DENVER — Cyclists across Colorado on Saturday are organizing multiple rides and will roll through different communities to demonstrate against the killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last Saturday.
Cyclists in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Wheat Ridge, Salida, Gunnison and in other communities on the Western Slope will show solidarity participating in "We Ride in Unity" events which have spread across the country.
Alex Pretti was an avid cyclist and Saturday’s cross-country events originated at his hometown bike shop, Angry Catfish in Minneapolis.
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Jude Tibay, with the Denver Bicycle Lobby (DBL) — which is organizing a ride in Denver — said from what he's seen on social media, "riders are ready to show up."
"For many, this isn't just a memorial—it’s a space to process collective worry and find relief. On Saturday, we’re providing an opportunity for people to step out of their isolation and find the joy and strength that comes from riding together in pursuit of a common goal," said Tibay.
Alex Maltese is the founder of Fort Collins Gravel People, a cycling club in northern Colorado. He told Denver7 he started hearing about the rides while sitting on a plane at Denver International Airport and was moved to jump into action.
“I had a little bit of time to kill, so I put the ride together — as I was kind of jumping on a plane,” said Maltese. “I think people are just really grateful to be able to have an outlet, especially a positive one, like cycling.”
Maltese said he hopes the rides bring “hope and purpose” in this moment.
“Alex Pretti was a cyclist and that's why all this kind of got started. When we see these kinds of things happen on our phone or whatever, I feel like a lot of people feel like it's a little helpless. What can I really do?”
The Fort Collins ride starts at noon at Lee Martinez Park.
“We’ll take a couple of minutes and come together as a community and share a couple of words about why we’re here. We’re hoping to get bonafide community organizations to share resources and then go for a ride,” added Maltese.
He said the Fort Collins ride is a five-and-a-half mile loop around the northwest part of the city and should take around 45 minutes.
As of Friday morning, over 200 cyclists RSVP’d on Strava alone for the Fort Collins ride and Maltese expects more to show up.
“I've talked to many people who said they're going to bring their friends, going to bring their family, so we would expect this to be kind of a large event,” said Maltese.
Boulder’s ride is organized by Ryan Van Duzer, a champion of the benefits of biking whose inspirational adventures are chronicled on his popular YouTube channel.
“I organized the Boulder ride because I’m feeling angry and heartbroken and wanted to put that energy into something positive,” Van Duzer told Denver7. “Riders in Boulder can expect a family friendly cruise around town. The goal is to come together in a loving way and show Alex’s friends and family that we care.”
The "We Ride in Unity" there is at noon and cyclists can meet near the playground at North Boulder Park, said Van Duzer.
"The response has been incredible, I expect to see hundreds of Boulderites on Saturday,” he added.
Cyclists in the Denver metro have several options to participate, including a ride organized by the Denver Bicycle Lobby. There are two options, including a short, 8.7-mile route or a longer ride running just over 15 miles.
"The Denver ride came about organically, tapping into an energy already buzzing in the community. After seeing Ryan Van Duzer post about the Boulder ride, several advocates and ride leaders across Denver started reaching out to one another to coordinate a local response," said DBL's Tibay. "We’re organizing this because the community was already looking for a way to get involved—we’re just helping to lead the way."
Here's what you need to know about Denver's 'We Ride in Unity' event.
"Riders can expect a community-focused event that begins at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in City Park. We’ll start with a few brief speakers to ground us in our purpose, followed by a moment of silence. At 12:30 pm, we’ll embark on a 7-mile, family-friendly ride ending at the Colorado State Capitol," said DBL's Tibay.
"The response has been overwhelmingly positive. So many have reached out to offer help - from individuals to organizations like Z Cycle Shop, Hardt Family Cyclery, Fems & Thems, OUTSpokin’, Wash Park Crewzers, Bike n’ Brew, and the BikeDenver.net," he added.
Cyclists should meet at the MLK statue at City Park by noon for the ride, which starts at 12:30 p.m.
Maltese said Saturday’s rides are an opportunity to view what’s happening in the country “beyond a political stance.”
“This is the difference between right and wrong and the fact that this happened to Alex and happened to Renee (Good) and happened to many other people is as a result of these forces being out on the street,” he said. “If that wasn't the case, then none of this would have happened.”
Ryan Van Duzer added: “The response worldwide has been inspiring. We all see the atrocities that are happening and it’s time to stand up in solidarity.”
It's a sentiment DBL's Tibay said will also be felt in Denver.
"We are here to celebrate Alex’s life as a nurse and a cyclist, but we are also here to demand accountability from an administration whose operations are derelict of both human dignity and due process. This ride is about more than just bikes; it is about the fundamental right to be safe in our own communities. We are turning our collective grief into a movement because no one is safe until we are all safe," he said.
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'We Ride in Unity" events in Colorado this Saturday:
- Basalt
- Boulder
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Meet at noon at MLK statue in City Park, roll at 12:30 p.m.
More info from Denver Bicycle Lobby:
Riders can expect a community-focused event that begins at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in City Park. We’ll start with a few brief speakers to ground us in our purpose, followed by a moment of silence. At 12:30 pm, we’ll embark on a 7-mile, family-friendly ride ending at the Colorado State Capitol.Safety and inclusivity are our priorities; we’ll have volunteers acting as 'blockers' and 'sweepers' to ensure everyone moves smoothly through intersections. We designed this route with two goals: first, to ensure our message is seen and heard by the public, and second, to remind riders as we pass the Capitol that our advocacy shouldn't end when the ride does. It’s a call to keep the momentum going with our elected officials.
Once we arrive at the State Capitol, riders will have 3 options:
Remain to partake in any protests at the capitol
Return to City Park with a ride leader for those seeking shorter ride
Continue with a ride leader for 8 more miles through Cap Hill, Congress Park and Cherry Creek before returning to City Park.
- Meet at noon at MLK statue in City Park, roll at 12:30 p.m.
- Durango
- Fort Collins
- Gunnison
- Grand Junction
- Leadville
- Lookout Mountain
- Salida
- Trinidad
- Village Greens / Cherry Creek Park Loop
- Wheat Ridge
