SkyCycle – Get Your Thrill On With a Pedal-Powered Roller Coaster

SkyCycle isn’t new; in fact, posts about it went viral as early as 8 years ago. It still holds its appeal, though, and should be included on every adventurer’s must-see list. SkyCycle is what you probably guessed it is: a roller coaster where you pedal your way from start to finish. Bikes on a roller coaster.

The idea probably sounds silly or makes you think that this can’t possibly be too scary. If so, you’re wrong. Because it’s pedal-powered, riders can only go as fast as they can pedal – which reversely means that the slower you go the more time you have to take in the absolutely terrifying realization that there is close to nothing keeping you from falling to a certain death.

SkyCyle is located at the Washuzan Highland amusement park in the Okayama prefecture in Japan, and sits at 4 stories high. There are no guardrails and no safety nets, and the only thing that can offer the impression of safety is a safety bell.

Each car is made up of 2 tandem bikes, but you can ride alone, too. According to the vloggers from Coaster Studios, if you do that, the cart will be weighted on your side, so whenever you take a turn, you will feel yourself (and the cart) tipping to the side. The same happens on days with stronger winds, so if you’re faint of heart, this is definitely not for you.

A ride lasts about 3 minutes on average, but they can feel like a lifetime if you look down and you see there’s only that seatbelt that’s saving you from a 50 feet drop. However, if you strain to look around you, you will understand its appeal: it offers one of the most beautiful views in the world, of the Seto Inland Sea and the Great Seto Bridge. In fact, the idea is to offer you as much time as you need to take in those views, which is why the bikes are also equipped with brakes.