I just received word that a friend and co-worker of mine was killed last night while finishing up a road ride. From what I heard he was struck by an SUV within a mile from his home. I did not hear many details. He was around my age (32), had just moved to the area with his wife and 2 young children.

He was a very accomplished road and mountain bike rider who spent many years racing. I always told myself that this kind of stuff happens to careless riders....now I know it happens to the best.

This happened in Portland. He just moved up there to work in our Portland facility. I only know what was coveyed to me from another co-worker. He got his information 3rd hand originating from my friend's wife.

Please if you are from the Portland area and know anything about what happened, or can find information from local sources then PLEASE post it here.

This has hit me very hard and I am going to find it very difficult to continue riding.

OMG, Psimet, I'm SO sorry. My condolences to you and his family. So, so sorry to hear it.

that says it for me too. i'm really sorry.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. When you find out what happened, please let us know. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.

My best wishes go out to you, I'm extremely sorry.

Geeze! Man that pisses me off!

I'm so sorry to hear this.

A hit and run? I hope they catch them.

Condolences and best of luck.

I'm so sorry psimet...that's awful.

Truly sad. My prayers go out to his family.

I don't know any details yet. Something tells me it wasn't a hit and run. I have a feeling he was riding alone, and I know he ended up at the hospital without his wife. That makes me think that the driver stopped.

Supposedly he died instantly.

My condolences to you and his family and friends. Sorry to hear about this.

My thoughts are with you and his family.....truly sad......

sorry for the terrible news.

here's something on topix.net:

On Sept. 15 at about 6:15 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff's Office investigated a fatal crash involving a bicyclist and a vehicle. Deputies responded to the intersection of Northwest West Union Road and Northwest Shute Road. Deputies arrived to find 35-year-old Michael Kalan of Portland deceased at the scene.

Initial information indicates 39-year-old Denise Gudmundsson of Yamhill was driving westbound on West Union Road when she turned into the path of Kalan, who was riding his bicycle eastbound on West Union Road. It appears Gudmundsson turned left to go southbound on Shute Road. This turn placed Gudmundsson into Kalan's path, causing the collision.

Gudmundsson told investigators the sun was in her eyes and she did not see the bicyclist. Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.

The Washington County interagency (Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team) CART team is continuing the investigation. The Washington County District Attorney will review this case.

Sun in her eyes or not... the DA better press SOME charges.

That's terrible! Sorry to hear about your loss.

I owe you Otsuni. That's it. Mike was a semi-pro for years. He was a highly ranked Mtb Racer in Illinois and Ohio. Spent time in Colorado racing as well. I got him re-interested in road riding again while I was working with him in Ohio.

He was a Manufacturing Engineer, and one of the smartest and most talented ones I've met. He had recently moved to Portland after receiving a promotion.

At least it looks like she handled it correctly afterwards.

It's too bad these a**holes that pilot these huge, heavy vehicles are not held accountable for the tragedies they cause. Very sorry to hear about your loss.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend . My prayers go out to you and your friend's family.

My condolences to you and his family as well.

When I was living in Hillsboro I rode through that area all of the time, with little or no incident (let me tell you about the guy in a P/U truck that was going the opposite direction and gave me the bird just for whatever personal satisfaction he derived from it).

That area is becoming less bike friendly as time goes by.....

There were a flurry of messages about this accident on OBRA this morning, and it's on the local news. Team Rose City was trying to figure out if he was a member, turns out he wasn't, but tragically, he is your friend as well a father and dedicated cyclist. I'm sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and Michael's family.

Very sorry to hear about this. I don't know what else to say...

Wow.......I am so sorry to hear about this. These things are truely horrible.

I'm sorry.
I'm sure Mike wouldn't want you to quit because of this - and especially now, to ride for him as well...

My condolences to you and his family,

Yes, quitting will do nothing for the family. But if you want to take some time off and grieve, that's ok. I think every rider faces this possibility each time we go out on the streets.