Maverick Riding Technique

Hi. I'm going to Cedar Point in August for the first time since 2006. I am really looking forward to riding Maverick for the first time. However, I recently read a trip report saying that Maverick was rougher than expected and that there is a certain technique to use when riding to ensure a good experience. I was wondering what it was. Thanks, I appreciate your help.

It's a little rough, but not too bad. I usually keep my legs straight until my harness is checked, but then I cross my feet when we leave the station. The seat is much more comfortable for me that way. And then it's just a matter of leaning into the turns to keep your head/neck from banging the sides.

Don't put your arms up! I had mine up the entire ride and was bruised the next day from where the harness hit my arms.

I also watch which way the ride is going to go next and kinda lean into the direction when it comes. I've never felt like the ride was rough and didn't realize there was a technique.

I would watch the POV a few more times and memorize the layout. This way, you know the turns and you will be able to "go with them", if that makes sense.

I found that it depends which train you're on.Some trains are rough and some arent.

I tell a lot of first riders to hold onto the over-the-shoulder restrains near your ears.

You can keep you head from hitting the restraints easier.

Also, lean into all the turn, as mentioned above. :)

I recently found that if you want to hold your arms up (like me), then if you have them up and instead of having your arms out hold them up against the harness on both sides. I don't know if that was clear but I tried to explain as best I could. So like put a little bit of pressure with your arms against the harness. I didn't hit my head once. Although I never thought it was bad at all with the exception of the first turn. I never had any bad head banging on it. But for me if you just kinda hold your arms up against the harness it feels the same as holding on.

I find this interesting, as I have never had any issues riding Maverick, even on my first ride when I didn't know the layout well. I always just lean into the turns, and I am fine. It's actually a very comfortable ride for me...

Maverick is not rough. People often confuse fast direction changes with roughness. Mean Streak is rough. Maverick is not.

The over-the-shoulder restraints are entirely cosmetic and have nothing to do with restraining you. So basically, they're in the way. I suggest keeping your arms down and your head back and you'll be fine. Perhaps lean slightly into the turns.

PB-Reader said:
I tell a lot of first riders to hold onto the over-the-shoulder restrains near your ears.

You can keep you head from hitting the restraints easier.

Also, lean into all the turn, as mentioned above. :)

That method has worked the best for me. As others have said, trying to put your arms up is about pointless with the OTSRs. I prefer riding in the front, so I can more easily lean/brace for the quick turns, so maybe you could do that for your first time. I find the back car to be an even more wild ride, but with my hands on the restraints as described above, my ears/temples are still safe. :)

ETA: I also agree with Jeff that folks sometimes confuse the quick turns/changes with being "rough." It may throw you around a bit, but it's not shaky/jostling.

The techinque that works for me is to hold onto the restraints right at shoulder level, thats allows me to stabilize myself and along with leaning away from the curve keep my head from hitting the restraints. Although my hands do go up on the two airtime hills.

I have heard people mentioning keeping your head back. I have to completely disagree.

After years of riding coasters with over the shoulder restraints, I have finally learned from experience that keeping your head back is what causes a lot of the banging.

So, keep your head FORWARD as far as possible. That way, it has nothing to bang on. By leaning forward, you're also bracing the front of your body against the restraints. I know this may go against conventional wisdom, but I swear it's made rides that were once unbearable due to the headbanging into enjoyable coasters.

The best technique to ride maverick is to well get in and ride. Its a roller coaster!!!! Ride it morning, noon and night!!

I know whenI ride I love to put my hands up! I place my feet firmly down and hole my arms out and againt the outer part of the harnness! I make sure I am sitting up! I love the style of the ride!

Its more of a shoulder thing than a head banging. I put my hands around the shoulder area of the harness, but kinda on the inside, and push out to keep the restraint off my shoulders during the ride.

I sit with my back on the seat, but my head in the middle of the OTSRs. I have my hands turned over; grabbing the underside of the OTSRs. (the part facing you. I lean with the turns, and have never had any head banging. Love this ride.

Unless you're a giraffe, you can't adequately get your head forward enough to avoid the restraints on Maverick.

But if you're a giraffe then your going to hit your head in the tunnel! :)

Something still seems wrong with Maverick in that you have to use a technique to ride it "correctly." It seems like the ride should be perfectly enjoyable and not require riders to learn the layout of the ride, lean into the turns, and hang on around the OTSRs to avoid being karate chopped in the neck. It would be nice if the trains could be retrofitted to be lapbar-only ala Flight of Fear.

^ I've always wanted that as well, but do you think lapbars would be sufficient on the 95 degree drop?