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 Giro finale Photo ©: Bettini |
Letters to Cyclingnews - January 3, 2005
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Here's your chance to get more involved with Cyclingnews. Comments and criticism on current stories, races, coverage and anything cycling related are welcomed, even pictures if you wish. Letters should be brief (less than 300 words), with the sender clearly identified. They may be edited for space and clarity; please stick to one topic per letter. We will normally include your name and place of residence, but not your email address unless you specify in the message. Each week's best letter gets our 'letter of the week' award. We look for for letters that contain strong, well-presented opinions; humour; useful information or unusual levels of sheer helpfulness. Please email your correspondence to letters@cyclingnews.com. Recent letters Spring classics trip advice |
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Spring classics trip adviceFirst of all, when you visit Flanders, the best place to stay is Ghent. When you land at Brussels Airport, you can easily take the train and 35 minutes later you're in Ghent. Beautiful city, it's the capital of the province East-Flanders, the heart of the spring classics. Enough places there to stay at night, enough restaurants, bars etc and a great historical site. If you're doing the spring classics for the pure sport instead of the ambiance, you better come to Flanders more than a week before the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen in Dutch). Then the preparing races are ridden. These races are mostly ridden in the same region of the Ronde van Vlaanderen and many climbs of the Ronde are also done in these races. I'll give you an overview of the calendar. 23-03-2005: Dwars Door Vlaanderen (http://www.dwarsdoorvlaanderen.be); important climbs: Berendries, Valkenberg, Eikenberg, Knokteberg (Cote de Trieu), Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg 26-03-2005: E3-Prijs Harelbeke (http://www.e3harelbeke.be); important climbs: Eikenberg, Taaienberg, Paterberg, Oude Kwaremont, Knokteberg, Tiegemberg 27-03-2005: Brabantse Pijl; climbs: Alsemberg (6 times), Bruineput (6 times) 29-03-2005 until 31-03-2005: Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde (http://www.depanne.be/veloclub/3D-2002/default.htm); climbs stage 1: 4x Berendries, 4x Leberg 03-04-2005: Ronde van Vlaanderen (www.rvv.be); important climbs: Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Koppenberg, Taaienberg, Eikenberg, Leberg, Berendries, Tenbosse, Muur, Bosberg 06-04-2005: Gent-Wevelgem (http://www.gent-wevelgem.be); climbs: Kemmelberg (?) 10-04-2005: Paris-Roubaix If you really want to see the riders or former pro's, talk to them, look at their equipment, really witness the pain of the riders, the race development, you don't want to do that at the Ronde. The preparing races have the same core of northern classics specialists at the start as the Ronde. As you can see above, most of the climbs are identical. Now what's the advantage? These races are less important and therefore the crowd is not as huge as at the Ronde. So you can see the riders closer, you can follow the race better (going from one place to another), it's not as dangerous, there is a nice ambiance but no drunk people, it's possible to get pictures and autographs before the start. My personal favourite is the start of the 2nd stage of the Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, a 3-days stage race, at a town called Zottegem (25 minutes south from Ghent). This year (2005) it's on Wednesday March 30th. The start is around 10:30. It's the most quiet departure of the mentioned races above. Especially if the Easter holidays start a week later. So if you want to talk to George, that's the place (unless Armstrong is participating, but he is unlikely to do so). Most of the people will be at the busses of Quickstep (Boonen), Lotto (Van Petegem) and definitely at the camper of Mr. Bookmaker (Vandenbroucke). The day before, the 1st stage ends in Zottegem (Tuesday 29 March). That stage ends with 4 local laps during which they climb the Berendries (5km from the center of Zottegem), one of the heaviest and longest climbs in the Ronde. If you want to see dead bodies on a bike, that's the place to be. Be there 30 minutes before the riders do the climb and you'll have an excellent view. Normally that's the place where the attacks happen because the finish is only 5 km away. In these preparing races it's possible to see the peloton a few times. To see them (not only the first 10 riders) on different climbs it's always hard because getting there 10-15 minures before the riders will give troubles parking the car or finding a good spot to watch. On a climb, be there 30 minutes before the riders. But always study the race map first and mark the strategic spots. Getting to know the climbs in these races might be a great help and training for doing the same at the Ronde. That, dear Louis, is terrible. Tens of thousands of people along the side of the road trying to so see as much as possible, trying to get at different places of the parcours, no traffic rules just chaos and stress. Hell! Please don't do that. The best way to follow the Ronde is on TV. The coverage is excellent. The national TV VRT has world fame and tons of experience when it comes to covering cycling races. You'll get over four hours of live coverage of the last 160-180 km showing all the climbs. Don't go watching the Ronde at the side of the road 'cause you'll miss all the drama. Just take a beer, lock the doors and focus on the screen (and find a guy to translate :-) the blabla of the commentator normally assisted by ex-pro and former Paris-Tours winner Hendrik Redant). An nice alternative is watching the race on a big screen where the Ronde passes. In Geraardsbergen (the town where I live; 15 minutes south of Zottegem), you have one of the hardest, most beautiful and heroic climbs: the Muur (which means the Wall). The last 10 years that was the climb where most of the times the decisive attack was placed. If you want to be on the steepest part of the Muur (20 percent), be there definitely more than an hour before the riders. At the foot of the climb, you'll find a big screen and a lot of people, Belgian fries, hamburgers, "Mattetaarten" (a small local cake), beer and drunk old geezers. An incredible ambiance. This year (2004) the Tour the France visited Geraardsbergen too and did the first part of the climb. Well it was great. No words to describe it. So if you need more info, emails can be send to gelei2001@hotmail.com. I can even show you around or we can watch a few races together. I normally take those days of a race off at work to watch it. So if you need a guide, just contact me. Maybe one last idea. I don't know if you or your wife also ride, but it's great to explore the southern region of East-Flanders and the famous climbs by bicycle. If I'm going to see a race live I always take my bike, much easier to arrive (no car to get rid of) and you're out of there before the cars start to leave and make a giant traffic jam of it. The day before the Ronde (2 April) there's a tourist version of it. People from the UK, Netherlands, France, Italy, ... are coming specially to do the ride. Why not people from the USA? :-) (http://www.rvv.be/nl/wielertoeristen/fotos2004.html) I believe there are rides of 75km, 150 and the full 260km; 40000 participant last year. There is also a ride for mountain bikes. Just be sure you're in good shape and go for it. I tell you, it's the best way to find out how miserable you can feel on a bike and the best way to realise what pro riders are actually capable of. Kenny Straetmans |
Big Bear ends downhilling #1
Regarding insurance companies suing third parties for reimbursement of expenses to an insured: most US policies (a contract, in plain terms) include the assignment of subrogation rights to the insurer as a condition of the policy, and that means if the insured doesn't consent to subrogation, the insurer isn't required to pay the claim. The policies usually also include an obligation on the part of the insured to cooperate in subrogation claims.
Additionally, insured parties often have non-covered losses. They often sue on their own behalf and must include the covered injuries, since the insurer has a lien on the recovery in most cases. Without including the covered losses, the insurer may be able to recover on the lien, and reduce the recovery of the injured party (and their lawyers).
It isn't simple, and there's no free lunch.
Larry Klose
USA
Friday, December 24 2004
Big Bear ends downhilling #2
Isn't the whole point of "downhilling" to risk injury? Isn't that what the thrill of it really is? It's really all so predictable and boring. Shall we guess what percentage of these people are 14- to 25-year-old males? And are we really expected to feel sorry for them when their licenses cost more? If they can afford the bikes, pads, helmets and gasoline, they can probably afford a few more bucks for their licenses.
It's so easy for people (especially young males) to act as though they'd be so righteous if they were seriously injured or even permanently disabled. These same types usually think that it's only someone stupid who gets hurt. Usually it's someone who's unlucky. At least all his "fellow" downhillers can kick him while he's down. Do they realize that they're literally picking on a handicapped person at this point? When will people grow up?
Verge Manyen
Houghton, MI
Thursday, December 30 2004
Armstrong and Simeoni
The Simeoni affair is confusing indeed. But in regards to Dr. Ferrari and others who have been blacklisted for doping let's ask some questions about the ethics of drug information.
Doping is wide spread in bicycling. If we were to believe all of the rumors, even some junior riders are doping. Many of the performance enhancing drugs can be abused to the point of mortality. Early in the release of EPO may riders died mysteriously. It took some time before the proper information about EPO and its dangers reached bicycle racers and it occurred through tragic losses of life.
In this sort of atmosphere, if a bicyclist comes to a doctor what are that doctor's ethical responsibilities?
A doctor like Ferrari can pretty much sum the ability of a rider up with very few if any tests. Estimating a rider's ability and then asking some questions to estimate his willingness to stay in the sport and perhaps to do anything that he might need to in order to retain his position in the peloton it is hardly a guess that a sports doctor is going to be able to figure who may resort to drugs.
If, as a consulting doctor, you suppose that a rider will at one time in his career or another resort to drugs what do you do? Do you allow this man to remain ignorant of the dangers of drugs? Or do you educate your patient in the misuses of these drugs so that if he does try to use them he doesn't do so in ignorance that can kill him?
It would appear that the UCI, WADA and others are suggesting that riders be placed in even more danger due to doctors refusing to divulge important information that could save (admittedly stupid) rider's lives.
While I can understand the present position, I can also understand why a moral and ethical doctor would find himself in a quandary. Ferrari stated back in the late '90's that because EPO was undetectable it was forcing ALL of the riders in the peloton to use it or lose their careers. The same was said by the likes of Bob Roll, Andy Hampsten and others.
I myself can't find any answer to this problem. I can see that both sides appear to be addressing an ethical crisis from equally honest though opposite directions.
Thomas H. Kunich
San Leandro, CA
Monday, December 27 2004
Holding teams accountable
It seems right that the UCI has started holding teams accountable for team members that are guilty of doping. Phonak had two riders that have been accused of doping, and it stopped them from getting accepted into the Pro Tour. I think this is a step in the right direction. Sure I think individuals should be ultimately held responsible for there actions, but teams are equally to blame, much of the time. We've seen in the past, present, and will in the future seem management encouraging this rouge behavior, and they should be severely penalized! I think the UCI needs to be sanctioning more "life time" bans! I know it sounds harsh, but what else can they do. It seems that the standard 2 year ban has not been scarring cyclist into stop doping, so what should they do. I think they should star relegating stronger penalties to the management of teams.
And even start banning directors, and coaches for 2 years, or more!! Or how about holding a portion of salary in an account that accruse interest, and at the end of the year they if they have not tested positive they get the rest of their salary plus some interest. We need to find a system that not only punishes the guilty but rewards the honest!
Jason Kilmer
USA
Sunday, January 2 2005
Downhill time trial
Other then the extreme danger to any spectator, why is it that I haven't ever heard of a downhill time trial? As I see it this is the one skill that is that doesn't get enough credit in the grand tours, most stages either end with an up hill finish, a sprint or with about 13 km after the last decent, otherwise giving most good climber (but poor descenders) a chance to make back any lost time and not benefiting those that opened up gaps by taking risks.
You have to admit it would be really exciting to see. The UCI would have to place an upper weight limit on bikes, we would see 60x11 ratios, and top speeds approaching 70mph. Having watched cycling for years I have seen some extremely great descenders (indurain for one) take back large time deficits on a really risky decent. I think its time for a race to really test the descending skills with a downhill TT.
Bryce Alves
Reno, Nevada
Saturday, December 25 2004
Cyclingnews tech editor John Stevenson comments:
I think the extreme danger to the riders is the main factor. You don't want to come off at 70mph even if you're wearing, say, motorbike leathers. Then there's the small problem of the consequences if you do come off. Alpine descents tend to have big drops off the sides of the roads. In downhill mountain bike racing, crashed riders usually don't fall very far - in a downhill road time trial they'd plummet off a mountainside. Not fun.
That said, there is a group of riders dedicated to downhill racing. Some BMXers started racing modified BMX bikes down Californian roads in the 1980s and the sport continues today. The bikes don't look UCI-legal to me though.
Trendy cyclists
I hope I'm not too late for this but everyone seems to forget users and time seem to sort out all sorts of trends that bike companies try to make us want. As evidence I submit (those with delicate nerves best look away): BIOPACE CHAINRINGS! (even the spell checker is offended).
Recently, after breaking another frame from a prominent euro manufacturer, while waiting for the warrantee frame I bought a no-name Taiwanese Frame. I made my own stickers. It is branded Neovelo , model name Pseudopro.
The reactions I get to this are amazing. They range from real anger through to laughter. I have told some people that they are a swiss bike that I am importing myself. They to place an order! I then tell them the truth.
In the end cyclists are as gullible, mean, charitable, naive, cynical, trendy etc. etc. as the rest of the population. Why not.
See you on the road, feel free to laugh at me or my bike we both look pretty odd.
John Caskey
Brisbane, Australia
Saturday, December 25 2004
Bettini's trainer
Does anyone know the make and model of the indoor trainer Paolo Bettini is riding in the picture featured in his diary this month?
Thanks for the help.
Rusty Elder
Herndon, VA, USA
Tuesday, December 28 2004
No flat tyres #1
The best tip I was given is nothing to do with makes of tyres. It was to check both tyres after every ride, particularly in Winter, and remove any little flints or other hard objects which were caught in the surface, so preventing them working their way into the tyre next time you ride. Even cleverer - if you let the tyre down to about half its normal pressure, you'll find it easier to lever out (use an electrical screwdriver) any embedded bits.
Good luck.
Chris Whiley
UK
Friday, December 24 2004
No flat tyres #2
I've used Continental Gatorskins for the past year. No flats yet when combined with strict inflation check before EVERY ride. Suggestion: back off tyre pressures with the Gators; they have a stiff sidewall requiring less air to float you along.
John Crankshaw
USA
Friday, December 24 2004
No flat tyres #3
I can recommend Specialised - All Condition, Flak Jacket / Armadillo's, 700x 23C. So far I have covered 2000 miles on them without a puncture.. The centre of the tyre is slick with some tread on the shoulders. Only thing is , because there is no tread as such, I am wondering how will I know ( I guess this is the same for all no tread tyres ? ) when to change them ? Not sure how they compare with `normal ` tyres for grip etc but I have no complaints..
Brian Nolan
UK
Friday, December 24 2004
No flat tyres #4
Andy Bury asks if there is a tyre in 700C size that is puncture proof. I fitted a Schwalbe Marathon Plus to the rear wheel on my commuting hybrid over a year ago and have yet to get a single puncture. I ride on glass strewn cycle tracks on my 24 mile a day round trip. The front tyre is a Continental Contact which has only had one puncture in the same time. Although it is heavy, who cares in the depths of winter? Fit the Schwalbe and forget about punctures.
Simon Mason
Anlaby, UK
Monday, December 27 2004
No flat tyres #5
The best tyre I know that gives high mileage and very few flats is the Continental Grand Prix (the cheapest Grand Prix, not the 3000). I use a back tyre 6000-8000 km's. When it gets older I take small stones out and put super glue in the place the stones have been.
Derk
Netherlands
Tuesday, December 28 2004
No flat tyres #6
If you are in winter training, I assume actual speed accomplished on the bike takes a back seat to duration and intensity of effort....so, try to find a vinyl tyre liner such as Mr. Tuffy; sure, it adds a fair bit of rotating weight, but, combined with a rugged tyre like a Continental G.P. 4-Season, it makes your tyres virtually flat proof. On my winter/cross bike, I`ve been running Ritchey 35mm Alpha-Byte knobbies with these liners for 6-7 years now, and have never flatted, even after having rolled through broken glass hidden under snow. It makes you fearless!!
Even with a lighter tyre, it could make all the difference.....
Final bonus: when you switch back to your race wheels, or simply remove the liners from your tyres, it feels like a new bike....
Pierre C. Lacoste
Montreal, Canada
Tuesday, December 28 2004
No flat tyres #7
I have been using the Specialized S-Works tyres to limit punctures. I went about 1500 miles without a puncture on one tyre last year. It's not a racing tyre by any means, but is great for winter rides. I'm from Western Washington too and feel your pain.
Gary Anderson
Sammamish, WA, USA
Tuesday, December 28 2004
No flat tyres #8
In response to the flat tyre question. I have found that the only solution for me was to put the old tyre with the beads cut off inside the new tyre. Stacks off protection and an added training boost of a heavy wheel and quite high rolling resistance. When you put those super light wheels on with your high spec. tyres it is amazing how good they feel. Another trick is to maybe get some Stan’s No-Tubes solution and put maybe 1.5 tablespoons in a tube with a removable core. I have been doing this on all my race wheels and haven’t suffered a puncture on them for a fair while now. Happy experimenting.
Sean Doyle
Australia
Thursday, December 30 2004
No flat tyres #9
Continental Top touring 2000's are what all the tourers in the office swear by. Continental just stopped making them though. One guy did 38km for the hour on a crummy velodrome with them as well. Maybe you can find an old pair at your LBS
James Hall
Melbourne Australia
Friday, December 31 2004
No flat tyres #10
I too used to have this problem. I am 6' 7" and 210 lbs and was getting too many flats, so I tried some Specialized Armadillo tyres. It's been 2 years and 3500 miles and I've only put on a new pair because the tread was getting low. Not a single puncture in 2 years! The only drawbacks are these are very stiff and difficult to get on the rim and they have red sidewalls that are plain ugly (I spray paint them with flat black paint when I buy them). They come in various widths as well, if you would rather have a 700 by 28.
Garth
Houston, TX
Saturday, January 1 2005
No flat tyres #11
I have tried a lot of tyres and have found Continental Ultra Gator Skin to be great for the wet winter roads and for the summer training and racing the Michelin Pro Race is excellent. I have not punctured once in nearly 10,000 K this year. A lot of this is down to luck of course but I think more down to the tyres and the possibly also the size of the tyres. As a heavier (85 kg) rider I changed to 25's at the start of the year rather than 23's. 25's hold their shape a lot better than 23's. This means less rubber on the road so they are faster and they are also more comfortable. People often overlook the considerable effect that tyres have on comfort on long rides. An ex pro got me on to 25's and it is the best advice equipment related advice I have received. Fewer punctures, better rolling and more comfort.
Simon Quirk
London
Friday, December 24 2004
No flat tyres #12
I'd recommend the 700x28c Panaracer Pasela Tourguard with a thornproof inner tube. Nearly perfect.
Gary Boulanger
www.gaansari.com
Dayton, OH
Friday, December 24 2004
Recent letters pages
Letters 2004
- December 24 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Business and cycling, Big Bear ends downhilling, Off-bike weight gain, No flat tires, Armstrong and Simeoni
- December 17 letters - Business and cycling, Tom versus Axel , Big Bear ends downhilling, Shane Perkins, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark Webber interview, Armstrong and Simeoni, Injured and missing it: an update, Clyde Sefton
- December 10 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Big Bear ends downhilling, Floyd's choices?, Merckx, fit and trim, Pound must go, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Punishment: Vandenbroucke vs Hamilton, Prosthetic hip, Armstrong and Simeoni, Dave Fuentes, Homeopathy, Jeremy Yates, TDF coverage for Australia, Weight limits and maintenance, Mark Webber interview
- December 3 letters - Domestiques vs Lieutenants, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Dave Fuentes, Santa vs Hairy Guy, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark French and homeopathy, Shane Perkins, Jeremy Yates, Weight limits and maintenance, UCI regulations, Armstrong and Simeoni, Prosthetic hip
- November 26 letters - Mark French and homeopathy, Two big guns in one team, Tyler Hamilton case, Bartoli's retirement, Dave Fuentes, Shane Perkins, Merckx and Armstrong, Training like Lance, Lance Armstrong, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Phonak gets what it deserves, Armstrong and Simeoni, Bike weight, Spouseless riders, Mary McConneloug, Adam Craig, Mark Webber interview, Santa vs Hairy Guy
- November 19 letters - Tyler Hamilton case, Phonak gets what it deserves, Are you there Mr Coates?, Bike Weight, Merckx and Maertens make up, Heart troubles, Where to find cycling spouses, Mark Webber interview, Lance Armstrong, Where's Greg?, What ever happened to..., Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, l'Etape du Tour registration, Still Laughing
- November 12 letters - Why Armstrong will ride the 2005 Tour, Scott Sunderland, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, Where to find cycling spouses, Lance on Italian selection, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Tour 2005 team time trial, What ever happened to..., Love and a yellow bike
- November 5 letters - Love and a yellow bike, Tour 2005, Where to find cycling spouses, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Lance on Italian selection, Armstrong and Simeoni, Tour of Southland, Construction technique for veloway, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Rahsaan Bahati
- October 29 letters - Armstrong and Simeoni, Lance on Italian selection, Armstrong and Tour 2005, Lance to Tour Down Under?, Davis on Lance, Bike Shows, 2004 Cycling Spouse of the Year, Cycling and hip replacement, Doping - Enough drama!, Doping redefined, Injured and missing it, Heart troubles, Interbike, l'Etape du Tour registration, Whatever happened to...
- October 22 letters - 2004 Cycling Spouse of the Year, Doping , Floyd Landis, Armstrong and Tour 2005, Interbike, Armstrong and Simeoni, l'Etape du Tour registration, The new blood test, Injured and missing it, What ever happened to..., World time trial champion, Cycling and hip replacement, $125,000 criterium in Charlotte
- October 15 letters - Is the Pro Tour a good idea?, Cycling is bigger than doping, Doping, Floyd Landis, Museeuw is too nice to be guilty, Pound must go, Armstrong and Simeoni, Blood doping, Peers and Planckaert, Doping and nationality, The new blood test, Tyler Hamilton, World Championships, World Time Trial Champion, Erik Zabel Interview
- October 8 letters - Pound must go, USA World's Team Selection, World Championships, Armstrong and Simeoni, Filip Meirhaeghe, Say it ain't so, Dario!, Baby names, Blood doping, The new blood test, World Time Trial Champion, Tyler Hamilton, Doping and nationality, Erik Zabel Interview
- October 1 letters - Baby names, World Time Trial Champion, USA worlds selection, Tyler Hamilton, The new blood test, Rider of the Year, Tyler, USPS and Bruyneel, Alternative criterium formats
- September 24 letters - Tyler Hamilton, The new blood test, Thomas Aberg, Tyler, USPS and Bruyneel, Rider of the Year, Senor Ochoa, True ambassadors of the sport, Tour de France, American style, Cycling and hip replacement
- September 17 letters - Alto de Monachil, Tour, technology, predictability, La Vuelta is the race!, Tyler, USPS and Bruyneel, Frank, Trent Klasna retires, True ambassadors of the sport, Tour de France, How good is VAM, Super Mario, Alternative criterium formats, Axel, Eddy and the Olympics, Rider of the Year, The coming of the 3 kg bicycle?
- September 10 letters - Olympic Madison lemon wedges, Axel, Eddy and the Olympics, The coming of the 3 kg bicycle? Rider of the Year, Tour de France, Rider wages, Alternative criterium formats, Chris Horner, Judith Arndt, John Coates
- September 3 letters - Posties at the Vuelta, Rider of the Year, Tour de France, Chris Horner, Scott Sunderland, What is going on in Belgian track cycling?, John Coates , Judith Arndt, Criterium in Charlotte, Embrace technology, Rider wages
- August 27 letters - Olympic road races, Kudos, Medals, John Coates must go!, $125,000 Criterium in Charlotte, Judith Arndt, Death wobbles, Pedaling furiously, Rewriting history, IAAF getting tough?, Rider Wages, Tour de France, UCI Bike Weight Restrictions, Mactier's reaction, Yiddish Cycling Terms
- August 20 letters - Rewriting history, Arndt should have been relegated, Crowds at the Olympic road races, Olympic road races, Racing with a concussion?, Sponsors and Olympics, Hamilton, Julich & CSC, True ambassadors of the sport, Death wobbles, There are other races, CSC tactics, Shmenges, The debate begins, Tour de France, UCI Bike Weight Restrictions, Pedaling furiously
- August 13 letters - Bush vs. Kerry, Brits at the track, Nicholas Roche, Olympics and Lance, UCI Bike Weight Restrictions, Pedaling furiously, Armstrong vs the hour, Armstrong vs Simeoni, David Millar, Greg LeMond's comments, No romance in France, The debate begins, The power of a team, The Tour 2004
- August 6 letters - John Coates must go!, Witch hunting in the 21st century, Greg LeMond's comments, Bush vs. Kerry, David Millar, Adam Bergman
- August 6 Tour letters - If you had told me before the Tour..., Looking to the future, The Tour 2004, The power of a team, The debate begins, Fan behavior, The anti-Lance attitude at Tour 2004, TdF blood bath, No romance in France, Italian investigators, I hope to see the Giro at last, CSC tactics, Armstrong vs Simeoni, Armstrong vs Klöden, A Legend
- July 30 Tour letters - The Tour 2004, The Debate Begins, Armstrong vs Simeoni, Italian investigators, Ullrich and T-Mobile, Fan behaviour, The supporting actors, The power of a team, The anti-Lance attitude at Tour 2004: A French view, TdF blood bath, TdF 2004 ITT profile, Tour Favourites, Most inspiring ride of the Tour, Postal for la Vuelta? Poor prize money, LAF Bands CSC tactics, A Legend
- July 30 letters - Adam Bergman, Greg LeMond's comments, Drugs in cycling, Doping reporting, David Millar, Museeuw and getting doored
- July 23 Tour letters - Most inspiring ride of the Tour, Fan behaviour, Le Grand Bornard, The power of a team, Scott's diary, Sandbagging, A sad day for Hamilton, CSC tactics, Rabobank tactics, Mountains, TdF blood bath, Ullrich and T-Mobile, LAF Bands, Virenque's nationalism, Robbie McEwen and sprinters
- July 23 letters - Greg LeMond's comments, Christophe Brandt, Drugs in cycling, McConneloug's Omission, Local Report of the Year, David Millar, Museeuw and getting doored, Hardie articles
- July 16 Tour letters - The TdF saved my life, A sad day for Hamilton, T-Mobile's choices, LAF Bands, Mario Cipollini vs. Jaan Kirsipuu, Playing by the rules of the game, Robbie McEwen and sprinters, Ullrich v. Riis, Stage 3, Stage 4 TTT, Stage 5 - 12 minutes?
- July 16 letters - Greg LeMond's comments, Drugs in cycling, Museeuw and getting doored, Human evolution and cycling, David Millar, The French affair, Why thank Lance?, Canadian TV
- July 9 letters - Drugs in cycling, David Millar, Cadel Evans, John Lieswyn, Human evolution and cycling, Museeuw and traffic, Canadian TV
- July 9 Tour letters - Stage 5 - 12 minutes?, Stage 4 - The team time trial & those rules..., Stage 3 - Should the leaders have waited?, Jan Ullrich / Lance Armstrong
- July 2 letters - Tour de France: Result already known, Stive Vermaut, Disappointment, David Millar, Cadel Evans, Open letter to the World and Canadian TV Executives, Human evolution and cycling, The Mark French affair, Drugs in cycling, TdF heroes, Tour Contenders, Museeuw & traffic, Jan Ullrich / Lance Armstrong, The battle for the commentary podium, Green jersey dog fight, Why thank Lance?
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