Theme Ride Thursday: An Excuse for the Roller Coaster Ride!

Did you know there’s a National Roller Coaster Day?

August 16 is the perfect excuse to bring some extra excitement into your cycling studio with a ride that mimics the wild ups, downs, twists, and turns of a roller coaster. While you certainly don’t need a national day to justify teaching this kind of ride—it’s been one of my favorites for years—aligning it with a fun occasion like this can add an extra smile to your riders’ faces.

I first created my Roller Coaster Ride back in 2012, inspired by the mountain bike trails I rode in the Colorado backcountry. These trails were full of punchy climbs, rolling whoop-de-doos, and swooping descents—terrain that translated beautifully into a high-energy indoor ride. While the original profile wasn’t designed as a theme ride, it used vivid cueing, dynamic terrain changes, and great music to simulate the feel of a real outdoor adventure.

Over time, I started collecting songs that referenced roller coasters in the title or lyrics. One of my favorites? “Rollercoaster” by Bleachers—with its driving beat at 162 bpm, it’s perfect for a fast, rolling climb. 

As I discovered more songs on the theme, I decided to give the profile a light makeover, swapping in a playlist full of roller coaster references while keeping the structure of the original intact. Now, I rotate between two versions of this ride, both inspired by the same outdoor inspiration:

• Roller Coaster Ride (Redux) – This refreshed version builds on the original structure but uses a playlist filled with songs that mention roller coasters in the title or lyrics. It’s a fun, themed take that’s perfect for National Roller Coaster Day or anytime you want to add a little extra flair. [Link to profile]

• The Original Roller Coaster Ride – This is the ride that started it all, created back in 2012. It simulates the feel of an outdoor trail with rolling climbs, swooping descents, and punchy efforts, using an energetic and exciting playlist. [Link to profile]

ICA members can access my bucket playlist of 45 roller coaster–themed songs below, so you can mix and match tracks and tailor the ride to your own style. And if you ever discover a new song that fits the theme, send it my way—I’m always updating the list! (Six new songs were added last year alone!)

Whether you’re leaning into the theme with literal coaster songs or just want to replicate the thrill of outdoor riding, this profile is guaranteed to energize your class. Use National Roller Coaster Day as a reason to shake things up—or ride it any time your riders need a jolt of adrenaline.

Now buckle up, hands in the air, and get ready for the drop! 🎢