  What a deceiving ride.  You sit in log nestled between your good friends.  There's fuzzy animals.  Singing.  It's all Chuck E. Cheese up in there.  All of a sudden it turns dark, like PMS mood swings.  Then *BOOM* you're heading face first down a waterfall gripping white knuckled for dear life so you don't fly out of that stupid fake log.  Well, that's my guess how it goes.  Once it starts to get dark my eyes are closed and I'm screaming.  


What is funny though is that Splash Mountain (according to my internet research) goes only somewhere around 40mi an hour and I almost go that fast going downhill on my bike - AND I FRIGGIN LOVE IT.  On my bike I love the sound of the rushing wind in my ears.  I feel the need for speed.  It's glorious.  Thrilling.  I'm in my highest gear pushing the pedals with all I've got to get the maximum amount of spin down the road and I'm sad once I hit the bottom.  The fastest I've ever gone is 37mph and I want to go faster.  



On my Saturday morning practice ride I had a triumph.  After a struggle up Mandeville (just your friendly neighborhood 5mi long incline) it was time to turn around.  Then the fun began.  I was racing through the twists and turns downhill through the neighborhood when I realized something.  Speed limit was 30mph.  My bike computer said I was going 3omph.  

*thanks Marvin

I'm not sure if every cyclist feels this.  For non-cyclists compare it to running after a cheetah, catching up, and keeping up with said cheetah.  Either way, I had a huge smile on my face and some joyous laughter.  Then I had to slow down for a stop sign and that brought me back to the task at hand.  


So Splash Mountain - strapped in.  Bike - clipped in.  Both have drops.  I suppose the biggest difference (other than log vs bike) is that the bike has breaks and handlebars.  I'm in control.  I tell it where to go, what to do, how fast, and it listens.  See I'm not careening downhill, I'm always in control.  If there is a sharp turn at the bottom, lots of cars, hazards, etc I will carefully pump my breaks to stay at a comfortable speed.  But when all is well and I'm feeling good, it's balls out speed.

Bike rides are as epic as this sounds.