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David Landgraf, Birkebeiner "founder," killed while cycling near Hayward

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on Aug. 8, 2011

cycling

David Landgraf, one of only three people to ski in every American Birkebeiner since its founding in 1973, died Monday afternoon from the injuries he suffered when a car hit him while he biked on Hwy. 27 south of Hayward.

According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s report, a 24-year-old woman from Hayward turned to speak to her children while driving south on Hwy. 27 about 6:50 p.m. Friday. She turned back and saw Landgraf, but too late to swerve and avoid him.

Her Mitsubishi Galant hit the retired teacher and threw him into the ditch. He was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Duluth, and died there.

The report said the driver, Anna Amparo, has been cited but did not provide specifics.

Landgraf taught physical education at Bloomer Middle School and helped coach dozens of youngsters and adults over four decades of Nordic skiing. In the rare group of Birkie Founders, Landgraf was one of just 35 people to take the start line in Hayward for the inaugural Birkie, and he continued to post exemplary results even as he crossed into the 60-plus age group.

David Landgraf at the finish of the 2011 American Birkebeiner.
Photo courtesy of Brightroom/Action Sports International.

In the 2011 Birkie, Landgraf finished in 2 hours, 43 minutes, good for second place in his age group and 468th overall.

“It’s changed my whole outlook and lifestyle in the winter months,” Landgraf said of his Birkie persistence in a 2004 interview. “Now, I ski as much as I can and I try to stay in shape on the off-season.”

After a relatively safe start to the 2011 biking season, the toll of tragedies for cyclists has risen rapidly in Wisconsin.

A 22-year-old man was hit and killed early Monday morning while biking on Highway H in Pleasant Prairie. Devin Kunich was the fifth cyclist to die in a crash with a motor vehicle since July 1. Landgraf becomes number six.

At the same point in 2010, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation had recorded four cyclist fatalities in crashes with motor vehicles.

In at least four of the fatalities this year, the cyclists were hit from behind while biking along two-lane roads. Three of the cyclists were riding along the right side of the road, and another was pedaling against traffic and was hit by a car that had crossed the centerline.

Another cyclist, in Wausau, rode through a red light and into the path of a car on Aug. 2.

21 Comments for "David Landgraf, Birkebeiner "founder," killed while cycling near Hayward"

  1. Stop it.

    madcoca Aug 08, 2011 3:55 PM

  2. Mmmmhm- but I have seen a cyclist not bringing his bike to a stop at a stop sign this morning. And isn't it understandable that the lady has to entertain her kids in her car? How could one watch all the time out for bicyclists?

    This stories are so sad - and unnessary. I know biking is still, and overall, a safe thing to do, and I continue doing it. Nevertheless any life lost by a reckless car driver is one too many - this has to stop. Rigorous prosecution for negligent homicide is a first step.

    sharpie Aug 08, 2011 4:13 PM

  3. Looks like Representative Fred Clark started a trend when he ran a red light to hit a cyclist in Madison.

    Seriously, as an avid bicyclist myself, I DO NOT LIKE SHARING THE ROAD WITH MOTORIZED VEHICLES! Most drivers are too distracted today, and use the distractions as an excuse for their killings and maimings.

    There is no excuse! When driving, DRIVE.

    But that's not going to happen until people take it seriously and that won't happen until it hits them where it hurts.....whether it be mandatory jail time or stiff monetary penalties. Congrats to this DA for taking swift action!

    SerenaJ Aug 08, 2011 4:24 PM

  4. So sad.

    madrnr Aug 08, 2011 5:01 PM

  5. A very sad, shocking story. This guy was one tough dude on skis. I raced against him at the BSG this year, and he was on it. I wonder if he had flashers, a rear view mirror? These may have helped, or not. I started to ride with a rear view mirror a couple years ago, and I see myself always looking for whats behind me, but it is not fool proof, either. A vehicle coming up real quick will make a mirror useless, but I use one to better my odds, I guess. Godspeed, Dave.

    moto3111969 Aug 08, 2011 5:42 PM

  6. Kill a cyclist = 25 years mandatory minimum sentence

    AtomicIsBack Aug 08, 2011 6:01 PM

  7. I am with you on this, Serena. My husband is an avid cyclist. I hear all the stories about almost getting hit, people buzzing his handle bars, cutting him off, etc. People just need to drive when they are in their car. I never look back at my son in the car. In fact, I tell him "mommy is driving right now so I can't look at what you are showing me". When you are driving a motorized vehicle, keep in mind that your vehicle can kill and drive accordingly. Cyclists (and their spouses) know that they sport is dangerous. But they ride because they love it and it is excellent exercise. I know how long it takes for my husband to ride his "route". If it starts to get around that time and I don't see him riding down the road, I start to panic - how long should I wait before I go out searching for him? How long do I wait before I call the police? Every time he goes out, I am nervous. But he loves it, he lost 50 pounds in 4 months when he started riding three years ago, he when into his 40's in the best shape he has been in as an adult and he has sexy muscular legs! As far as mirrors, I asked my husband one time if he should get some. His response "so I can see them right before they hit me? I wouldn't be able to react quick enough. I would rather not know it is coming." Sad but true.

    Ruffles Aug 08, 2011 6:07 PM

  8. My wife and I are bicyclists not far from Hayward. Rule number one on rural highways is "be seen". We always wear the bright green vests that the highway crews and cops wear. That should be the law, not automatic 25 year sentences.

    Bagman Aug 08, 2011 6:28 PM

  9. I don't believe this. I don't believe there is a Wheel and Sprocket advertisement on the side of this story on jsonline.com. Who is monitoring the "traffic" of this advertising? This means a free ad for Wheel and Sprocket. BAD. BAD.

    bangbang Aug 08, 2011 6:38 PM

  10. bangbang - Wheel & Sprocket bought space on Off the Couch some time ago. Their ad appears next stories about the joys of outdoor sports, and the tragedies.

    T. Held Aug 08, 2011 8:00 PM

  11. He was my gym teacher growing up, and the finest anyone could ever
    have asked for. He was gracious, kind, fair and always focused on
    sportsmanship, not just ability. This news saddens me, and makes me
    angry. We lost a great man, who had a passion for making the world a
    healthier place, and he was recklessly killed doing one of his many
    passions. Please let's not be quick to blame the cyclist when we know
    over that last 20 years that the act of driving has become the secondary
    focus; it's the texting, radio, kids and their games/tvs, and cell phones
    have become the primary focus of many drivers. A very sad lesson to
    be learned from this.

    Mercedes Schroetter Aug 08, 2011 9:13 PM

  12. Truly TRAGIC. Mr. Landgraf was an athletic/educating legend and I'll bet the investigation shows he was as far right as possible. Distracted driver...should be man-slaughter with definite jail-time. So tired of this. Wake up folks, you're driving a weapon, not just a car.

    ridethis Aug 08, 2011 9:58 PM

  13. This this story is such a tragedy. After reading this and the comments I would like to point out a few things. Demanding a long sentence and prosecution will not prevent events like this. We do not know all the facts or factors of the case. I believe each case and accident is unique. It is very possible this was merely an accident. . I would like to here of a parent who has not ONCE looked back at their child for a split second. Has there ever been a time you have biked And not 100% of the time stayed off to the side. Have you ever went riding or even jogging with an iPod or radio? Have you ever looked over to a cup holder or reached for the sundown button and taken ur eyes off the road for a split second? Have you ever biked maybe on a familiar rd and not always checked turns and stopped at signs? There are too many variables to every situation and I believe whens things like this happen prevention (not prosecution ) is the true factor to consider. And also to extend sympathy to the landgraf family for their lose. . . And guidance/prayers for everyone involved.

    latergators Aug 08, 2011 10:36 PM

  14. @latergators: What you mean with "merely an accident"? Something happening without any cause and reason? A coincidence? Very unlikely, isn't it? The facts out so far clearly indicate negligence from the car driver's part. That should be not sugar coated by telling..Ah, no problem, everyone makes mistakes here and there, of course once in a while someone gets killed in this process.

    sharpie Aug 08, 2011 10:47 PM

  15. The press release reads that it is still under investigation and I am in no way defending the driver. .we know information about one party, a life history of one amazing man that was taken too soon. But how would it feel to be in the drivers place? I see this time and time again. Where everyone is so quick to point the finger.
    I am just stated that before everyone jumps on this bandwagon of conviction and fault we should consider all information. . . Is it possible that it could be an accident? !?!

    latergators Aug 08, 2011 11:59 PM

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