photo credit: Shandra Back
Bikers line up at Mitote Food Park at the Taco Tuesday Ride. 

As Congress battles over funding for the Department of Homeland Security — and federal immigration operations continue in Minneapolis — national politics can feel inescapable.

But on Tuesday nights in Santa Rosa, the Taco Tuesday Bike Ride offers a space where people set all that aside and gather for music, movement and community.

As more than a hundred riders pull up to Mitote Food Park, bike speakers blare oldies rock, Latin rap and country music. Teenagers come barreling through and skid to a stop at the park gates, while other riders with flashing LED lights circle slowly, showing off their setups.

The weekly ride began in 2021, started by two men and their sons. One of them is Juan Chavez, who said the event had humble beginnings.

“No no no we didn't expect this no no no we thought it was going to be a great little community ride,” Chavez said.

The mission remains the same, but the crowd has grown.

“The community has grown mainly from word of mouth," Chavez said. That's how the ride started. It was basically on that term, hey, bring a friend.”

Chavez said the event has become one of the most diverse gatherings in Sonoma County.

“It doesn't matter where you're from, where you work, what nationality, how much money you make, what ethnic anything, anybody is welcome," Chavez said. "We have riders from three years old. I think our oldest is in their nineties.” 

With so much division in the world, Chavez said the Tuesday riders make a point of leaving that behind.

“We keep all that outside of it." Chavez said. "We're here for each other and for bikes and just to get outside and have a good time.” 

Melissa King has been riding for two years. King said she keeps coming back because people are so friendly, and community members will bend over backwards to help a fellow rider. When her chain broke recently, King said many people pulled over to get her back up and riding.

“That’s like community to me, you know? Taking care of each other and making sure that everyone is okay and just having a really good time,” King said.

More details about the event can be found on the Santa Rosa Taco Tuesday Ride Facebook page, and by word of mouth.