The Ride
Ghost Riders was a surprise to many coaster riders, because the park had never taken a project on this grand of scale in it's 78 year history. The new coaster would be called Ghost Riders to fit in with the California Legend that goes something like this. A Union soldier during the Civil War ventured out west following a tale of gold to be found in the California. Settling in the California town of Calico, this soldier found work in the famous Calico mine. When suddenly he disappeared. What exactly happened to him is unknown, but according to local folklore this gentleman ventured into the Calico mine on horseback one dark night and never returned. Following his mysterious disappearance locals' recall seeing something odd in the sky on dark, clear nights. The mysterious sightings appeared to be a ghost onboard a horse riding across the sky. So as the legend goes, the odd sightings became known as the Ghostrider. During the construction of the Largest Knott's project in the parks history, the Knott family sold the park to the Cedar Fair L.P. Cedar Fair stuck to the project until it was finished in December of 1998. This CCI coaster is certainly a winner, and will be for years to come.
The Experience
Riders board either copper or gold mining cars, built by PTC. Seated two to a row, the 28-passengers cars depart the station dipping into a spiral turn before approaching the lift hill. While climbing to the top of the 108 foot hill, they are given a beautiful view of Southern California. Suddenly without warning the cars peak the hill and fall down the eleven story, 51 degree drop. The trains reach a top speed of 56 mph as they scream into the structure under the helix that will come later in the ride, emerging to climb the second hill. The train then powers up a hill and into a 180 degree turn with a dive at the end. The train then slows down as it rounds a 180 degree turn, preparing riders for the next trick. The train plunges down a drop and into the wooden structure of the coaster. The trains wind their way back through the wooden structure, and into another 180 degree turn. Heading back toward the station the train hit a bunny hill, and then enters the ride's finale. The train roars into the helix, with speed to spare the train runs into the final brake run and drifts slowly back into the station.
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