A thrillseeker broke the world record for riding the most roller coasters in one week — reaching an adrenaline-pumping 55.
Dean Stokes, 36, had set himself the summer challenge of riding every single rollercoaster in the UK — but his plans were scuppered by Storm Floris.
However, he still managed to set a Guinness World Record for the most roller coasters ridden in a single week — after he tackled 55 in just seven days.
He set off from Brighton Palace Pier on Aug. 2 and ended at Thorpe Park on Sunday, Aug. 17.
During that time, he visited 32 theme parks and took on 108 rollercoasters.
“I realized that I had ridden countless roller coasters in lots of different countries around the world, but not too many across the UK,” said Stokes, who has his own business technology and AI training company. “So I decided I wanted to create this challenge for myself.
“When I first started mentioning it to people, I thought I would get called crazy, but people actually just started encouraging me,” he continued. “And it was amazing. I had loads of fun.”
He noted that there “were some ups and downs — both literally and metaphorically — particularly with Storm Floris scuppering my plans and with all the logistics. But my friend Simon came with me and did most of the driving all around the country. So he was a huge help.
“Funnily, Simon didn’t ride a single roller coaster with me because he hates them,” Stokes remarked. “Instead, he was in charge of ranking snacks at the theme parks.
“But I’m trying to get him a Guinness World Record, too, for being the first person to visit that many theme parks without riding a single roller coaster.”
Over 16 days, Stokes and Simon drove more than 2,300 miles.
Stokes, from Brighton, said they visited some amazing places, but his favorites were Adventure Island in Southend and Crealy Theme Park & Resort in Devon.
“We’re so lucky to have so many amazing theme parks on the beachfront across the UK — especially so many independent and family-owned ones,” he marveled.
Meanwhile, his favorite individual roller coasters were Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Hyperia at Thorpe Park.
Hyperia is the UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour and heights of 236 feet.
Stokes said he hopes his achievement can encourage other people to do things they enjoy.
“I never really went to theme parks as a kid, so I only tried my first roller coaster as a teenager, and I really enjoyed it,” he said. “But it was only in the last five to 10 years that I discovered I really love the adrenaline rush.
He added that “the atmosphere at theme parks is great, and it’s just somewhere fun to be,” further encouraging others that “we all should be doing more things we find fun. I think sometimes we get embarrassed or fearful of judgment — or even just get wrapped up in work.
“So I really hope me doing this can encourage more people to get out there and do what they love.”
(You can see more of Stokes’ dedicated journey on his Instagram — @deanstokes — and his website https://deanrides.com/, including a full list of the roller coasters he rode.)
When Stokes set out to do this challenge, he hadn’t planned on breaking any records.
But after he started sharing his journey on his Instagram, Guinness World Records got in contact to say he could set a new one.
“I didn’t go into this expecting to set a world record — but they got in touch and said they had one that no one had attempted,” Stokes said. “And that was the most roller coasters ridden in one week.”
He added that he was “super proud” to an an official world record, noting that it was “surreal to have it hanging in my office” — before suggesting someone else should vie to surpass his achievement.
“But I actually think it’s super beatable, so I’d encourage any other roller coaster fans to get out there and give it a go.
“I’m ready to pass the baton.”
