The Mail Bag 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.

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How about amnesty followed by lifetime bans?
Editor:
While it may never be possible to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing illegal substances in sports in general, and cycling in particular, perhaps we need a clean start.

Anyone who confesses that he or she has used banned substances will be granted immunity during a 90-day amnesty period. Thereafter, anyone found using banned substances will have a lifetime ban imposed upon them.

Bob Ayres
El Cajon, California

Docking teams for suspended riders is great idea
Editor:
Hear, hear, to B. Jones from Texas (see Tuesday’s mailbag: “Dope suspensions should trim teams’ rosters”) for one of the best ideas to come along in a while. Dock teams one starting spot for each suspended rider on their rosters. I really think this would provide enough incentive for the teams to monitor their riders more thoroughly.

By the way, did no one else suspect Tyler and his Phonak team after their string of phenomenal results this year? And what gives with all these guys suffering gastrointestinal viruses? There are more obvious symptoms of the problem right there in front of our noses but everyone would rather live in denial than confront the issue.

Tyler needs to write an exposé book about cycling more than he needs to race his bike.

Mike Trecker
Aspen, Colorado

How serious do we want to get?
Editor:
It seems to me that until the stakes are too high, doping will continue apace. If the consequences are unbearable (lifetime ban plus team suspension), perhaps this is where it will start to stop.

But let's face it: Is it in anyone's interest to find Lance Armstrong guilty? Too much rides on his being the ambassador of the sport. I hope Tyler Hamilton is not the U.S. fall guy, as it appears the sport is rife with abuse.

Caitlin Hawke
New York City

Underwear rules are really quite simple
Editor:
I am not sure this belongs in the your mailbag, but in case Mr. Martin hasn't noticed, most of the underwear students wear is noticeable (see Tuesday’s mailbag: “Who checks for underwear violations?”). The rules are simple: No jewelry, and if underwear is visible (bras, tights or shorts) all members of the team will wear the same colors. Aren't the rules the same for cycling with the exception of world championship or U.S. championship jerseys?

Randall Hanks
Cross-country coach
Kingman, Arizona

Gosh, Randall, we really can’t remember anymore, it’s been so long since we wrote about a rule violation other than doping. Maybe Mario Cipollini could answer that question.— Editor

Rules are rules, even the silly ones
Editor:
Where is Mad Dog OGrady when you need him? LiveStrong bracelets being banned, bra colors being regulated, the uproar over Tyler. Cross country running seems to have stricter regulations than cycling. We need Mad Dog to set us right.

In all seriousness, my son plays high school football with his LiveStrong bracelet on. A little tape hides it from view. Hope they don't have to forfeit all the games his team has won if they ever found this out. Even having to cover a plastic bracelet is a little overboard, in my opinion, but rules are rules, I guess.

Scott Bombard
AuSable Forks, New York

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The Mail Bag 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.