You’re driving through a grey, industrial pocket of Cleveland’s West Side. It’s February. The slush is that lovely shade of "exhaust-pipe charcoal," and your fingers are numb before you even hop out of the truck. Then you see it: a massive, unassuming former parachute factory. Inside, it’s a different world. It smells like sawdust, chain lube, and adrenaline.
Ray's Mountain Bike Cleveland isn't just a bike park. Honestly, it’s a miracle of carpentry and obsession.
Most people think indoor parks are just for the "Red Bull lifestyle" kids doing backflips into foam pits. They see the Instagram clips and assume if they can't clear a ten-foot gap, they don't belong. That’s the first thing everyone gets wrong. Ray’s was actually built for the middle-aged XC rider who was tired of getting fat and bored during Ohio winters.
The Weird, Wonderful History of Ray Petro
Ray Petro didn’t start this with a corporate business plan. He started it because he was a carpenter who loved mountain biking more than he loved his own bank account. Back in 2004, he took his life savings—about $50,000—and a $25,000 loan to turn a drafty warehouse into a playground.
The backstory is heavy. Ray used mountain biking to climb out of a brutal struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. He basically traded one obsession for a much healthier one. When he opened the doors on Thanksgiving weekend in 2004, people didn't just show up to ride; they showed up to help him build.
You’ve gotta respect that grit. The park is now roughly 160,000 square feet. To put that in perspective, you could fit nearly three American football fields inside and still have room for a lounge.
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What It’s Actually Like Inside
If you’ve never been, the layout is sort of a maze. You don’t just "ride around." You explore.
The XC Loop (the Green Trail) is the backbone. It’s over a mile long. It snakes through the entire building, taking you up into the rafters and then dropping you back down into different "rooms." It’s designed so a beginner can roll through it without ever leaving the ground, but an expert can find "transfer" lines and side-hits to keep it spicy.
The Progression is Real
The park is broken down into sections that make sense:
- The Beginner Room: This is where you go to lose the "first-day jitters." It’s flat, open, and has painted lines to help you practice basic bike control.
- The Sport Section: Think of this as a wooden version of a North Shore trail. You’ve got skinnies (narrow wooden beams), teeter-totters, and rock gardens made of actual boulders hauled into the building.
- Profile World & The Transfer Room: This is the big-boy stuff. Massive jumps, steep transitions, and the famous Subaru Bowl.
- The Pump Track: If you want to feel like your lungs are exploding in 60 seconds, this is the spot.
One of the coolest things? The "no ego" rule. You’ll see a 6-year-old on a Lil' Shredder bike riding right next to a pro who just flew in from British Columbia. Nobody cares if you're slow. They only care if you're having a good time.
Survival Tips for Your First Visit
Don't be the person who shows up unprepared. Cleveland winters are no joke, and while the park is "indoors," it’s not exactly climate-controlled like a mall.
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1. Dress in layers. The warehouse is chilly when you arrive. However, once you start pedaling that XC loop, you’re going to sweat. Wear a base layer that wicks moisture. Most regulars wear jeans or sturdy work pants because, let's be real, wood and concrete aren't as forgiving as dirt if you slide.
2. Your car is your locker. There are some lockers inside, but they’re almost always taken. Most people just leave their gear at the picnic tables in the lounge or run back out to their cars. It’s a very high-trust environment.
3. The Domino’s Factor. There is a giant menu for Domino’s hanging near the counter. It’s basically the official fuel of Ray’s. You order, and they’ll announce your name over the PA system when the pizza arrives. "Jim, your large pepperoni is at the front desk." It’s a vibe.
4. Check your bike. Only Class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are allowed. No throttles. No exceptions. Also, if you’re a mountain biker, leave your 800mm wide bars at home if you can—some of those narrow "woodwork" sections feel a lot tighter when your bars are wider than a doorway.
Pricing and Logistics (2026 Season)
Ray’s is seasonal. They usually open in October and close in May. Why? Because when the weather is nice, Ray wants you outside on the real trails.
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- Weekday Pass: Around $30.
- Weekend Pass: Usually $37.
- Rental Bikes: About $35 for the day. They have a fleet of Trek and Kink bikes. If you don't own a dirt jumper, rent one. It changes the experience.
They also have "specialty nights." Ladies' Night on Tuesdays and College ID nights are legendary for being cheaper and a bit more social.
Why It Matters
Ray’s changed the industry. Before this, "indoor biking" meant a sterile velodrome or a tiny BMX park. Ray proved you could bring the soul of the woods into the city. Even after Ray suffered a serious injury in 2017, the community rallied. The park is a testament to the Cleveland mountain bike scene’s refusal to let a little thing like "six months of snow" stop the fun.
If you’re a rider, you owe it to yourself to make the pilgrimage at least once. It’ll make you a better rider by May. Guaranteed.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a trip to Ray's Mountain Bike Cleveland, start here:
- Sign the Waiver Online: Save twenty minutes of standing at a kiosk. Do it on their website before you leave the house.
- Check Your Tires: Run higher pressure than you do in the dirt. On wood, you want about 35-40 PSI to avoid "folding" your tires in the high-G berms.
- Pack a Spare Tube: Even though it's indoors, you can still pinch-flat on a wooden ledge or a rock. The shop on-site has parts, but it’s cheaper to bring your own.
- Reserve a Rental: If you need a bike, call at least 24 hours in advance. On Saturdays, they sell out fast.