Alpine Coaster at Mieders, Austria

[Imperator88vis]

I'm going back to Austria just to do this!!! (Well this and one other thing)

[plegggs]

Awesome video. Looks like tremendous fun.  We would have that in America, but instead we have lawyers and intrusive government. Bad trade.

[kapeesh67]

It was too fast for 1 person

[SuperbFlashzplayer]

but what are you sitting at? you want wall? and you have permissions to do it? and what are you slideing at?

[WillC375]

one person got killed by riding this thing so his family member helped him clicked that dislike

[Bianca16161616]

240p.... we meet again

[ruskiez]

have to ride it

[ParadoxPerspective]

Randomly disconnect ten feet of rail. Problem?

[handsoffthesaddle]

how do you stop at the end!? o.o

[davidjellis]

@handsoffthesaddle - Use the brake lever (which of course I didn't use throughout the rest of the ride)...there was some pretty harsh braking at the end given I was travelling full speed into a dead-end!

[kitouxxx]

@handsoffthesaddle put your foot on the floor and push...

[davidjellis]

I have now posted a hi-res version of this footage - hope you enjoy it!

checkout youtube.com/watch?v=iqCkICXWdW­I

[mariocool32]

i would like to go to school like this :D

[99AcidBurn]

that thing is awesome! i ride it by myself

[BloodElflolq]

RWJ found YOU!

[XSunacX]

where is part 2?

:D

[McThomalds]

@davidjellis Ray William Johnson postet it on his website :D

[RimK5000]

If you get sick at the top you're pretty much screwed for the rest of the ride.

[davidjellis]

ok folks...the number of views in the last day was been unusually massive...something like 10,000 views - so where did you see the link to this video...as I am curious where all these views and comments have come from!!

[aymara1705]

@davidjellis Reddit

[flahr1]

@davidjellis called viral video

[harijoel]

@davidjellis ray williams johnson website

[nfazio62293]

@davidjellis RWJ

[iamshaked]

@davidjellis Reddit :)

[Dalandros]

@davidjellis It was linked on a similair video on snotr.com ^^ yours being somewhat faster compared to the other one

[Darkhoof]

@davidjellis

Ray William Johnson army.

[Pontomimikas]

@davidjellis ray william johnson's blog ;)

[chriscarmichael]

@davidjellis reddit

[philid123]

@davidjellis This video is being featured on Ray William Johnson's website.

[eyescreamtattoo]

@davidjellis facebook,,,

[ZorrroUK]

@davidjellis Raywilliamjohnsons website for me :P

[B0MB3RM4NNN]

@davidjellis raywj.com

[ifijihadalife]

@davidjellis ihc.com

[614streets]

@davidjellis liveleak

[feelesh]

@davidjellis It's just been posted onto Wimp.com which might have increased the number of people who've then come here to see it.

Great video. Did something similar this year in Austria but you appear to be far more exposed than we were

[NeroAngeloGR]

@davidjellis 24wro.blogspot(dot)com it's a greek site for news and videos and it had your video for the scariest ride in the world

[MuntoD]

@davidjellis I saw it on ebums world and wanted to know where exactly this was.

[darkndfate]

How fast aproximantly were you traveling?

[davidjellis]

@darkndfate - I believe it goes around 25-30 mph at full speed, but it looks and feels a lot faster, as you are close to the ground and very exposed!

[ccfcobro]

This is fucking amazing, how much did it cost for one ride?

[Mofoe2001]

Reminds me of Sonic The Hedgehog rail grinding.

[BornAgainEngineer]

feels like im in twilight on edward's back.

like if u cry evry time.

[JONmanIStheBEST]

need for speed album? sounds so nostalgic

[ChrisK513]

They should make the rig you sit on a replica of a Speeder Bike from Star Wars.

[Benefit1970]

From above:

"Alpine coasters like this are controlled by the riders, you have a brake lever which you push down away from you to go faster (brakes off) and pull up (which is their normal resting position) to brake / stop."

[sk8ferEVER]

oh shit DEER !

[candIejac]

Hypothetical situation a tree or large stick falls onto the track, wutdo?

[davidjellis]

@candIejac - hit it? ;-)

[Grhaan]

I had to take a good grip on my chair.. Fucking hell..

[Snodgers3rdclass]

how dd you stop? lol

[jtodd4115]

BEAR!

[llllJakubllll]

Waiting for some sort of animal to jump in front.

[FeitoPorJaime]

Welcome to my bucket list.

[photostealsoul]

so much deforestation, it's sad.

[098765432qwertyuiop]

@photostealsoul it"s a ski resort what do you expect.

[ericunderscores]

A monorail seems really unstable. I'd like to see this contraption. It would be very unfortunate if you fell out or it derailed, with all of those big sticks and stumps they left right next to the track. Then there's the risk of some dumb animal or other blockage on the track. Sounds like FUN!

[dbomber69]

You could carry a GPS with you and record the run. then you would have a record that you would be able to download and show how fast you went and the actual course layout.

[66gardener]

My biggest question is what kind of system do they employ to return the empty cars to the top of the mountain?

[davidjellis]

@66gardener - they are brought up in the cablecar system that also brings passengers up.

[LSpur848]

So cool! I just spent 2 weeks in Telfes and wandered over to Mieders to do this!!

[unclebone100]

Thanks David for more tidbits of info on the Alpine coasters. With everything you have said, I now know what to expect if I ever ride them. Sure hope they have seat belts which will make me feel more secure. There is another coaster video from Golm which is great and features some Germans riding which I also love along with your coaster videos. Thanks again for all your most interesting feedback which I really appreciate. And cheers to you and yours on this Easter Sunday!

[unclebone100]

Thanks for more 'insider' tips on your experiences on the Alpine coasters, davidjellis, and I really appreciate your feedback. VERY interesting and educational! Sounds like it IS all about gravity! I also hope the ride operators speak English and not just German since there are many tourists---like YOU!---who ride these coasters. I know you live in the UK but maybe you speak some German? Perhaps someday I will get the chance to ride these. But for now, I will continue to enjoy your videos.

[davidjellis]

@unclebone100 - I recall there were signs on display for general tourists, although most there were local I guess. Anyone who has ridden an alpine coaster easily knows what to do, and the brake is naturally in the ON position...you have to push it down to go anywhere. I speak a little German, but you don't really need to know the lingo to understand the signage, to be honest. Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[unclebone100]

Thanks for the reply! Gosh, I hope seat belts are required since it would be so easy to fly out of the car, esp. at fast speeds on the steepest parts. Yikes! Too bad there was not a way to monitor your speed since you seemed to be going alot faster than 25 mph. in most parts of your run. And I am a bit surprised that there is not an automatic braking system at the end like on a roller coaster. Do all coasters like this one have no auto brakes at the end? Anyhow, GREAT job filming!

[davidjellis]

@unclebone100 - Alpine coasters like this are controlled by the riders, you have a brake lever which you push down away from you to go faster (brakes off) and pull up (which is their normal resting position) to brake / stop. There are video clips that show minor collisions on Youtube...there is no automatic way of slowing them (and the ride ops give you a briefing before you ride)...but ultimately it's just you and gravity!

[unclebone100]

Thanks davidjellis for more answers to my questions. I really appreciate that. Sure wish I could ride this coaster, too, though it seems that you are going alot faster than 25 mph. What do you first say when the video starts? And if you do not brake at the end, you will crash? I am surprised there is no automatic braking system like the Golm coaster. Seems dangerous. And were you holding on with only one hand while filming with the other? Just remarkable footage and thanks again!

[davidjellis]

@unclebone100 - This was a few years back, so I may be mistaken about whether there was a seat belt. These rides rely on riders taking responsibility for their own braking. Frequently you see a convoy of sleds finish together where the one at the front has been a little too cautious with the brakes, which does ruin the rides of those behind who wish to go faster. There are ride operators at the end, who shout if you come in too fast, which is why I didn't film it but braked firmly instead!

[unclebone100]

Thanks for the reply back, davidjellis! Were you wearing a helmet for this? What do those signs say along the track? Any chance of derailment by going as fast as you did? What was your fastest speed? (Sure seemed alot faster than the 25 mph.) I would also be afraid that an animal could be on the track and you would hit it but I guess that is a risk you take. Anyhow, if you could answer these questions, I sure would appreciate it. Thanks! (Living so close to Austria is a plus for you.)

[davidjellis]

@unclebone100 - There are no helmets. The cars are strapped onto the track so you cannot derail. Look at this clip to see how the cars are fixed youtube.com/watch?v=Kjw5GhyZUu­0

Not sure how fast I was going...seemed faster as you are close to the ground, but I believe 25mph was about right. Nor many animals lived on the mountain slopes although I believe there is an electrified wire that borders the track on the lower open slopes. The signs warn of the steep bits and to slow down!

[unclebone100]

THANKS for sharing this most thrilling ride, davidjellis! Too bad it is so far away from where I live in California and I would love to ride this. GREAT filming with a camera on your head?? And I loved it when you said "Whoa" a couple of times! Were you afraid you were going to fly off? Are you seat-belted in? Anyhow, just loved this so much and thanks again for sharing, though I wish you would have let the ride come to a complete end. Seemed like it was cut a bit short.

[davidjellis]

@unclebone100 - Pleased you liked the video. The camera was hand-held with one hand whilst holding the brake lever down with the other hand. Yes, I was actually surprised a few times just how steep this ride was, and it sure felt like I might come off on some of the steeper bits. I believe there was a small strap across your waist but nothing substantial. The ride was at an end, the last few seconds were needed to brake to a safe stop before the track ran out!

[DrAntcom]

Yes there are accidents all time, but only when you drive someone other into the back or let your feet hanging out of the "car".

In the beginning there where 2 heavy accidents and then they rebuild the car and now you couldn't go faster than 40km/h

[HattieLovesCattie]

Is this open in the winter time?Some alpine coasters are.

[chopper3749]

that looks like sooooo much fun!

[bsktballdude]

you slow down so much at 35 seconds

[snakefaceproductionz]

WOW!!! That looks really fun but painful and dangerous at the same time. If I were him I would have used brakes....

[sjtom57]

Outstanding!

[TheSpieler13]

so long =D,austria is fantastic

[mitmostet]

in the wilds lol strange hope its comes a bear and eat upp

[Kurd1shRetskrad]

I'm not sure exactly how this works.

Do you sit on something? Is it a one man ride? A chair? Do you control it by yourself? The speed and breaks?

Is this in some sort of park?

[davidjellis]

It isn't in a park, just on the side of a mountain. You sit on a small "tray" with a brake handle...you push down on the handle to release the brakes and pull on the handle to slow down. One person fits on the tray. It has a maximum speed of about 25mph, but feels a lot faster, especially on the steep bits.

[olegzzz3]

Jaa Labais Sigulda atpuushaas!!

[jblucio3177]

Wow that looks like an awsome coaster!

[arminr0]

^^

By the way - where in the UK do you live?

[arminr0]

No I found nothing faster - I think that this is the best Alpine Coaster in Tyrol.

How often did you visit Mieders?

[davidjellis]

I went there just once in 2005, and had two goes on the coaster, the second time with no brakes applied until tne end. I did the longesr alpine coaster at Imst (see my other Youtube clip), but the Mieders one was more scary!

[jhr459]

And this one has just a single rail instead of two, right? I would think that would make it less stable and scarier.

[davidjellis]

It certainly felt scarier! You can possibly detect that from some of the noises I made in the steepest bits!

[mrmaxi951]

@davidjellis do you now the coaster at the kleinwalsertal? and is it dangerous to drive with no brakes? LG mrmaxi951.

[davidjellis]

I understand it is 850m long, but I have never ridden it. I think all these are designed to be safe at full speed, but depends on how confident the rider is.

[arminr0]

i live there and i think it is very slow because there are automatic brakes which brake at about 45 km/h

[davidjellis]

Slow compared to what? If you went unbraked you could fall off and get seriously hurt. Travelling down there at 45 km/h is perfectly fast enough, especially some of the steeper bits. Have you found one that's faster?

[russellvt]

That thing looks pretty darn fast... I have to go! *grin*

[davidjellis]

It IS fast when you don't apply the brakes!