• Mailbag

Monday’s Mailbag: Choices, a happy crank and toys

by VeloNews.com

• January 01, 2007
• Comments Off

What about standards?
Dear Sirs,
When did character stop counting? When Floyd Landis respondedto the question of did he use performance enhancing and banned substances,his response a couple of days into the scandal was, “I’llsay no.” What kind of response was that? Was it an admission,a denial or both? Then, he offered new explanations depending onthe day.My measure of character is what I would expect of my kids and what shouldthey expect of me. Based on that simplistic yet durable barometer,Landis falls woefully short, as does VeloNews (see “2006VeloNews Awards: North American Male Cyclist of the Year“). Somehow,VeloNews does not get that, which is a shame. I have not renewedmy subscription. I do not want a magazine in the house that glorifiespoor character. It’s too hard to explain to the kids when there areso many positive sides to our glorious sport. Unfortunately, VeloNewscannot find its way to promote that in the right measure. Landisdemonstrated poor character – regardless of the final analysis – and VeloNewscondoning it leaves a bad taste.Thank you.
Marcus Katz
Winnetka, IllinoisGuarding the Guardians?
Editor:
With regard to the many letters showing the passion of cycling fansabout the Floyd Landis case, I wonder if the naysayers are really lookingat the details of his defense? The science appears unimpeachable, yet withoutany rebuttal of this data, many writers have already condemned him. I hopeif ever faced with a wrongful accusation they never find friends, fansand foes so quick to judge without looking at the data.

While cycling has many who cheat, not all do. After seeing the evidencepresented by Doctor Baker (on the Landis website), I am forced toquestion the ethics of WADA, in particular Mr. Pound, who while thecase is still in process has long since condemned Floyd. Pound, well beforeall the facts were in, has loudly and irresponsibly given his opinion asfact. Now that irregularities of protocol, of the test measurement, viabilityof the sample etc. are known, one wonders if fairness will prevail?

It seems that all sports fans should be asking who is watching thewatchers? In the case of WADA, which makes the rules, administers the rules,and passes judgment, with no oversight, the sad truth has to be thatno one is.

Floyd is the only choice for Cyclist of the Year.
Graham P Milner
Encinitas, CaliforniaWon’t get fooled again
Editors,
As someone who has followed professional cycling in Europe closelysince 1985 I find it difficult to comment on the Floyd Landis issue. Ilove the sport very much. But, are you people defending Landis truly nuts?Come on now, how many cyclists test positive for banned substances everyyear? How many? You can’t keep track of it because there’s so many. It’sa damned shame too because road cycling is such a beautiful sport.I agree, someone is innocent until proven guilty, but a clerical errorin labeling a sample? Come on. Landis’ people are trying to work that anglea little too hard aren’t they? Using Landaluze’s case as an example anda case for lab incompetence? Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice,shame on you.Just think about all the doping issues in cycling over the last fouryears. Go back through all the VeloNews, Pro Cycling, Cycle Sport, RoadMagazine, etc. issues you have sitting beside your throne and lookfor all the doping offenses and see for yourself. I would but I sent themall to a friend because he’s broke. But, then again, he probably sold themfor dope.
John G. Reed III
Port Moody, Brtish ColumbiaBad company?
Why shouldn’t Floyd be named American male of the year? Afterall, he is an American, he once raced for a U.S. team and his buddies areor were named Lance, Tyler, Roberto, who are now joined by Ivan. Can Floydbe far behind in Johan’s sight? This is quite the team, indeed. ButI’m still cheering for LeMond and his breed.
Jean Boisjoli
Gatineau, QuébecWhat did you do with O’Grady?
Dear VeloFolk,
Okay… fess up.

After reading O’Grady on the subject of snow in Colorado (see “Friday’sFoaming Rant: Holiday on ice!“), one can only ask “Where is he andwhat have you done with him?”

Oh. Wait a minute. Could that syrupy sweet tone (it’s relative) mean that the combination of Christmas spirit(s) and nowhere to go actually put him in a good mood?

Naaah!
Jim Wadleigh
Guelph, Ontario
(Totally devoid of snow and cold air)Yeah, we have to admit it, too. He did seem like he was in a prettygood mood, but we got really worried when he went out and shoveledthe sidewalks of his elderly neighbors… and didn’t even hit them up forbooze money. It can’t last. We’re sure he’ll get over it. – Editor.The last word on “Toys”
Editor
Yeegads! My letter about how some view bicycles and how O’Grady seesit (see “The2006 O’Grady Awards“) was completely overshadowed by my use ofthe word “toys” (see “Friday’sMailbag“).It’s not a four-letter word. “Toy” doesn’t mean that that thingyou have so much fun on, whenever you have it, is not an important elementyour life. They are in mine, too.So, if I ruffled any feathers, sorry, didn’t mean to. But remember theobject of the ride, is the ride, not the machine.
Peter Chisholm
Republic of Boulder
www.vecchios.com

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The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Writers are encouraged to limit their submissions to one letter per month.The letters published here contain the opinions of the submitting authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policies or positions of VeloNews.com, VeloNews magazine or our parent company, Inside Communications, Inc.