The part of the Met Branch Trail (thanks for the name) along NY Ave Metro Station is the same part that opened up with great fanfare...during the Williams administration. So I guess not much has been done since, eh? Not surprising. My commute was the NEDC-PG line to Alexandria. I didn't like riding on RIA, so I went various back routes, which I liked but which added serious time to the commute. I rode the route of the Met Branch once between RIA Metro and Union Station, but it was kinda sketchy and very sandy. But once it's complete, it'll be good. Too bad for me that it wasn't complete while I was there, though.
I'm sure the BMX guys are legit. But being a single gal and all, I'll likely not take them in, though. There are lots of BMX types in Richmond, and so I bet they'll make some connections. Maybe I'll write to them and see if i can help put them in touch with folks, though.