A Coasting for Kids 2012 Weekend!

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

I think a few days passing is long enough for all my internal organs, speech and mental state to return back to normal after what was the most intense day of coaster riding ever for such a phenomenal cause!

A huge thank you to Kara with GKTW and Dineen at Canada's Wonderland for organizing such a great event on a beautiful Sunday! A huge thanks as well to the amazing staff at Vortex and Colin and his staff at Behemoth. The entire day was very well done. The upgraded lunch to the Market Place was very much appreciated all by riders judging from our love of Pizza Pizza and all the other awesome stuff! The day sure proved a definite challenge that I think we were all able to meet without too many issues, other than a protein spill or two (but not from Team TPR)! Stomachs of steel we have!

Congratulations to the entire Team TPR team at Canada's Wonderland: Nick (odene497), Josh (PCW_Nut), Paul (Carnage), Matt (Mightypotato) and John (Archnemasis). Together, Team TPR raised over $3,100! It was awesome meeting all the other riders from other teams or there on their own to support such a great cause. We were 26 strong and as a park, raised over $7,740 for GKTW, up from $3,700 in 2011!

Over the Coasting for Kids weekend, our team slowly trickled in until we were all together on Sunday morning. Nick came in from New York so we found the perfect warm up coaster. Josh joined in on Saturday night to get our hunger worked up. John, Matt and Paul met up with us on Sunday morning, ready to go.

Below are some pics of a mellow warm up, appetite adjustment and some more pics from the event this past Sunday.

The Warm Up Part 1 - Controlling the Speed

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

The Warm Up Part 2 - Getting up to Height and Speed!

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Warm Up Part 3 - Lunch Buffet Prep!

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Now that the weekend warm-up is done, it's time to head to the real deal.

Coasting for Kids 2012!

All together, Team TPR managed 13 rides on Vortex and 57 rides on Behemoth! Here are some more pics to add to our team's pics on Facebook and in the Coasting for Kids Thread.

Thanks to the Crews at Vortex and Behemoth, in particular Colin and Mark, for a fantastic time and keeping us going!

After 5pm, we squeezed in a ride on Leviathan and ended the day on Spinnovator (a Calypso spinning ride) just because. Then we all somehow made it home to recover

[Wes.]

Great report! Glad the turnout for GKTW was so awesome.

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Blue Mountain looks really nice. You guys represented TPR well!

[odene497I prefer to mate with donkeys over humans!]

What a great weekend! Really glad we went up to Blue Mountain, Ridge Runner is nuts! I had a blast at my first Coasting for Kids event, I can't wait until next year. And I will ride Sledge Hammer one day.

[CoastinmillerTPR's table shuffleboard pro]

Thanks for the good look at Blue Mountain, I was planning on hitting that before Leviathan Bash. Where's that burger place though? The only location I can find is downtown Toronto, is there any more?

[PCW_NutA donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

Thanks for the good look at Blue Mountain, I was planning on hitting that before Leviathan Bash. Where's that burger place though? The only location I can find is downtown Toronto, is there any more?

^ That's the only location at the moment. It's at Yonge and St Clair (1450 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4T 1Y7 www.holychuckburgers.com/ ). It is well worth the trip to this place. It's a very close battle between Holy Chuck and Five Guys for my favorite burger in Toronto.

Jason, thanks for the great TR. I won't repeat anything that Jason has already mentioned except that a huge thank you has to go to Canada's Wonderland and the Behemoth/Vortex crews. They did an amazing job handling the crowds and promoting the event. From the donation box at the front of the queue to the constant announcement for oncoming riders they just promoted GKTW and Coasting for Kids so much!

Cannot wait until next years event!

[rollin_n_coastinDon't put that donkey on the floor!]

Great report! Glad the turnout for GKTW was so awesome.

Blue Mountain looks really nice. You guys represented TPR well!

Thanks Wes and Eric! Coordinating such an event in two countries was quite the undertaking I'm sure but the results hopefully made it all worth while.

Blue is a nice place. Not too big, not too small and within a reasonable drive (2-2.5 hours from the city). Like any resort, be prepared for a good gouging on tourist activities. Each ride on Ridge Runner is $15.00 as an example. I personally loved it! If I could afford it, I'd stay on all day. It's amazing how your perception of value changes when you're immersed in an over-priced atmosphere -- it's just 'normal'

Nick, I'm not sure if the Hammer will ever be open for you..lol

^,^^ Oh no, hamburger wars by Josh! The good independents, for the most part are in the city. Some good chains stretch out into the burbs--South Street, Hero, Licks and Five Guys off the top of my head.