Editor:
Your photo of the '04 Dura-Ace rear derailleur, (not that you evenhave such a photo yet, nor would publish it) was intriguing.
Without a cable attached, it was in what would normally be the extremeposition. So, either someone had been majorly jacking with the set-limitscrews... or it is Rapid Rise? Can you comment? I happen to like RapidRise on the dirt, but I'm not sure I'd like the idea on the road.Steen RoseA conspiracy theorist speculates
Editor:
Just when I was starting to think, “What devious upgrade will Shimanocome up with to compel people to buy the new Dura-Ace?" here comes thisphoto (see "Techreport: A product extravaganza!"). Do you see what I see? RapidRise for road? Genius. Now how else could they guarantee that you haveto buy all of it? By making it incompatible, that’s how.  Rear hubis pretty nice, though. Hmm.Paul RinehartVeloNews Technical editor Andrew Juskaitis responds: No needto get all worked up over the "sneak-peek" Dura-Ace photo. I just checkedaround with a few folks who know and I was assured that 2004 Dura-Ace willnot be Rapid-Rise. The components you see in the photo are plasticsamples -- a rear derailleur that cannot accept a return spring sits muchlike a Rapid-Rise derailleur doesn't it? The wheels will most likely neversee production as well..too bad, they're beautiful.Insulin can speed recovery
Editor:
A quick comment on your insulin-use question (see "Askthe Doctor - Dopes, doping and insulin"). Insulin is also usedto facilitate recovery for the reasons you outlined - it moves glucoseinto cells and promotes glycogenesis. In stage races, it's not so muchused as an anabolic but to aid recovery and "pack" muscles and liver withglycogen in conjunction with dextrose or hyperal infusions.I enjoy your column very much - keep up the good job.Michael P. Jones, M.D., FACP, FACG
Director, Gastroenterology Laboratory
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, ILPump user wants to trade info
Editor:
I am also an insulin-pump user, and have developed many techniquesfor riding and training using the pump. I don't expect you to give me theemail address of Chris, the guy who asked the question about insulin, butyou certainly have my permission to give him mine.There are not many of us out there (plenty of diabetics but not manydiabetic cyclists on the pump), so any opportunity to exchange info isappreciated.By the way, cycling with the pump is 10 times more manageable than cyclingon injections. You can titrate to a basal rate for your sustained outputand caloric input, plus you don't have time-buffered insulin (almost everybodyuses straight Humalog in the pump) in your system that reacts unpredictablywith physical exertion.Keep up the good work !Richard EntrekinThanks for the dope on insulin
Editor:
Kudos to the doctor for the info on insulin abuse. Maybe it will "wakeup" somebody before they're six feet under.Stephen LamphierAll supplementation raises questions
Editor:
Reading Dawn Richardson's lengthy and well-written article on insulinabuse made me ponder: What exactly is doping anyway? At what point does“nutrition supplement” use become illegal? Scott Moninger's experience(see "Moningerfaces two-year suspension") shows the line is blurred. He didn'tintend to ingest a banned substance, but he did attempt to improve hisperformance by consuming a chemical-based, non-food product.I question the whole concept of chemical assistance, whether it involvesbanned substances or not. It’s certainly a long way from training hard,eating right and working on your skills and tactics.Wally James
Penticton, BCSupport for O’Grady... we think
Editor:
I think the rant is rather funny, (see "Friday'sfoaming rant: The snowjob of '03") but I wear a leather helmetand am part French.Richard Peterson
Bozeman, MT/Salt Lake City, UTShort, sweet and to the point
Editor
Drop the anti-war stuff.David.MengesA simple request
Editor;
God, DEAR GOD can we pleeeaaasssee, go back to arguing about helmets…Chip Rauch
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cut, paste and run like hell
Editor:
The last two paragraphs of Patrick O'Grady's latest "foaming rant"were a masterpiece. I think I'll commit it to memory so I have a pithyremark ready for anyone who looks like they might want my opinion of thewhole Bush-Iraq disaster.Dave Hayes
(Yes, I work for a bike company. No I don't speak for it.)Give O’Grady and Vaughters a break
Editor:
Regarding Patrick O'Grady and his view on the war: Patrick's opinionsare his own, that's why they call it a "foaming rant." Hell will freezeover before Patrick will temper his views on cycling, world events andpolitics.The day VeloNews censors Patrick is the day I cancel my subscription.Folks, just read the disclaimer and take it with a grain of salt. Greatjob as usual, Mr. O'Grady.As for Mr. Tew's letter regarding Jonathan Vaughters and his lack ofresponsibility for not wearing a helmet during a photo shoot, Jonathanhas more experience and better judgment as to when to wear a helmet ornot. It was his decision, based on years of cycling experience, not towear it. That doesn't make him a bad influence to younger riders or membersof his U23 team. I couldn't think of a better mentor to teach and assistyoung cyclists. I wouldn't hesitate to have my son train and learn underthe direction of Jon Vaughters.Mike Creed Sr.
Colorado Springs, CONow drop and give me twenty
Editor:
Given all the literary ranting and raving about last Friday's foamingrant, I suspect we have plenty of replacements for those troops killedor injured in America's latest adventure. I'm sure all those frothing living-roompatriots would be more than happy to trade in their racing bikes and TVremotes for M-16's, and get their patriotic asses off to the front lines.Khalil J. Spencer
Los Alamos, NMDon’t like him? Don’t read him
Editor:
I not only look forward to Patrick's rants but I'm also a card-carryingmember of the "Old Guys Who Get Fat in Winter Racing Team" (my racing-licenseis a card, right?). I suggest those who disagree with his political viewsjust don't read them.It also seems to me that left-of-center viewpoints are in short supplylately. It reminds me of a guy who quit our bicycle club because the clubnewsletter had puns printed in it.Dave Skogley
Chicago, ILWas that guy O’Grady? He once quit a cycling club because the jerseywas even uglier than he is. – Editor

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