Wow, I sure remember that guy.

In just 14 hours we will be riding! I'll probably be too excited to sleep well tonight.

Alright, let's do this thing!!!

Well I didn't ride in the event this year (man I hope I can next year as it looks like so much fun), but was able to stop by The Racer and take some photos including a couple from along The Racer track - special thanks to KingsIslandPR for allowing me to tag along as he escorted a member of the media back for some pictures.

I offer these up to any participant in the event for use as desired including for PTR's here on KIC if you like (please feel free to edit as you'd like, I've literally just uploaded the images, except for those I've included below). Full album can be seen on my photobucket account: http://s766.photobucket.com/albums/xx309/KIfan1980/Coasting%20%20for%20Kids%20at%20KI/

For fun, I've included a few pictures below - enjoy:

Awesome! I wish I could participate in this event, maybe next year. It's also funny noticing how every third row is empty. I wouldn't want to ride in a third row on a PTC train for more than 1 ride!

^ I love me some Racer, but any third row was jackhammering the bejeezus out of me today, particularly on the first drop. Towards the middle of the afternoon, I learned how to lean forward to negate a lot of it, but it was pretty nasty in the third rows. Any other row was great, as usual!

Which, of course, brings me to say my bit about the event, though I don't have enough to write a trip report: it was awesome. I got to meet standbyme, XGatorHead, Avatar, jlopez, jcgoble3, and Fire-Beast-OF FEAR, all of whom were incredibly nice! (I feel like I'm forgetting someone... If I met you today and didn't mention you just now, do know I was glad to meet you, too. Unlike certain Gators who were nice enough to remind me that they didn't have to be up at 5:30 to attend, I didn't run on a lot of sleep today, so my memory's exceptionally bad. )

I got about 62 rides in. When you read about Coasting for Kids events, you hear several people saying they got close to 100 rides, so anything not close to that can sound underwhelming, but... holy cow. There's apparently a technique for pacing yourself so you can hit big numbers, and it definitely doesn't involve riding in the first or last cars like I did for a lot of the event, haha. I didn't know The Racer could take it out of you, but I'm pooped. (I ended up leaving about an hour and a half earlier than I'd intended--I didn't make use enough of the water KI nicely provided, so I was feeling pretty yucky as the afternoon went on.) The Racer crew was pretty cool and energetic, too, and the GKTW lunch presentation was very nice. There were two families that had participated and volunteered, respectively, at the Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, and both had interesting and heartfelt testimonies. It was very nicely done. Thanks to GKTW and KI for putting this together!

If you're considering attending CfK next year, stop considering and do it! I hesitated for 2011 and let it pass by, but I wish I'd done it now. It's for a fantastic cause, and it's really entertaining to marathon Racer with a train full of people doing the Hokey Pokey or Chicken Dance, pretending to be asleep*, or singing "We Are The Champions" by Queen as the train pulls into the station. I highly recommend it. I know I'll be back next year if I'm able!

*Can I just say that this was hilarious? Seriously, the entire train was "asleep." That couldn't have been better if we'd rehearsed!

I didn't see TombRaiderFTW (Well I probably saw you, just didn't know.) I did meet IndyGuy4KI, Avatar, XGatorHead, Jlopez, had 10 rides in a row in the front with Fire-Beast-OF-FEAR, and 20 in the front row in a row right after that with jcgoble3. I stayed in a group with most of them after marathoning, and I also easily noticed Beastie1980. (Carlos. James. Logan. KENDALL!) TR coming sometime tomorrow.

Yeah ohiocolts, I was pretty easy to spot, or should I say hear! You should have said hi, I had fun meeting the KI Central people. I met Avatar and Indyguy, and best of all Don Helbig, it was awesome.I had so much fun, I can't wait to do it again next year. James, Carlos, Logan, KENDALL!!

I'm in awe of what some of you were able to do (way too many Racer rides for me!). My sons thoroughly enjoyed the event, big shout-out to Don Helbig and the entire KI staff who worked this event, they clearly make a huge difference in the experience for this truly great cause. I especially appreciate being able to tag along and take pictures, and as soon as I have a free moment I'll upload them so I can link 'em here. I must have a pic of everybody involved, so I'll try to get on that tonight.

It will take me a few days to wade through my photos and put together a trip report but I just wanted to say that I also had a great time!

Thanks to Kings Island & Give Kids The World!

Definitely a great time! Coming back into the station "asleep" was my favorite thing that we did. I racked up 105 laps, one shy of last year's total. I'll need some time to get the photos uploaded. I still need to upload all of my Holiwood Nights stuff as well, which may force me to upgrade my Flickr account (which I'd have to do in a couple months anyway).

Special thanks to Give Kids the World and Kings Island for doing this, and thanks again to KI for The Beast tour and the early seating for the magic show.

Well as I might be feeling those 104 rides from yesterday, I can say it was well worth it for Give Kids The World. Had a blast again this year and can't wait till next. Also would like to thank Kings Island for putting on this great event. It was also nice to meet you all again.

I obviously need to get to know more of you so I could highlight you all like I did Indy/Avatar/Gator in my pictures. Or maybe y'all don't want that exposure

Anyway, even for those I don't know, I hope you look at the full set of pics at photobucket and use any you like - I know it's not always easy to get pictures of yourself riding. You all, whether you rode 30 or 100+ laps, deserve a kudos as well for supporting the cause.

BTW, did anyone see any news reports on the event? I know WXIX 19 was there in the morning, but didn't see it on their 10pm broadcast? Enquirer also was there, but I don't get a paper and their website isn't useful in my opinion.

Thanks for the awesome photos KIFAN1980. I know I did an interview for Channel 19 but I can't find a thing on it. Also I know that we were on Channel 5 this morning as someone from work noticed me.

I obviously need to get to know more of you so I could highlight you all like I did Indy/Avatar/Gator in my pictures. Or maybe y'all don't want that exposure

If it interest you at all I'm in the 3rd car, front row, left seat, shorter one with his arms up of the two.

Keith,

Thank you SO much for taking the time to take all of those pictures. As you mentioned it was not possible for us riders to do this so these are great to have.

You even managed to get a shot of me that I DO like!

See ya,

J.D.

I uploaded many, but not all to photobucket. Hopefully those of you who rode will find one of yourself in there someplace.

Whole album: http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l86/gooberwiper/CoastingForKidsKI2012/

I received this note from a personal friend, that I thought I should share with you all. What you and King's Island and their great staff did Sunday really makes a difference!

Thank you very much for coasting today!

My son M. has a terminal illness called Mitochondrial disease.

Because of this he was granted a wish to Disney and Give Kids The World!

We had an amazing time and appreciate all the support they are given by people like you!

Thanks again and don't forget to have ice cream for breakfast! ;-)

With one of these KIC group pictures, we should name everyone from left to right or something.

The little guy with blond hair is Matthew, he does not have an avatar/login here. The taller one behind is his Brother Cameron (aka Venom here). Behind them is their cousin Corey. I'm behind the camera obviously, and was heavily invested in Team KIC and CFK, but alas cannot ride Racer that much. I certainly had a great time watching you guys though, and Mr Helbig was very gracious in letting me stay with the boys as well as document the event for them and y'all.

Thanks again for doing this, everyone. GKTW is definitely worthwhile! I had hoped to get up there and cheer you on a little, but we felt like crap all day.

GKTW runs on a skeleton crew where paid staff is concerned. Most of the routine day-to-day stuff is handled by volunteers. By doing this, they keep the overhead down and are able to commit more of the money you raised to the actual mission of the place. This has gotten them very good ratings by organizations that track these things.

We were guests there in 2010 and were blown away by what they accomplish with charitable contributions and volunteers. They have several corporate partners that help out with food, admission to amusements, and on-site entertainment. Even if we had skipped the WDW. Seaworld and Universal Studios activities, the action at GKTW would have kept us busy and happy.

And it's all possible because of you.

Hit up http://balloondoggle.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-1.html for a trip report, if you like. And "thank you for your support"!

In any of the pictures, I'm the guy with the small camera bag strapped to his right hip and the shoulder strap for said bag running from right hip to left shoulder.

FOX 19's story is here: http://www.fox19.com/story/18750619/thrill-seekers-raise-money-for-give-kids-the-world In the picture with the story, you can see me in the front row, train's left.

I wasn't a member of the KIC team but was there. I was sitting with Brian the entire time and only got off to eat. I believe the official board per Brian and my count was 108 if you stayed on the entire time. after The Beast tour and the majic show I did go back over to The Racer just for 2 more rides to say I road it 110 time in 1 day. it was a blast and nice meeting everyone there from the KIC team. I will be there next year as well.

I'm the one with the short brown hair on the far left.

So, I will try to go from left to right and might have a few ?'s though. Far left, muppetfan1999, Right to him ?, Behind ? hidden face ?, in front of hidden face with Reds hat Fire-Beast-OF-FEAR, squished face next to him ?, girl in front of him Beastie1980, right to her Venom,right to him jlopez, in front of him Matthew/non member, right to him me , behind me to right Avatar, left to him half hidden face XGatorHead, behind him to the right ?, right of Avatar ?, right of him IndyGuy4KI, and in front oh him jcgoble3. If you were a ?, then you can help me out. From OldieButGoodie's photo.

Hey ohiocolts...I'm easy to find. I'm the guy with the blue KingsIsland 1972 visor on hince my name.

It was great to finally participate in this event. I had been wanting to do it since it's first year but it always fell when we were taking our vacation, and now that this year we're not taking a big week-long one, I could do it! Hearing from the families that were directly impacted by GKTW really brought home the true meaning for doing it, and a big thank you goes out to everyone involved in making Coasting for Kids such a great experience.

It was nice to see everyone that I already knew from here, and great to meet everyone else for the first time too. I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be after my 96 laps. The tops of my thighs hurt from the lapbar if you put pressure on just the right spot, but that's it. I didn't even have to take any of the Advil that I brought. I guess that's mainly due to the fact that I rode mostly in the 2nd rows of the cars.

And TombRaiderFTW, sorry about the "I woke up too early... at 6:15!" comment. I just had to say it!

I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be after my 96 laps.

Me either, I was quite surprised after my 71 rides for the day.

I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be after my 96 laps.

Me either, I was quite surprised after my 71 rides for the day.

Likewise, after 105 laps, I was not sore at all on Monday. I wonder why?

On another note, GKTW has posted their own article on the event: http://www.gktw.org/...-2012-recap.asp The photo they used is from KI's event, and look who's in the front row, train's left. I knew there was a benefit to starting the day in the front row...

...and look who's in the front row, train's left. I knew there was a benefit to starting the day in the front row...

Very cool Jonathan, i'm happy for you.

(And even happier that I chose the very back.)