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The Riddler Mindbender
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| The Riddler Mindbender | |
|---|---|
| Previously known as Mindbender (1978-2019) | |
Mindbender's second drop | |
| Six Flags Over Georgia | |
| Location | Six Flags Over Georgia |
| Park section | Gotham City |
| Coordinates | 33°46′13″N 84°32′51″W / 33.77028°N 84.54750°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 31, 1978 |
| Cost | $2.8 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Anton Schwarzkopf |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Custom design |
| Track layout | Terrain |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Length | 3,253 ft (992 m) |
| Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Duration | 2:33 |
| Max vertical angle | 62° |
| Capacity | 1200 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train. |
| The Riddler Mindbender at RCDB | |
The Riddler Mindbender, previously named Mind Bender, is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta, Georgia. Billed as "the world's first triple-loop roller coaster" when it opened on March 31, 1978, Mindbender has maintained its popularity since its opening. In its 30th anniversary season in 2008, Mindbender was ranked #15 by Amusement Today magazine in its annual Golden Ticket Awards, and was one of only two roller coasters built before 1980 on the list; the other was its "fraternal twin," Shockwave, at Six Flags Over Texas.[1]
History
[edit]Designed by Werner Stengel and built by Anton Schwarzkopf, Mindbender would be the last original roller coaster the park would construct until the arrival of Georgia Scorcher in 1999. Since its debut, Mindbender has had three different color schemes and been counted within three different sections of the park. In its inaugural season, the attraction was part of the USA section and was silver in color. In 1979, Mindbender became part of the new Jolly Roger's Island, itself an offshoot of the USA section. The structure was painted brown during the 1980s. Throughout its first two decades, the trains were silver in color, with a rainbow-colored stripe along both sides.
In 1996, it was announced that Jolly Roger's Island would be converted into Gotham City for the 1997 season with the addition of Batman: The Ride.[2] Mindbender was painted green to suggest that it was the creation of Batman's arch-enemy, The Riddler. A waterfall under the coaster was dyed green, and occasionally still is (although at times it retains a more natural color). The trains were painted black, and covered with green question marks, another hallmark of the Riddler. During the 2009 Southeastern United States floods, sections of the Mindbender were temporarily submerged under muddy water. The park was able to clean up and reopen the weekend following the floods.
The attraction was closed after the 2019 season to undergo a refurbishment as part of the new Gotham City section of the park planned for 2020. It was renamed The Riddler Mindbender, given a new coat of paint, an updated queue line, as well as new trains and refurbished sections of track. The new trains consisted of five cars instead of seven, and the control system was replaced in the process. The Riddler Mindbender's unveiling was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] It reopened on September 18, 2021.[4]
Design and operations
[edit]Like many modern roller coasters, Mindbender operates on the block system featuring 5 blocks: station, transfer table, lift hill, reduction brake, and ready brake. These blocks are controlled by a program running on a programmable logic controller to ensure trains do not collide with one another. To assist in the movement of trains through the brakes, station, and transfer table, a series of feed motors can move a train at slow speeds from a full stop.
Three trains were manufactured for the ride, although the ride control system is not equipped to handle all three on the track at once. One train was used as a spare, and occasionally only one is on the track during normal operation. In the 1990s, one train was dismantled to supply parts for the remaining two. Eventually, the park obtained trains from the former Schwarzkopf-designed Viper at Six Flags Astroworld. The trains had seven cars, each with four seats arranged in rows of two for a total of 28 riders per train. Passengers are restrained with a single ratcheting lap bar.
The transfer table, located between the station and the lift hill, is used to move trains to and from the maintenance building. It features one brake to secure trains in place as the table rotates; it is not used during normal operation. There is also a feed motor located on the transfer table.
The primary set of brakes that stops the trains' movement at the end of the ride are known as the reduction brakes. As a result of having no overhead protection from rain, wet conditions can cause unwanted slipping. The ride occasionally closes when these conditions become severe.
There are two sets of trim brakes on the course of the ride that reduce the speed of the train. The attraction is placed on the side of a ridge, and portions of the track – including the second vertical loop and a helix – are located in an adjacent ravine, increasing the attraction's overall elevation change. The coaster used to be advertised as a "triple looper". The ride features two vertical loops with a diving helix which doesn't actually result in an inversion sometimes considered the third loop.
Ride experience
[edit]The ride begins with the train exiting the loading station, passing over the transfer track and climbing the lift hill. Once the train has reached the top of the lift, it turns right into a U-turn while traversing slightly downward. When the train nears the end of the U-turn, it travels sightly upwards nearing the height it was when it reached the top of the lift hill. The train then descends down the first drop and immediately enters the first loop. Upon exiting the loop, the train climbs a hill, levels out and reaches the first set of trim brakes.
Next, the train turns left in a slight decline before leveling out. Once leveled, it enters the diving helix into the ravine. This is achieved by the left rail lowering much more steeply than the right rail as the train descends into a left-turning helix. The train begins to climb and level out after reaching the bottom of the ravine, producing significant positive G-forces. After exiting the top of the helix, the train enters a hill followed by a U-turn and a second set of trim brakes as the track levels out.
The train then travels down another hill toward the ground and into the final loop. Upon exiting, the train passes through a tunnel and over a hill into another descending U-turn. The train ascends slightly as it completes the U-turn and enters the final brake run.
1984 accident
[edit]On June 3, 1984, a mechanical problem caused a train to stop abruptly, sending four people to a hospital. The ride was repaired and put back into service with no more problems.[5]
Awards
[edit]| Year | 1998 | 1999 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 12[6] | – | ||||||||
| Year | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Ranking | 16[7] | 17[8] | 22[9] | 26[10] | 21[11] | 21[12] | 19[13] | 21 (tie)[14] | 15[15] | 16[16] |
| Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Ranking | 14[17] | 17[18] | 20[19] | 19[20] | 20[21] | 27[22] | 27[23] | 26[24] | 25[25] | 25[26] |
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
| Ranking | N/A | 25[27] | 28[28] | – | – | – |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "2008 Golden Ticket Awards". Amusement Today. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "Batman The Ride debuts in the spring at Six Flags". The Gaffney Ledger. December 31, 1996. Retrieved September 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Riddler Mindbender Reopens at Six Flags Over Georgia". NewsPlusNotes. 19 September 2021.
- ^ "Six Flags unveils The Riddler Mindbender roller coaster". 17 September 2021.
- ^ "4 Injured on Six Flags Ride". The New York Times. 1984-06-05. Retrieved 2006-07-28.
- ^ "Top 25 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 7B. August 1998. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 25 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. August 2000. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 25 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 7B. August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 25 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 7B. September 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 14–15B. September 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 18–19B. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 36–37. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 36–37. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 38–39. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2016 top 50 steel roller coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2018 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2019 Top Steel". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
External links
[edit]The Riddler Mindbender
View on GrokipediaHistory
Construction and opening
In 1977, Six Flags Over Georgia selected renowned German ride manufacturer Anton Schwarzkopf and engineer Werner Stengel to develop a pioneering steel roller coaster, marking a significant step in the park's expansion of thrill attractions. Construction began in late 1977 on a three-acre site featuring a steep, wooded hillside, which allowed for the ride's dramatic elevation changes and integration into the park's natural terrain.[1][5] The resulting coaster, named Mind Bender, officially opened to the public on March 31, 1978, positioned in the park's USA-themed section to complement its patriotic and historical motifs. Marketed aggressively as the world's first triple-looping roller coaster, it generated substantial pre-opening buzz through advertisements highlighting its unprecedented inversions and speed, positioning it as a must-ride innovation for thrill-seekers. Technically, the layout includes two vertical loops—each 56 feet tall—and a steeply banked helix that simulates a third inversion, contributing to the ride's fluid, disorienting experience.[6][1] From its debut, Mind Bender achieved immediate popularity, attracting record crowds and solidifying its status as a flagship thrill ride due to the novelty of its looping elements and smooth Schwarzkopf engineering, which set new standards for steel coasters in North America. The attraction's success helped boost park attendance during its inaugural season, with riders praising the intense forces and scenic integration amid the Georgia landscape.[6][1]Retheming and expansions
In 1997, Six Flags Over Georgia undertook a major retheming of the Mind Bender roller coaster as part of broader park expansions. The ride's structure was repainted in a distinctive green and black color scheme to align with the aesthetic of the Riddler, the iconic DC Comics villain and arch-nemesis of Batman.[7] This visual overhaul positioned the coaster as a thematic creation of the Riddler, enhancing its connection to the Batman universe. The retheming coincided with the transformation of the surrounding area from Jolly Roger's Island—a sub-section of the park's USA themed zone—into the immersive Gotham City section. This shift integrated Mind Bender with the newly added Batman: The Ride, a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster unveiled that year, creating a cohesive DC Comics environment that boosted overall guest immersion amid surrounding Batman lore attractions.[7] Following the 1997 updates, the ride became informally linked to the Riddler character through its paint scheme and location, though it retained the official name Mind Bender until it was officially renamed The Riddler Mindbender in 2021. Minor track adjustments were made during this period to improve smoothness, alongside queue line enhancements featuring Riddler-themed puzzles and graffiti for deeper narrative ties to the Batman franchise. Operational elements, such as themed audio announcements and atmospheric lighting, were introduced to further align the experience with DC Comics branding.[3]Refurbishment and reopening
The Riddler Mindbender closed at the end of the 2019 operating season for a comprehensive refurbishment, initially planned as part of Six Flags Over Georgia's expansion of its Gotham City section.[8] The project aimed to modernize the aging roller coaster, which had been operating since 1978, by addressing wear on key components and enhancing its thematic integration.[3] The refurbishment timeline was significantly extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the park to close entirely in 2020 and delayed construction efforts.[9] Work included the replacement of several track sections to reduce vibrations and improve ride smoothness, along with a full repaint in vibrant green hues applied over a 10-week period.[8] Additionally, the queue line and station were reconstructed with updated theming elements inspired by the DC Comics villain the Riddler, and a new control system was installed to streamline operations.[10] The ride's original Anton Schwarzkopf trains, consisting of seven cars accommodating 28 riders each, were replaced with three custom Bolliger & Mabillard trains featuring five cars and seating for 20 riders per train in a 2-2 arrangement.[3] As part of the overhaul, the attraction was officially renamed The Riddler Mindbender in 2021, solidifying its full embrace of the DC Comics theme that had been introduced in 1997.[8] The roller coaster reopened to the public on September 18, 2021, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[9] Post-reopening, the upgrades received positive reception for delivering a noticeably smoother ride experience compared to prior years, attributed to the new track segments and trains.[11] The ride's theoretical capacity remained at 1,200 riders per hour, supported by faster dispatch times enabled by the modernized control system despite the reduced train length.[3]Design and engineering
Technical specifications
The Riddler Mindbender is a steel roller coaster manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf with a custom track layout designed by Werner Stengel.[1][6] Key dimensions and performance metrics include a maximum height of 80 feet (24 meters), a track length of 3,253 feet (992 meters), a top speed of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour), and a ride duration of 2 minutes and 33 seconds.[3] The coaster achieves a maximum vertical angle of 62 degrees and experiences G-forces up to 5.4.[12][13]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Track length | 3,253 ft (992 m) |
| Top speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Duration | 2:33 |
| Max vertical angle | 62° |
| Max G-force | 5.4 |
| Inversions | 2 (two vertical loops) |
| Capacity | 1,200 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
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