GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Cyclists gathered in Green Bay Saturday to take part in a memorial ride for Alex Pretti, a Green Bay native whose death in Minneapolis has drawn national attention.
Neenah man reunites with the nurse who saved his life during heart attack, four years later
The ride began at Pete’s Garage before participants made their way along the Fox River Trail at a casual pace. Organizers said the goal was to give members of the local cycling community a chance to come together and show support.
“Alex was a local guy here in Green Bay and a member of our cycling community and we thought it would be impactful to show support for a fellow cyclist who lived so close to home here,” Pete’s Garage manager Nick Rozek said.
Similar rides were held in communities across the country, many organized by local bike shops and cycling groups.
Among those riding Saturday was Al Gonzalez, who said he knew Pretti in high school through music and arts programs.
“Alex and I got to know each other in high school through mostly the arts and music program, tremendous voice and character,” Gonzalez said. “He was someone who had such a gravitational pull just because of the person he was.”
Gonzalez said he initially struggled to believe the reports he was seeing.
“I didn’t believe it was him,” he said. “I thought maybe it was a familiar face with a similar name. I thought, ‘This is not our Alex Pretti, right?’”
As more details emerged, he said the news was difficult to process.
“As the story developed, it was very clear it was him and I was gutted,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like I hit a brick wall, not for myself. I thought about his family a lot.”
He also said he’s been troubled by how the story has unfolded online.
“It seems like we live in a culture that is very alienated and segregated by political views … everything has been politicized,” Gonzalez said. “When I see pictures that aren’t even him being spread on social media, lies being spread and it seems like people gravitate to that and political biases… it’s heartbreaking.”
Other riders said the event was about being present and showing support alongside others in the community.
7th Annual Titletown Winter Games to kick-off in celebration of 2026 Winter Olympics
“I think we are a community too that cares about each other and about leading a good life and we look out for each other,” Dawn Delvaux Goodman said.
Organizers said the Green Bay ride was one of many happening nationwide, as cycling communities continue to gather in remembrance.
