Ken Kifer

Ken Kifer

Kifer on a tour in 2003
Born October 23, 1945
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Died September 14, 2003 (2003-09-15) (aged 57)
Alabama
Nationality American
Known for Cycling

Ken Kifer (October 23, 1945 – September 14, 2003) was an American writer, bicyclist and webmaster. Kifer was a Walden scholar[1] and admirer of Henry David Thoreau, and wrote Analysis and Notes on Walden. His website is still a source of information on bicycling and especially bicycle touring.[2]

Kifer was killed by a drunk driver in September 2003 while riding his bicycle 6 miles (9.7 km) from his home near Scottsboro, Alabama, USA.[3]

Biography

Kifer was born in Pittsburgh to Paul and Dorothy Kifer and moved to Gadsden, Alabama in 1954. He attended Jacksonville State University and was a fan of caving. A keen cyclist, his first long bicycle trip was from Gadsden to British Columbia, a route of some 2,500 miles (4,000 km) that was mentioned in the local newspaper.

Kifer recounts an anecdote where, when cycling back to Alabama, he met two men in Roanoke, Virginia who admired his courage and fitness. One of the men, aged 43, said "I'd like to do something like that, if I were as young as you are." Kifer revealed that he was 51.[4] Kifer has said "I never lift weights, I never condition my abs, I never stretch, I never diet, I seldom see a doctor, I just walk and ride my bike ... Cycling keeps me lean, fit and healthy, and happy. I know that my own move back to the bike was the best decision I ever made."[4]

Kifer was an admirer of Henry David Thoreau, and was of the opinion that Thoreau "based his philosophy on ageless truths from the past and looked into the future". [5]

References

  1. ↑ "This website is dedicated to the memory of Ken Kifer". Personal.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  2. ↑ portrait gallery, open road galleryadventure cycling, bicycle touring, bicycle travel, bicycling, cycling, bike touring info, bike touring, bike resources, adventure travel by bike, bike maps, how to bike tour, how to travel by bike, cycling tour (2010-05-02). "Open Road Gallery Online | Resources | Adventure Cycling Association". Adventurecycling.org. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  3. ↑ "Ken Kifer killed by drunk". Bikeforums.net. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  4. 1 2 Alvord, Katharine T. Divorce your car!: ending the love affair with the automobile. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  5. ↑ susanwbailey (2011-06-21). "Continuing "Walking" with Henry David Thoreau". Louisamayalcottismypassion.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
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