Ray's Cleveland Women's Weekend Recap
The day starts off with introductions from the coaches; a quick bit of background, expertise, and where they will be coaching. Then, it's off for a day of shredding.
The first day of the event is always Friday, when the park is closed to men from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. There are coaching stations set up for all level of riding abilities. Let's face it, most of us guys have at one point or another tried to get a significant other to go on a ride and given some advice that, well, left both parties feeling a bit frustrated at the end of the day. The "no men allowed" format at Ray's works brilliantly. With the encouragement of like-minded peers and coaches that they can relate to, the women progress at a rapid rate. It's amazing to see someone who, at 9:00am was a little less than comfortable with getting the front wheel off the ground, airing a full jump line seven hours later with a massive smile on their face. Women of all ages and abilities come out to reunite with friends from Women's Weekends past, to gain skills, or to just see what mountain biking is all about. Women's Weekend has steadily grown over the years, with attendance set to top last year's record of 210. Unfortunately, the massive Nor' Easter that shut down the East Coast caused a fair drop off in numbers.
Riders get ready to head out into the park. The no-men-allowed format for the first seven hours is key to creating a relaxed atmosphere. It's truly amazing to see just how fast these women progress through the course of a day.
If you know someone interested in the sport, Ray's is a great place to start. As Leigh Donovan puts it, "Sometimes one day can change your entire life, and for many women in the mid-West who ride bikes, that day is the 'Ray’s Women’s Weekend'. Beyond the skills you gain, it’s the long lasting friendships that are formed during this event. If you haven’t attended this event, add this to your bucket list and you will be forever grateful you did!"
Love is in the air. Women's Weekend is one of, if not the busiest weekends of the year at Ray's. Could it be due to the fact that it's held on Valentines weekend? Maybe. Dustin Ross took advantage of the situation and proposed to Nikki Kingery in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Lindsey Voreis was just one of the many talented women doing a killer job coaching this weekend. With coaches of this caliber, the progression came quickly and everyone walked away with new skills.
Cory Coffey McGee giving that last bit of encouragement before Grace's first big drop in. Anxiety was high, and Grace backed off several times before taking the plunge.
Fear is conquered. Grace takes the plunge to a roar of cheers from all the women on deck for the expert line. Grace dropped in on pretty much every big line in the park from this point on.
Better to start early. Dropping in, with a coach right behind, helps each run get better and better.
A quick rundown of what to expect on the trail and how to attack is a huge help in being mentally prepared for what lies ahead.
Lunch break with plenty of stories to tell about the first half of the day, laughs to be had, and plans to be made about what to work on next.
Squizgar knows where the love is. It's on a huge bean bag chair in the coaches' lounge.
Memories are made here. Making new friends, and conquering obstacles. What Ray Petro started years ago has grown into something truly amazing that certainly has had a profound effect on bringing women into the sport.
There is nothing like watching a group of women blasting out runs on the Green Line, boosting jumps, hooting and hollering, and just having a great time. It's what riding bikes is all about.
Ladies first. Wendy Palmer heads out on a run after a full day of coaching.
While the majority of the attendees go through basic skills clinics, others come ready to build on already solid abilities. With the help of coaches like Carley Young, they are jumping higher and riding faster with more confidence in no time.
That smile mountain biking brings to your face when you are with friends, riding, and having a good time. In a sport that seems so dominated by men, it's truly amazing to see events like this; bringing more and more women into the fold.
Carley Young and Cory Coffey McGee hamming it up before jumping in on a lady train.
All of the park is off-limits to men, with the exception of the lounge, from 9 to 4 on Friday. This allows the women to ride in a relaxed atmosphere with out the stress of "feeling watched". At four o'clock, the guys are unleashed on the park where they try all their best moves in front of a captive audience of women. Here, the girls keep them honest.
A raffle at the end of the day on Friday is just the icing on the cake after a day of great times riding bikes, building friendships, and progressing skills.
What else do you do when you win a cruiser at Ray's? You ride it down some teeter totters and log features.
Living it up after a job well done. Some of these women only see each other once or twice a year, but the friendships forged here last a lifetime. Here's to Ray's Women's Weekend, the awesome ladies that coach it, and all the women who come out to ride. Let's hope that this event and others like it keep bringing more women into MTB.
P.S. I love that pic of Riley riding her new cruiser on the wood... Atta girl!
Why don't you make a comment and show yourself and your true woman-hatin' feelings?
This is a great article on a fantastic event. Should be more of it. Well done everyone involved.