Great Bear has the appearance of being one of the most unique B&M inverts. The helix before the drop, unique placement, and creative support structure definitely make it different from the majority of B&Ms designs. My big question of course was on how it was going to ride though.
After a wait of about 20 minutes, and riding in the 7th row, we were off. The lift is taller than it looks, but is still nowhere near as big as, say, Alpengeist, or even Montu. After a short drop, we were into the helix, which proved to be much more foreful than I would have guessed - you get some good forces in there. The little journey from the end of the helix to the actual drop is also nice, as you are essentially just suspended in the air about 100 feet above the river below you, with a great view of the inversions to come. That is over soon enough though, as you drop down near the water and up into the vertical loop. Following an extended straightaway into the immelman, its up and over before heading back up into the zero-g roll, which for some reason I was anticipating to be to the right instead of the left, so that was a surprise. The rest of the ride is not particularly exciting, but fun nonetheless, and includes some good turns and a wingover.
Generally, Great Bear is not the best B&M invert I have ridden, but it is not the worst either, that honor continuuing to belong to Raptor. Bear has some unique elements, a cool placement that allows it to interact with its surroundings nicely, and a short, compact layout that offers some nice intensity without tiring you as much as, say, BTR does. Certainly among the better coasters at the park, and one not to be missed, especially by any B&M fan.
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