Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park

This place is so fun to ride, and really great for when it’s too cold to have fun outside. They have a pump track, skinnies and skills section, micro rhythm, beginner jump line, xc trail, foam pit, a huge jump room and more. Great for all kind of bikes and riders of all levels. It just keeps getting better each year! I just rode for 3 days and the only thing that made me sad was having to leave.

Love Rays! Even a biking rookie can pick it up and it makes for a fun day of challenges! Awesome, well run place! Check it out!

What a great place for winter riding, its like a giant bicycle amusement park. A friend of mine had gone twice and finally got me to make the 3hr trip, and man was it worth it. I brought a 24″ BMX bike for my first venture back into BMX in 10 years (in my 30s), after having been on a MTB or road bike since.
As I was on a BMX bike I stuck to the smoother, more jump-​related and pump track areas. The long tracks are mostly foolproof for collisions if riders are following the rules and being careful, as they are one-​way and divided. All but the largest jumps in ‘Transferland’ are clearable without airing them, which is great for confidence building leading into jumping. This turned out to be a mixed blessing for me, as I started clearing jumps and rhythm sections I hadn’t thought of doing in 10 years. Of course pushing it means crashes, which I had a few of. A few days later and I still have a bit of a limp and some sore spots, but I already can’t wait to go back.
Those of you who live close are very lucky, but for those who don’t there is a Holiday Inn and Marriott nearby that gives you half price rooms for Ray’s customers, and you’ll probably run into some at the hotel.

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.

One of my favorite places in the world (no joke)! The perfect place for anyone who wants to advance their mountain bike or BMX skills, regardless of age or skill level. Everything is extremely well-​built and there is every increment of difficulty so you never have to try something you are really uncomfortable with. Other riders are very considerate and watch out for each other. The variety of obstacle types is great, so if you aren’t into jumps its ok — there are plenty of other things to tackle!
Also, I REALLY recommend their bike rentals. The bikes are very good for the types of riding you will do here (which may be quite different from what your cross-​country or downhill bike are good at). The rentals are all in perfect shape, don’t cost much, and are plentiful and varied. Plus, if you do need something repaired, you don’t have to spend your time on it — they will just hand you a different bike!
In summary, GO HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! You will love it.

Ray’s is an awesome indoor park for all levels of bike riding. They’ve got everything from maneuvering through outlined paths on the floor to large jumps in the rhythm room. I’ve been going here for at least six years now and it’s always changing and evolving. There’s a nice section to just lounge out when you’re taking a break from riding any of the many sections throughout the park or if you’re just there to hang out while your kids are pedaling around. Everything in the park is well taken care of and kept pretty clean. A season pass is available at $ 350 and gains you unlimited access to either the Cleveland park or the recently built park in Milwaukee. Normal entry ranges from $ 21 Monday through Friday, $ 26 for Saturday and Sunday, $ 13 after 4pm on Sundays for the Albes sponsored BMX night. If you don’t have a bike of your own and are curious to check the place out they do offer rental bikes ranging from BMX to MTB.

Excellent park! The staff is incredibly friendly and very knowledgable. The park is kept up very well. The riders there are great, and there are various areas for riders of all skill levels. They frequently have professional riders and suppliers visiting the park. They have a full store and the staff is able to make any repairs to your bike that you need.

I used to live in the Cleveland area arond 10 years ago. I came back for business and brought my Mtn bike thinking that I would have to drive some distance to do some riding. I have heard of indoor parks, but had never seen one (I live in San Diego = Perfect weather).
Had some great fun, I had some issues with my bike and they fixed me right up.

This is the first Rays MTB park; the second is in Milwaukee. We made the trip down for Women’s Weekend last weekend (Feb 15 – 17, 2013) and had a blast! When we drove up, it was just as we had heard: an old unmarked factory, a parking lot full of cars with empty bike racks, and a HUGE park inside. They have so much here; it was totally worth the drive from Milwaukee! There is something for every level and so many things to try; after two days of riding, we left thinking, «I could have spent more time in _​_​_​_​room.» Cannot wait to make the trip down again.

A must for anyone living in Cleveland. I cannot emphasize how friendly this place is for beginners.

LOVE this place!!!
Okay I got beat up and walking like an old dude now…
One hour here is like 3 hours riding outside!!!
We were here 2.5 hours and threw ourselves ALL AROUND!!!
Do yourself a favor and get one of the FREE experts to take you around so you can wrap your head around this place because it is HUGE! You can connect tracks and just go balls out till you drop!!!
Man this place is awsome!!!

I dig this place and I get it. My first bikes in the 80’s were a Diamond Back Hot Streak, Skyway Street Beat, and an 87′ Haro Sport that I miss dearly. My early teenage years will filled with launch ramps, Vision Street Wear, Club Homeboy, street riding, and the occasional quarter pipe. Around college, I got into MTB and spent 4 – 5 back-​to-​back summers racing at Alpine Valley and The Knob. Once career and family time became important, I couldn’t spend hours driving outside of NE Ohio to find decent MTB trails, I picked up road biking with an occasional MTB ride thrown in a couple of times a year.
My old MTB riding buddies and I decided to set a date and headed up to Ray’s for my first ride a few weeks ago.
First, the place is hard as hell to find. GPS brought me to the outskirts of the massive collection of former factories (more like brick ruins), but you have to venture inside the maze to find Ray’s. There is only minimal external signage that blends in with everything else, so it takes a careful eye to find.
Impression walking in was awesome. This place has a really cool vibe and the layout of the lounge is nice, even with fireplaces. The bicycle fork as front door handle is a nice touch.
It took a couple of laps first on yellow and then on green to figure out how the lane system works and how to get from one obstacle section to another. Once I got the hang of it, it was not very difficult. One note, my MTB was outfitted with city slick tires which turned out to be a bit sketchy on parts of the smooth concrete floor. Next time, I’d go with a semi-​slick tire that has a bit of a bite. Traditional MTB knobby tires are overkill and are not necessary. Keep that in mind when outfitting your bike for Ray’s.
I enjoyed it, but I think it may be a bit to «skate-​park-​ish» for me. If it was 1989, I was 14, and I had my 87 Haro Sport, I’d spend my entire weekends there, but in 2012 my nearly 40 year old body was beat to hell after two hours on a MTB. The frequency and intensity of the obstacles/​ramps are much more rapid fire than any single-​track trail I’ve been to, including Vultures Knob. It really beats one up, if you’re not prepared for it. Furthermore, all the obstacles/​ramps are made out of plywood, which means any fall is going to be significantly more painful than any falls one may have on real outdoor single track. After two hours, my odometer clocked nearly 10 miles and my heart rate monitor says I burned 1,400 calories. Not a bad workout, but I don’t see how one could ride longer unless they are in top physical condition (and/​or much younger).
For me personally, Ray’s is the type of place I could go 2 – 3 times a winter to get out of the house and do something different. My primary interest is cross-​country MTB, so the heavy ramp and jumping sections really don’t interest me. I suspect that I would get bored quickly if I went there more often.
With that said, I’m not going to knock Ray’s. I’m giving it a full five stars. Being a former 80’s freestyle fanatic that has transitioned to nearly all the other primary areas of cycling, I’m for anything that supports the biking community (no matter what type of biking you’re into). Plus taking breaks and watching the young guys on the ramps is fun as a hell.

Do you want to be Radical? Do you want to get Hardcore? The hop on your homeskillet’s pegs, or pedal yourself on down to Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park.
Why?
One of a kind facilities in the greater Cleveland, a very large park, ample bike’s available for rental, friendly and helpful staff, guides all over the place for getting familiar with how to use the course that provide you with rooms/​courses to get yourself familiar and comfortable before advancing to the next level of difficulty. I mean, if you have the talent, and a certain amount of fearlessness, there are plenty of places to get your X-​games style tricks on.
Now to be clear, to get something out of your Ray’s experience, you’ll need to be moderate shape. I’m in shape and was able to go for just over two hours.
There’s maybe 3 different types of activities at Rays
1) Courses with up and downs and turns that you go through quickly and provide the opportunity for jumps
2) Courses that allow you to hone your precision biking skills over various obstacles in a controlled and as safe as they come environment
3) Some rooms for insane freestyling and jump practice includeing foam pit to break the fall.
Now, you’ll need to manage your own expectations, this is a semi-​intense physical activity. You could eat sh-​t, and injure yourself, but you decide how hard to push yourself. And I had no shame in walking the bike over particularly difficult obstacles until i was ready to plow through it like I was Dave Mirra.
All in all, full marks for Rays, I wish they had 6 stars for me to give. It’s a little costly compared to other fitness activities, but this is a totally unique bike park in Cleveland, and out city is very lucky to have it.
Check it out yourself! You’ll be living the movie Rad! A young, hot Laurie Laughlin is waiting for you down at Rays.
So what are you waiting for?

Love Rays! First year in two years I didn’t get a season pass because I broke my collar bone near the end of last season. I definitely will be getting a season pass for ²⁰¹²⁄₁₃. Its a great way to exercise, I am by no means any good at riding, but its fun just to bomb your way through the outer loop or pump track for an hour and feel like you just ran a marathon.

Indoor biking insanity!
I’ve gone with groups of beginners and while, yes there has been one broken arm and some blood — that wouldn’t stop any of us from returning!
There is a beginner room and an expert room primarily. The beginner room is hard enough, but I suppose not everyone is as fearful of heights/​speeds as I am. Yea… you’d think I wouldn’t love this place, but I do!
We’ve always rented their bikes which are all in good condition, good quality and well cared for, and they throw in whatever pads you want.
I’m always surprised when my outdoorsy friends haven’t been here — what a great way to spend the cold winter nights but indoors biking!

Ray’s is one of my favorite places in the world to ride a bike.
SOOOO much fun to spend the day (s) riding and jumping and going over stuff. I grew up racing BMX (and still do) and it’s always so competitive at the track — Ray’s is an awesome change of pace where you can relax and have fun on your bike. Oh, and it’s set up for all kinds of bikes (except road bikes) so everyone has fun!
It’s always worth the trip.

Sooo much fun!
It has beginner, intermediate and expert areas full of hills, boards/​logs/​rocks/​stumps and even teeter-​totters. Theres a separate section with a BMX part (Rhythm Room) and a bowl.
I have never been mountain biking either so no worries even newbies can do it– and not kill yourself!
Its cheap to go $ 19-​$ 24 and includes helmet, elbow pads and shin guards. $ 10 to rent their bikes (which we looked up were $ 3000 bikes). I found them quite indestructible (I did run into a wall or 2 but if you just get off the bike you wont get hurt!)
You can check out the place on youtube.
It also has an area you can rest or spectate with tables, fooseball and fireplaces!
Did I mention it’s soooooo much fun!

This place is what Cleveland is all about. An abandoned industrial park bought out by an entrepreneur who turned it into a incredibly epic indoor mountain bike /​bmx park. The size of the facility is a bit overwhelming at first with multiple ‘rooms’ for various riding styles /​skill levels.
Even if you don’t ride it is a very cool place to watch people pull jumps /​tricks. If you only plan to spectate entry is free.