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| - Ray's is a one-of-a-kind experience for those wishing to maintain their mountain/BMX bicycling skills during the winter months, and also for those who want to add to those skills with more technical challenges. Cleveland is truly fortunate to have this resource.
The Pros:
Offering everything from raw beginner to extremely advanced courses, there's something for everyone at Ray's.
The atmosphere is extremely friendly toward newer riders (my wife and I fell into this category when we joined a year ago). While there will always be those highly skilled riders who look down on those less-skilled than themselves, the predominant attitude is one that allows new riders to move at their own pace.
EXTREMELY family friendly. It's very common to see entire families there, often having packed for the whole day...coolers, lawn chairs, things to read, etc. In that way, Ray's is a lot like the atmosphere you'd find at a weekend racetrack event for kids. And part of the fun for me is watching the tiny kids all geared up and flying around on their bikes, making some of the adults (like me) look bad.
There are many different courses and they're laid out in a way which allows most people to comfortably progress in gaining skills.
Cons:
Expensive. I'm not knocking what they charge, but at over $20 per visit, it can add up quickly. My wife and I bought an annual pass immediately, which isn't cheap...but when you do the math, you quickly see how much money it can save you if you plan to hit Ray's often. And there's a deep discount for multiple people on the same pass.
The experience is very dependent upon the day/time you go. A weekend afternoon can be a real zoo, and you need to be prepared for that...a few inconsiderate assholes or very inexperienced riders can really make things unpleasant (or even dangerous). There are many spots on the various courses where you need momentum to get beyond an obstacle, and if there are a ton of people in the building, someone will inevitably slow down or stop at just the wrong moment. Obviously weeknights are best if you want to avoid the crowds.
Having said what I did about the way things are laid out for an easy learning curve, my wife, being completely new to mountain biking and only recently come to road biking, found the learning "curve" to be more like a staircase, with some of the next "steps" requiring more risk than she was comfortable with. However, I think this might be normal for activities like this...you can stay inside your comfort zone all day long, but if you want to move to the next level, a certain amount of risk is required. If you're extremely risk-averse, Ray's may not be your kinda place.
Things to know:
Helmets are required (and you'll want one). They're available for free, but you're welcome to bring your own. Protective gear is encouraged, and necessary...everything inside Ray's is HARD. There's no grass or dirt. It's all wood and concrete. Even grazing your elbow as you pass by a cement wall is going to scrape, so I suggest elbow and knee/shin guards at a minimum. The latter is available for free at the counter.
There's only vending machines, so if chowing down during a workout is your thing, pack it in. It's not unusual to see a Domino's driver in the parking lot.
Mountain bikes or BMX bikes are required. No hybrids or road bikes. High-quality rentals are available.
If you have an season pass you can leave your bikes there onsite at no charge, which is great in the winter in Cleveland, since you're not gonna wanna get your bike all salted up on your car rack.
There are lockers onsite, but they're very tiny. Most people take over a spot on a table and just leave their stuff laying there. I've never heard of something being stolen, but your best bet is not to bring anything in you're worried about, unless someone will be sitting with your stuff while you ride.
There's no charge if you just want to hang out and watch. And it can be pretty entertaining, especially on a weekend, so don't be afraid to bring your non-riding friends or family members along.
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