Ken Kifer killed by drunk
09-15-03, 09:25 AM
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Ken Kifer killed by drunk
Many of you have no doubt heard of Ken Kifer and seen his rather extensive cycling website at www.kenkifer.com. We were just informed that Ken was killed by a drunk driver about 6 miles from his cabin near Scottsboro, Alabama. Ken was a dedicated carfree cyclist and advocate, and had written extensively about carfree life and his many long cross country bike trips.
I don't have any other details at this time.
Dave
I don't have any other details at this time.
Dave
09-15-03, 09:37 AM
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This is awful news. I really enjoyed the WWW site.
My sympathy goes out to his family.
Please provide an update if you can.
Dan
My sympathy goes out to his family.
Please provide an update if you can.
Dan
09-15-03, 09:48 AM
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I used Ken's site when I started to get into cycling. What a terrible loss to cycling.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
09-15-03, 09:50 AM
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09-15-03, 09:53 AM
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A great loss to the cycling community.
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Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
09-15-03, 11:02 AM
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Horrible news, i reaaly liked his website and i think i've read everything on it. almost feel like i knew him. very sad
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No matter how fast I'm going, I'm in no hurry.
there are no bicycles in the valley, the only bicycle you find in the valley is the bicycle you ride down there.
Ride in the front, this space is available to anyone that wishes to take it-jjmolyet
09-15-03, 11:11 AM
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09-15-03, 11:12 AM
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Wow...great web site!
I had never heard of him, very sad ;-(
FXjohn
I had never heard of him, very sad ;-(
FXjohn
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09-15-03, 11:27 AM
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Ken's site got me started on practical, dedicated cycling. I always enjoyed his stance on cycling issues and his no-nonsense approach to day-in/day-out riding. I hope his work is recorded for future cyclists to enjoy and learn from. This is a sad day indeed.
Ironically, his site was the last one I visited before I stopped by BF and found this thread. Keep on pedalin' in the sky, Ken.
Ironically, his site was the last one I visited before I stopped by BF and found this thread. Keep on pedalin' in the sky, Ken.
09-15-03, 11:37 AM
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Another reminder that there is between the two creatures, "drunk driver," and "human being." Kill 'em all; final solution, baby, final solution.
09-15-03, 12:32 PM
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Heckuva loss to the cycling community. Sad news to hear....
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09-15-03, 12:47 PM
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Oh no. This is awful.
I've read and been inspired by Ken's writings for years. I've exchanged a couple of emails with him. I feel like I know him, in person.
I'm really sorry. My deepest sympathies to his family, and friends.
At the risk of digressing from these thoughts, that rat b*stard who did this to him should rot in prison for _years_.
I've read and been inspired by Ken's writings for years. I've exchanged a couple of emails with him. I feel like I know him, in person.
I'm really sorry. My deepest sympathies to his family, and friends.
At the risk of digressing from these thoughts, that rat b*stard who did this to him should rot in prison for _years_.
09-15-03, 02:13 PM
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Cringing and shaking, a Palo Alto teenager received a maximum sentence of a year in county jail Thursday for running down two girls in her station wagon -- killing one and injuring the other -- and then fleeing the scene.
Tommy Chong, who played one half of the dope-smoking duo in the Cheech and Chong movies, asked for leniency from a judge Thursday but was sentenced to nine months in prison for conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia.
Where is the Justice?
Tommy Chong, who played one half of the dope-smoking duo in the Cheech and Chong movies, asked for leniency from a judge Thursday but was sentenced to nine months in prison for conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia.
Where is the Justice?
09-15-03, 02:21 PM
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Although I'm not familiar with Ken, I'm very saddened and know he'll be missed by many. I will also be reading his website and learn as much as I can from his experience. He souned like a very cool person.
09-15-03, 03:32 PM
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Damn!
I just got home and read the news. So sad! What is going on? How long will people on bikes have to die before someone takes bad drivers seriously enough to impose maximum sentences, confiscation of their cars and licenses, and tough justice for the victims?
He was cool- when I was getting ready for my first tour, I contacted Ken and he gave me answers to some problems I was having with preparing for my tour. I really enjoyed his website, and I hope it lives on and becomes bigger than anyone ever could imagine and helps to make the public aware of tragedies like this.
RIP Ken Kifer...
Koffee Brown
I just got home and read the news. So sad! What is going on? How long will people on bikes have to die before someone takes bad drivers seriously enough to impose maximum sentences, confiscation of their cars and licenses, and tough justice for the victims?
He was cool- when I was getting ready for my first tour, I contacted Ken and he gave me answers to some problems I was having with preparing for my tour. I really enjoyed his website, and I hope it lives on and becomes bigger than anyone ever could imagine and helps to make the public aware of tragedies like this.
RIP Ken Kifer...
Koffee Brown
09-15-03, 03:47 PM
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I have confirmed this with the Alabama State Troopers that worked the accident (murder). Ken was not killed instantly but died later at the hospital. Other details are sketchy since they are still investigating it.
The local newspaper did say that the driver was in custody with charges pending.
There is also a report on Ken's advocacy email list that the driver had just been released from jail for drunk driving only 4 hours prior to hitting Ken. If that turns out to be true . . .
Also, the lady from the local newspaper (a small town) said they were getting calls from all over the country. I had to confirm for her that indeed the Ken Kifer that lived there was in fact the one that ran www.kenkifer.com.
Dave
The local newspaper did say that the driver was in custody with charges pending.
There is also a report on Ken's advocacy email list that the driver had just been released from jail for drunk driving only 4 hours prior to hitting Ken. If that turns out to be true . . .
Also, the lady from the local newspaper (a small town) said they were getting calls from all over the country. I had to confirm for her that indeed the Ken Kifer that lived there was in fact the one that ran www.kenkifer.com.
Dave
09-15-03, 05:44 PM
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It would be a tragic loss had he died peacefully in his sleep. The bitter irony of the actual circumstances make Kifer's death hard to accept.
His site, and he himself in some memorable e-mail correspondence, were of great help and encouragement to me when I returned to serious transportational cycling after my heart problems several years ago. So he's right there on the "thank you" list of people who helped me get my life back.
All of us who feel entitled to our share of the road owe Ken and other advocates like him a debt of gratitute... and maybe a little help.
RichC
His site, and he himself in some memorable e-mail correspondence, were of great help and encouragement to me when I returned to serious transportational cycling after my heart problems several years ago. So he's right there on the "thank you" list of people who helped me get my life back.
All of us who feel entitled to our share of the road owe Ken and other advocates like him a debt of gratitute... and maybe a little help.
RichC
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09-15-03, 07:20 PM
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A strange mix of sadness and anger
Over the loss of a friend
Due to a careless stranger
Over the loss of a friend
Due to a careless stranger
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"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." - Arthur Conan Doyle
Bentbaggerlen
"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." - Arthur Conan Doyle
09-15-03, 07:33 PM
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I am deeply saddened and royally p1$$ed off. When Cece Krone was murdered by Michele Young, who had been driving drunk at 10 a.m. with her 10-year-old son in the car with her, I wrote letters to the judge and the D.A., advocating against any leniency. Ms. Young, who received a 7-year jail sentence, may soon qualify for parole. 
If anyone can get the relevant information, I would be honored to do the same for Ken. I am also increasing my annual MADD contribution by $100 this year, in Ken's name, as I did for Cece.
If anyone can get the relevant information, I would be honored to do the same for Ken. I am also increasing my annual MADD contribution by $100 this year, in Ken's name, as I did for Cece.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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09-15-03, 07:45 PM
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I always recomend Ken's web site to new bicycle riders. The ammount and variety of bicycling information is truly amazing. I also enjoyed his pages on Walden. Thye world is a darker, sadder place with his death. I hope that the drunk who killed him gets justice.
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
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