I am very sad to say that my good friend, and a very special part of our Topeka cycling tribe, Glenda Taylor was killed this morning at the Kansas State Time Trial Championships.

Glenda just returned from a trip to Peru last week, went directly to the Tour of Kansas City and was at the State TIme Trial, warming up, when hit by a pickup.

Glenda was a Professor at Washburn University, in Topeka, and the chair of the Art Department.  Such at great artist.   She made  unbelievably beautiful pottery.  I have many of her pieces.

She loved to ride her bike and compete.  She raced virtually every race she could attend.   Road, cross, MTB, it didn’t matter.  She raced nearly more than me.

She was married to Joe Saia.  I feel so, so badly for him.  I am very sad.

Here’s a link to an article in the Topeka Capitol Journal that tells a little about her life.

At Cross Nationals.

On a Colorado trip with the Topeka gang. Glenda is in the center next to Catherine.

Glenda on Machu Picchu, in Peru, a couple weeks ago.

I can’t really bring myself to post about much of anything else than that of my feelings of utter sadness about the passing of my friend, Glenda Taylor yesterday.   I’m hoping to try to not even open my computer the rest of the day, as to not be reminded, and acknowledge the realization, that yesterday was real and not just a very bad dream.

I’ve had some pretty incredible experiences the last couple days on my bike, here in Colorado. And they now seem completely trivial compared to the stark reality that Glenda is dead.  I’m having a very hard time controlling my thoughts and not allowing myself to go back to an endless loop of memories of Glenda and questions that can’t be answered.

I’m being pretty selfish in the  thought that I’m relieved that I’m still out in Colorado and don’t have to be at my house tonight for the evening ride in Topeka, where all my friends will be, minus Glenda. I don’t think I have it in me to do that.

There has been tremendous support and praise for an incredible woman.  I am embarrassed that I feel that maybe I took it for granted, knowing someone as special as her.  Here is a link to her Facebook page.  So many people have left such nice comments, somehow trying to get a little personal solace and try to understand the incomprehensible.

I don’t understand.

This past weekend  was very tragic for cyclists.  I saw at least two other articles about riders being killed in automobile accidents.  Two in Wisconsin, then another one here in Colorado, in Fort Collins.  It seems like is becoming more and more common.  It is something that all of us are facing on a daily basis.  Let’s try not to dwell on this too much.  Glenda wouldn’t want her death to stop others from enjoying their lives, especially their cycling lives.

Cycling to her was like breathing, as was art and many other things.  She was multifaceted.

Okay, I just need to stop.  Death is very personal.   I wish the best to my friends today.

Glenda in orange, in the Freestate jersey, next to my brother.