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NEXTNever mind the thick hammies, tree-trunk necks, and chiseled spandexed flanks of those runners on TV pushing the sleds onto the track, to ride a bobsled at the 2002 Olympic Course in Park City all that's needed is the ability to sit. Dismiss the pre-run warnings—people with back or neck problems should not go down; pregnant women, or women who think they’re pregnant, should not ride; shoulders should be tucked into your neck to prevent your head from knocking willy nilly against the craft; your head should be kept up in the turn, because if it goes down it won’t come back up; if you flip, for God’s sake, cram your head inside the sled—it’s time to concentrate on the fun. The fun includes racing down the course at up to 80 miles per hour through 15 spine-compressing turns—courtesy of five times the force of gravity bearing down on your body. Our advice, ride in back for the most mind-beating, white-knuckled, lumbar-grinding experience. Thank the pilot at the finish. He or she may be an Olympian, and more impressively, might guide more than five sleds down a day. Then head to the High West Saloon for a the Whiskey Cider Braised Short Rib and a rendezvous rye—better yet, make it a double. ($200, utaholympiclegacy.com)
Canada’s bobsled team during the 2006 Olympics. Via Shutterstock
Photo: fstockphoto
