Ray's

[bagtagley]

Sorry, no pictures. I didn't want to crush the camera, and I didn't feel comfortable leaving it in my stuff. You can go here and check the place out though: http://www.raysmtb.com/index.html

I was a bit annoyed that I couldn't make it to the EC mini, but my annoyance was curbed by an email from a guy I ride w/ from time to time. Him and a group were heading to Ray's Mtn Bike Park in Cleveland, OH, and said I should meet them there on Saturday. I've got a friend in Cleveland, so a day of riding and hanging with an old friend seemed like a good time.

First, Ray's is pretty amazing. There are table tops, box jumps, step ups, hips, skinnies, bridges, teeters, drops, rock gardens, and a big fat foam pit. I hadn't been on the bike in months, so I was a bit shaky to start, but with a little playing around I got the feel back. I never have much of a chance to work on skinnies and bridges, so this was a great opportunity to work on those skills. The sport course offered a nice warm-up for the expert stuff. I'd session a section until I got it, then go hit the box jumps, bullshit with friends, then take the outer loop through a berm to a couple of really nice tables and hips. It was really hard to get bored, or even frustrated, cause all you had to do was ride off and do something different.

I had a blast the entire time I was riding. However, the highlight of the day was trying back flips in the foam. I was just going for air and the occasional table or x-up, but one of the guys that I was riding with starting saying that backs were super easy, and he'd have me doing them in no time. Turns out he was (pretty much) right. I hit a nice one on my first try, but the second one was a bit under rotated, causing a nice whiplash-inducing landing...well worth it though.

I rode most of the day, until my legs started cramping. Then, I met up w/ and old friend I hadn't seen in a year or so, drank some beers, talked some shit, and ate a great meal. All in all a kick ass day. I highly recommend checking this place out if the opportunity arises. Despite my sore neck (and body), I'll be back very soon.

[Big Hit77]

When were you at Rays? Yesterday Saturday or last week saturday?

[bagtagley]

Yesterday saturday.

[Big Hit77]

What bike were you on? I was there all day long.

[wintermittent]

This is tragic. I was there yesterday, too. Bright green t-shirt, black helmet, gray DK UX26.

Bagtagley, you's were the guys in the fullfaces, yes? Nice job in the pit.

I think that may have been the biggest random assemblage of maggots the city of Cleveland has ever seen.

[bagtagley]

Shit man, no way. That's pretty funny, who would have ever thought there would be a handful of maggots in the same building...in Cleveland? I completely forgot you were in the area, wintermittent. Next time I go up, I'll shoot you a PM. BH, did you drive all the way from IL? If so, that's a hell of a haul.

I was riding a red Chameleon, wearing a 661 full face, gaping it up.

I was the only one in our group w/ a full face. I showed up w/ Kevin Cash (red D.O.C.), Buzz, Justin (Tazer), and Mike. Kevin's the one that talked me into doing the back. My first felt short, but he said I was basically there. The second one felt better until I landed on my head. I can't wait 'til the whiplash heals up so I can try again.

I thought it was a long drive, but it turns out it's under 3 hours for me. So I'll be heading back up at least a couple more times before April. I'll be sure to get a hold of you guys next time.

[wintermittent]

FKNA. Definitely post or PM me next time. I went to school in Wheeling and still rock the WV trails pretty often.

Them foam pit backflips were A-OK in my book. I'm still working on spinny... Haven't gotten to flippy yet.

I was talking to a couple of guys from the Peoria contingent, BH. Looked like you guys had a great time too.

[Cornholio]

Well, hell. The one weekend I go ski locally, and you doods tear up at Rays.

I spent the weekend at Holiday Valley, which explains why I didn't get any of your PMs. Glad everyone had fun, though! Next time...

[Big Hit77]

Yep, we drove up all the way from IL..a group of about 9 of us. We rode Friday night and all day sat. I was on the Soul Titan who couldn't jump for crap. Wore a blue pro tec helmet on saturday. Its a long haul but completely worth it, especially given the fact that there is nothing even close to rideale around here, except for urban riding. DId you fellas stay long enough to see Joe Prisel hitting up the street course in back? Silly silly stuff.

[bagtagley]

DId you fellas stay long enough to see Joe Prisel hitting up the street course in back? Silly silly stuff.

Nope, but I was there early enough to see him flip out and leave cause they hid his bike from him.

Sorry I missed you guys, BH. You planning to go back any time soon?

[fondigley]

I want to go to Ray's. I wish I had an indoor park in Colorado I could hit, especially with a foam pit to try back flips and 360's. Sounds like you guys had a blast.

[Cornholio]

Bags, there's a handful of guys I ride with around here (Wintermittent included) who are there all the time. Anytime you want to come back, let us know.

[wintermittent]

Yup, what Cornhole said. I have park beta, fridgefullabeer, couch/floor space for any maggots interested in making the trek. PM us the next time 'round.

[Cornholio]

I just realized my post made it sound like I know what I'm talking about.

I do not.

I've been once and was lucky to escape with my roadie-ass intact. But WM and his posse have the place dialed.

[wintermittent]

I've been once and was lucky to escape with my roadie-ass intact.

So understated. Sandbaggio was totally killing it through the tippy skinny stuff on his first visit. He's $$$.

Flippy spinny stuff is still a stretch for me. I'm starting to get more confident by adding some crossups and ramp xfers to my newbie jumping steeze.

There's a killer rhythm section with six supersmooth box jumps and a gigantic berm that you can session over and over again. Coupled with the safety of the foam pit, I couldn't ask for a better way to practice jumping. Loving it.

[bagtagley]

There's a killer rhythm section with six supersmooth box jumps and a gigantic berm that you can session over and over again. Coupled with the safety of the foam pit, I couldn't ask for a better way to practice jumping. Loving it.

Yeah, I even hit the jumps on the outer loop, and my jumping steeze are nil. My biggest problem was maintaining enough speed coming into the steeper box jumps on the back side. Actually, it was probably more a problem of technique than speed, but I still had some trouble.

I'd like to go back the weekend after next. You'll be hearing from me if I do.

Hey wintermittent, what fork did you have on your bike? I'm trying to picture who you were.

[wintermittent]

Yeah, I even hit the jumps on the outer loop, and my jumping steeze are nil. My biggest problem was maintaining enough speed coming into the steeper box jumps on the back side. Actually, it was probably more a problem of technique than speed, but I still had some trouble.

I'd like to go back the weekend after next. You'll be hearing from me if I do.

Hey wintermittent, what fork did you have on your bike? I'm trying to picture who you were.

Those last three boxes on the outside are daunting. I can *almost* get them, usually end up casing the top with my back tire. Speed is definitely a prerequisite. A few weeks ago some dude amped off of the last one so good he bounced off of the rafters mid-backflip.

Damn, weekend of the 19th/20th I will be in GA/TN on an epic mountain bike trip. Keep the Cornster in the loop, or hold off until the 26th/27th.

My DK is pretty standard-looking for a jumper/play bike, if not a little choppered-out; it has a 130mm DJ III. I was sporting jeans, black l/s tee with green s/s tee combo, and a black skate helmet. Standard Ray's operating procedure: Tear through the outer jumps and expert box/berm, gape, tear through beginner/sport/some of expert, gape. Repeat ten or twenty times.

[bagtagley]

A few weeks ago some dude amped off of the last one so good he bounced off of the rafters mid-backflip.

I think that was Kevin. They were saying he tagged a rafter and ate it pretty hard a few weeks ago.

Hmm, the 26-27th looks like a possibility. I'm waiting for some parts for the car to arrive. If they do, I'm stuck under the hood this weekend. Otherwise, another Cleveland trip may be in order.

[Big Hit77]

I wish i could make it out there again but it will probably be another monh or so before I can make it out again. The 6+ hour drive is a killer. WInter- you were the one that was killin the rhythm section and flyin into the big wall berm crazy fast and actually gaining speed out of it, weren't you?

[wintermittent]

WInter, you were the one that was killin the rhythm section and flyin into the big wall berm crazy fast and actually gaining speed out of it, weren't you?

awe shucks.

I *heart* berms and speed. My other fave is the beginning of the sport section: mini box to mini berm. You can rail that sucker.

See you again soon, mang!