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.

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Thompson, Twain, Mencken and . . . O’Grady?
Editor:
I thoroughly enjoy O'Grady's foaming rants. One of the reasons I subscribe to VeloNews is that he's in it. A touch of Hunter S. and a hint of Twain, shades of Mencken, riding a 1970 Raleigh Pro.

Dave Evans
Madison, Wisconsin

We suspect that the only reason that all three of these writers are not spinning in their respective graves at the thought of being compared to O’Grady is that one of them is still alive. – Editor

Rambling tirades, incoherent preaching . . . sound familiar?
Editor:
O’Grady’s article got me reminiscing about my undergrad days at the University of Arizona. Tucson was fortunate to be the home of one Yeshua 666 Israel (legally his name). Mr. 666 Israel had his name tattooed across his forehead in a manner very similar to O’Grady’s picture.

Yeshua was nice enough to regale the student body with rambling tirades of incoherent preaching on the main mall of the university. He was a favorite of the students and would always draw large crowds of hecklers. It was never clear if he realized they were there to deride him or whether he thought they were actually listening.

The really sad thing was that Yeshua would bring along his daughters, who would stand behind their father during his “sermons” and give him the finger. And you thought your family was messed up.

Hey – does O’Grady have any kids?

Russ Cork
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Not that he can recall, Russ. But O’Grady did live in Tucson briefly, while working as a copy editor for The Arizona Daily Star. Say, you don’t suppose . . . – Editor

Slightly deranged, nicely done
Editor:
Nicely done by our favorite slightly deranged columnist. I think the sarcasm and satire is going right over the head of most people reading it. Pat has highlighted the idiocy involved in his usual understated manner, but is once again right on the money.

Bill Crowther
Northampton, Massachusetts

Short of brilliance, but it’ll do
Editor:
Brilliant? Probably not. But pretty darned good.

Add back a column by Bob Roll and the magazine would be better. Wouldn't mind Maynard Hershon, either, even though he gets a bit corny. Then again, I see no one else has tried his hand at 18 “At the Back” columns a year, either.

O'Grady is fine. The closer to the truth the rant is, the more it edges toward brilliance.

Martin Greer
San Jose, California

The opinions can be a bit goofy, but the writing’s good
Editor:
I gotta give him credit this time. Although I often disagree with O’Grady’s opinions, I have to say he is a very good writer. I greatly enjoy his satirical writings (although being at the expense of the magazine can’t be good for his job path). Keep them coming. Great stuff.

Tim Root
Bloomington, Indiana

He's been with the magazine since 1989, Tim, and we've kind of gotten used to having him around. He grows on you. Like a rash, or maybe a fungus. – Editor

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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.