Author Archives: Steve Tilford

60 Days for Killing a Cyclist ?

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Yesterday was the sentencing hearing for the man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of my friend, Glenda Taylor.  Glenda was struck and killed by  Todd Kidwell at the Kansas State Time Trial Championships in June of 2015.

I didn’t go to the hearing.  I’m haven’t been feeling that good recently and really didn’t want to live the reality of what has already happened.   Lots of cyclists went there to support Joe, Glenda’s husband, and to support cycling in general.

I did see the sentence pretty soon after it was announced.  60 days in jail and 36 months probation.  Here is a link to the Topeka’s newspaper article about the hearing. 

I don’t understand the legal system.  I don’t know why this whole thing took so long.  I don’t understand the plea agreement for manslaughter.  I don’t understand a lot of things.

Todd Kidwell made some statements that seemed genuine.  He said, “I’m the reason Mrs. Taylor is not here.  I shouldn’t have tried to pass her.”  He also said that “I had a responsibility to Mrs. Taylor.  I know you probably hate me, you have every right to.  I need to make amends.”

Those are words that you want to hear, but impossible to digest.  At least for me.

I don’t know what is right.  A guy sitting in jail isn’t gonna bring back a life.  A guy saying he’s sorry isn’t going to do it either.   Glenda was a super person and didn’t deserve to be on this end of a tragedy.  She is missed by all.

Glenda after winning a medal at cyclocross Nationals.

Some of the friends and supporters of Joe and Glenda that made the trip yesterday.

Winter Weather

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Kansas has pretty great winter weather, usually.  Of course it can be what a person thinks as winter.  Lots of snow and freezing temperatures.  But also there are days that are spring-like.

Today is one of those days.  It is supposed to be 61 degrees this afternoon.  The average high temperatures in January is nearly 38 degrees, so it really isn’t like North Dakota here, normally. And the summers aren’t like Texas or Arizona either.

Anyway, 61 degrees is enough to get me out on my bike.  I’ve been taking it pretty gingerly the past couple weeks.  I’m not going to do anything that gives me a headache.  Like in the real sense of a headache.  That being said, it is going to be 3 months in a few days, since I fractured my skull, and when I exercise, I feel the best, so that is what I’m going to do.

Yesterday I did some auto repair.  Auto repair is more challenging than riding, as of now.  I put on new leaf spring bushings on the AWD minivan.   The first one took an hour.  The second about 15 minutes.  That is how it goes fixing cars.  Once you know how to do it correctly, it is a lot easier.

Okay, spring is here for one day.  Then the temperatures are going to plummet 40 degrees or so.  That is normal for Kansas too.  That means back to the trainer.

I’ve already ridden the trainer more the past month that I would normally in a five year period. And more to come I suppose.    Not such a bad thing, just a thing.  I say that, but I am really looking forward to some wind and scenic views.

Sunset last night. It was pretty great.