ST. CLOUD - The local cycling and running communities are grieving, after the loss of close friend John Seiler.

Seiler was killed on Tuesday night, while riding his bicycle on County Road 2 in St. Wendel Township. He was well known in the area as an avid cyclist, runner and skiier.

"John was a very nice and kind man. He was always willing to help everyone out and was very generous with his time," Adam Koncvewski, a longtime friend of Seiler said, "We really will miss him. It's just so hard for me to believe he's not with us anymore."

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says Seiler was hit by a Ford Edge that was driven by 73-year-old Judy Post of Pasadena, California. He was thrown from the bike and pronounced dead at the scene. Rescuers attempted to revive him with CPR, but were unsuccessful.

Witnesses say Post's car drifted onto the shoulder before hitting Seiler. The crash remains under investigation by the State Patrol.

Daryl Stevens is a longtime friend and fellow member of the St. Cloud River Runner's club, he says he's still in shock from the incident.

"Just disbelief and sadness, it shouldn't have happened. He was doing everything right. This could have happened to any of us and it shouldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

Stevens says Seiler was generous and helpful to those new to cycling and running. He was a director for the Apple Duathlon when he spent money out of his own pocket to buy new bikes for children new to the sport.

"He wanted to keep this secret, but he had spent $2,000 on the apple kid race this spring to buy two bikes that were given to the kids. That's the type of guy he was and he didn't want people to know about it, he just did it."

Ben Doom, the owner of Revolution Cycle and a friend of Seiler's says a group of riders with the House of Pizza Fitness Team gathered on Wednesday night to remember him and Todd Steinke, who was also a member of the team and passed away after diving into shallow water on Saturday.

Doom says he and Seiler rode together several times and that the tragic news sent shockwaves through the area fitness community.

"I know the road he was on with the wide shoulder, many of us bike that road. It's a wake up call and it's scary because that could happen to any of us."

Koncvewski says that Seiler played a large part in the area running, cycling and skiing community and that he will be missed by his fitness family.

"It was such a huge shock not just to me, but for many others. We we're basically his family. He was always there for anyone who needed help, so many are shocked and will miss him."

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