Sinyard is now 61 and rail thin from his two-to-six-hour daily bike rides.

FORBES: Hippie Capitalist: Specialized Bicycle's Mike Sinyard

Stompy, a giant six-legged robot, suitable for both fun rides and use in disaster zones, looks set to be built after it successfully hit its target on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.

BBC: Ride-on giant robot 'Stompy' hits funding target

At the helm of Six Flags and its predecessor since 1989, Burke borrowed billions to buy parks and build harrowing rides.

FORBES: Free Fall