Women's Weekends at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike parks

[kimikaw]

Ray's indoor mountain bike park just opened up here in the Milwaukee area. Looks pretty cool. And would be great for a newbie MTBer like me who struggles with staying on a narrow line (that old look ahead not down thing), and powering up the short steep inclines. The pictures and videos of the beginner and XC areas both have the types of obstacles which would allow me to make significant progress over the winter (and have some fun playing on my bike at the same time).

If I had the nerve to go.

A tad intimidated as both a beginner and a female to jump right in there. My 11yo son is dying to try the place. Maybe some weekend I'll work up the nerve to take him.

However, I plan on attending the Women's weekend. One of my New Year's resolutions was to attend at least a couple of MTB skill clinics (as of today that's Ray's and Midwest), along with finding more women to ride with and actually ride with them. Sounds like just the ticket. And perfect for a winter break.

First saw a mention of this over at mtbr. Asked on the Ray's facebook page if it was true. Has been confirmed and showing on the calendar on the Ray's website. (http://www.raysmtb.com/)

Feb 18-20 in Cleveland

Feb 25-27 in Milwaukee

No details so far. I'll post more if I see more. Here's a recap of a prior weekend (http://indytriple.tripod.com/sub9/rays-recap10.html).

Anyone else interested?

[tangentgirl]

Wow, that looks really cool and fun. Nowhere near me, alas. But wow.

[indysteel]

It's too far away for me, but I'll see you at the Midwest clinic. I'm a beginner, too.

[Catrin]

I will be at the Midwest clinic as well and I am really looking forward to it!

[limewave]

We are planning a trip to the one in Ohio. I can't wait! But I admit I'm a little nervous too.

[Owlie]

We are planning a trip to the one in Ohio. I can't wait! But I admit I'm a little nervous too.

Wanna come say hi? ;) Of course, totally inconvenient, considering I'm on the opposite side of the city...:o

[SJCzar]

I spent a weekend at the Cleveland Ray's last spring and it's a blast. Yes, I returned with bruises, bumps, and scrapes but I also came away with much more confidence. I could definitely notice the difference when I got out on a real trail again.

I loved the cross country loop that runs through the building and Ray said that they were going to be doing the same thing at our Milwaukee location. Lots of things in the beginner area were scary at first for me but with encouragement (even from very young kids) I managed to tackle some of them.

If the crowds at the Milwaukee location end up being similar to the Cleveland location you should think about going there with your son right at opening time on a Sunday morning. The first few hours are much more family-orientated and low key ..... but all the riders there were supportive and super friendly no matter what time we were there on that weekend.

Not sure if I'll be able to make the Women's Clinic or not but I'll have to keep it in mind. If you haven't seen their website yet you should check out the WORS Women's group. They will probably have a group doing the women's clinics.
http://worswomen.org/

[limewave]

If the crowds at the Milwaukee location end up being similar to the Cleveland location you should think about going there with your son right at opening time on a Sunday morning. The first few hours are much more family-orientated and low key ..... but all the riders there were supportive and super friendly no matter what time we were there on that weekend.
http://worswomen.org/

That is really good to know! Looks like I'll plan on going in the morning and let DH go in the evening ;)

[kimikaw]

If the crowds at the Milwaukee location end up being similar to the Cleveland location you should think about going there with your son right at opening time on a Sunday morning. The first few hours are much more family-orientated and low key ..... but all the riders there were supportive and super friendly no matter what time we were there on that weekend.

Not sure if I'll be able to make the Women's Clinic or not but I'll have to keep it in mind. If you haven't seen their website yet you should check out the WORS Women's group. They will probably have a group doing the women's clinics.
http://worswomen.org/

Thanks for the tips! I was thinking maybe we'd try Ray's 1st thing in the am some weekend. Sunday makes perfect sense as the best possible. Which would mean a 6 week wait. Kiddo just started 6 weeks of snowboarding lessons at Sunburst...and discovered they offer a primo parent program 4 weeks of lessons, tickets and rentals for $105. Brilliant marketing, get the whole family on the mountain. I will stick to skis, tho..

And I had no idea about the Women's WORS group. That's especially good to know. Will keep an eye for their clinics, and hopefully, rides. I do plan on joining some of the metro mountain bikers all riders rides this summer. Probably whole family will.

See you have west MKE as location. We must be fairly close, I work in west MKE not to far from 'Tosa/Miller Park...and startedbike commuting there last fall from Brookfield. That's on

[SJCzar]

I have a friend that teaches kid's snowboarding at Sunburst. They have a great program. Hope your son has fun. Come on - give snowboarding a chance for you too. I took it up about 4 seasons ago and love it. Granted I'm usually one of the older females out at the local resorts but who cares.

I've always meant to get out and try one of the Metro Mountain bikers rides but never got around to it. Hopefully this year. Make sure to check out the trails at Crystal Ridge too. They are a good workout. Hoyt Park's trails have some nice family friendly areas and are close by for a short evening ride.

I live near the VA Hospital and bike through Tosa on my way to work on the northwest side so we may have passed each other on our opposite commutes.

[TrekJeni]

Ray's indoor mountain bike park just opened up here in the Milwaukee area.

I plan on attending the Women's weekend. One of my New Year's resolutions was to attend at least a couple of MTB skill clinics (as of today that's Ray's and Midwest), along with finding more women to ride with and actually ride with them. Sounds like just the ticket. And perfect for a winter break.

First saw a mention of this over at mtbr. Asked on the Ray's facebook page if it was true. Has been confirmed and showing on the calendar on the Ray's website. (http://www.raysmtb.com/)

Feb 18-20 in Cleveland

Feb 25-27 in Milwaukee

No details so far. I'll post more if I see more. Here's a recap of a prior weekend (http://indytriple.tripod.com/sub9/rays-recap10.html).

Anyone else interested?

Kim ROCKED the house on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tania and I were so impressed with how much she progressed in such a short amount of time.

Thanks for making our coaching jobs so easy!

Jeni

[kimikaw]

Jeni, You are far too kind!

So glad to meet you last weekend. And glad you jumped in here, because now I can put a face with the avatar so to speak! Didn't realize at Ray's that you were TrekJeni

Now I have to bring my son to Ray's. He was quite impressed with the pictures and is dying to give it a try himself. I've already signed him up for the kid's clinic at the Midwest Women's weekend.