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Here's another article by a former pro cyclist on the subject. Sorry, TampaDude, but I don't really think you qualify as an expert on this subject.

Questions about testosterone patches

By Matt DeCanio

This report filed July 28,2006

Lately everyone has been hearing a lot about testosterone patches and how they are only effective after 48 hours. I am here to tell you that you feel the effects of a testosterone patch immediately. When I used to use mine on a hundred mile training ride I could average probably 3-4 mph faster and do VO2 intervals during the last hour for 30 minutes or more.

To say that you would not immediately feel the effects of a testosterone patch is completely wrong. I just don't see why you would be stupid enough to risk taking it during a race because it takes a couple of days to get it out of your system.

I believe Floyd Landis will fail his "B" sample because his epitestosterone levels were very low and to my understanding his testosterone levels were not abnormally high but it threw off his ratios causing him to go positive.

I think the important thing to gather from all of this is that there is not enough anti-doping education being offered by USA Cycling. It should be manditory that all elite racers go through courses and learn how to race at safe levels and avoid performance-enhancing drug use. As of now USA Cycling is doing nothing of the sort and they are lying to every cyclist in America when they say doping is under control. I suggest that USADA go to a few local races and test racers in every town. We need to put pressure on at the grass roots level so these riders never make it to the pro level.

I feel the doping control in America is now far worse than in Europe and it stems from the fact that the USOC funds the United States Anti-Dopinng Agency. I also feel the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team and Thomas Weisel secretly support performance-enhancing drug abuse based on how they handled the Lance Armstrong case.

I have heard from numerous division one professionals now that Landis has doped in the past so maybe it is just bad karma catching up to him now? The universe has a funny way of giving you exactly what you deserve. Speaking from experience I can honestly say taking performance-enhancing drugs ruined a big portion of my life and I barely recovered. Keeping it real is where you will find the true happiness in your life.

To say that you would not immediately feel the effects of a testosterone patch is completely wrong. I just don't see why you would be stupid enough to risk taking it during a race because it takes a couple of days to get it out of your system.

Guess Landis used a "magic" testosterone patch, then...all his tests after Stage 17 were clean. Sorry, dude...that dog don't hunt.

Not that I am an expert or anything, but I do have some experience with this subject. It all depends on the ESTER of testosterone that was used. Most users like the longer duration esters (decanoate) that last for many weeks in the body. Those dont have a significant immediate effect. There ARE short duration testosterones that might have a quicker effect. Then there are testosterone ester blends, which combined different ones that give a quick boost plus a long duration effect as well.

All I will say is the experience I've had with monitoring some folks taking this stuff, is that there was no immediate effect. But who knows, maybe they have some super duper quick acting stuff these days