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Mailbag v. Comments
Editors!
All that’s happened in the past month – Tour of California, Giro, Landis, etc. – and no mailbag??? I imagine someone’s written something into you guys during all this time! I hope the fact that you’ve added comment sections to articles doesn’t mean we’re losing the mailbag.

Comment sections tend to devolve in rather juvenile discourse real fast, so I generally don’t waste my time with those, but I find the mailbag to often be interesting reading, offering valuable opinions on various races, issues, etc.

Sincerely,
Ryan P. Fonkert
Manitou Springs, Colorado

Cause for suspicion
Editor,
After years of trying to sweep it under the rug, VeloNews has finally printed a credible accusation against Lance in the recent interview with former World Anti-Doping Agency head Dick Pound. Bravo!

“Most of the people who have looked at all of the facts have already come to the conclusion that (Armstrong) was already a user,” Pound said.

Let’s hope that federal investigator Jeff Novitzky busts all dopers for good. It’s too bad that Mr. Novitzky has no jurisdiction outside the U.S. I would love to see what he would come up with on Alberto Contador. As if we’re supposed to believe that a 140 pound “mountain goat” can beat the best time trialists in the world. Hah!

Charles Hansen
Boulder, Colorado

What about the Mafia?
Dear VeloNews,
Back in October of 2008, VeloNews.com quoted Tyler Hamilton as saying the following:

There are a lot of bad people out there who have done some bad things to me. Cycling … I think it’s everywhere, but there is a mafia in cycling. That’s pretty much all I’ll say about it, I’ll probably get banned from a race if I say any more, but there is a mafia out there.

In light of the recent admissions made by Landis, does this quote take on more meaning?

Thanks,
Drew Karlberg
Downingtown, Pennsylvania

The beauty of discovery
Dear Velo,
That was a nice piece about the burden of proof in a libel or slander case, but you left the most important thing out of the explanation. Sure, Landis could be sued. In fact, when you read the email string he sent to Armstrong, Floyd is actually counting on being sued. He sends Lance an email letting him know how to reach him to serve papers.

Why? Discovery, that’s why. Should Armstrong or anyone else in the current Landis smear-o-thon sue, well then, the discovery door opens wide and opens publicly. Written discovery, deposition upon deposition … this is exactly what Floyd wants. He wants to drag this out into open discovery. It’s like LeMond trying to get Lance Armstrong to testify at a deposition in his Trek case and going after Lance’s ex-wife as a “next best.” A public fishing expedition is exactly what Landis is looking for.

Lance, Bruyneel, Hincapie, Zabriskie … they would all be incredibly stupid to file a suit against Floyd. They know it too. Their best choice is to deny, ignore, and hope it blows over. Outside a court of law, Landis has nothing. His word isn’t worth anything at the moment in the court of public opinion. I believed him before when he said he hadn’t doped. Now he could tell me it’s daytime and I’d double-check.

Thanks,
Eric Luttrell
El Cerrito, California

A new appeal for help?
Editors,
I wonder if Landis will plead with the public to help him with the legal bills from his latest situation he finds himself in?

Seth Bradley
Sandy, Utah

A weighty advantage?
Editor,
Is it possible to suggest to the UCI that they drop the bike weight limit as a way to be a way to deal with the possibility of motorized bikes? As it was pointed out that the teams that could utilize this technology need huge resources to do so. It is less difficult to reduce the overall weight of the bike. So continue to weigh the bikes, but only to find someone’s bike that weighed a different amount from their team members, or was a significant deviation from the average of the peloton’s. They could then ultrasound or X-ray only the anomalies.

Just a thought,
Ion Webster
San Luis Obispo, California

An easy test
Dear VeloNews,
The variety of news stories recently in regard to “mechanical doping” has emphasized how the UCI would be helpless to test for these devices save taking X-rays of every bike in the peloton.

In actuality, there is an extremely simple and cheap (less than $5) way to detect electric motors in bikes, a magnet. Any motor compact enough, and with sufficient torque to power a bike requires powerful rare-earth magnets in its mechanism. A five-second inspection by running a magnet near the seat tube of the bike and feeling for attractive and or repulsive forces would be all the is required of an official to determine a potential positive for “mechanical doping.”

Sincerely,
Daniel Stuart

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Tales from the crapped

Editor:

Thank you so much for the excruciating detail in Neal Rogers’ story about Ben Day. It made me wonder, though — does the UCI not ban tapeworms? After all, there was a time when people would ingest them on purpose as a way to lose weight and we know those stage racers like to be lighter for the tough climbs. Perhaps it is just that no one wants to do the doping control for that one.

Seriously, though, my heart goes out to Ben Day. What a horrific experience and hopefully he doesn’t have PTSD. Hats off to a guy who can lead the NRC and try to ride a race despite this. Perhaps he’ll make the jump to a ProTour team now that he has that monkey off his backside.

Nathaniel Hopkins

Lexington, Kentucky

Cav’s ‘salute’ showed lack of style

Editor:

I’m always amazed at how important professional athletes think what 
they do is or how important they are to their sport. How many times 
have we seen stars on baseball or football fields, who believed they 
were irreplaceable, be replaced and with someone of equal or greater talent?

The same is true for cycling. When Mr. Cavendish salutes, it should be with respect and gratitude 
for everyone who allows him to do what he does for a living. He 
should know that it is less his unique talent that puts him where he 
is and more a confluence of opportunities, teammates and mentors.

In 
fact, I would venture to say riders like him are a dime a dozen. The cycling world is filled with talented, hungry riders who could do 
exactly with Mr. Cavendish does if given the same opportunities, 
teammates and mentors. They might even be better. Certainly they 
would have more style.

Keith Whelpley

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Cav’ is compelling, even when being inappropriate

Editor:

While I agree that Cav’s gesture at Stage 2 of the Tour of Romandie was inappropriate, I think those who characterize the act in such grave terms as “shameful” and “disrespectful” are overreacting. I think it’s Cav’s willingness to play the role of the bad guy every now and then, coupled with the fact that he can back his words up on the bike, that make him such a compelling person to watch.

While it ultimately comes down to the race itself, the underlying personal stories and melodrama surrounding the athletes do add an element of intrigue and fun to the sport (even if it ruffles a few feathers). Can you imagine if Alexander Vinokourov had made that salute upon winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège?

Charley Meyer

Chicago, Illinois

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Cav’s disrespect

Dear VeloNews,

You mean he wasn't celebrating his second win of the year?!?!?

Sprinters squeeze into tight spots, bang elbows and swear during a battle for victory. It is all part of the spectacle that makes a bunch gallop so fun to watch.

When victory is assured, as was Mark Cavendish’s on Stage 2 of the Tour of Romandie, by a perfect lead out, a sprinter has the time to take his hands off the bars and salute. He salutes the spectators, who love the sport, his team which delivered him to the line, his adversaries who suffered all day the same as him, his sponsors which pay him a great salary to pursue his passion, and he salutes himself for having the talent and tenacity to be the best that day.

By making an obscene gesture in victory, Cavendish has shamed our sport. He has shown immaturity, but worse than that, a lack of respect for all the suffering that his competitors and he himself has endured in this noble and humbling sport.
Gary Westby
VeloNews Subscriber

Vinokourov’s return

Dear VeloNews,
I was amazed to watch Vino come back from his doping suspension to overwhelm the field at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Judging from his performance, he looks like the rider of old. Problem is, the rider of old was doping to get his good performances. So, that makes me ask, how much advantage does one actually get from doping?

If it’s not all that much – if a rider can still win without the help, then why take the risk and dope at all? If it’s pretty substantial, then how do these guys come off suspension and pick back up where they left off? Are they still doping, but just being smarter?
Michael Paese
Boerne, Texas

We can’t forget the past, Vino’

Dear Velo,
I just wanted to say that I too am still a bit skeptical about how clean Alexander Vinokourov is riding. He never acknowledged any wrong doing when caught doing one of the more sneaky ways of cheating; never made any statements about rehabilitating himself and coming back with a new attitude (clearly his attitude has not changed at all!) nor has he done anything to promote clean racing.

Vino’ simply comes back and says, “I’m back, welcome me back as if I never left (or got caught cheating). I deserve it because I am Vino’.”

Come on, let’s be realistic Vino’! You got caught cheating and the least you can do is own up to it! Then we fans can begin cheering you the way we used to when we thought you were a clean rider with incredible talent not someone cheating your sponsors, team and most importantly us, the fans!

I for one still think you should have retired in disgrace (as should Tyler Hamilton before he returned and Floyd Landis who also never owned up to his dishonesty).
Bill Levey
Reisterstown, Maryland

Tragic flaws

Editors,
It seems that every week a new person is caught using performance enhancing drugs. Is everybody trying to cheat? Is there no honor or dignity in the sport? Why does everyone have to win, and then by artificial means? I want to think that the “suffering” and hard work are a product of the event itself. This is a problem in our society, but has deep roots in history.

Even ancient Greek athletes tried things to get an edge on their opponents. Is the need to win our “tragic flaw” as humans. Are we going to follow a path, as if it were devised in a play by Sophocles, to self destruction if victory is not achieved. No!

Cycling is a sport of beauty and endurance. What happened to “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat?” There is beauty and pathos in that drama and that is why I love the sport.
Todd Potter
New York, New York

Dopers or no, I still love cycling

Editors,
Integrity is reflected in doing the right thing when no one is looking. Cleary, riders who dope lack both personal and professional integrity. Forgiveness is good for the soul. However, forgiveness does not carry with it a requirement to accept.

I can acknowledge that someone has paid the penalty for cheating, but that does not mean I have to accept “fill in the name of whomever you like” back with open arms. Intent is also critical.

There is a difference between someone who unintentionally ingests banned substances and someone who intentionally cheats. A clear problem is the rampant lying that occurs regarding intentional acts. Finally, it is sad that we are seeing a string of younger riders getting caught.
Clearly the penalties are not stiff enough to deter those who lack integrity.

All this being said I do not let this undermine my enjoyment of the sport of cycling. I derive great pleasure from my daily rides regardless of who is doping in the pro ranks.
Mike Malone
Oxford, Ohio

Explaining a molehill into a mountain

Editors,
What a waste of bandwidth. Pelkey’s story about Kenny Williams and his desire to ride is a non-issue. He made a mistake. He admitted it. He should be allowed to race. I am sick of a bunch of whiners trying to cut the competition out of the field by looking for any lame excuse to keep a talented and committed rider out of a damn training race.
Alan West
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sprinting through a loophole?

Dear VeloNews,
Thank you for your thorough analysis and exposure of what was thought to be a loophole and more importantly, USA Cycling’s lack of enforcement. I never understood why USA Cycling allowed Tyler Hamilton to participate in the National Road Championships while under investigation for his participation in Operación Puerto, even though he had served his suspension for a separate offense.

At the time, I asked USA Cycling leaders (I use that term loosely) what would happen if Hamilton wins the race and subsequently receives another sanction for the Spanish affair, while wearing the USA jersey. Their response was that he had served his suspension and they had no legal means to keep him from racing. My reply was that USA Cycling must go beyond what the lawyers tell them and demonstrate some leadership by taking a stance against Hamilton’s (and others) participation if we are to set an example to the younger riders.

As it turns out, Hamilton was caught again (not from the Spanish affair) and while wearing the national champion’s jersey. Fortunately, there is some hope in the fight against dopers in the leadership demonstrated by the cyclist lead boycott of Williams. Unfortunately, we have yet to see that same leadership in USA Cycling.
Sean Whelan
San Francisco, California

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Restoring a sullied reputation

Dear Editor,
I’ve long felt that those riders caught doping should, having served their time, be allowed to return unconditionally to the peloton and their careers as professional cyclists. Never, however, have I entertained the fantasy that all aspects of that career will ever be the same for the returning offenders. Certainly there are no guarantees. They return with reputations shot, reputations that must be restored incrementally one event at a time. Peers and fans alike, in their support and emotional attachment, are justified in long keeping them at arm’s length.

Vino’s apparent expectation that upon his return all is forgiven and life on the bike will go on just as before shows that at this time he may well be as out of touch with the essence of this great sport as he was, sadly, three years ago.

Dennis Keough
Clinton Washington

He’s served his time

Editor:
I myself believe that doping suspensions should be longer and harsher, but the rules and punishments have been established and Alexander Vinokourov served his time.

I think it is absurd to disrespect a man who has just won one of the greatest races in cycling because he served a doping suspension. It’s not addressing the issue at hand.

If individuals, whether members of the press or fans, have an issue with an athlete winning a race after serving a doping suspension, they should lobby for doping suspensions to be longer or athletes to never return to the sport.

I wasn’t too happy with Vino’ winning the race and I would have loved to see any number of riders who had not doped in their career win in Liège. However, if we set down rules which allow for a rider to return, it is irresponsible not to give him the respect he deserves. Sunday’s Liège was a great race and Vino got a well-deserved win.

Let’s give the man the respect he deserves.

Charlie Carroll
Santa Rosa, California

He’s back!

Editors,
Bravo to Vinokourov for his Liège-Bastogne-Liège win. It was hard won and a really exciting ending. Thanks again to the live reporting.

Vinokourov and others have paid their fine or served their time, so let ‘em race in peace.

Welcome back, Vino. You are one of the most exciting racers in the peloton.
Nolan Winkler
Hillsboro, New Mexico

Confession is good for the soul … and career

Velo,
I read with interest the reports of fan’s response to Vino’s win this past weekend. Why are some forgiven for their iniquities (doping/suspension) while others don’t appear to be? It’s simple. Some have come clean, admitted their wrongdoings, and have been forgiven.

It’s hard to forgive when one only in passing acknowledges they may have done something wrong. If Vino’ wishes to get back in the good graces of the fans (we are the ones ultimately paying their salaries, however indirectly, aren’t we?) come clean, admit your mistakes, and ride clean.

He claims to be doing the latter, and until proven differently I’ll grudgingly give him that, but I’ve yet to hear from him as to the former.

Was there a message in that camera angle? | AFP Photo

Ron Mandsager
Philomath, Oregon

A message?

Dear Editors,
Thanks for posting a picture of Vino winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège taken from the rear!

I hope that was a conscious decision on your part. What a fitting tribute to his win. It’s like leaving a nickel tip to a waiter. It’s more of an insult than no tip at all.

Regards
Mike Tierney
Ontario Canada

Trash service

Editors,
As a former road racer turned to Ironman in my “golden” years, my thought on discarded water bottles is this. If you can get 2000 recreational riders to toss bottles in “trash zones” can’t you get the pro peloton to do the same? Put team names and a fine for those found outside pick up zones, wouldn’t that do it.

Gee, I hope this doesn’t sound like one of those letters from a Fred.

Billy Dean Johnson
Scottsdale, Arizona

The frequent flyers’ solution

Hello,
Regarding Ian Wright’s recent letter about airline charges for bicycles, I recently took my own bicycle and paid no airline baggage fees when I extended a business trip by two days and pre-rode the Paris Roubaix course. I’ve managed to do the same in 2007n when I pre-rode Liège-Bastogne-Liège (and a bit of the Amstel Gold course), and for rides in Albuquerque, Singapore and Oslo, etc. All without excess baggage fees.

How? I own a Ritchey Breakaway, the frame comes apart to fit in a “legal” size bag. The bike handled Arenberg forest and 30km more of cobblestones with no problems at all. Riding in exotic locations (Northern France / Belgium is exotic) is a lifelong passion, and the bike makes it possible and at these rates it pays for itself in a few trips. Not only can I fly with no extra fee, but the travel bag actually fits in European-sized taxis and hotel rooms during the work week.

If you love cycling enough to travel to Europe to ride the courses of your favorite races, you already own several bikes. What’s one more?

Bret Dunbar
Houston, Texas

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Vino’s team, Vino’s rules

Editor:
If Alberto Contador thought winning the Tour was tough on Astana with Lance Armstrong, wait until he gets a load of Alexander Vinokourov at the Tour. Astana is Vino’s team and he will use it for his purposes. The sponsors don’t seem to be selling anything a cycle racing fan needs. Their pride is national and their desire will be to see their citizen win.

It may have been a war-of-words with Lance. With Vino’ it will just be war, and Vino’ holds the weapons.

Michael Munro
Lansing, Kansas

A business opportunity for UPS

Editor:
I was shocked to see the price Ian Wright paid for bikes on airline. VeloNews needs to do a story on airlines and bike fares. At those rates I would have to cancel the trip — $1,500 plus for a box is absurd. UPS should set up a counter in the airport.

Paul Smith
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thanks for no-frills tale

A big thanks to Joel Ankeny of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, for his letter, “The no-frills roots of cycling.” I love stories like that, but especially loved the picture. The intensity in the eyes of the cyclists is incredible. Thanks again for sharing, Joel. And I’m right next door in Hummlestown, so if you ever want to go for a ride. …

Tim Wright
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

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Working-man’s pricing

Dear Velo,
Thank you so much for Lennard Zinn’s review of the new SRAM Apex group.

I can’t tell you how much I (and others) appreciate your taking the time to review budget-friendly bike gear. As you well know, we’re not all ProTour-level guys with ProTour-level budgets and it’s great to get an expert’s opinion on gear the average Joe can actually afford.

While it’s certainly fun to fantasize and drool over pro-tour gear and tech (don’t stop the “fun” reviews), I’m grateful that I’ve got a rubber-meets-the-road analysis of something that I could actually justify cracking open my wallet for. Lennard, you got your sights on any other entry-level or budget-friendly gear that deserves your experienced eye?

Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Kacha Azema

You may need that money for a flight

Dear VeloNews,
My wife and I recently traveled to Belgium to pre-ride and then watch the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix (I highly recommend the trip).

We flew Delta, and chose to take our own bikes. We accessed their website, which showed a fee of $200 to transport bikes – imagine our surprise when we were charged a total of $750 outbound and $808 (Euro600) inbound. This seemed excessive, and out of line with their competitors.

On our return, I was told by Delta Customer “Service,” that gate agents had the discretion to set higher charges! I am writing to warn the cycling community to beware traveling with their bikes on Delta Airlines, since they seem to make up the fees as they go along, and also to ask if you know of any resource that compares airline baggage fees for bicycles, so that we may make an informed choice of airline next time we travel.

Sincerely,
Ian Wright

The no-frills roots of cycling

Dear Editors,
We think we have it hard if we don’t have a carbon frame, carbon wheels, and 11 gears to choose from.

To that I give you this: My great-grand father took this picture of his riding partners. He (along his parents and siblings) were very active bike racers from the early teens into the late `40s. He served as chairman and secretary of the Century Road Club Association (CRCA) back in the 1920s, and rode a tandem bicycle with his bride to and from the church on their wedding day.

These men are the real heroes of bicycle racing and are living testament to the word “PRO.”
Joel Ankeny
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Live Coverage fan

Dear Velo,
Great Live Coverage, folks! It was so exciting. What an ending! Bravo for Cadel Evans (though I ‘voted’ for Horner).
Love the live coverage.

Thanks, VeloNews.
Nolan Winkler
Hillsboro, New Mexico
(Soon off to see the Tour of the Gila!)

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Smoke, smoke, smoke …

Bikes and smokes don't mix.

Dear VeloNews,
I was shocked and disappointed that you posted an old image of a cigarette ad on the VeloNews home page.

Sure, it’s from 70 years ago, but that sort of thing should never appear on a cycling website, even if you’re trying to be “ironic” in its presentation.
Alan Rogers
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Re: Amgen Tour

VeloNews,
No Jamis Sutter Home? No Team Bahati? Shame on you!

(How’s that for short?)
Nolan Winkler
Hillsboro, New Mexico

Pro cycling or pro wrestling?

Dear editors,
I’m all for interesting stories, but what is with all of the trash talk appearing on VeloNews.com lately?

First I see all of the banter coming out of the Dana Point Grand Prix and then the Cavendish/Greipel feud. What the heck is going on in this sport? Is this NASCAR or even worse, is cycling devolving into professional wrestling?!?!?
Mary Parsons
New York, New York

Expectations and their consequences

Dear VeloNews,
How about the poll:

“When riding, I stop at stop signs and red lights, and do my best to follow traffic laws:” Options: “All the time”, “Sometimes”, “Rarely” and “Never” and the follow up poll (listed directly below the question above):

“When riding, I expect to be treated with rights and respect:” Options: “Above and beyond those of motorists”, “The same as motorists”, and “Less than those of motorists”

Thanks for your consideration,
Adam Liegner
Syracuse, New York

The benefits of cycling

Dear VeloNews,
I thought this New York Times article was pretty astounding.  It’d be neat if you guys could do a piece on this.

Thanks,
Adam Gordon
Louisville, Colorado

Headline suggestion

Dear Velo,
While all of us associated with Horner’s former team, Webcor Builders, are extremely proud of Chris, how about this idea from the Webcor Builders’ CEO, Andy Ball, on the next VeloNews headline: “Horner Basqueing in Victory”
Ted Huang
Los Altos Hills, California

As Aurthur Koestler once said, “In the pun, two strings of thought are tangled into one acoustic knot.” We congratulate you and Andy. – Editor

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ATOC team picks

Dear Velo,
I am really not sure what AEG and/or Medalist Sports is thinking with their Amgen Tour of California team selections.

Jamis-Sutter Home won the National Racing Calendar series last year. In other words, it’s the best team in the United States.

Jelly Belly? Planet Energy? Come on.

Brian Staby
Santa Rosa, California

Fished in! Fished in!

Dear VeloNews,
I really thought the article was legit at first, and then I remembered it was April 1, and then caught the drift. It was initially believable and seemed plausible until mention was made of the characteristic gesture!

WAY TO GO!!!!!
Alvaro “Bud” Valdez II

Punish the whole team

Velo,
I have often wondered why cycling doesn’t adopt more of a “team” penalty strategy for doping violations. If a college basketball player has done something in violation of NCAA rules, the entire team may risk forfeiting its entire season.

If the team GC team leader is clean but a domestique isn’t, didn’t that GC rider (and therefore his team) benefit from the assistance provided by a dirty rider? If I’m at the top of the GC but it’s primarily because my support riders are doped, do I still get to claim innocence just because I’m clean?

I was in France in 1993 when a tour operator staff member noted his talent level wasn’t high enough to survive as a domestique without drugs but if he went that way, he would have a career. He decided to become a mechanic instead but when riding, his team leader went on to win a few Tours de France.

Teams with anti-doping stances are moving in the right directions but imagine the internal pressure for all to stay clean if riders knew all of their results could be wiped out because he or she got help from a tainted team member?

Mike Fisch
Denver, Colorado

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An open letter to Missouri state representative Allen Icet

Dear Representative Icet,
The purpose of my note is express my professional cycling program’s support of one of the greatest bike races in the United States: the Tour of Missouri.

The mission of Team Type 1 is to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.

We believe that with appropriate diet, treatment, and technology, anyone with diabetes can achieve their dreams. We are living proof of this mission as 52 of our 66 competitive athletes have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. As a participant in the Tour of Missouri in 2009, Team Type 1 was able to reach the 325,000 citizens of Missouri who have been diagnosed with diabetes. As you know, the Tour of Missouri was also beneficial to your state, bringing in $38.1 million in economic development from a $1.5 million investment by the state of Missouri. For each of us, the Tour of Missouri is a “win-win.”

With the state of Missouri leading the national percentage of adults who have been told by a doctor that they have diabetes, 9.1% to 8.2%, respectively, the partnership of the Tour of Missouri and Team Type 1 can encourage Missourians to make a positive change in their health and lives.

Our belief is the bike is a tool for healthy living and diabetes management. And the Tour of Missouri is a powerful way to promote this message among Missourians and the rest of the United States.

I sincerely urge you to support the funding of the Tour of Missouri for 2010.
Sincerely yours,
Phil Southerland
Founder and CEO, Team Type 1
Atlanta, Georgia

VeloSwap?

Editor,
What are the dates and web address for the VeloSwap?
Russell Scott

Absolutely. VeloSwap is slated for October 23rd in Denver. You can keep track of plans at www.veloswap.com – Editor

What are they doing out there?

Hi,
With the track world championships this week, I see reference to many events I don’t understand. What distinguishes the Madison, pursuit, and keirin?

Thanks,
Chris Parker
Wayne, Illinois

Okay, here’s a quick-n-dirty summary, Chris:
Pursuit is now a head-to-head race pitting riders (or teams) who start on opposite sides of the velodrome. Racing over a pre-determined distance, riders’ (or teams’) times are then compared to determine a winner. (We say “now” because the event was originally conceived as a race that would last until one or the other competitor caught the other.)

The Madison is a relatively long team event in which pairs of riders compete in a tag-team format. (It’s the one in which you see those nifty hand slings.) The Madison is named after Madison Square Garden in New York and was originally conceived as a way around local laws that barred riders from competing for too long in those great old Six-Day events.

The Scratch Race is essentially a track version of a criterium, in which riders race over a specified distance and the order of finish determines the winners.

The Points Race assigns value to specific laps throughout a race. Riders accumulate points and the winner is determined by the number of points he or she earns over the race.

The Keirin pits a group that includes a varying number of riders who start by drafting off the back of a motorcycle until the last lap-and-a-half when a sprint for the finish determines the winner.

The Matched Sprint pits two — and sometimes three — riders against one another over the course of a kilometer, with the final 200 meters timed. Riders are matched according to their times over a flying 200-meter time trial.

The Kilometer Time Trial (500 meters for women) is just that, an all-out individual effort over the specified distance.

The Omnium is cycling’s version of the pentathlon, combining sprint with endurance events, carried out over the course of a single day. The winner of each discipline is given 1 point, second receives 2 points and so on down to the last place. The first event is a flying 200 meters, followed by a scratch race, a 3km pursuit (2km for the women), a points race and a kilometer (500m for women). - Editor

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Thank you

VeloNews,
Thank you for stepping your coverage of collegiate cycling.

I really enjoy reading about what’s going down around the other conferences. It is a pleasure and an honor to see collegiate racing presented in-line with the professional events.

Joe Patterson
UCLA (WCCC)

That to which we should all aspire

Dear editor,

Regarding the recent exchanges on your coverage of women’s cycling and the character of female athletes:

We should all ride like girls. For that matter we should swim like girls and do every athletic endeavor like girls. What I mean is that there are so few professional opportunities for female athletes, you can rest assured that when they wiggle into Lycra, it’s for the purest of reasons. Especially in collegiate athletics, men strut around waiting for their pro contract for this or that. Because women don’t expect that, they compete for the love of their sports and a personal satisfaction that has nothing to do with pro money.

I have a 12-year-old daughter and believe female athletes provide the best role model for her. Their drive and athleticism matches and many times surpasses that of their male counterparts. But they also have a humility and the sense there is more to life ─ good grades, family and doing the right thing.

Gender aside, our most beloved athletes are those who exhibit what we see most often in the female athlete.

So, I say, ride like a girl ─ if you can.

Keith Whelpley,
Las Cruces, New Mexico

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A question of courtesy

Dear Velo,
Here is an incident that would have happened only in a women’s race. A few years ago, during the Cascade Cycling Classic, downtown criterium, a rider was forced wide on a turn. She hit the curb and had a scary crash, landing flat on her back. After missing a lap, she got back in the race. Between the curb and her landing, she and her bike hit my wife and son-in-law.

After the race, she rode back to see if all of us were OK, even though she was hurt (and abandoned the next day).

I really can’t imagine a male pro doing that.
Dennis Krakow
Bend, Oregon

The ol’ college try

Dear VeloNews,
I really enjoy the new collegiate coverage section that VeloNews has. I raced collegiate on the road and dirt from 2003-2009 as an undergraduate, and then in graduate school for U.C. Davis.

The team dynamic in which points are scored from all skill levels and genders makes collegiate cycling a really inclusive and accessible sport that it I feel converts casual (or non) riders into life-long cyclists.

I’d venture to say that a significant portion of your readers have been somehow associated with collegiate cycling (currently, or in the past), and are very excited to read about the races and rivalries in their old conferences. Furthermore, I feel that this level of coverage will really help build a stronger reputation for collegiate cycling among those not familiar with this section of the sport.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Daniel Stuart

Race Across the Sky?

Dear Velo,
I missed the screening of “Race Across the Sky” in November and have been waiting like a child before Christmas for the DVD to become available. The web site is no help. It just states “Available in March 2010″ with no updates.

Well, hello, it has been March 2010 for 18 days now and on each of those days I have checked to see if I could send them my money. Nothing. What gives?

Would you use your powers in the cycling world to give an update on how and where to buy this DVD?
Dax Soule
Seattle Washington

Influential and omnipotent entity that we are, we used our powers to call Citizen Pictures, the producer of the film, and the company says that the discs should be ready for release sometime within a week or two. The company says that the DVD’s are currently being manufactured in both Blu-Ray and standard format and staff are poised to launch a new “retail ready” Web site when the discs are ready to ship. – Editor

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Dear Readers,
In a recent edition of the mailbag reader David Wade expressed frustration that he had wasted time reading about a women’s bike race, due to the fact that our headline failed to distinguish winner Shelly Evans’ name from that of men’s reigning world road champion Cadel Evans.

To say the least, the letter generated more than a handful of responses. Unable to post all of them, we offer a representative selection. – Editor

All the work, less credit
Dear Velo,
I’ve been told by my better half (Luise Keller, who also rides for Team HTC Columbia) to read David Wade’s letter on your site.

Well, pretty sad story about that guy’s views on the matter. The way I look at it is that I know what we men go through during a race, with bad weather, killing ourselves on the mountains, risking our lives on the descents, etc.

When I think about it I don’t like the idea of my girlfriend going through so much pain and torture. But she does, with a bunch of other women who race their bikes, just like we do.

They do what we do without the added attention, pay and equipment; they just don’t get so much credit for what they do. Your posting coverage of their races is a good thing. I for one enjoy reading about it and I know when I go to the races and meet my teammates, they always ask me how the women are going and when I get into talks with them you find out a lot of male cyclists also follow the women’s racing, too.

Wie auch immer (as my German girlfriend says).

Adam Hansen
Team HTC-Columbia

Too much women’s cycling? Try not enough
Dear Editors,
I read with disgust the recent letter to the editor of VeloNews from David on women’s cycling. I can’t believe that he even found an article about women’s cycling. I picked up the latest issue of VeloNews, flipped through it for women’s articles, didn’t find any, and threw it away. Women’s cycling represents the purest form of cycling.

These women aren’t racing their bikes for money; they are motivated by their true passion for the sport, and for some, a chance to represent their countries at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. They care about their communities and they are terrific role models for children and ambassadors for their sponsors. They make incredible sacrifices for the goal of being the best that they can be.

Their sport deserves more attention, not less.

Linda Jackson
1996 Olympian
Proud founder of Team TIBCO, women’s pro cycling team

Does he have issues?
David,
Thanks for your open and candid letter regarding your feelings on women’s racing. It’s clear that you’ve had your feelings hurt out there on the race course when girls like me and my friends enter the men’s races and drop you.

Just know that we’re here, people do want to read about us and you’ll get dropped again. Wow, considering how much nastiness you’re carrying around with you, it much really suck to be you.

Traci Brown
3xUS Collegiate Cycling Champion
Former US Team Member

Women in the peloton
Dear VeloNews,
I would like to thank you for your coverage of women’s cycling so far for the 2010 season. Women’s cycling is important to me and I would like to strongly encourage more coverage of their races to help expand the fan base and introduce these women to a bigger audience.

These women are excellent ambassadors of the sport, incredible role models and are phenomenal bike racers who work every bit as hard as the men. Please be reminded that there are thousands of us out there who want to see more coverage of our favorite women’s riders and teams.

Sincerely,
Sarah Dwiggins

… and what about that Armstrong woman?
Dear Velo,
Please don’t change your coverage of any women’s events, UCI or others, because of a confused person. I follow all of your coverage under your headlines, and have never been confused on names of male or female athletes.

I am a coach, and have managed some very successful women’s programs in a super competitive region of southern California, and have never been misled by an athlete with a same name as a male.

Personally, I think this was the “straw,” for Mr. Wade, since he thinks Lance won the 2008 individual time trial Olympic Gold medal and the 2006 and 2009 ITT World Championships!

Tim Ferreira
California

More Kristin, less Lance
Editors,
By opening his letter with “I don’t mean to be a jerk or a sexist,” at least Mr. Wade had the self-awareness to note how his request would sound.

At the risk of being tossed into the same mud pond with him, I’d like to make a related request, but for not quite the same reason. I too have found it mildly annoying when a headline/link is unclear as to whom it refers, but in my case the annoyance came from lack of distinction between L. Armstrong (in whose exploits I am completely uninterested) and K. Armstrong (in whom I am interested).

For me, the issue isn’t about women’s vs. men’s cycling, it’s about which athletes I am following. Perhaps you could include a first initial in headlines about athletes who share a surname with another? Imagine a headline, “Armstrong to direct squad under new title sponsor.” If you didn’t already know that K. Armstrong was hired for the PBC/2012 team that could be confusing.

On the other hand, if this is the worst anyone can say about VeloNews, you all are doing pretty well. Keep up the great coverage.

David Neale-Lorello
Rockville, Maryland

And speaking of women
Dear Velo,
Might VeloNews somewhere in its archives have the names of the USA women’s team that rode the 1985 women’s Tour de France. I rode with a gal named Mary today (and she’s still a very strong rider) whose maiden name back then began with a “V” and who said that she rode that race as well as many others.

The gang I ride with here in central Florida at The Villages would love to look up her palmares. If you draw a blank, any ideas where we might find some info?

Many thanks,

Bill Nee
Florida

Hello Bill,
The Tour Cycliste Féminin, (now the Grande Boucle) was first held in 1984 when the race was won by American Marianne Martin (who later served as an advertising director for VeloNews, by the way). The first few editions of the Tour Cycliste Féminin were contested by members of national – rather than trade – teams. We do recall that the U.S. team in 1985 included Mary Verrando, now Mary Higgins. Perhaps that’s the person you’re thinking about. - Editor

In praise of Contador
VeloNews,
I like Alberto’s aggressive style. I hate it when a guy just sits on the back of the race hoping no one makes a move.

Joe Drivere
Connecticut

The grandest of grand tours?
Editors,
What ever happened to that crazy Tour of America with 200 mile stages and million dollar prizes that I read about a year or two ago? They have a web site showing a 2010 debut but the info is sparse, and really over the top, with projections like 25-35 million spectators and a “conservatively estimated” $500 million windfall to “little communities.”

It’s clearly a pipe dream but it’s kind of fun to follow their naiveté. How about a follow up article?

Jeff Schatz
Columbus, Ohio

Oh yeah. We first heard about the idea at the 2007 Interbike trade show. It was originally slated for 2008, then delayed until 2009 … and now 2010. We’ve not heard much, other than what we have read on the website of promoter Frank Arokiasamy. We agree, it may be time for a follow-up. – Editor

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Here’s hoping Lance fans become cycling fans

Editor:

This letter is in regards to Carolyn Hudson’s letter on February 17, 2010. I appreciate your desire to see more coverage of Lance Armstrong, and I appreciate the inspiration he provides for you. He is an amazing athlete and has done great things with Livestrong and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

That said, there is much more to cycling than Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France, and the Tour Down Under. Cycling is full of amazing and inspirational stories, and there are a lot of other riders that deserve your support just as much as Lance. I am grateful for all the attention that Lance Armstrong has brought to cycling, but I hope that all the Lance fans can become cycling fans.

Mark Babcock

Marietta, Georgia

And now, the bike theft report

Editor:

I wanted to bring your attention to a story about how a determined bike commuter and racer got his stolen rig back. My Specialized Tricross S-Works was stolen three weeks ago. The LAPD didn’t offer much hope. But the cops and others offered some advice on what to do — and most of that advice involved using the latest in social networking and electronic want ads. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Yahoo Groups were all employed. Meantime, I made a routine of checking eBay and Craigslist.

The efforts paid off. About 10 days after the theft I found a posting on Craigslist advertising my bike. The LAPD was then convinced they had to move and move quick if the bike was to be recovered and if they were going to make an arrest. A sting was set up, the bike was recovered and three people were taken into custody.

I also work in the media (the police did not know this) and one of my reporters persuaded the LAPD to take him along for the bust. The following link has the material we prepared for our radio station:

http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/stevengregory.html

Michael Clarke

Los Angeles, California

In which we successfully trick another reader

Editor:

I don’t mean to be a jerk or a sexist — but I’m sure going to sound like one here. Generally no one really cares about women’s road racing results or news, certainly when it’s lumped into overall headlines.

Today I read a headline “Evans triumphant in New Zealand.” Excitedly I clicked on the link thinking I would see an article about reigning world champion Cadel Evans’ early season form. Instead it was an article about Shelley Evans.

Stop trying to trick me into clicking on articles about women’s cycling and stop putting women’s cycling news in your overall road headlines. Trust me, your target audience doesn’t particularly care.

At the top of your main page, just make a separate link (WOMEN’S) for the few people who care to read up on women’s cycling news.

David Wade

David, thanks for playing. We’ll be sending you a catcher’s mask, a Shock Doctor BasiX Compression Short with Flex Cup and an application for the federal witness protection program. — Editor

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Let’s not go off half-cocked here

Editor:

Already? We’ve already got to endure Alberto Contador with his fake pistola? This is excruciating. I don’t think I can handle another season of this. Quick, call the Fake Crisis Hotline — I’ve got a fake pistola to my head and I might pull the fake trigger because I can’t take it any longer. Aiieeeee!

Pat Mause

Tucson, Arizona

That thar’s some straight shootin’, podnuh. — Editor

Machado looks promising

Editor:

I noticed that The Shack rider from Portugal, Tiago Machado, made the podium in the Volta ao Algarve, which Alberto Contador won. I’m no aficionado, but could there be an untold plan for this young  rider? Do you suppose he will be on The Shack’s Tour de France team? Lance Armstrong has a way of finding diamonds in the rough with GC abilities. What do you think?

Keith Whelpley

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Keith, for your answer let’s turn to José Azevedo, the Portuguese ex-pro who rode in support of Armstrong for his last two Tour victories and is now a sport director with RadioShack. In an interview with European correspondent Andrew Hood, Azevedo called Machado “an important rider for the future” who “needs to race in the big events against the top riders.” — Editor

Forget ’cross — bring track to the Winter Games

Editor:

I think we should move the track events to the Winter Games. Most tracks are built with roofs now and it would mesh with the track World Cup. Maybe we could get the pursuit back?

Charlie Anderson

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The fun part would be watching the sprinters trying to trackstand on ice. — Editor

Name ’em and shame ’em

Editor:

If people are really serious about cleaning up our sport, then let’s name the cyclists who brought drugs off Joe Papp. Until there is accountability, cyclists will still watch their own EPO levels and doctor their results, as needs be.

Dave Hodgson

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

TOC vs Giro: No brainer

Editors:
What’s up with the promoters for the Amgen Tour of California? They move the date to about dead-center of the Giro and expect the Euro teams to come race in California, to not race the Giro? Hello?

Idiocy. Unless they are hoping for a not-so-competitive race? Trying to attract those “American” teams only? It bears repeating: Idiocy.
Don Mutchler
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Idiots that we might be, many of us actually like the move. It does provide a terrific opportunity for top riders, including those eyeing July’s Tour de France, who don’t necessarily want to ride a full grand tour in May. Let’s see how it shakes out this may. It might just be good. – Editor

More Lance

Dear Velo,
I watch the Tour de France, Tour Down Under, and would watch more if they were televised.

I have followed Lance Armstrong’s career for many years. I read all the books by or about him. I want to see, hear and read all I can about him!

He is the idol of many people, especially those fighting cancer. I enjoy hearing about other teams in the races, but Lance is the one I want to know all the details, about what he is doing in the races or in every day life. I can say, I believe I am not alone. I could go on and on about reasons I follow him closely and others not so much, but I’ll stop here.

Thanks,
Carolyn Hudson
Karnak, Illinois

That ol’ college try

Dear Velo,
I just wanted to shoot my appreciation of the coverage of collegiate racing. It is a refreshing little taste of part of cycling which does not usually receive much coverage.

Keep em coming,

Peter Beels
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Need more info

Dear Editors,
Doper. Positive. Cheat.

I look for these words everyday when visiting my favorite cycling websites and hope that they don’t appear. When I do, I ask myself, “Can these riders be so dumb to risk a career and banishment for glory, a win or a few higher placings?” I like to think not, and yet I keep an open mind when I see a B+ because I don’t know enough about doping and detection to trust the system.

I have to admit that even as a rider/racer, I don’t know much about the intimate details of how doping is done and what “positive” effects each method has on the human body with respect to cycling performance. But I want to know. For instance, how does an athlete dope with CERA? Does one get a shot, or is it something that you ingest? Did Rossi get a Mickey from Ricco? How did DHEA get into Zirbel’s bloodstream and what how does it affect performance?

The transparency of Landis case brought to light some of these practices (e.g. Joe Papp’s testimony), and yet cast a bit of doubt that the labs and ADAs are completely neutral and fair in their methods and testing.

I’d like VeloNews to report on these methods so that we, as a cycling community, can understand how it’s done and then be able to critically assess whether a rider intentionally cheated, accidentally ingested something, or that the lab or ADA is fudging the results.

Jim Pappe
Bakersfield, California

Hit ‘em where it counts

Dear Velo,
Glad to hear that the UCI has slapped Danilo Di Luca with a fine in addition to his suspension. It’s good news that the UCI is taking an aggressive approach to doping. It’s a big change from the attitude the organization had a decade ago under the “leadership” of Hein Verbruggen, who seemed more concerned about the possibility of law suits than he did fighting doping.

I applaud Pat McQuaid and the new leadership of the UCI. Let’s make sure that when riders dope, the feel more than the little sting from a needle. Hit the SOBs in the wallet and hit them hard.

My only other hope is that Di Luca now just shuts up and goes away. I, for one, don’t look forward to seeing him back in the peloton in two years.

Don Sullivan
Portland, Oregon

A question of balance

Dear Velo,
Why is it riders like Tom Zirbel are banned for substances like DHEA (that has no sound scientific studies that show it improves performance or any other benefits for that matter) while Tom Boonen tested positive for cocaine and is still allowed to ride?

Kazmer Meszaros
Mineo, Sicily, Italy

Dear Kazmer, most simply put, it’s the way it is because that’s what the rule book says. Regarding Boonen, cocaine is classified as a recreational drug, with little long-term performance-enhancing benefit. It is banned, but only if its presence is detected in a race-day doping test. Both of Boonen’s cocaine positives came in out-of-competition tests. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, DHEA is part of a larger class of  “Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids” that have been been banned both in- and out-of-competition, because they are considered to be testosterone precursors. The banned substances list is reviewed on an annual basis and the latest revisions - whether perfect or not - are published every year and available on-line. – Editor

Risks versus benefits

Dear Velo,
I appreciate that Charles Pelkey revisited the question of the risks of riding a bicycle on American roads in the most recent “Explainer” column.

Like many of us, I’ve been keenly aware of the dangers of riding an 18-pound bike on roads used by bigger and bigger vehicles. I have, at time, even considered giving up riding on the road in favor of mountain-biking, but there is nothing quite as wonderful as riding on open highways. The benefits I get from training, commuting or just cruising around are not something I can always put a number to, but I have long tried to weigh that against the risk.

I find that riding trails can be peaceful and challenging, but I love the road. I did the mental math a long time ago and decided that taking to the road was worth it. That said, I stay vigilant and always listen and watch for cars and trucks. It can be nervous at times, but in my book, it’s worth it. It’s nice to know that recent attention to the risks may have overstated the dangers that we face.

Road riding can – and should – be safer. We should all do our part, but that part should not include surrendering our roads to the SUV-ensconced masses.

Ride and enjoy, my friends.

Jonathan Galvan
Columbus, Ohio

Our cycling heroes belong on bikes

Dear Velo,
I am happy to see that the LeMond/Trek/Armstrong court battle is over. I own a Trek, I am a fan of Greg LeMond and admire Lance Armstrong. Frankly, I’m happy all of this chin music is over. Now let’s get back to the important stuff … bike RACING! Let’s leave all of the allegations, lawsuits and noise to the lawyers.

I prefer my cycling heroes to be on their bikes, wearing racing gear. Let’s just ignore the stuff when people have to “suit up” in pinstripes and carry briefcases and legal pads, instead of a musette and a water bottle.

Enough is enough.

Charlie Morton
Sitka, Alaska

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Sauce for the gander?

Editor:

Sad news about Tom Zirbel’s positive test for DHEA. Yes, it is a black-and-white issue. All dopers should be thrown out. At least that’s what many say.

How about having the testers, the UCI and WADA personnel go through the same tests? No excuses for contaminated supplements. And let’s not forget about the “whereabouts” rules. Will Dick Pound agree to follow the same rules as the athletes?

I hope that Tom’s punishment is fair and fits the crime.

Bob Indig

Redwood City, California

Save me a slice

Editor:

Thanks for the Hawaiian info (see “Winter training in Maui: A slice of paradise on a budget”) . I now have my goal — Hawaii or bust next winter.

Paul Smith

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Less about Lance, more racing coverage, please

Editor:

I don’t want to knock any of Lance Armstrong’s accomplishments. I
 admire what he’s managed to do both on and off the bike, but let’s be 
honest: not every race is about him. It seems like every time he gets on the bike, half of the race report is about him, even if all he does 
is sit in the bunch (see stage 1 coverage for the TDU — he got a whole 
section dedicated to him!).

There are plenty of other stories actually pertaining to the race that can be covered instead of dedicating 
as many words to Lance as possible. You guys aren’t the only ones 
doing it, either. Save it for when he’s actually involved in a race, 
like he was in the Cancer Classic Crit.

Last season, I got sick of 
the Lance coverage pretty quickly, and I really hope that it doesn’t
 happen this year. He has come to define cycling for most of the
 United States, but there’s plenty else worth talking about for those 
of us deeper into the sport.

Greg Genna

Charleston, South Carolina

Where’s Landis?

Editor:

What is up with Floyd Landis? Is he actively looking for a team? May we see him back? Regardless of what is situation was, he is still one of the most colorful people in the peloton, and in my humble opinion, a fantastic rider. My guess is that I am not the only one wondering.

Matthew R. Bruce

Wareham, Massachusetts

Matthew, it seems that Landis was racing just this past weekend as a privateer in the Tour of the Bahamas. The weekend’s action included a circuit race, an individual time trial and a road race. Word is that Landis won the TT, a 3-mile effort with “road bikes only — no aero anything,” according to the organizers. According to a story on The Tribune’s web site, Landis did not finish the 105-mile road race, which was won by Caleb Fairly (VMG-Felt Cycling Team). Fairly also won the overall; teammate Taylor Shelden took second. — Editor

Love VeloNews TV, hate the mispronunciations

Editor:

I’m always a fan of VeloNews TV — but please, please, teach the new guy how to pronounce riders’ and teams’ names 
correctly. It was brutal watching him butcher them on the Tour Down Under coverage. I mean, all 
it would take is like four hours to watch a stage of the Tour and he could get 90 percent of 
them correct.

 Keep up the good work.

Andrew Smola

Athens, Georgia

We’ll get right on that, Andrew, as soon as we finish teaching online editor at large Patrick O’Grady to speak English (his native tongue is @#%&*!!!). Meanwhile, you’ll be pleased to know that Zdenek 
Stybar (Zeded-neck Shtee-bar) has developed a bit of a cult 
following at Competitor Group HQ in San Diego, where they mostly speak Dude. — Editor

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Greater duty

Dear Editor,
I thought all your coverage of the Los Angeles road rage trial was excellent and do not understand Dr. Chen’s criticisms (Why the focus on road-rager’s profession?). At no point did I associate Dr. Thompson’s actions with any other doctor or medical professional.

So to Dr. Chen: Good doctor, as an MD I sincerely hope you understand the significance between being a medical doctor and the lay. First you are a healer and throughout history healers have been held with high esteem for their sometimes mystical and miraculous work. Dr. Thompson’s actions have fallen short of this esteem.

Second, being a doctor means you are well educated and as such we expect you to live as an example to those who have had fewer opportunities to gain the precious teachings that are part of a higher education. With his actions and behavior Dr. Thompson has failed those teachings and his mentors of the past. Third and foremost, you and Dr. Thompson took a professional oath to do no harm.

Clearly Dr. Thompson failed this oath spectacularly and did great harm to one of the most vulnerable portions of the traveling public. Dr. Chen, you have earned a position and title which garners you favor and respect before you even enter the room. Please do this respect justice and maintain your profession equally as well as Dr. Thompson has failed it.

Sincerely,
Robert Price, PG
Santa Barbara, California

Primum non nocere

Dear VeloNews,
It’s a small point, but Dr. Samuel Bayles’s comments on the LA Road Rage case contains a common error of fact: the phrase “First do no harm” does NOT appear in the Hippocratic Oath, which is presumably what Dr. Thompson swore when he graduated from medical school. The phrase, often rendered in Latin as primum non nocere comes from another work attributed to Hippocrates on the treatment of epidemics.

When a physician enters a home with a terminally ill patient, the physician is bound to do what he or she can to make things better, or at least not to make things worse.

With Dr. Bayles’s ethical position, I have no disagreement, except the we are ALL morally bound to avoid wantonly harming others; whether we are physicians, cyclists, motorists, or just plain human beings in a civilized society.

Stephen Greenberg, MSLS, PhD
Bethesda, Maryland

Dear Stephen, We agree that many folks have bandied the phrase about. For the record, there are a number of variations of the Hippocratic Oath out there (an inevitability when the original is in Classic Greek). One quite commonly used by American Medical Schools these days was crafted by Louis Lasagna, the Dean of the Tufts Medical School, in 1964:

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

• I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
• I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
• I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.
• I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.
• I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
• I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
• I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
• If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

The Lasagna version is widely viewed as one that accepts the realities of modern medicine, eliminating the original draft’s call on doctors to work for free, its ban on surgery, as well as the edicts against abortion and euthanasia. – Editor

Cutting and pasting gems?

Dear Velo Editors;
Like Eric Adelman I have trouble ‘cutting and pasting’ from your Web site. Sometimes, just so I can check it with a dictionary/thesaurus to understand its meaning, I will need to cut and paste a turgidous word that one of a few of your great writers could have used as either grandiloquent or magniloquent.

Or sometimes I might want to cut and paste a reader’s question and an editor’s answer so I might have it on my screen should I want to compose my own letter. When I try to highlight a single word or sentence the entire page lights up. (Which they normally do for my mornings even without ‘cutting and pasting’.) Keep up your great work.

Ed Schaub
Buckhorn, New Mexico

Ed, We’re turgidous? Grandiloquent? Magniloquent? Cool!

On the cut-and-paste front, we are working with our tech guys to address the issue. It’s just another of the many growing pains we’ve had moving to a new format. Please let us know if you encounter any problems. We really are listening. – Editor

Weight issues

Dear VeloNews,
I have a two-part question about bicycle weight and the UCI weight limit. First, is It possible to build a bike below the UCI weight limit? How and where do teams add weight to bring the bicycle into compliance? Also the current weight limit seems high compared to what is technologically achievable. Are there plans to lower it?

Philip Van Peborgh
Dallas, Texas

Dear Philip, The UCI adopted the rule that “the weight of the bicycle cannot be less than 6.8 kilograms,” more than a decade ago. The rule was intended to address a valid safety issue, namely to stop the “race to the bottom” by some manufacturers to produce lighter and lighter equipment, without complete consideration of safety issues. Like many UCI rules, however, the rule takes a rather broad approach to the question and simply establishes a universal limit that applies equally to all bikes of all sizes, be they track, road, cyclocross or even downhill mountain bikes. We’ve seen perfectly reasonable bikes that weigh in at less than 10 pounds (not that we’d ride them down the backside of an hors catégorie climb).

With the development of new manufacturing techniques, that limit could certainly be dropped, but as of yet there are now plans to do so.

Some teams do add small weights to non-rotating elements of the bike, just to comply with the rule. In fact, early last year we had the pleasure of having Carlos Sastre’s Tour de France-winning bike in the Velo offices in Boulder. Mr. Sastre being a diminutive rider who uses a small frame size, his bike could easily have been well under the weight limit. But we noticed that there was some spray foam inside his seatpost, apparently holding in place some extra weight, judging by the post’s unusual heft. – Editor

• Keep it short. And remember that we reserve the right to edit for grammar, length and clarity.
• Include your full name, hometown and state or nation.
• Send it to webletters@insideinc.com.

The biggest penalty, by far

Dear VeloNews,
Riders who consider abusing EPO to improve their performance should realize not just the legal risk of getting caught, and incurring a two-year or longer ban, but a more permanent medical risk, that of stroke.

A just-published study, TREAT, the “Trial to Reduce Cardiovascular Events with Aranesp Therapy,” directed by Marc A. Pfeffer, MD, PhD, a Professor of Medicine at Harvard, as published in the 11/19/02 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, found a stroke risk that is almost double that of patients who were not given the drug to treat their anemia. Of course the exact risk of using EPO in patients not anemic but using the drug for athletic performance enhancement will never be done, due to obvious ethical constraints.

Regardless, neurologic residuals or death from stroke represent a penalty that not even the UCI can reverse.

Alan M. Birnbaum, MD
Chairman, Division of Neurology
St. Agnes Medical Center
Fresno, California

Extra trust means extra scrutiny

Dear editor,
I would like to respond to Dr. Chen’s letter criticizing VeloNews for highlighting the profession of the L.A. road-rage defendant.

The reason why Dr. Thompson’s press repeatedly mentions his profession is that many years ago, likely in a serious ceremony at a university medical school, Dr. Thompson swore to “First do no harm.”

That statement is at the heart of doctoring and being a physician is a privilege that one must continually earn. I too am an actively practicing MD and the idea that I would intentionally harm anyone is anathema.

Moreover, Dr. Thompson, having been an ER physician, knows all too well the consequences of motor vehicle accidents. It is truly shameful that a physician intentionally harmed those riders ─ and had tried to harm riders in the past. It’s like being a fireman and an arsonist, just one of those things that attracts more attention.

Dr. Samuel T Bayles, MD
Little Rock, Arkansas

The profession gives specific knowledge

Dear Velo,
Dr. Chen has clearly missed the point of highlighting Thompson’s (former) profession. An emergency room doctor KNOWS the damage that a car can do to a cyclist. He knows death and dismemberment through personal observations. It was with that knowledge that he carried out his acts. Most other people could perhaps claim they had no idea of the damage they could cause in a road rage situation. Dr. Thompson specifically knew exactly what he could do ─ and he did it anyway.

Chris Harris
Medford, Massachusetts

Not just another driver

Editors:
Regarding Dr. James Chen’s letter;

Mr. Chen, I think the reason why people covering the road rage trial of Dr. Thompson continually refer to him as a doctor is because of irony of his actions against his profession. He has (as you know) had many, many years of college for his profession of helping people and taken an oath to not harm anyone. So, his profession has a lot to do with the outrage of his actions. If he had any other profession, this trial might not have received national attention.

If being a doctor has no impact on what transpired and we should take him as “just a California driver” why do you sign your letter with MD? Shouldn’t we just take your opinion as a cyclist?
Christian Seeley
Rapid City, South Dakota

It wasn’t poor journalism

Hi,
I’m writing in response to the letter written by James Chen, MD, of San Diego (January 11, 2010). His letter expressed concern about how the “road rage” driver in Los Angeles was referenced in your coverage of the trial – “road rage doctor,” etc. While I can appreciate his comments, I have to ask the obvious question: Shouldn’t a doctor, any kind of doctor, be more aware of his or her actions and how they might affect the health of others? Surely at some point he realized that his car was likely to cause serious injuries or even death to the cyclists?

I think Dr. Chen is missing that simple point. He may not think it’s necessary to continually call out Dr. Thompson’s title, but for some of us, it’s a vital piece of information. The person who chose to harm others was in the medical profession, plain and simple. We go to the doctor to be sure we’re in good health, be healed when we’re injured, and to fight serious illnesses. It just doesn’t make sense that a doctor would do this and that is why I feel it’s not poor journalism to refer to the man as a doctor on a regular basis. We are all perplexed by the fact that someone who makes his living healing people chose to hurt them. As a writer, I can completely understand why the man was referred to repeatedly as a doctor. It’s a critical part of the story.

Dr. Chen seems to stand for all that’s good in this situation — how drivers should treat cyclists, how doctors should behave. Dr. Thompson is now the chief example of how a doctor should not behave when the lives and health of others are at risk. He made the choice; he has to live with the consequences of his actions.

Thanks for letting me vent!
Heidi Littenberg
Reno, Nevada

Violated trust is part of the story

Velo,
Dr. Chen’s letter criticizing VeloNews’s coverage of the Christopher Thompson trial for focusing on his profession is way off base. The state medical licensing authorities, in theory, reflect the public’s trust in a doctor’s competence, ethics, and judgment. Thompson’s actions clearly showed a tremendous lapse of both judgment and ethics, also. I don’t find it at all inappropriate to highlight Thompson’s profession — his breach of the public’s trust most certainly adds to the severity of his transgressions.

The story no more “vilifies” doctors than the media’s coverage of the man shot in the helmet by the firefighter in North Carolina vilifies firefighters. In both cases, the perpetrators’ poor judgment is made more grievous by their failure to uphold the public’s implicit trust. When an individual is granted a license to perform medicine, or any other life-and-death task, it’s perfectly reasonable that they be held to a higher standard.

Daniel Sato
Austin, Texas

The problem continues

Dear Sirs,
I was elated to read that Dr. Thompson was sentenced. I have been a cyclists and triathlete for 25 years and have had my share of run-ins with drivers like this. I was recently struck while riding the day before Thanksgiving, luckily nothing was broken and I have recently begun riding/training again with no ill effects thus far.

However, locally two deaths have happened in the past year, with little coverage in the local media. I have had trouble following the cases to determine if charges were ever filed. In my case the driver wasn’t even given a citation even though she admitted that the wreck was indeed her fault. I was lucky, and while it seems that many motorists think we (cyclists) don’t belong, it was good to see that in at least one area justice has been served. Hopefully this can be the beginning of safer riding for us all.

Mickel Kobeck
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

We, too, have a burden

Dear Velo,
While I totally agree with the court’s on the verdict of Dr. Thompson, I must mention one thing that all us cyclists need to be aware of. Too many times while I’m driving I see some of the local “club” riders three- and four-abreast on the road slowing and/or stopping traffic. We too must share the road. I know that no one usually gets hurt by slowing down or stopping in a vehicle, but it adds fuel to the fire if vehicles keep getting hindered by our ignorance. Let’s do our part and be good ambassadors of the road.

Thomas Welch
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Screenshot 1: A print preview of this very page.

Printing articles

Hello,
I have tried to use “cut and paste” to copy your online articles to my Microsoft Word program to print and read offline. For some reason this does not work on your site. Is there a reason for this? Do you have a solution or suggestion to make this work?

I enjoy printing the articles and reading them at work where I do not have internet access.

Screenshot 2: You might try the printer icon on your browser toolbar.

Hope you can help. For now I will just have to read your great articles on the little screen, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Thanks for any info and help you can provide.

Eric Adelman

Hi Eric,

Apparently the cut & paste doesn’t work on some browsers, but that’s not intentional. There is a print style sheet that optimizes pages for printing that, in all our testing, seems to work on all browsers. It removes photos, ads, graphics and comments so that the print comes out formatted nicely (see screenshot 1). You can access this from the print option under the file menu on the browser, or by clicking the printer icon on the toolbar of some browsers (see screenshot 2). -Editor