Welcome back coaster fans to my monthly series, Coaster of the Month. For May of 2012 in the midst of park season coming back, I take a look at a classic from Cedar Point and though a favorite, I find slightly underrated, the mighty Gemini.

Gemini opened in 1978, built, at the time, as the tallest coaster in the world at 125 ft. While the next few years would see coasters that dwarfed the twin tracked steel coaster (yes to those wondering, it is steel), the ride proved to be a favorite among the Cedar Point fan base. The figure 8 layout provides many moments where the two sides would switch from the lead and back, and at the end, a last ditch bee-line to the station would see which side was the fastest. The ride was designed by the late Ron Toomer of Arrow Dynamics during their heyday. The ride uses the same hardware as most mine train coasters including a wooden support structure, but able to accommodate the towering heights and 60 mph top speed.

Riders will find the constellation themed ride as they head along the eastern coast of the park near the back heading into Frontier Town. After the towering presence of Top Thrill Dragster and the red rocket of Magnum are passed, the wooden structure comes into view, not to be too confused with the equally impressive wood structure of Mean Streak. The quiet trains and classic sounds of the twin Arrow lifts will help differentiate the ride from the wooden scream machine. The queue snakes around the station before rising up where guests choose sides, red or blue.

After the checks are made, the trains sail out of the station. Due to the 180 degree turn prior, the trains are somewhat split on the lift, with the blue side in front. As the trains turn towards the front of the park, they finally engage the lift. The chain hauls riders higher and higher, soon above tree top and high enough to survey the entire smorgasbord of rides Cedar Point has to offer. After the few bits of seeing the sights, riders soon focus on the 55 degree, 118 ft drop. Trains plunge down the hill, attaining a top speed of 60 mph in the process. The ride goes into a short straight away before rising again. The raised turn slows things for a bit as the red side comes to catch up. After running nearly parallel to the lift, the track dips again, staying raised as an air time hill is taken. Another raised turn around switches the lead again before a similar drop sequence occurs as the course heads towards Magnum again. A small brake run trims some speed as the final turn around lines the trains up for the final last ditch run for the final brakes and the station. With the last bit in view, the track dives beneath the first drop, takes another air time hill, and curls through helices in opposite directions before hitting the brakes, where the winner is determined.

Though no longer the tallest or fastest coaster, the racing and air-filled Gemini is definitely worth a ride when a trip to Cedar Point is in store.