360 degrees of whoa!

If you used to enjoy the old Palm Springs tram cars as a passive spectator, be forewarned: the new rotating cars (billed as “360 Degrees of Wow!”) that give riders a full-circle view of the Coachella Valley have become an athletic event requiring strategic preparation. Swiss engineers created a tram car in which the walls and handrails are stationary while the floor rotates. Riders struggling to grip the handrails find that, as the floor moves away from them, their bodies are stretched like Gumby. This doesn’t have to happen to you. Select from the following coping options:

First, decide whether you are more of a spinner (riders who circle with the rotating floor) or an anchor (riders who devise ways to stay put). If you’re a spinner, you’ll need to hang on as the car bumps over those scary towers. Anchors should perform the 360-Degrees-of-Wow-Shuffle. Get a loose grip on the handrail. As the Lazy Susan floor drags you to the left, count to three and take two steps right. Maintain your handhold. Repeat.

If you are an anchor, the spinners will come hurtling at you as they make their rounds. To avoid a collision, temporarily release your handhold and step back.

Claim one of two red-upholstered seats on the elevated platform at the center of the tram car. This throne does not rotate.

When all else fails, appeal to the conductor to stop the floor from revolving. Then you will experience what the ride was like before tram management spent about $15 million upgrading to rotating cars.