Man Rides Roller Coaster 7,000 Times: 70-Year-Old Minister Says It's 'Relaxing' (VIDEO)
Life is stressful, even for 70-year-old Gary Coleman, a retired minister who traveled a far distance by unconventional means in order to find a sense of relaxation in a fast-paced world.
For Coleman, however, the daily road just isn't fast enough. With a need for speed, Coleman has found that the best way for him to take a breath of fresh air is 215 feet in the air and heading for a major drop. A roller coaster enthusiast, one of Coleman's favorite rides is the Diamondback roller coaster at Kings Island amusement park in Monfort Heights, Ohio.
Of course riding the roller coaster just once wouldn't suit any roller coaster enthusiast, but Coleman has gone above and beyond. On July 4 the former minister celebrated his 7,000th ride on the 5,282 foot long steel rails.
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"I've always loved roller coasters since I've been a kid. It's been a hobby. It's what I like to do. I like to relax doing it. It's a form of relaxation," Coleman told ABC.
Coleman is an exception when it comes to scoring major savings on a season pass.
He has visited the amusement park 32 times this season alone, riding the coaster a combined 1,190 times, or 37 rides a day. On his highest record day, Coleman managed to ride the coaster 111 times.
"I was there the whole day. Clear up 'til midnight," Coleman stated. "My goal is to hit 10,000 rides by the end of next year. I love it. I think it's fun. I just really enjoy it."
Hitting up to 80 mph, Coleman says that the Diamond back "takes the cake" when it comes to ultimate coasters.
"I thought it was the best coaster I've ridden in my whole life. At my age, it's great. This one does not bang me around, it doesn't jerk my neck or my body. It's the smoothest, fastest coaster I've ever been on," Coleman said adding that he's "gone down the highest coasters in the country" but that they just don't compare.
