I live near Six Flags Over Georgia and used to visit occasionally. With a few exceptions, their coasters generally don’t get above 60 mph. Mindbender, for example, tops out at 50mph, but feels so ridiculously fast when you’re riding it. In a car on the highway, though, going 50 doesn’t feel like much of an event at all.
Why is this?
In: Physics
50mph sustained in a straight line doesn’t feel fast, but 0-50mph in 3 seconds feels VERY fast. 50mph around sharp turns feels VERY fast. 50mph down sharp declines feels VERY fast. 50mph through tight chicanes, around hairpins, or through mogul-like slaloms feels VERY fast. When you’re driving, my guess is that you slow down for turns and downhill sections, like a safe and lawful driver, so you’re not really experiencing anything like a roller coaster ride on the road.
As someone who drives performance automobiles and motorcycles, I can tell you that even 35mph can feel like an insane amount of speed given the right road and a car that can handle it.
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