And this is the day dedicated to thrill-seekers whose mantra is Laugh is a Rollercoaster.
You know the types who will regale you with how many Gs, angles, speed, twists and turns the new corkscrew has.
We all have Edwin Prescott to thank for patenting the first verticle loop roller coaster on this day in 1898 in Coney Island, New York.
I have, of course, a chequered history with playground attractions.
Probably scarred by being put on a Waltzer when I wasn’t yet 7.
A fright in the North
And then when I did try the oul’ rollercoaster as an ‘adult’ I made the ultimate schoolboy error.
Of getting overlubricated the night before my Irish cousin Danny came to see me in Aberdeen.
And I left the previous night’s dinner outside the Granite City’s beachside park Codona’s.
Munich Fearfest
How then do some resorts think it a good idea to put bars and beerhalls around rollercoasters?
With perhaps the biggest bacchanalian bev-up of them all, Oktoberfest, boasting rollercoasters to distract revellers from the Hofbrau, Lowenbrau et al.
I was too busy trying to split up fighting football frauleins and ending up in a Munich hospital to loop the loop.
I managed to body-swerve the big rides through choosing alternative holiday experiences over the years until Orlando came a-knocking.
Now time, the bright lights of Universal, Pat O’Brien’s frankencocktails and one of those turbocharged American breakfasts do things to a man.
And make him believe he can take on the most winding of rollercoasters at Universal Resort.
But then there was a reason Bruce Banner said: ‘You won’t like me when I’m angry’.
And I came off The Hulk as green around the gills as the Marvel monster.
Muggle magic
I’ve boxed clever around the rollercoasters though I wouldn’t have passed a dope test in any competition, taking motion sickness tablets on board.
But they are muggle magic if you want to go whizzing above and around Hogwarts with Harry and Ron.
I went on to find my feet, and my ride, on the Drop Tower Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.
And I imagine I’m not alone in being more than respectful of the loops and twirls of big boys and big girl rollercoasters.
A ride for everyone
And you know you don’t have to be a hero to stand aside, find your level of ride, and let the G-rides compete with each other.
With even Colin, my old work buddy and one of the hardest footballers I ever faced declining the Hulk’s invitation.
There is a ride out there for everyone.
And the Velociraptor is just a big softie and just wants to take you on a twirl on his VelociCoaster.
So if you’ve got one near you enjoy your day.
Laugh is a rollercoaster, you just gotta ride it.
