Howie
Donkey in a hat
Ahh yes, ranking threads. We all love 'em. But let's do something different; instead of just compiling lists of coasters and parks that everybody posts in but nobody actually reads, let's talk about some of those old CoasterForce trips we've all been on and reminisce about some of the adventures, japes, larks, pratfalls, ERT's, drunken stupors, tat raffles and takeovers that make up a typical CoasterForce Live.
Of course, all CF Lives are awesome, that goes without saying. But which were your favourites?
Whether it's at Dollywood or Pleasurewood, the laughs, banter and welcoming atmosphere at a CF event are always on point, but let's be honest, some Lives are more awesome than others. There could be many reasons for this: maybe one was at a particularly good park, or you had a particularly good ERT session on a fab new coaster. Maybe one in particular marked the start of a lasting friendship, or maybe you even met your future spouse at a CF Live?
Or maybe you just have a soft spot for the first one you ever went to.
What about the 'bad' ones? Were there any that were hampered by, say, bad weather? Or slow operations? Or spites? Or illness? Or arguments? Or maybe you just got so drunk you can't remember any of it?
How many Lives have been on?
When and where was your first one?
Not been to one yet? Why the hell not??
I'm hoping some of the old skoolers get in on this one, with tales of olde and humble beginnings. Post links to old trip reports, dig up old group photos and ORP's. Go to town on this one. What were the classic Lives that all us newbies missed out on?
I joined the forums in 2014 after a chance encounter with Ian and ECG one day, but didn't venture out to an official Live until the Spring of 2016 when I shimmied up to Blackpool for 'Rock n Roller Coasters'.
To be honest I wasn't quite sure to expect. Wasn't nervous or anything, but I did kind of worry that everyone attending would be a bespectacled, anorak wearing nerd with a notepad and pencil. Or worse, I could have been spending the day with about 30 Robb Alveys! ?
But no, everyone (well... nearly everyone) was surprisingly normal and, much to my delight, I wasn't the oldest person there. Yay!
It was fab, a great introduction to the world of organised goonery and that year I went to 3 more - Paulton's, Sweden and Alton Towers Fireworks.
Ah yes, Sweden 2016 - Liseberg, Kölmarden and Grona Lund. I think that has been my favourite one so far, loved it. Day trips to Blackpool and Paulton's is one thing, but this was a long weekend away in a different country, a new country, with 2 absolute bucket list parks on the agenda, parks that I probably wouldn't have been to if it wasn't for CoasterForce. Got my 200th cred, got my first RMC and I class that as the trip where I truly became "one of us".
Ian and I even had matching shorts! ?
I'd also like to mention the Cedar Point Live in 2018 - that one was awwwwesome! Me and Delly P had been bombing round Murica for about 10 days before meeting up with cool folks like Edward M, Liveforthelaunch, Youngster Joey, Antinos and the legendary Snoo at the greatest park in the world to ride the greatest coaster in the world. That night time marathon on Steel Vengeance with Tom and Davidm will live with me for a looong time. Epic!
Those are 2 of my favourite CF Lives (so far), but let's hear about some of yours?
Of course, all CF Lives are awesome, that goes without saying. But which were your favourites?
Whether it's at Dollywood or Pleasurewood, the laughs, banter and welcoming atmosphere at a CF event are always on point, but let's be honest, some Lives are more awesome than others. There could be many reasons for this: maybe one was at a particularly good park, or you had a particularly good ERT session on a fab new coaster. Maybe one in particular marked the start of a lasting friendship, or maybe you even met your future spouse at a CF Live?
Or maybe you just have a soft spot for the first one you ever went to.
What about the 'bad' ones? Were there any that were hampered by, say, bad weather? Or slow operations? Or spites? Or illness? Or arguments? Or maybe you just got so drunk you can't remember any of it?
How many Lives have been on?
When and where was your first one?
Not been to one yet? Why the hell not??
I'm hoping some of the old skoolers get in on this one, with tales of olde and humble beginnings. Post links to old trip reports, dig up old group photos and ORP's. Go to town on this one. What were the classic Lives that all us newbies missed out on?
I joined the forums in 2014 after a chance encounter with Ian and ECG one day, but didn't venture out to an official Live until the Spring of 2016 when I shimmied up to Blackpool for 'Rock n Roller Coasters'.
To be honest I wasn't quite sure to expect. Wasn't nervous or anything, but I did kind of worry that everyone attending would be a bespectacled, anorak wearing nerd with a notepad and pencil. Or worse, I could have been spending the day with about 30 Robb Alveys! ?
But no, everyone (well... nearly everyone) was surprisingly normal and, much to my delight, I wasn't the oldest person there. Yay!
It was fab, a great introduction to the world of organised goonery and that year I went to 3 more - Paulton's, Sweden and Alton Towers Fireworks.
Ah yes, Sweden 2016 - Liseberg, Kölmarden and Grona Lund. I think that has been my favourite one so far, loved it. Day trips to Blackpool and Paulton's is one thing, but this was a long weekend away in a different country, a new country, with 2 absolute bucket list parks on the agenda, parks that I probably wouldn't have been to if it wasn't for CoasterForce. Got my 200th cred, got my first RMC and I class that as the trip where I truly became "one of us".
Ian and I even had matching shorts! ?
I'd also like to mention the Cedar Point Live in 2018 - that one was awwwwesome! Me and Delly P had been bombing round Murica for about 10 days before meeting up with cool folks like Edward M, Liveforthelaunch, Youngster Joey, Antinos and the legendary Snoo at the greatest park in the world to ride the greatest coaster in the world. That night time marathon on Steel Vengeance with Tom and Davidm will live with me for a looong time. Epic!
Those are 2 of my favourite CF Lives (so far), but let's hear about some of yours?
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