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300 ride for cyclist
killed Memorial Day
Scott Kornfield touched many lives, mother-in-law says
By Brittany Anas, Camera Staff Writer
June 17, 2005
LONGMONT - Nate Llerandi said he hopes heaven has a big-screen television.
That way, his friend Scott Kornfield, a 28-year-old cyclist who was struck and
killed by a sport-utility vehicle during a Memorial Day ride, could be watching
as Llerandi and about 300 others took to their bikes to pay tribute to him.
Kornfield's friends and family joined with strangers Thursday evening in a
memorial ride, wearing black bands on their left arms and printed pictures of
Kornfield on their backs as they cycled a 10-mile loop.
"Scott really lived his life," Llerandi told those gathered before the
ride at the Silver Creek High School parking lot. "I think anybody who was
familiar with Scott remembered that."
Llerandi was riding with Kornfield on the morning of May 30 on U.S. 36 near
Broadway north of Boulder when a teenage driver fell asleep behind the wheel of
a Ford Explorer and veered off the road. Kornfield, a software salesman, was
killed in the accident.
"I think it struck a chord for a lot of people," Llerandi said.
Kornfield was the first to greet new cyclists when they showed up for group
rides, his friend said. He was an accomplished athlete who would loop back on
rides for slower cyclists. He would lend spare bike tubes to others, Llerandi
said.
"Because Scott constantly forgot himself, we'll never forget him,"
Llerandi said.
Amber Rydholm, 27, of Boulder, never knew Kornfield, but she said local cyclists
were stung by the news of his death.
Rydholm has fresh scrapes on her shoulder and ankle after she was hit by a
motorist last week at Canyon Boulevard and Folsom Street in Boulder.
"We are conscious of motorists, and they need to be aware of us,"
Rydholm said. "They have just as much a right to it as we do."
Julia MacMonagle, the memorial's organizer, also had never met Kornfield. She
said the ride's purpose was to be a memorial for him as well as to remind
motorists to share the road.
"It was very touching that so many people showed up all in support of this
man, and so many of them did not know him," MacMonagle said.
The bikers - some in Lycra garb, others in street clothes - started their
tribute ride along Nelson Road at about 6:30 p.m. under picturesque blue skies.
The procession stretched about a mile.
Kornfield's 26-year-old widow, Kristyn, was among the riders.
"It's impressive," said Vickie Hall, 54, Kornfield's mother-in-law, as
she watched the stream of bikers begin the ride. "His life touched so many
others."
Copyright 2005, Boulder Publishing LLC
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