SRAM SRAMNATION

Name: Ray Petro

Nationality: Irish/Slovak

Date of Birth: May 8th 1966

Status? Single

Currently Live? Cleveland, OH

So, most readers are used to seeing world famous athletes in this section…what are you doing here? I am not really sure myself……. I am honored though. I guess, in a way, I am a world class athlete. Running that place is no picnic, it's similar to 24 racing.

Have you even raced your bike? Yes, I used to love traveling around the east coast doing local events. I hope to do more of that this summer

Honestly, it's clear you're the man behind something truly special. In fact, your indoor mountain bike park is the first of it's kind. Every year, you surprise people with new expansions and new features. Anything we can look forward to for next season? The Fisher Pump track will be reinvented. The Moen Sport Section will be sponsored by Mountain Cycle and will be added to and changed up some. The Mongoose Expert Section is do for a remodel, the SRAM lounge will be doubled in size and remodeled and we hope to add some things in the Endura Beginner Room.

Finish these sentences:

Yesterday, I wish that I… slept in longer

Today, I'm glad that I… got a nap

Tomorrow I plan to…sleep in longer

How long have you been riding? 11 years

What components are on your bike? SRAM and its many fabulous brands

Started Cycling? 1996

What was your first bike? Raleigh M9000

Favorite Ride / Trail / Line? Mohican State Park, Loudenville, OH

Who do you look up to and why? People who know how to relax, I take stuff so serious sometimes. I guess it's a blessing and a curse

What would you consider your greatest achievement? I am a millionaire in smiles. If the park should fail tomorrow, I would still feel very blessed.

Do the math, how many times have you ordered fast food at the drive up? Well, I lived on it while building the park, so 3 years x 2 times a day = 2,190 meals…rough guess.

You've accomplished a lot, more that most people added up. Are there any bigger that life goals still out there? I would really like to see more of the world. I have been inside that building everyday for a long time.

What motivates you? Creativity….and doing what I set out to do. Too many years went by and I never acted on ideas that I had…they just faded away.

Current Gas Powered Vehicle/s? Subaru WRX compliments of Subaru..thanks and Ford F150 for hauling stuff for us to ride.

Favorite thing to do that doesn't involve a bike? I still enjoy the whole remodeling process, turning a really bad room into someone's favorite room.

Have you ridden every feature in your park? No, a few skinnies and the RedBull Box Jump still elude me Which is your favorite? I like the jump line in the Mongoose section and the Gary Fisher XC course.

Favorite food? Italian

Favorite place to visit? I really enjoy seeing other bike industry operations. Like factory visits and stuff. Its fun to see where things happen

Favorite movies or shows? Carl Sagan's Cosmos

What single piece of advice would you give to people with 'out there' ideas? I tried to make this idea work several times. For whatever reason things just didn't gel the first 7 years. I had given up on it. Then, I guess, when the biking Gods were ready in started to happen. The lesson I learned is that if it is meant to be things happen pretty naturally. Like all the sponsors, most of them approached me. All I had to do was sell them on what I was doing. Don't get me wrong…this place has been the hardest thing I have ever attempted. I gave up a lot of life for this place but it felt right while I was giving it up. That's the lesson I learned.