Wow--that's just, horrible

More on the cyclist's death the other day.

Police: 'Cold beer in cup holder' of truck that killed cyclist

Police found a "cold beer in the cup holder" of the truck that killed Lexington Lawyer Mark Hinkel during the Horsey Hundred.

Odilon Paz-Salvador told the arresting officer he had drank six beers and smoked marijuana before the fatal crash at 1235 Lemons Mill Road Saturday, according to the police report.

Hinkel, 57, was struck head on, hit the windshield of the black Dodge truck driven by Paz-Salvador. The impact, according to the police report, left "a huge hole" in the windshield. Hinkel landed, bleeding but alive, on the bed cover of the truck.

Paz-Salvador, who doesn't have a driver's license or Social Security number, drove nearly three miles with Hinkel in his truck.

A sad end to a fun event, and the perils of impaired driving

Lexington man dies after being hit by vehicle during Horsey Hundred cycling event; driver is arrested

The Horsey Hundred, sponsored by the Bluegrass Cycling Club, includes several rides of various lengths, including the Century ride, which is the longest.

Thomas said about 2,500 cyclists from throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries are participating in this year's event. She said this is the first time a fatality has occurred during the event's 38 years.

Mark Hinkel, a local attorney, was struck and killed by a driver who has been charged with murder and driving under the influence, among other charges. He did not even stop after striking the man, who wound up in the bed of his truck.

Last year there was this on an unrelated ride, also in Scott County, although that one was apparently a genuine accident:

Bicyclist hit by pickup, killed while fixing a flat in Scott County during cross-country fundraising trip

and then there's the person doing the same trek in her memory--

Lexington bicyclist readies for cross-country charity trek, inspired by rider killed in Scott County

Lexington itself is continuing to expand bike lanes. I noticed some were put in on Alexandria Drive recently, with areas where they cross the intersection marked in green (like on Southland Drive and Cooper Drive). I hope this helps for safety, although I think drivers and cyclists need to work hand in hand for that--I see far too many cyclists forgetting that they are subject to the laws that govern the road, and far too many drivers who fail to yield or share it. On the other hand, the county roads in the surrounding area are a totally different thing. A friend of mine used to ride long-distance in Woodford County. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to tackle either roads on main thoroughfares here, or out in the country, where people often speed in their cars. When I didn't have the car, I considered getting a bike, as it's a straight stretch down Richmond Road to work, but decided it was far too dangerous. For those brave souls out there, more power to them. I'd stay in bike parks and local neighbourhoods, myself.