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The Mailbag - On choices, wrenches, money and helmets

Published: Jan. 2, 2009

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Doesn't agree with our choice
Hey Velo,
Choosing Garmin/Chipotle over HighRoad/Columbia for best U.S. Men's Team?

Please! Team Columbia won more races than anyone in the world this year. Garmin had one decent win at the Giro, the longest Felt bike toss and fifth place in a watered down Tour. At least you got the North American Cyclists of the Year right.
Michael Giunta
Simsbury, Connecticut

Fair enough. The choices reflected in our annual awards issue represent a tally of votes from VeloNews editors and contributors. We often end up with choices that leave readers scratching their heads. We like the Garmin pick, but there were plenty of Columbia supporters at that meeting, too. The real pleasure was that we actually had a choice this year. On another note, not to pick nits, Michael, but Christian Vande Velde earned fourth place at that "watered down Tour." - Editor

A wrenching experience
Lennard,
Thanks for the torque wrench info. I've just added one to my tool shed and now I know how to store it.

All my other tools (all my other rusty tools) wish I had listened to you sooner.

My best to you, hope all is well.
Greg Moody
Denver, Colorado

Explain this, Mr. Explainer
Dear Velo,
I am a big fan of your new "Explainer" column, but in discussing the question of salary, Mr. Pelkey somewhat missed the core issue, namely how the hell women riders can be paid that poorly in the first place.

A $5000-a-year "salary" is an affront to decency, whether it is for a man or a woman, but it seems to me that women are far more frequent victims of this type of exploitation. Why is it that women are paid equally in tennis, for example, and women in cycling are paid less than they could get if they were wearing a paper hat and asking if someone "would like fries with that?"
John Kirschner
Tallahassee, Florida

We'd have to agree, John. While cycling is certainly not the only sport in which there exists a huge gender-based disparity (ask any member of the WNBA, if you doubt that), it's still significant enough to raise questions. That said, there are an awful lot of male "professionals" out there who get paid even less than $5000/year, some of them do it for no compensation other than cheap travel, a bike and kit. The sport, in general, is not well-paid when you look beyond the upper tier and women are the first victims of that in cycling. - Editor

What about safety?
VeloNews,
Shame on you for showing rider with no helmet. (see "Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske - The 1-mile solution.")
Rick Hermes
Vail, Colorado

Fair enough, Rick. Whatever you do, don't blame Bob Mionske for that one. It was our oft-harried early morning editor who scored that picture from our files. Apparently, he was more impressed with the image of a rider passing a gas station than he was with the question of safety. We will let him know to watch out for that sort of thing and whack him over his (helmet-clad) head with a ruler if he does it again. - Editor

Poll suggestion
Editors,
Here's an idea for your VeloPoll:

How much money do you think you will spend on maintenance and upgrades to your bike fleet in 2009?
1. Over $2500
2. Over $1000
3. Over $250
4. Brother, can you spare a worn cogset?
Khalil Spencer
Los Alamos, New Mexico

Sad, but true, Khalil. - Editor