One hand in the air, the contestant bravely goes where at least 200 have gone before and failed miserably. It's a long journey from the barstool to the top of the new mechanical bull at the Auburn bar Friends; it's a journey that many have taken, failed and will repeat every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Formerly just a place where people went to meet, relax and have fun, Friends has undergone a makeover as a country western bar, giving it some pep in its two-step, and an extra jolt of good times for the weekend. Part of that makeover is the mechanical bull in Friends' Cactus Cove behind swinging barroom dividing doors. The bull that remains both unnamed and ultimately untamed has thrown most of its riders.

With varying intensity levels from 0 to 100, the bull can be a gentle giant or the rowdiest buckin' bronc a wrangler has ever seen.

It costs just $2 to ride, and that has been a worthy amount for the 200 customers who have tested their courage so far in attempting just eight seconds. Beginning at 8 p.m., the bull does not stop bucking until 2 a.m. for the three nights it is active.

The decor has changed with the bar's new inhabitant. According to owner Anthony Tardibone, there are beautiful murals depicting the bull and southwestern imagery to complement the bar's new theme. In front of the bar is an authentic covered wagon, minus the oxen to pull it.

“It's kind of just a cool accent to it,” Tardibone said.

Tardibone himself has ridden the bull he purchased, and been thrown like many before him. He installed the bull two weeks ago as part of a plan he has been considering for about two years.

“It's just something different than the same stuff,” he said.

Extensive renovations were required to accommodate the huge bronc, including changing the height of the ceilings and renovating the area to make space. Fittingly, the bull came from Oklahoma, home of the working cow wrangler and of the cow wrangler contest.

Tardibone plans to sponsor his own bull taming contest this summer after patrons become accustomed to the bull. Presently the bar is sponsoring a contest to name the bull.

Tardibone said that he has received several names, but he has not found the right one just yet. When asked if there are any special techniques to riding the bull, Tardibone does not give an inch.

“Just hang on, I guess,” he said, mysteriously.

The only way to master the bull is for riders to keep getting on when they fall off, which is what many have done, according to Tardibone, who says some patrons ride the bull four or five times in a row trying to master it. Tardibone also noted that he has had real-life experienced bull riders and cow wranglers try out the machine.