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.

Todd Mindermann
Seattle, Washington

Teams, riders could help fix the Forest
Editor:
It is an absolute shame to have to miss this section of classic terrain. However, if all that is required is a bit of repair/replacement of cobbles and fill the sinkholes - why not have it repaired? The teams could possibly share the expenses of the repair and even have the racers do the work (think of it as cross-training).

David Hilhorst
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Conspiracy theorists, please take note
Editor:
Let's see, who are they really making the race safer for. Is it all the riders? Or, let's think, who wants to race it and make a name for himself other then in the Tour de France? You betcha, one Mr. Lance Armstrong. Come on now, stop bending over backwards for this guy.

Jon Barker
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

That’s not in the (race) bible
Editor:
Upon reading Magnus Backstedt’s comments about the removal of the Forest of Arenberg from Paris-Roubaix, my first thought was, “Can even Magnus ride over 200 meters of oily water?” That’s a good trick!

Scott Swanson
Silvis, Illinois

Magnus knows the score
Editor:
After reading Magnus' Backstedt’s statement regarding the removal of the Arenburg section from the '05 edition of Paris-Roubaix (which is a great letdown) I am grateful for such riders. I am tired of hearing all the moaning from these professionals that certain race conditions are unacceptable. It’s these conditions that make a race great. I guess the suffering from a cobble, pothole, steep grade or cold weather can be overbearing. Maybe if we had more Magnusese and fewer Millers (EPO took care of him) cycling would be much better off.

Thanks, Magnus, for your heart and willingness to suck it up and ride. I guess I better go out in the 35-degree weather now so as to not make myself a hypocrite.

Jeff Heaton
Salt Lake City, Utah

What’s a few mil’ in a good cause?
Editor:
While I can understand the Tour of Texas organizer's feelings, considering the money being solicited and spent (without guilt so far as I have heard) by President Bush's inauguration organizers and participants, a few million dollars for a bike race should be defensible. But, I guess it depends on how you were brought up, your social conscience.

Mike Sakarias
Juneau, Alaska

Anyone donating bikes to tsumani victims?
Editor:
I wanted to float an idea regards helping the people in Southeast Asia who've lost everything, including their means of transportation: bicycles.

If starting an effort seems too monumental - and I admit the logistics of shipping a boatload of used bikes does seem daunting - could you find out if anyone is coordinating a bike donation? Maybe the Dutch, since they're another cycling nation?

I backpacked all around the east coast of India and down through Thailand, etc, in the 1980s, and saw firsthand how important bicycles are to the locals. I was befriended by an Indian family that would get from A to B with five people on one bike! Dad got to sit on the seat and pedal, Mom and one child on the frame, someone on the handlebars and another kid on a rack.

Thanks for your time and any suggestions you can offer.

Roberta Masters-Cullen
Alexandria, Virginia

Roberta, we know of several bike companies that have contributed to tsunami relief, including Fuji, which sent bikes to relief workers, but haven’t heard anything about a bike-donation program for the victims yet. We’ll snoop around and get back to you. – Editor

Four strikes and you’re … uh … suspended?
Editor:
I had to laugh when Major League Baseball announced its new "tougher" drug penalties.

First offense: 10 days Second offense: 30 days Third offense: 60 days Fourth offense: 1 year

What a joke! You have to get busted four times to get a one-year suspension? Just goes to show what a good players union can achieve.

Mark Bertram
Atlanta, Georgia

Gravity guy eyes the site
Editor:
I would just like to let you guys know that I am another downhiller who reads your material. Thanks.

Evan Leonard
Huntington Woods, Michigan

You’re welcome. But the question is, do you like it? –Editor

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.