Trials at Rays MTB park [Archive]

jpsnodab

11-17-2004, 12:20 PM

www.raysmtb.com (http://www.raysmtb.com)

Feb 5-6, 2005
Ray's MTB Trials Open
& FreeRide Time Trial

I am here in Cleveland Ohio right checking out the indoor park and this place is unreal.
On Feb. 5, 6, 2005 we will have a open trials comp with Pro, Expert, Sport, Beg. and Kids classes. for both 20' and 26" bikes.
UCI rules will be used and single speed bikes will be able to ride in all classes except for Pro Class.

We are working out sponsorship deals right now for the event, but this what we are putting together.

Classes:
Pro 20" & 26" Class
Expert 20" & 26" Class
Sport 20" & 26" Class
Beg. 20" & 26"
Womem's Open
Kids Class 13 & under

Event Schedule:
Sat. Feb. 5
9:00 - 11:30am 20" Clsses, Beg, Sport & Kids Open
12:00 - 2:00pm 20" Pro & Expert
2:30 - 6:00pm 26" Beg, Sport, Expert & Womens Open
Awards 7PM
Sun. Feb. 6
10:30 - 1:00pm 26" Pro
Freeride Time Trial
Pro/Expert only
2:00 - 4:00 Quailifing
4:30 Finals (Top 10)
Award 5:00pm

Entry Fees:
Kids Class $15.00
Beg Class $25.00
Sport & Expert Class $35.00
Pro & FreeRide Class $45.00

Prizes:
Pro Class
$2500. 20" Class
$2500. 26" Class
$2500. FreeRide Class
Beg, Sport, Expert Classes will get Gift Certificates to buy the parts that you want from a Mail order house, Working out the deal with Webcyclery and TrialsinUSA for that. Will update you all with more as soon as it all is signed.

Beg.
1. 80./2. 60./3. 40/4. 35/5. 25.
Sport
1. 125./2. 75./3. 50/4. 35/5. 25.
Expert
1. 150./2. 100./3. 75/4. 50/5. 35.
Women's
1. 75./2. 50./3. 25

Looking forward to it at Rays MTB Indoor Park

JP Sickler
jpsnodab@aol.com

trials-online

11-17-2004, 12:54 PM

CANNOT WAIT

WhiteRavenKS

11-17-2004, 01:08 PM

hmm... looks like im taking a road trip in feb now!

DanBowhers

11-17-2004, 01:12 PM

cool little event, i cant wait! freeride time trials!

Edge

11-17-2004, 01:15 PM

Only 18hours from Dallas. I'll see how many I can get to go from the Dallas area.

Sonic

11-17-2004, 01:31 PM

Open Quicken > Open "Motoroma 2005 Savings Account" > Rename > "Ray's MTB Trials Open
& FreeRide Time Trial Savings Account"

If I have the money, Ill be there, trying to save up for a trials road trip next year already anyway.

MikeTheBike

11-17-2004, 01:42 PM

Should I even bother with Motorama now? This event at Ray's gives me doubts that anyone would come.

goose

11-17-2004, 02:49 PM

hope this isn't too stupid a question, but what do the numbers on the bottom mean?

Beg.
1. 80./2. 60./3. 40/4. 35/5. 25.
Sport
1. 125./2. 75./3. 50/4. 35/5. 25.
Expert
1. 150./2. 100./3. 75/4. 50/5. 35.
Women's
1. 75./2. 50./3. 25

RomanR

11-17-2004, 03:02 PM

The value of the gift certificates you get.
For example, first place expert would get a $150 gift certificate.

average mike

11-17-2004, 03:14 PM

The value of the gift certificates you get.
For example, first place expert would get a $150 gift certificate.
Holy crap. Talk about even more motivitation to go. This is looking to be frickin awesome.

B1105

11-17-2004, 03:32 PM

hmmm, maybe ill drive out to cleveland, wouldnt be a bad idea

[BMF]Andy

11-17-2004, 04:18 PM

I will come to Motorama still, if we abandon the staple of American Trials because of a few bad years that would be gay. Anyways a all the money and what not sounds great but it certainly doesn't sound like that is a gaurantee at the moment.

I think it would be shame to give up on Motorama, and then have this thing fall through, or turn out not good for who knows what reason and have nothing.

Ryden

11-17-2004, 08:53 PM

Wholy thats a pretty big payout for a place thats just starting out (the prize money).

cck

11-17-2004, 09:00 PM

Trialsking

11-17-2004, 09:07 PM

Just curious, but why do the pros have to have gears, but the other classes do not? What is the rational for that? Just wondering.

hopsalot

11-17-2004, 09:21 PM

We at Ray's MTB have considered some of the issues Andy mentioned. Motorama has such a huge history the event will hopefully never go away. There are a number of differences between the events that should make it easy to choose one if you can't make them both. Ray's is a UCI comp, Motorama is traditionaly BUI. Ray's park has brand new stunts and obsticals that are bolted to the floor, the obsticals for the event don't have to be shipped in. Ray's trials sections can be well thought out in advace of the comp and the army of volunteers that helped build the place are ready and willing to check sections and help. Not to mention the attractive prizes.

In addition to the trials comp there is a MTB comp at Chenga World Skate Park on Friday and many pro riders from that event should be riding at Rays on Saturday and Sundays events. If the weather dosn't suck there are two great water-front parks (Edgewater and Gordon) close by with fantastic riding. Changa World One and Two are both close by and good fun for trials.

The trials community is growing and there is room for more events. We hope that Ray's will be a huge success with the support from the community, and we hope to make this an annual event.

redworm

11-17-2004, 10:36 PM

hmm... looks like im taking a road trip in feb now!
Can I ride shotgun?

Mr_Penut

11-17-2004, 10:38 PM

Anyone from ontario going I could potentialy bum a ride off?:momaru:

oicdn

11-18-2004, 06:30 AM

Sick...single speed allowed....

Probably no rationale for the pro's having gears, other than them probably not messing up as much, hence the lack for slack? I duno, just throwing that out there:momaru:

MikeTheBike

11-18-2004, 09:32 AM

From JP Sickler,
I want to support Mike and Motorama in every way, we should all help support the event. I have ask for my event in Cleveland to be a NATS point event as well. So this could a great double event in Feb. I have talked Mike about his efforts and will do all I can to help him. I am not doing my event to damage what Mike is doing with Motorama in any way. I hope you all will support mike in his efforts in bring Motorama up to the levels we are all looking for.
Please support all trials in every way we can. We all need to help and work together to to help our sport grow.
Mike, thank you for your hard work in taking on Motorama rebirth. I would love to see Motorama become the event that we all know it can be...

JP Sickler
Awesome! Thanx for replying, JP. It is unfortunate that the schedules for our events have been forced so close together. Regardless, it means more options for the riders and that is what it most important. The way I see it, we make these two events a success this year and next year we can plan to make them huge! :bigthumb:

ilneff

11-18-2004, 09:59 AM

awesome, something to do in the winter!
it's not even that bad of drive for me (nothern indiana)
I'm there.

besham

11-18-2004, 08:33 PM

That is the same date my baby is due! I am happy Im having a little girl, but the timing sucks!!!http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/icons/icon8.gif Trials by fire (cincinnati) was on my wedding date. Im bummed, but I will hopefully have a beautiful little girl (and future female trials champ) in my arms to make me forget. Maybe we can have her first birthday in Cleavland next time around.http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/images/icons/icon10.gif

trials-online

11-18-2004, 08:47 PM

im sooooo happy to have an actual event in ohio again , lets not even bring up mickeys mountain bike challenge ( WOW talk about hill jack to the extreme ) haha but those days were definetly fun

digby

11-18-2004, 09:34 PM

giventofly

11-18-2004, 11:21 PM

Update.....so the last nails have been hammered. The park has been swept from one side to the other. The computers are installed, the paint's dry, the 4 gigantic stereo speakers are thumpin'. It's almost time! Open house this weekend to walk the course. Open riding begins NEXT WEEKEND!!!! (Day after thanksgiving)

www.raysmtb.com
....new extended video is now posted......

gononza

11-19-2004, 04:49 PM

Oh man, the expert footage makes Rays look 10 times more bad ass. I'm also glad that they included footage of the volunteer builders and at least alluded to the insane amount of work that went into the place. This is going to be a good winter in cleveland.

Also, pinkbike.com recently reviewed the place and have a few more pictures up.

giventofly

11-19-2004, 11:21 PM

Also, pinkbike.com recently reviewed the place and have a few more pictures up.

Yeah. Pink bike was here, so was dirt rag.
( http://dirtragmag.com/web/brainfart.php?ID=136 )

jpsnodab

11-26-2004, 10:07 PM

Would you Unicycle riders be interested in have a class at this event?

I would offer 2 classes,
Unicycle Open &
Unicycle Advance Open

Let me know what you think out there.

Thank you,

JP Sickler

Ed Gildea

11-26-2004, 11:22 PM

why cant you have ss in pro class?

i dont want to have to put a shifter on my bike.

11-26-2004, 11:41 PM

If all the other classes are single speed why not make Pro single speed as well...they are no advantages or disadvantages except for safety and hassel. Some riders that should be in Pro may just go in expert, so they can ride their single speed setup and then there will not be as many Pro riders.

jpsnodab

11-27-2004, 06:41 AM

Pro is for Pro's and the rules that go with it. No rule changing there.
Got to play by the rules if you are a PRO Rider and if you want to make any money as well.
No 2 way street in PRO Class.

JPS

digby

11-27-2004, 08:45 AM

heres another way to think about it. $2500 in prize money and throw a shifter on, hope youre the only guy in stock pro. Or ride your singlespeed for shits and gigglesand get a gift certificate.

screw it, if I was there, I'd ride pro anyways just for a chance at that much prize money.

11-27-2004, 11:56 AM

Ok sounds good. This comp looks like it is gonna be amazing!!!

tybikes

11-27-2004, 01:16 PM

Thanks JP. Im kinda tired of all these people saying how stupid the shifter/derrailleur rule is. Its a rule, deal with it. The reason it is being enforced in Pro is so that our top riders conform with the rules that the rest of the world follows. If you're that concerned about the rule, then don't ride pro.

I also think its kinda rediculous that people want to move up to pro just to win some cash. I remember a few years back when you had to send a resume and get recommendations to get a pro license in Norba...

Its a great idea for the other classes to be more "open" with rules. It will allow more riders to participate and not have to worry about changing their setup or the risk of mech. failure.

Trevor

mikeschiavone

11-27-2004, 02:07 PM

amen bro-haus

RomanR

11-27-2004, 02:26 PM

I'm doing all I can to make it out to this comp, should be a blast.

afrobot

11-27-2004, 02:49 PM

The derailleur rule is only in place due to the politics of lobbying.Shimano and sram spend millions of dollars bribing UCI and approximately 5$ bribing NATS to keep that rule in place.

Perhaps if White Brothers and Surly pooled their resources they could buy off NATS.

UCI just reversed it's anti disc brake judgement in cross....Anything is possible if you have more than 200 riders who can get their shit organised!!!!!

WAY TO GO OH!! HI!! YO!!

Ed Gildea

11-27-2004, 04:20 PM

im not just moving up to pro for the cash. i want the challenge.

WhiteRavenKS

11-27-2004, 07:21 PM

then put a shifter on ed... you have to do it for worlds. if you want the challenge for practice then practice how you will compete. part of that is riding with a shifter on. just get some sram goodies and play by the international rules.

ps- trevor wins post of the day/week/year award for that statement.

jpsnodab

11-27-2004, 07:25 PM

Attention Riders who are thinking of moving up to the Pro level in Trials.

This is a big move and must be thought through.

Now, for the rulings of turning Pro.

You must have been a Pro from the last years ranking.

Being that this is the 1st event of the year for 2005, riders must request an upgrade from their powers that be, via NATS or NORBA. A rider must have a card or letter saying they are a PRO Class Trials Rider.

I will be getting a list from USACycling and NATS of who are the Pro riders for 2005.

If you come to the Ray's and want to ride in the PRO Class, and have no card. This is what you should have to convince us to let you ride in the PRO Trials Class.

1. You are a top 10 Ranked rider in USACycling/NORBA/NATS Series in Expert or higher class.

2. Or if you are not ranked or have no card and feel you deserve to ride in the top-level class in Trials. You must have 3 written letters from current Ranked Pro riders saying you are at the level of being a PRO in the Sport of US Trials.

Tim and Jon from NATS please let me know if you feel different in any way about this for riders turning PRO.

Thank you,

JP Sickler
USA Trials

tybikes

11-27-2004, 07:32 PM

Kevin, post of the year??? WOOO HOOO, what do I win?

You have a good point though. The US is slowly starting to work its way up into the world scene...now isn't the time to try and change all the rules.

JP, good call. Honestly, I wish people had told me to wait awhile longer before I went pro. I could have gained a lot more experience in expert.

WhiteRavenKS

11-27-2004, 07:40 PM

trev- you win a huge bucket of respect. it goes good on toast im told. uhh sorry i dont have anything tangible for you. but your avatar and your having smarts is worthy of much props/'spect.

jp- i dig the rules. good call. we are finally startign to come into emergence in the world level with some of our up and coming juniors. they need the right preparation. this is a step in the right direction.

DanBowhers

11-27-2004, 08:54 PM

thats a pretty complex system to ride pro...then again im dumb...

WhiteRavenKS

11-27-2004, 10:22 PM

thats a pretty complex system to ride pro...then again im dumb...
:rofl:

i found shoe laces to be too tricky so i wear velcro shoes. just j'in.

Ed Gildea

11-27-2004, 11:57 PM

jp- i dig the rules. good call. we are finally startign to come into emergence in the world level with some of our up and coming juniors. they need the right preparation. this is a step in the right direction.

i agree. expert is fun but i want a good challenge and the fact of getting used to hard sections for next years worlds.

so maybe i wont suck it h-core.

trials-online

11-28-2004, 12:11 AM

dont lie to yourself ed, all the practice in the world wont make you not suck h-core buddy, lets be honest with ourselves ...................BURN!

redworm

11-28-2004, 02:05 AM

Jp I think the rules to ride pro are terrible, there are only a handfull of trials riders left that compete and who cares if they get their ass kicked trying to compete for some real prizes for a change. Most trials riders dont even know another trials rider because there are so few of us, how do you expect them to get letters from pros to compete. Going to pro is not a big decision and should not be well thought through, most people will only go to 2 comps this season and will get nothing but some debt for their troubles. What Card are we supposed to get that says we are pros, are you personally gonna mail that to me? thats not gonna happen and you know it, we are all just gonna show up the day of the event and register and thats all and if you deny people the chance to ride pro because they haven't seen your post on OTN then they are just in expert class regardless of how good they are and kick the shit outa all the experts?

Sorry but all I know is if i woulda signed up for pro at any of the events last year nobody would said anything or asked me for a card or some letters, just some money that I would never get back no matter how I rode.

Please explain why the new rules.

Mike

WhiteRavenKS

11-28-2004, 02:13 AM

the new rules are there because they should have been there before.

if anyone rides in front of me at an event and they need a 'letter' from me saying they are worthy of pro i will bust out a sticky note pad and do what i can to get them where they need to be. its not so much that the rules are there to prevent anyone from riding- they are just there to take care of some formalities that we were lacking before.

tybikes

11-28-2004, 02:33 AM

Mike, actually the rules JP mentioned have been around for awhile, they were sorta forgotten about. I don't think the written recommendations are necessary, but some sort of recommendation is a reasonable request. I think it gives some ligitimacy to the "pro" level. Maybe a verbal recommendation from a pro or an email will suffice. JP? If you don't even know a pro that can vouch for you, then chances are you aren't ready for pro.

Its kinda disappointing that our sport has regressed to the point where people think going pro is not a big decision. In most other non-mainstream sports, you can't just show up and claim that you're a pro. You have to prove it. And if trials is going to have any legitimacy as a real, "organized" sport, then certain requirements for pro status are entirely justified.

Going pro to get some "real prizes" by 5'ing every section just looks bad on the rider and the sport. Sorry Mike, don't mean to target this at you, but some people don't realize the situation.

Trev

redworm

11-28-2004, 03:18 AM

I'm sorry guys but I guess I dont see the point in taking pro class that seriously. YOu show up to an event and there are maybe 10 to 25 riders there 1 of which can even ride the pro sections set but our organizers, and what class you compete in is a big deal? I competed agains't myself at almost every competition last year, so yeah deny people a pro license because they aren't ranked or don't know a pro so I can still get first place by default, because thats how I got a high enough ranking in expert to ride pro next year, I'm sure I'll get a good ranking in pro this year by default since I wont have anybody to compete agains't but atleast I "proved" to everyone that I am a pro.

mikeschiavone

11-28-2004, 03:22 AM

mike, get a real bike, with 26'' wheel, and come ride pro.

i dont know, i see where everyone is coming from. on one hand, everyone feels that norba sanctioned trials is a joke, but on the other hand, you just need to "suck it up" and play by the rules.

gears or not, i still plan on competing next year. see y'all at the comps.

TrevorBodogh

11-28-2004, 10:23 AM

Six month membership: $79.
Day passes: $9 for members, $15 for non-members

Is this not going to apply for this one day comp, or will this be added to the larger than life entry fee of $45 for a total of $60 USD..

I will most likely be coming out to this now instead of Motorama, for several reasons, UCI, Closer, never been to Ohio..

Also about the derailler topic. Does it have to function or just be there.. I haven't had a shifter on my bike for 3 years..

I'm Canadian, so it's only expected I complain about the prices..

Also - Could someone post some pro rider emails so I could ask for this "letter of recomendation", or can we get 1 person, eg: Division 8 / Try all to let you know I am capable of pro sections.. Someone please elaborate on this a bit better for everyones benefit..

jpsnodab

11-28-2004, 10:32 AM

If you are a rider and are paying an entry fee to ride, you will pay no park fee. The park will not be open during this weekend for park use anyway. For this special event only.

TrevorBodogh

11-28-2004, 11:10 AM

edit

WhiteRavenKS

11-28-2004, 12:01 PM

just having a der isnt good enough. it wouldnt pass uci/biu inspections so having a shifter laced to it and having it actually move a little is what is being looked for.

i dont think the pro letters of recomendation are really all that serious of a matter. its really just there to weed out people who just go pro for the sake of saying hey look at me, im a pro. anyone who is seriously there for the challenge (and reward) of being pro shouldnt have a hard time finding some people to vouche before an event. even in the parking lot. speaking of which: trevor bodogh is pro, jp- if he shows up with working gears he needs to be in pro class. ;)

jpsnodab

11-28-2004, 12:25 PM

Sorry forgot to add that Canadian's, you will have to pay extra, just for being well, Canadian...

No, looking forward to having you all come down to ride with us.

AndyT

11-28-2004, 12:40 PM

:dunno: I'd probably just ride expert because I'm lazy and don't want to take of my grips to put a shifter on, if I won i'd just give my prize to whoever was second because sand bagging is gay.

But if you are serious about riding, putting a shifter on shouldn't be that big a deal to compete in the PRO class...come on d000ds...

crescentrider

11-28-2004, 01:00 PM

yea I agree... even I will put on a shifter. BTW I will most likely be there.

tybikes

11-28-2004, 01:24 PM

Trevor B, based on that video that was posted a little while ago, it looks like you could handle pro. I don't think you'll have any trouble signing up for pro, so don't worry about it.

Mike, I see where you're coming from. It seems like a lot of rankings come by default just from a lack of riders, which is unfortunate. I know I would like to see more than 3 or 4 pros at an event to see where I really measure up, but we shouldn't allow anyone to just claim to be pro, like what Kevin said. I say if you did well, point-wise, at the last national-caliber event in expert, you have the option of going pro.

I don't see what the trouble is with having a derr. and shifter. I run regular mtb. parts and don't have a problem, and it seems like riders in most european countries do the same.

Trev

jpsnodab

11-28-2004, 01:26 PM

must have working gears

Ed Gildea

11-28-2004, 06:30 PM

rob is comin out to shred rays w00t.

TrevorBodogh

11-28-2004, 10:10 PM

heyy..

Thanks guys for the kind words.. Hopefully we will all meet up out there.

Anyhow, Kevin said, "working gears"..What is defined as working.. Working for me is getting of the bike and shifting them with a thumb shifter mounted not on my bars, eg:seat stay..

And how many of them.. I have a super thick KOOL chain, so I can't exactly cram a full stack of gears on there..

11-28-2004, 10:53 PM

Well tongiht I got my shifter out and a recommendation letter. I am in the process right now of setting the shifter up. Do I need 5 or 6 gears?

thanks,
chris

jpsnodab

11-28-2004, 11:16 PM

6 working gears by UCI rules

DanBowhers

11-28-2004, 11:59 PM

TREVOR=PRO, I saw him at Raccoon Rally, he owns. As does Chris Stephenson.

Turtlehead

12-01-2004, 12:19 PM

Wow... sounds like I should go... with that many dudes thinking they can ride a JP pro section this should leave the expert level pretty wide open for a lowly expert such as myself to step up and ride... ha...
Quick question... how many guys really think they are pro level now? Seems like everyone posting thinks they are?
Anyone out there planning to ride expert?
Anyone ride very many of JP's sections in the past?

mikeschiavone

12-01-2004, 12:39 PM

ill ride expert with you. hell, if there's any natural at ray's, ill be riding sport.

KeepRollin

12-01-2004, 01:09 PM

I'm hoping to make it out there and riding expert. It'll be my first time in Expert. Hopefully I won't die :eek3:

RomanR

12-01-2004, 05:31 PM

I'll give expert a try. I will probably get owned big time, but it will make the long trip worth it.

giventofly

12-01-2004, 09:13 PM

I toured ray's with jp last week, and based on the section ideas he shared with me...pro will be no cake walk.

Also....please do not judge the difficulty of ray's course by the website video. The video does not do the park justice, and also, the entire park will be reconfigured for this event.

[BMF]Andy

12-01-2004, 10:27 PM

Why is the competition being scheduled so close to Motorama? Obviously Motorama has to be on a fixed date, so why not just do this comp a month or two later? That way there wont be as much competition between the two comps for riders. It almost seems as if you guys are targeting Motorama on purpose.

mikeschiavone

12-01-2004, 10:32 PM

ya think?

[BMF]Andy

12-01-2004, 11:31 PM

Well if they are targeting Motorama what would be the point? Its not like there is an overabundance of trials events and we need to weed out the bad ones or something. One trials competition trying to destroy another is the last thing we need. I hope that is not why they decided to have this event around the same time.

hopsalot

12-02-2004, 06:08 PM

We moved the date up several weeks from what we originally planned to the weekend that a pro mountian bike event at Chenga World skate park is taking place. Many of those Pro ridders will be appering at Ray's for the Time Trial event on Sunday, as well trials.

This is the reasoning for the date. We hope having three events at two locations over the course of a weekend will make for a very exciting event.

giventofly

12-02-2004, 09:45 PM

Andy']Why is the competition being scheduled so close to Motorama? Obviously Motorama has to be on a fixed date, so why not just do this comp a month or two later? That way there wont be as much competition between the two comps for riders. It almost seems as if you guys are targeting Motorama on purpose.

Please read the whole thread. This has already been discussed. We are in no way trying to undermine any other events.

From JP Sickler,
I want to support Mike and Motorama in every way, we should all help support the event. I have ask for my event in Cleveland to be a NATS point event as well. So this could a great double event in Feb. I have talked Mike about his efforts and will do all I can to help him. I am not doing my event to damage what Mike is doing with Motorama in any way. I hope you all will support mike in his efforts in bring Motorama up to the levels we are all looking for.
Please support all trials in every way we can. We all need to help and work together to to help our sport grow.
Mike, thank you for your hard work in taking on Motorama rebirth. I would love to see Motorama become the event that we all know it can be...

JP Sickler

We are doing our own event to help support Ray's MTB, and to bring exposure to our sport. This is the first Indoor Mountain bike park in the world, and the sport of biketrials can reap many rewards from the exposure this event, and this park will generate.

There WILL be an event at Chengaworld that weekend, and there WILL be a freeride event at Ray's on Sunday. Those are the facts. Having a huge trials event as well, lending a sort of "festival" atmosphere to the whole weekend, seems only logical.

____________

mikeschiavone

12-03-2004, 01:21 AM

im down.

MikeTheBike

12-03-2004, 12:11 PM

Please read the whole thread. This has already been discussed. We are in no way trying to undermine any other events.

We are doing our own event to help support Ray's MTB, and to bring exposure to our sport. This is the first Indoor Mountain bike park in the world, and the sport of biketrials can reap many rewards from the exposure this event, and this park will generate.

There WILL be an event at Chengaworld that weekend, and there WILL be a freeride event at Ray's on Sunday. Those are the facts. Having a huge trials event as well, lending a sort of "festival" atmosphere to the whole weekend, seems only logical.

____________
I just want to make sure everyone is clear that there is no animosity between JP/Ray's and me as far as the dates of their event and Motorama. As is explained above, it was other factors that determined these dates and we're all just doing our best to make both events worthwhile. I applaud Ray's for caring enough about trials to include it.

While it is unfrotunate that some riders will have to chose one event over the other, just think about the long-term benefits that Ray's is seeding. Next year and the years to come will allow us all to work together to bring more, bigger events to the North American trials scene.

mikeschiavone

12-03-2004, 12:34 PM

well said michael

redworm

12-03-2004, 07:52 PM

Hey what would be the best airport to fly into for this event?

[BMF]Andy

12-03-2004, 09:08 PM

Whoops, forgot to mention I am illiterate. Pardon my ignorance.

giventofly

12-03-2004, 11:53 PM

Hey what would be the best airport to fly into for this event?

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is the only major airport that services Cleveland. The park is 15 minutes by highway from the airport.

AndyT

12-04-2004, 01:41 AM

so how many pimps are showing up to this in expert category :momaru:

jpsnodab

12-04-2004, 01:53 AM

Here's an inside tip for lodging for Ray's MTB Park
Holiday Inn, www.holiday-inn.com/cle-airport (http://www.holiday-inn.com/cle-airport)
The Holiday Inn of Cleveland/Airport is the Host Hotel for Ray's.
$99.95 gets you a room with 2 dbl beds up to 4 in a room at no extra charge. When I flew into Cleveland, it only took like 10 to 15 minutes to get to Ray's Park. And the Holiday Inn is right in the middle of the two. If you paln ahead and schedule it with the hotel they will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the hotel and even give rides over to Ray's MTB Park. This will be a set schedule that is still being work out. So if you stay at the Holiday Inn of Cleveland/Airport. You will not even have a need for a rental car. The Inn will even give you a free bus or trian tickets to take you right to down town Cleveland. I am sure that would be worth the price of a ticket right there. We will let you know about all updates and lodging soon at www.raysmtb.com (http://www.raysmtb.com) when you contact the Holiday Inn of Cleveland/Airport at 216 252 7700 and tell them you're in town to ride at Ray's MTB Indoor Park ShootOut event of Feb. 5-6, If that doesn't work ask for Tom Donnelly.

Happy Holidays,

Ray's MTB Indoor Park
Cleveland, OH
2005 Trials & FreeRide Shoot-Out at Ray's
Feb. 5, 6, 2005, info coming soon on
www.raysmtb.com (http://www.raysmtb.com)

digby

12-04-2004, 11:42 AM

I'm thinking about showing up, just need to see if turtlehead is serious about going too.

Looks like theres a radison II now. Good times.

Lagerhead

12-04-2004, 06:53 PM

I just made online reservations for the Holiday Inn, $59.00 per night + 15.5 % tax. Much cheeper than $99.00 but non refundable.

This almost guarantees some sort of freak Febuary ice storm.:ugh:

MegamoMidwest

12-05-2004, 09:57 PM

freak February ice storms dont matter because its INDOOR! I am so excited! count me in.

Turtlehead

12-05-2004, 11:51 PM

Digby, I'm down... I'll ride expert and let all these so-called pros ride their new class... I agree, they are probably better than expert, but we need a semi-pro class for them...

WhiteRavenKS

12-06-2004, 12:43 AM

maybe they should just ride pro and get their asses kicked like i did this year. if they are looking for a challenge then they shouldnt expect anything less than a ton of 5'ed sections. semi-pro would be a pointless class for trials. not only are there not enough people to justify it but thats even more work on sections for promoters who already dont have enough to work with most often.