02/08/2007 Culture

3-Ride Pro Invitational at Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland

Despite a brutal Midwest cold snap, many of the best mountain bikers across the country are leaving the warmth of California and the like to head to icy Cleveland this coming weekend. Why? Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park 3-Ride Pro Invitational.

Ray Petro and crew are hosting the annual 3-Ride Pro Invite at the country’s only indoor mountain bike park. The 3-Ride Event is a unique comp in that it brings multiple disciplines into one event. Street riders, 4X’ers, and dirt jumpers all show up with their best balanced game ready to compete on the short course, pump track, street park, and, finally, the jump competition.

Things kick off on Fri, Feb 9, with an open qualifier when pros and amateurs alike vie for a spot in the weekend’s competition. On Saturday, riders will be competing on the Moen Short Course in the morning and then the Fisher Pump Track in the afternoon. Things heat up on Sunday in the Subaru Street Park in the morning and then the finale is the much anticipated Jump Competition Sunday afternoon. With $10,000 of total purse, there will be plenty of loot spread around to top finishers in each event and the overall finishers.

In 2006 Fisher sponsored rider, Greg Watts took the overall title the event with his ability to hit the big jumps and power through the pump course. In an event that rewards a balanced riding game, he walked away with the overall title.

Gary Fisher has been a big fan and supporter of Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park through the years. Fisher sponsors the pump track and the cross-country course that winds through the rafters of the revamped parachute factory. In addition, there’s a rental fleet of Gary Fisher Bigg’ns bikes for visitors.

For more info on Ray’s 3-Ride Pro Invite be sure to check out: www.raysmtb.com or call 216-631-RIDE. And next time you’re anywhere near Cleveland be sure to stop by and have yourself a ride in the country’s only indoor mountain bike park.