Bragging rights.

That's what this is all about, you know. I'm no more or less of a coaster nut because I have ridden 140+ coasters than someone who has ridden only 5. Or 1. Visiting a whole bunch of parks and riding a whole bunch of coasters makes for interesting experiences and interesting conversation with other coaster nuts, but it really doesn't prove anything. That said, some people are interested in this sort of thing, so I figure I might as well present my list.

I've broken it down by state and by park, and along with each listing there is a notation on the type of coaster. More about that at the end of the list. Remember, this is a list of the roller coasters that I, Dave Althoff, have actually ridden. So it isn't a mistake on the page that I show coasters that aren't there anymore, and do not show coasters that are there...it's a list of the rides I've actually ridden. Well, except for the ones indicated with a red stripe. Those rides, I actually made an attempt to ride, but for whatever reason I had to bail out in the station.

A word about type and status...

Coasters come in two basic flavors, "wood" and "steel", defined by the type of track. Because it is the track, not the structure, which define whether a ride is wood or steel, Cedar Point's Gemini is considered a steel coaster while the Hoosier Hurricane at Indiana Beach is considered a wood coaster. This is in accordance with common practice. I have further delineated the coasters by genre, for instance, "Steel Looper" or "Wood Junior." You may also notice that some coaster types are italicized. This indicates that the coaster type listed is a standard model, or standard 'family' of coasters. The Windstorm, for example, is a particular design of portable steel coaster, designed for SDC srl. of Italy and sold by SDC, S&MC, and Zamperla. You may also notice a few items which are designated "NOT coaster." These are rides which have some very coaster-like traits, but I don't feel comfortable calling them "coasters" in the usual sense of the word, for one reason or another. In general, when trying to determine whether a ride is or is not a coaster, I use the "pornography definition": I don't have a specific definition, but I know it when I see it. Finally, there is one coaster on the list, the Pipeline Express at Putt 'N Pond Action Park in Fostoria, Ohio, listed as a "plastic" coaster. This is absolutely true. The spine and supports for this coaster are steel, but the rails are PVC pipe.

The current count:

Parks visited: 64
Wood Coasters: 76
Steel Coasters: 169
Plastic Coasters: 1
Carnival Coasters: 11 The Avalanche only counts once!
Total Coasters Ridden: 257
"Not Coasters" Ridden: 7
Coasters attempted but not ridden: 3

Last updated July 8, 2005.

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