Bicycle-Riding Group Shows Off Local Parks

A group of local residents are getting together every weekend for recreational bicycling. They call themselves the Metro Ryders.

Bicyclist on the Dakota Trail in Wayzata.

Men and women of all physical fitness levels plant o meet every Saturday morning from May to September for what they call a ‘unity ride.’ They meet at various parks including Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove and Wayzata. 

Brooklyn Park City Council member Wynfred Russell founded the club a couple of years ago. Russell said it’s part of the African Career, Education & Resource ACER organization. 

Russell said the physical fitness program gives residents a chance to explore the beautiful cities. 

“Many of these folks don’t know the amount of outdoor assets and resources that we have,” Russell said. “So this is just a way for us to expose people to different parks and trails around.”

Russell said anyone can join the free club. Participants travel anywhere from 15 to 100 miles every weekend. Russell adds that the group is filled with people from all walks of life.

“There’s a lot of diverse inter-ethnic collaboration and coordination and support in the suburbs, but I don’t think a lot of folks know about it or get to hear about it,” he said. “We’ve been making a lot of strides for inclusion, equity and all of that. I think this group is a testament to that.”

For its next unity ride, Metro Ryders will Saturday at Shaver Park in Wayzata at 8 a.m. 

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