"Faster Than Ever"

The Coney Island Cyclone is 80 years old today.

The Cyclone is my absolute favorite roller coaster. And not just for the coaster, which is an incredible ride, but for what it represents: the entire Coney Island "Nickel Empire" experience and how closely it's all tied to American pop culture. There are many places in this country where hot dogs are still called "Coney Islands" thanks to Coney establishments such as Feltman's Restaurant and Nathan's. Feltman's is long gone (it was next door to the Cyclone where Astroland is today -- for now, anyway) but Nathan's survives. And so does the Cyclone.

( Riding the Cyclone is a ritual. )