Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128384
"Let's show the world we can be rabid race fans just like them." letters 10 the editor should be sent 10 Vokes, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Costa Meso, CA 92628-5084; faxed to 714-751-6685 Of emoiled 10 edilori:lcyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cycle News, Inc. leiters should not exceed 200 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _......_ ...... words, and all ore subject 10 editing_ Anonymous letters will nol be considered for publication, All leiters should contain the writer's nome, address and daytime phone number... Editor. MotoGP Tips I just got home from the MotoGP at Catalunya and have to say that was one of the most exciting motorcycle races I've ever been to. The 100,OOO-plus fans at the race in Spain were at a fever pitch all weekend, and it didn't hurt that Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau battled all the way to the finish. Now I just can't wait until the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. Anyone attending who has never seen one of these races live is going to be totally blown away by how much more exciting it is live than watching on TV The speeds, the acceleration, the sounds are all much more extreme than you would imagine. It's been awhile since America has had a motorcycle road race weekend that truly has a main event, but this will be it. No question in my mind. Buckle up, this is real racing. To better enjoy the race, I would like to offer a few tips: I. Anticipate long lines for everything; hopefully, it will be better than you think. Be patient and know that the bigger the crowd, the better the chances are that America will have a permanent spot on the MotoGP calendar. 2. Bring ear plugs for sure, then enjoy the awesome sounds of the biggest and baddest road race machines of all time. These things will give you goose bumps when you hear them live. 3. When you hear some people say the MotoGP bikes are too loud, remind them this isn't a trade show, this is racing at the top level of the sport. Streetbikes need mufflers. MotoGP bikes don't. 4. Don't make the mistake of not watching every session of MotoGP action. Practice sessions can be just as exciting as the race. There will be 10 or IS riders on the same second with lap times, and every lap they are on the clock for a starting position. S. Bring your air horns, flags, banners and team colors just like the fans in Europe do. Let's show the world we can be rabid race fans just like them. P.S. I'll be one of the many riders of the past that has been invited by Yamaha to participate in their 50th anniversary Yamaha Weekend of Champions. I hope to see you at the Yamaha tent in the infield. This will be an autograph opportunity like you've never seen. Don Emde Loguno Niguel, CA The Clear Creek Mess While I sympathize with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) desire to protect the public and reduce visitor risk, I disagree with the decision to close the Clear Creek Management Area for the concerns delineated in "Clear Creek Management Area Seasonal Use Restriction," EA-CA-190-052 I. While there are many reasons to disagree with this decision, the primary objection is that the decision is based on inaccurate information. Section II of that report delineates two reasons as the "need for the action:" I. Need to protect public from hazardous asbestos. 2. EPA Risk Assessment indicates higher than previously thought. The explanations prOVided with those reasons lack merit because they are based have they demonstrated chrysotile etiology. Certainly, people sympathize with the need to reduce risk and protect the public. There is also recognition that the government needs to avoid future litigation based on negligence. However, it is well established that Calidria chrysotile risk is extremely low. Decisions to close the People's land should be based on sound reasoning andlor good scientific data and its proper interpretation. This is even more critical in light of public land access becoming increasingly on inaccurate assumptions: Additionally, in view of current litigation involving the Clear Creek Management Area, it would be prudent to maintain the status quo rather than cause the public to construe this decision as favoring one interest over another. Please reconsider your decision and reopen the People's land. Roy Iddings via the Internet I. There is no scientific evidence demonstrating chrysotile etiology. In fact, the most recent study, conducted specifically with Calidria chrysotile, demonstrates that chrysotile "fiber is not associated with lung disease" (Bernstein). 2. The EPA Technical Memorandum, "Human Risk Assessment - Asbestos Air Sampling Clear Creek Management Area, California, September 15, 2004," fails to differentiate between serpentine and amphibole asbestos, thus assuming pathology for all asbestos. While pathology for amphibole asbestos is reasonably documented, no evidence exists for chrysotile etiology. 3. The "Risk Assessment" contains a statement that reads: "The studies indicate a higher risk to people from exposure to airborne asbestos in CCMA than EPA and BLM had previously thought." This statement is inaccurate because there is no evidence demonstrating "a higher risk to people from exposure to airborne asbestos in CCMA." In fact, the evidence regarding people exposed to airborne asbestos (chrysotile) in CCMA demonstrates that there is no risk (Holmes). 4. The EPA IRIS database inclusion for asbestos, '~bestos (CASRN 1332-21-4)," only references chrysotile studies that included amphibole asbestos and other carcinogens. Such studies are inconclusive (as each admits) because they include amphibole asbestos and other carcinogens. Several of the referenced studies are even more inconclusive because they include smokers as well. Conclusions based on guilt-by-association are structured on fallible logic. The EPA references avoid Calidria chrysotile, which is proven tremolite free. 5. Previous scientific studies demonstrate that there is no abnormal risk to humans associated with chrysotile exposure in CCMA. It is also well established that chrysotile from the CCMA region is free of amphibole asbestos (ligren). 6. Neither the EPA nor BLM have demonstrated adequate evidence for risk associated with Calidria chrysotile, nor restrictive. This letter was written to the Bureau of Land Manogement. Iddings a/sa hos a website at www.picacha.arg... Editar Not Stoked on MX TV You guys keep printing these feel-good letters about how good seeing motocross on TV is, so how about printing this. Sorry, Dave Martinez [Issue #23], but I for one think the races should be seen (hold on to your hat for this) the same day, live ... with David Bailey. I don't know were you live Mr. Martinez but here in Phoenix, Arizona, the OLN network is a premium channel, and it's going to cost me $15 extra per month, and I have to wait a week and a half to see it. And I only get to see half the races and wait another three or four days to watch the 125s. All I am saying is I shouldn't have to pay extra to see it. Sorry to say, but it's all about money. Now I just log on, listen and watch lap times for free and in real time. It's new and needs work, but its better than OLN. Rob Seeley vio the Internet 950 Supermoto Fan I really enjoyed your piece on the new KTM 950 Supermoto. I have a friend that has a KTM dealership in San Francisco - Scuderia West - and he has been telling me for a while that the Adventurer is a blast to ride. I can only imagine that the smaller wheels and "street" rubber would make the Supermoto even that much more fun! Thanks for the inspiration to try something new. Kent Sheldon via the Internet CYCLE NEWS • JUNE 29, 2005 5