How did ray know

Ray did not say the stairs were "narrow", it was Ken who mentioned it on his return. Rays comment was to insinuate the three tourists were too out of shape to walk the stairs also perhaps too big, "youse a bunch of friggin elephants." On the other hand almost all medieval church towers in Europe have narrow, steep and winding staircases to their high points of which Ray is probably aware despite not climbing that particular tower.

"He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. Guy was an interior decorator."

the Belfry/Belfort stairs are definitely narrow and very hard to climb but I guess it's even more difficult to descend it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mc3YWnXX_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qihxh5va0U

but while you're at the top it's just fabulous! too bad Ray couldn't relax himself to enjoy the view. I haven't seen this movie for a while but I think Ray climbed the Belfry stairs before he met the fat americans but I'm not sure anymore. I've got to rewatch this movie again.

I assumed he meant they were too unfit to make it up

It's too bad Ray didn't climb to the top. I did. The stairs are indeed narrow and winding, but the view from the top is spectacular!

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, and / or doesn't.