RICHARD SACHS 'CROSS REFERENCE©™®

24, November 2009

Greetings -

This past weekend the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team took the Cross Sound ferry to Southampton, New York
for a pair of UCI C2 events that also were part of the North American Cyclocross Trophy series. It was one of the
last road trips for the group before we depart for the National Championships in Oregon in two weeks time. For
us as a group, the racing went exceptionally well. While Dan and Will were taking time off to regroup for the Natz,
Josh, Pookums, and I were there representing. In the Elite Men's races, Josh finished 11th and 13th for the two
days, Pookums was 2nd and 1st in his 35+ Masters races, and I won both days in the 55+ Masters event. It was
a very good weekend for all of us to show our fitness and to ensure and triple check that all of the components are
working well and rolling fast atmo.

Our pal, Anthony Skorochod, was the official pic shooter for the weekend, and here is a small sampling of some of
the images from day one. Rather than link them all, I'll paste in the pages and let you surf around, and I'll also mention
some of my favorites. Have a look here first:
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721838207_fm6QL
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721849382_RXdc5
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721876342_FgUqh
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721875128_EB8Ny
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721908398_T2gmL
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721916970_GhQxX

And here are some of the real keepers:
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721849382_RXdc5-XL-LB
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721876342_FgUqh-XL-LB
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721916463_PtSP6-XL-LB
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/2009-Cycling-Season/Cyclocross/Whitmores-Masters35-55-CAT4/10415010_9GKE7#721907618_ToUxH-XL-LB

Also of note, sponsor-wise, are these updated online efforts of RS 'Cross Team wheel supplier, Cole Products, as well
as the blog from our benefactors at House Industries in Delaware. Click through for the details:
http://twitter.com/cole_wheels
http://www.houseind.com/showandtell/2009/11/23/TopDog

I am also very pleased to send along a link to a ranking system I had no idea even existed until this past weekend.
Somehow, some way, using math, alchemy, and a measure of a man's handsome-meter, the cats at USA Cycling
have a page devoted to all Master racers and how they stack up with all others as well as within the very age group
they compete with. Much to my delight, of all cats 30 years and older, I am presently sitting in 5th place nationally:
https://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=M&state=&org=road&disc=cx&cat=MR&msj=mr&agemin=30&agemax=99
And if I bracket only the age group I race against week in and week out, I am in the lead position:
https://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=M&state=&org=road&disc=cx&cat=MR&msj=mr&agemin=55&agemax=59

I attribute all of it, including my 5 (FIVE) wins since mid-October, to my Cole T38 wheels atmo. Yowza. Thanks to
Jack, Tom, and all the folks that have hooked us up with the best wheels ever atmo.

I must run, and before I do, I'll paste in texts from Matt and Josh. Both riders had fantastic seasons to date and are
great team mates, pals, and excellent road trip partners. Along with Dan, Will, and also Deb, Sam, and Tali, we all
have had a magical time in 2009. There's at least another month of representing, making memories, and turning hole
shots into podium places. We'll take all of you who follow us along for the ride.

From Pookums -
Another more than solid weekend in the merry memory making machine of our cabal of closeness. While a full team roster
would have enhanced the ordeal, the Hamptons always delivers. Saturday night Josh, myself, my wife Tali and her friend
Sascha stayed at her parents house in Hampton Bays and were treated to a killer meal and night of high amusement. For
those of you who have not been to Myle's race, its kinda like the Steely Dan of the cx circuit, the racers race. I told my wife,
who has been to about 4 races, to expect a quiet race. There are not a ton of spectators, and those who come are usually
associated with a racer so the racing and not the spectacle is what defines the race. I was on good stride to race well, nabbing
a 2nd then a 1st! I feel like my machine is plugging away nicely, but also feeling the wear of the season, which is usual for this
time of year and hark these words! racers should tread lightly. At this point its easy to overcook yourself, overuse a tubi glue
job done in Sept or over shift a stiffened housing. We're nearing natz and the end of season hopes and goals start to become
more than small blips on the horizon. The volume increases and soon you need shades to protect yourself from the hype. The
next two weekends are no different than the last 10, but somehow fitness and performance takes on greater meaning as indicators.
As we embark on the latter chapter to this season, I only want to add how much freaking fun I am having this go around and to
thank our army of team contributors for their gelt, shekels and high end tchotchkes all of which have carried my red sleigh effortlessly
through the fog of this season, Rudolph need not apply, we're set.

From Josh -
One name notably absent from the results sheet this season, but every bit as vital to the team results week in and week out, is our
very own Deb...or TLD since we specialize in acronyms atmo. The lovely Deb, aka ABD on game day, is kicking ass and taking
names like it is nobody's business...that's because she is All Business. She's all business Deb, especially in the pits. Reference exhibit A:
http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/688116108_zNYT7-XL.jpg
Killing it. That is a GREAT picture...but it is only one snapshot of her efforts. She has been there all year, delivering the goods each and
every time, like a true professional. We, the riders, could not do what we do without her. And for that I am ultra grateful. Since we are giving
SO shout outs Samantha [aka DT's (aka the wolfman's brother) #1 fan] has been a pleasure to travel with this cx season. She specializes
in the amazing disappearing and reappearing warm-up clothing...I take off my warm-ups at the start line, and they reappear at the finish line
when i get there. Amazing. Not too mention the incredible apple crisp and apple butta (sic per Sam). Watch out Martha. And speaking of
phenomenal eats, Tali (aka MK's #1 fan) made the most delicious salmon dinner this past weekend. It was so good i ate myself to the state
of fullness i thought was only possible on Thanksgiving Day.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday atmo.

e-RICHIE

18, November 2009

Greetings -

Wow it's almost Thursday and I am only now getting to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's routine
shameless update. Apologies in advance are in place, because I suspect this missive will be chock (or is
it chocked) full of links and links to other links. Does that make the latter links-in-law atmo? Dunno. As
has been the case since the late summer, the team had another successful race weekend at the USGP
of Cyclocross held in Mercer County Park down in the Garden State. There have been SO many articles
and image pages generated from those two days of racing that I'd spend days culling them for this email.
So, in inimitable fashion, I'll stick with only the stuff that's what I think of as me-centric.

Before I go to the links, I must add that my term of unemployment is nearing an end. Well, it may not truly
be unemployment, but the move north to Franklin County and all that's been entailed with getting a new studio
dialed in - all of this has contributed to quite a long spell of inactivity for me as a framebuilder. I'd imagine, based
on the progress going on here at the property, that the studio will be done and move-in-able in another four weeks.
Once inside, it's a crap shoot as to whether I am working in a day or in another several weeks hence. This will be
my fifth studio space since 1976 and the only one in which I am the original tenant. The footprint of the building is
22' by 30' and the peaked roof allows for a 15' cathedral ceiling on one half with a loft/storage space on the other.
I have been trying to document the progress and sending the images to Flickr. Click here XOXOXOX and see all
of the pics loaded newest to oldest.

Regarding the races this weekend, I was able to spend my couch time on Monday looking for the best pictures a
the nicest cats on the 'cross circuit, riding the most awesomeness awesomed bicycles imagined by anyone using
a label gun. To that end, I have compiled TWO seperate picture link dumps that show ALL of the images I could
find of anything remotely RS 'Cross Team related from this past Saturday and Sunday. Got two weeks to live?
Scroll through the links on these two links and it will seem like two years. Here are the critical 1s and 0s to either
impress you or just bore you out of 'cross completely. Click here XOXOXOX and here XOXOXOX to see hotness
from the lenses of the East's best shooters. Lastly (not), if you want to see my own G10's batch of Poloroids from
this weekend, please click here XOXOXOX .

So how did the racing go, you ask? It went swell. We were rawesome (the R is silent atmo). The results speak for
themselves: Dan Timmerman had a most excellent finish on Sunday with an eighth place in the Elite Division. Matt
Pookums Kraus with one S double podiumed in the Masters 35+ races with a second and third respectivley, and I,
Mister Sullen Gameface himself, got the hat trick and won both days in the 55+ events. We are superior atmo.

But results are never the raison d'etre (that's french for reason d'etre) for the RS 'Cross Team. Our goal is to represent
well, make memories, and - what was that other one? - to help one another achieve personal goes yada yada, blah, blah.
We covered all these bases in spades this weekend atmo. The success of our race weekend in Mercer County was very
heavily tethered to the fine relationships we have with each other and with the many who support the team. For me, the
closest and biggest support comes from my wife, a.k.a. The Lovely Deb. TLD has the dubious honor of being a Scorpio,
and that means every few years her birthday falls smack dab on a race weekend. This was one of those weekends. Deb
accompanies me to all the race venues and selflessly assists all the riders in prep, energy work, and also is ground zero
at the pits for every race. No one parts a crowd at a 'cross race, especially in the pits, like TLD. She is deserving of more
love and gratitude than any man can possibly express, but I (as well as my team mates) am here to acknowledge that none
of this would work as well, as smoothly, and for as long as it has, without Deb being there for me and for all of us atmo.

And speaking of successful relationships and enjoyable weekends, I want to make a special shout out to some from among
our sponsorship ranks who appeared at the USGP and made the weekend real special like! First props go to the Fat Men.
As a group, these cats are a big macher (Yiddish - look it up, huh) among the RS 'Cross Team's support system. The men
were out in force on Sunday and it was a pleasure to see them and share the good times. Here's a group shot of us XOXOXOX .
Data point: not all are men, and no one is fat. Go figure.

Also deserving major league mention here is Joel Ankey from our primary sponsor, RGM Watch Company in Mount Joy,
Pennsylvania. Joel spent both days at the venue, racing first thing each morning, and thereafter for the remainder of both days,
was there helping all of us get ready for our events and working the pits for me, Pookums, Dan, and Josh and giving TLD the
extra hands and legs needed to ensure the racing went without any gaffes. Here's a pic of Joel at day's end, relaxing after
giving us his all. Click XOXOXOX . Forza, Joel, and many thanks for your tireless effort and companionship this weekend.

I'll close this text by mentioning that another sponsor was present on Sunday, a sponsor named William Threadgill. Bill has
been one of the behind-the-scenes cats for the past few seasons and, while he doesn't come to us to promote a brand or to
command space on the team clothing, he's always there to help, and remains 100 percent interested in what we do as well
as always there to help us do it a wee bit easier. Bill's smiling face deserves its own link here, so click here XOXOXOX to
see what a real mensch (Yiddush - look it up, huh) looks like. Bill was so kind enough to also sponsor this past Sunday's
gourmet buffet. It was a feast that would turn any Giants Stadium tailgate-er green with envy. Yum atmo XOXOXOX . I
asked Bill to reflect on his day with the RS 'Cross Team and he was more than kind enough to send these words -

Richard,
It was a treat to spend time with the team and be a part of the RSCT Spéciale Service Course (which, as you might say, is French
for “Special Service Course”) for the day. It was also a pleasure to finally meet The Lovely and Tireless and Ever-cheerful Deb. Having
watched the Mercer Cup as a spectator for the last two years, the perspective this year was very different. It’s amazing what a major
effort it is to get everything to run smoothly weekend after weekend - from the logistics and equipment, down to the littlest details.
Granted, working in the pits on Sunday was a bit like being a Maytag repairman compared to Saturday (when riders were pitting twice
each lap), but it was still exciting. It was also gratifying to do my small part to help the team. But the most exciting and gratifying part
was watching the guys killing it - you could tell that they were able to focus completely on the race and left everything out on the course,
and that is a beautiful thing. Chapeau to all!
Regards,
Bill T.

Thanks to all of our sponsors, supporters, and friends. This past weekend is officially in the books. If you made it this far
down the email, I'm here to say it's over. Glee starts in seven minutes and I am not missing this week's episode.

All my best -

e-RICHIE

10, November 2009

Greetings -

Wow. WOW. What a weekend of racing was had by the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team atmo. We all were in
Northampton, Massachusetts for both days and competed in the 19th annual Cycle-Smart International UCI C2 event.
These guys, Pookums, Will, Dan, and Josh can all be relabeled - and tenacious is the word that best applies. All of
us had top 10 finishes both days (me - or is it myself - as well...), but the manner in which these cats attacked the
courses and their fellow competitors was high art. To paraphrase some text from Josh below, if the season ended
Sunday, we'd owe nothing to no one atmo! All of the men left a mark, and the people who watched the races, as
well as those who rubbed elbows with us, all took note of our tenacity.

In the 35+ Masters races, Pookums was 3rd on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday. Both days saw Matt riding off the front of
the field and finishing in a small group of four or so. A double podium weekend for Matt Kraus with one S. In the 55+ Masters
races, I had my worst finish of 2009 on Saturday with a disappointing (atmo) 9th place. I was sitting in 3rd place overall in
the Verge Points Series and knew that spot was in jeopardy so I did all I could to put in a great race on Sunday. Despite
wanting more, I'll take the 6th place I ended with because I know I had nothing left to give. My overall is now at 4th in the
age group and I have a two weekend gap before the next series races.

In the Elite Category, Will Dugan, Josh Dillon, and Dan Timmerman animated the racing for 60 minutes on both days. Du had
great finishes of 7th and 6th respectively. Josh was 14th on Saturday and then 4th Sunday. Dan was 3rd Saturday with a 7th
on Sunday. Those results are not truly telling of the efforts put in my these cats. I asked Josh to write about the weekend and
his words will speak to this, but let me please leak some of the important material. Within 50 yards of the start on Saturday,
Josh snapped a chain. It was so early in the earliest part of the race that it happened in the first 10 seconds of the gun's blast.
Some would accept defeat. Others would take the event and make an excuse-fest out of it - woulda', coulda', shoulda'. Josh
started what may be the longest stretch in cyclocross: from the starting line to the first pit. He arguably gave all other 50 racers
a two minute (or more) head start. Shouldering a bicycle and running that much is not easy, even on the run ups we normally
get at the 'cross venues. Compounding this with the distance involved surely is a test of one's mettle. Josh ran through the pits,
dead last of course, took a bicycle change, and continued his pursuit for another 52 minutes. One by one he picked off riders
until, with a lap to go, he was nearly seeing a possible top ten finish. At the end of it all, he sprinted for 13th place and conceded
the dash to Jake Keogh. That's victory in itself atmo. In chatting about this later with Jake's brother Jesse, the sibling remarked,
"...well 'cross may be his hobby (Note: Jake is an accomplished road pro), sprinting is his job." That said it all. Josh's 14th is a
win in my book. And - AND - if lightning can't strike twice in the same place, at least it took a 24 hour hiatus. On day two, the
race, already broken down on lap 2 into what may well have been the finishing order, Dan, in a secure 2nd place for the day, hit
a pedal in a turn and fall down go boom. With a rolled tire as a result, Dan had to run to the pit and, like pal Josh a day earlier,
lost at least 30 places along the way. Dan pits, put head down, and GOES. This all happened about 18 minutes into the race.
Where would fate have Dan finish with only 40 minutes of real estate in which to pedal? Dan is leading the Verge Points Series
in the Elite Category and is cut from the same bolt of cloth as Josh (who is in 3rd). Lap by lap, Dan clawed his way back into
the race, and then into the top twenty, and then finally was sprinting for his 7th place at the end. Man, if this tenacity could be
bottled, it's sell better than Charlie did back in the 70s at a perfume counter near you.

As noted, Josh's words about the weekend, particularly Saturday:

Richard kindly asked me to write a few words on day one of the UCI double race weekend in Northampton, Massachusetts...of course, I
did not hesitate to oblige. It was, however, a unique request as compared to my previous 6 seasons of crafting race reports for my road
team [i.e. preseason atRo (sic)] where often I was the highest placed rider on the day and it was a noteworthy result, neither of which was
even close to being the case this past Saturday. I came into that particular day sitting just one point out of 2nd on the overall Verge series
standings, which Dan was leading, and just outside the top 50 in the world rankings. Clearly the best cross season I have ever had even i
f it ended today.

So then Saturday's race wrapped up with me rolling across the finish line a disappointing 14th, not even close to scoring any UCI points and
in the process coughed up a few places on the overall Verge series standings. On a day where I was looking to go head to head with a couple
of the best riders in the U.S. (and world) I was a non-factor. No one will argue that a broken chain 50 meters into the race cost me the aforementioned
level of competitiveness. I came off the line well, slotting into 4th position, stepped on the gas and...boom, race over. And it was a long ways to
the pit. Definitely the longest run I have done since college soccer days. I would guess that when I finally hopped on my pit bike, I was starting
the race with at least a 2 minute deficit, and some fully loaded legs from my unanticipated (and unwanted) jog.

Obviously, I thought about calling it a day to have fresh legs for day two of the weekend. Even once I started going and slowly picked off a couple
of riders it still seemed like a waste of time. And then I picked off a couple more. And I remembered that the season is far from over and it was
a good training opportunity. And I also recalled the one time i was taken down in a crash at the start that prevented me from continuing and how
incredibly unsatisfying that was. And I also am not a quitter. My parents have taught, and demonstrated to me, how to persevere when things don't
go your way. So I gave it hell.

At the end of the day I was 3 minutes down from the race winner (4 seconds out of 11th). Not bad, since I had to go it alone and was held up in
traffic from time to time. I also scored 14 points towards the Verge (as opposed to 0) which, combined with Sunday's 4th place ride, held my 3rd
place standing coming out of the weekend. I was definitely feeling the comeback effort during the race on Sunday, but every race weekend is two
days so it was good training and what I should be accustomed to feeling like on a Sunday race.

An awesome report atmo. Thanks to all of the riders for representing all of us so well. I label you a success story!

Here are some related links mined from the recent event and from the internet:
Dan Timmerman Speaks Part One
Dan Timmerman Speaks Part Two
Will Dugan Really Speaks Atmo
I (me, e-RICHIE) Support The Men's Cabal
Awesome Pic Link One
Awesome Pic Link Two
Awesome Pic Link Three
Awesome Pic Link Four
Awesome Pic Link Five
Awesome Pic Link Six
Awesome Pic Link Seven
Awesome Pic Link Eight
Awesome Pic Link Nine
Awesome Pic Link Ten
Awesome Pic Link Eleven

Dovetailing off of the above link-a-thon, I want to paste in a beautiful email text that Will Dugan sent over after the Noho weekend:

Salut. This one’s from me to you. Everyone, this ‘Cross season has been one to remember. To Deb’s husband who’s learning the ropes of
what it is to live in the wilderness and to Deb who’s been e-RICHIE’s professor, I must recognize their attentiveness to our team schedule,
team individuals, team equipment, team attitude, and overall team support. As I always try to say, our performance is in direct correlation with
your efforts. We are a proud team. Another twist and shout out is a must for our sponsor groups who’ve been there and stuck it out thick and
thin this season. The support this season has been BAR NONE for the RICHARD SACHS – RGM WATCHES – RADIX squadron this 2009. It’s
simply no comparison, no contest. For that we are grateful and pour our hearts out with real love every weekend.

I’m proud to say that with the help of the above-mentioned as well as Tim Johnson and Lyne Bessette who held a roof over my head into the
fall season (and helped me get rid of an old brown shoe or two when a new pair of sandals showed up in a package just for me), I have improved
to exceed my goals of this ‘Cross season. Oh darling, last year UCI points were a misery to come by and this year I feel that I’m magnifying the
race and playing integral roles into how the “race up front” unfolds. But the excitement doesn’t end. We’ve got half a season left. Mercer Cup is
around the corner and I hope to build to a crescendo in time for Nationals in Bend, OR.

The RS 'Cross Team has really made use of its talent this season from the sponsors to Richard, and the boys. Each of us have improved as riders and
I feel compelled to share with you that we are not a couple of day trippers that meet up to race each weekend to give a quick hello, goodbye and a
carol of good luck. When it’s been a hard day’s night, we are a clan, an altruistic tribe poised to catch the other when he stumbles. I can always trust
one of these guys to stand by me.

A few weeks ago a certain Lady Madonna e-RICHIE knows how to remind me of often waited on us in Freeport, ME. Though I insist that she’s not
my baby, he incessantly repeats ain’t she sweet until I capitulated to agreement. Burlington comrade of mine Josh and I wrote heart-warming notes on
our receipts (seriously they were heart-warming, but Josh still wishes she had come in through the bathroom window). We left without even a taste of
honey, but giggling nonetheless. When it came time to use the old charge card again I realized my $h!t had been helter skelter and I had to disguise
myself to retrieve that pesky plastic. See, we’ve got stories one might say there’s a place and a time for – I’ll stop now before I turn sixty-four.

The season’s been very exciting and the beat goes on. We’ll never have to sing “Don’t Let Me Down” because we know you never will.

Last order of the day is some sponsor news courtesy of Roland Murphy from RGM Watch Company in Pennsylvania. Roland's
eponymous ( I LOVE that word) firm is the title sponsor of the RS 'Cross Team and has held that position for the past 4 years.
Here are 3 key links to click through and bookmark for routine updates:
RGM on Twitter
RGM and 'Cross Atmo
RGM's Interview of Interviews

That's it - tired. Must rest.
Next weekend the men go to Trenton for the USGP of Cyclocross.
Relabel that event "grand" atmo - it surely will be!

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

4, November 2009

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team took this past weekend off, or so I thought. And then, out of the ether
I was reminded that Matt Pookums Kraus with one S made the trip to the Garden State to compete at the UCI
C2 venues in Bridgeton and then Highland Park. The great news atmo is that Pook had two excellent races finishing
7th Saturday and then getting the win on Sunday. Matt is in the 35+ Masters category and these events, particularly
the ones in the MAC region, are as difficult as there are anywhere. Here is Pookums' account for us:

The Highland Park Cx race has always been good to me. Two seasons as an elite I was able to grab that elusive first UCI
point at Thompson Park. Sunday I was the lone ranger representing. It was an awesome mud version of the race so I spent
a lot of time on the course, getting my lines down. After those practice laps I got stuck behind the junior girls lined up to
clean their bikes at the hoses, which is akin to the slow lane at the supermarket with three price checks. So I went for the
"pick off the mud with your hands" clean job and left my bike in the pit. Forty minutes later I was on the line and got the hole-shot.
Within half a lap I had taken two other guys away from the pack. By the end of lap 1 it was just me and my friend Mike Yozell.
As we approached the pit on lap 2 he asked if I was going to pit, "nope" I said. Little did he know I had no pit service so had no
plans to pit. Soon after Mike dumped it on a root and I got the gap that I extended till winning by a minute. Can I tell you how
much fun it is to win like this? Its like flying, where you get in lost in your own word of focus. I was able to enjoy the last two laps
because I knew barring any catastrophe, it was mine. People were giving me love from the sidelines all day. In the last minute of
the race I started to smile and some spectator said "yeeah, you should be smilin', its your race." That comment melted the ice
and I relaxed and enjoyed my approach to the finish. On a day when I should have pitted every lap or two, I rode the start bike all
the way out. Needless, despite the grassy mud, the equipment braked, pedaled, clipped/unclipped and rolled me (on wicked
responsive wheels) to victory. So good, I want it again.

Atmo this makes me happy. Matt's victory gives the RS 'Cross Team its 7th of the season. Most rawesome ( the R is silent).
By the way, here's what the Pookmeister looks like at speed ----> XXXX and XXXX and XXXX and XXXX and XXXX .

This coming weekend all of us will be at the Cycle-Smart International weekend of UCI C2 races held in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Please come out and relabel us with cheers and the sound of cowbells at every turn. Here's a link for race venue info -----> XXXX .

Many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

3, November 2009

Greetings -

So what really happened atmo? We (the Richard Sachs Cyclcross Team) had what best could be described as
a Code Red these past several weeks. To paraphrase Nicholson in A Few Good Men, "You have the luxury of not
knowing what I know atmo...".

The only issue here is that we ( the RS 'Cross Team) have a strong list of sponsors and suppliers who entrust us
to use and race on the equipment pool supplied. It's that simple. Not that I need to cite this or quote myself, but the
general guidelines we adhere to were reiterated in a blog entry before the race schedule even started. And - all of this
was a reiteration, and NOT words heard from me for the first time. That blog entry can be viewed here.

I have no desire to make this personal, or to posture, or to unring the bell so to speak. Since last weekend I have seen
several articles about what happened, I have been pointed to at least four forums threads about what happened, and I
have been sent links to two online film clips about what happened.

So what happened? It's simple. No one "left the team". A series of events occurred - a series that I could never have scripted,
and one that I have never encountered since I began running a team going back now several decades. On a personal note, it
saddens me that all of this surrounds the sponsors. The RS 'Cross Team has a wonderful list of industry suppliers. All who
sponsor 'cross deserve the best, and atmo the best involves a degree of loyalty, commitment, and professionalism that was
sorely lacking by one of our riders this autumn.

Here is the recent email string that regards an incident that some of us have lightheartedly relabed, ColeGate.

Read top to bottom:

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 5:35 PM, Richard Sachs wrote:
yo amy -
re the usgp races/podiums...
all the pics i sent to cole and their pr peeps were well received and they
were on their way to trying to get the usage rights for some quick promo
stuff when a light went on. someone noticed the front hub and the doubt
was cast that these were not their T-38s in the pic. what's the deal?

ps this is one fire i may not be able to put out.

EDIT STARTS HERE -

Poof - they're gone atmo. After having the email string that was pasted here live on my blog
for two days, I am deleting the texts. Why? This issue has taken on a life of its own and that
was not my intention. For being a catalyst in that, I apologize. The rest of it is simple. We (the
rider involved, the RS 'Cross Team, the sponsors, and some from among our inner circle) lived
a situation since the second week of September. As it happened, no amount of swapping out
parts, fedexing parts, discussing the salient features of parts, etc. be it over the phone, at race
venues, using face time, and - of course, via emails - no amount of dialogue was able to change
a situation that should never have been one in the first place. Our team is well organized and even
better supported. To exhibit the indifference to a sponsor that I encountered this autumn makes
me sad and I also think is bad for all parties involved. After living this for nearly seven weeks, I did
what should have been done at the front end: I issued an ultimatum (for the first time ever in my
running a team). As of a week ago, all of that became history and occurred behind closed doors.
This past Sunday night, I read an online account of what supposedly happened. I say "supposedly"
because atmo it was a one-sided text made to sugar coat what was a private arrangement. I was
okay with the story because I expected it to disappear into the ether. What happened on Monday
was that the link to the story got passed around, and the facts or half-truths contained therein became
fodder for more speculation than I felt any of us involved merited. Rather than plant a story, or go to
the press, or discuss/debate it on the various message boards now giving it a life, I decided to write
this (above) blog entry and tag on the email string that regards the issue at hand.

To mine a message board post quote that appeared a day ago, "I can see why he posted the emails.
He didn't have to give his side of the story, he gave the actual story. We all wanted to know what was
going down, and now we do." Exactly. If you read what lived here for 48 hours, you know the facts. If
you missed it, all of this becomes hearsay. I entered the fray because it was hearsay that I wanted
to counter with the truth. Having done that, I have opened wounds that rival the contretemps that started
all of this in the first place. For that I sincerely apologize atmo.

END OF STRING

19, October 2009

Greetings -

This past weekend the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team traveled to the MAC states and had a grand road
trip taking in UCI C2 races at Grenogue and Wissihickon. I have to say at the front end of this text that the
team we have representing the sponsors in 2009 is having the finest, most consistent start to a season that
I have ever been associated with. It goes without saying that the riders - Pookums, Amy, Dan, Josh, and Will,
are bonding well and helping each other achieve personal goals. The camaraderie on the road has been wonderful.
The message at this time is about the racing and the results atmo. In the Brandywine Valley, the RS 'Cross Team
had the most complete two days of racing ever. Here is a laundry list of sorts that speaks to this:

Dan Timmerman
5th Grenouge UCI C2
3rd Wissihickon UCI C2

Matt Kraus
3rd Grenouge 35+ Masters
2nd Wissihickon 35+ Masters

Josh Dillon
8th Grenouge UCI C2
6th Wissihickon UCI C2

Will Dugan
6th Grenouge UCI C2
9th Wissihickon UCI C2

Richard Sachs
1st Grenouge 55+ Masters
3rd Wissihickon 55+ Masters

Atmo there are many, MANY galleries on the net this weekend and mining the best pictures would be a task so daunting
that I am not up for it at this time. To that end, I'll paste in some links* that will allow you to find the images. Have fun...

Anthony Skorochod 1.0
Anthony Skorochod 2.0
Anthony Skorochod 3.0 (coming soon)
Anthony Skorochod 4.0 (ditto...)

Michael Kirk 1.0
Michael Kirk 2.0
Michael Kirk 3.0

Dennis Smith 1.0
Dennis Smith 2.0
Dennis Smith 3.0
Dennis Smith 4.0 (coming soon)

cyclingnews dot com 1.0
cyclingnews dot com 2.0

*Surf around and through the above links to find the RS 'Cross Team racers. Also worth spending time on are the videos
that Colt McElwaine captures on his seminal site, cyclingdirt dot org. (I love using the word seminal in a sentence).

Will 1.0
Pookums
Josh
Dan 1.0
Dan 2.0
Will 2.0

An eff-why-eye as well: I have dumped a few cool "lifestyle" pictures on a dedicated Flickr gallery. These were all from
my G10 and are fro this past weekend. have a peek - XXX .

On behalf of all of us who traveled south this past weekend, I want to extend a hearty thanks and a dozen man hugs to
Rich Roat and Ben Kiel from House Industries, our sponsor from Yorklyn, Delaware. These cats extended hospitality to us
that is unrivaled in all the years of team road trips. You two went to the well for us, it showed in spades, and we are eternally
grateful atmo. I also want to mention that Joel Ankey from the RGM Watch Company was present at the race on Sunday and
it was a treat to see him again after first meeting several years ago. Many thanks for coming, Joel!

I know there is so much more to write, yet I am weary from the driving, the 3 days away, and the ongoing routine of still getting
settled into the new empire here in Franklin County, Massachusetts. Apologies for any ommissions. Oh and ps - please buy
some of my t-shirts so we can live (sic) another week. Clickmo!

'Cross does kcufign rule atmo!

All my best.

e-RICHIE

11, October 2009

Greetings atmo -

Here's the deal - the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team had a stellar weekend of racing in Providence,
Rhode Island. The event was aptly named the Providence Cyclocross Festival. The 2 days of UCI C2
races were held concurrently with an east coast Interbike trade show. The venue was Roger Williams
Park in nearby Warwick. This was the first weekend in 2009 when all card carrying members of the team
were at the same place at the same time. For me, Richard Sachs, the energy was electric. After all the
months of planning and anticipation, to have Pookums, Will, Amy, Dan, and Josh, as well as TLD and
Sam, was a gift. We bonded, we laughed, we represented, we raced, and we killed it atmo. On both days,
we were in the race rather than "...just following wheels". I have mined 2 race reports that best tell the stories,
and have also added pic links.

Day One Report
i'm a link

Day Two Report
click me huh

Day One Women
pic one
pic one point seven
pic oh four four
pic fifty nothing
pic pi

Day One Not Women
pic up line
pic tina
pic sam's boy

Day Two Women
pic for
pic six six six
pic world peas

Day Two Not Women
pic salvation
pic team type one
pic new shoes
pic an RGM watch
pic northwave whites
pic some creativity
pic effete elitism
pic your name here

If you've read this far, I have more news and links. I've personally been on an image mining campaign for
2009 and the Flickr site where all of the piracy lives right here at this link. Note that I have formatted the
gallery so that the newer loaded pictures are at the front of the list. If you return to the page, the order
of the images will remain newest to oldest.

I also am happy to mention that Amy's blog is getting regular 'cross centric updates. As I wrote last week,
she sure can turn a phrase. Have a read here atmo. Good stuff atmo.

Lastly, our sponsor, House Industries, posted a nice account about our recent successes on their blog.
Go mental here. Speaking of successes, here's the Atmo's List from the 2 days of racing:

Amy "Dom if if you, Dom if you don't" Dombroski - third BOTH days
Dan "Vincent Bugliosi pardoned me" Timmerman - eighth and fourth, respectively
Josh "Desolation Row" Dillon - ninth and seventh, respectively
Will "Just Du It" Dugan - eighteenth and eighth, respectively
Matt "Pookums" Kraus with 1 S - seventh on Sunday
Richard "The Iceberg/Goldberg Chronicler" Sachs - seventh BOTH days

We all travel down to the MAC states his weekend for my favorite 2 days of racing of the season. On
Saturday we'll be at the DuPont estate for the UCI C2 race at Grenogue, and on Sunday we travel a
few miles north to Ludwig's Corner in Pennsylvania for the Wissihickon 'Cross, also a UCI C2.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

OH-AND-PS-ATMO

8, October 2009

Greetings -

Already it is Thursday and I am only just now catching up on last weekend's road trip to Gloucester, Massachusetts.
The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team threw its "Save the World, One 'Cross Weekend at a Time" attitude into what
is known around here as the New England World Championships and came home with some very good race results.
Before I list them, here are some links that you should know about and click through as time allows. For starters, I
have begun to compile images from this season and they live on a new Flickr gallery. Also pasted here is a link to
Amy's personal blog where she has penned two entries since the G'ster event. The girl can write atmo. Lastly, I have
mined some pic links and video links from Colt McElewaine's most excellent site, cyclingdirt dot org. These are all
fresh from the coast of Gloucester. Have a look at these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9866331@N08/sets/72157622400396701/detail/

http://amydombroski.blogspot.com/

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photos/assoc_view/380219/photo_album/225969
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photos/assoc_view/380572/photo_album/225969
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photos/assoc_view/380580/photo_album/225969
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photos/assoc_view/380586/photo_album/225969
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/photos/assoc_view/380558/photo_album/225969

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235695-nact-3-4-grand-prix-of-gloucester/203138-will-dugan-post-race-gp-gloucester-1
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235695-nact-3-4-grand-prix-of-gloucester/203016-will-duggan-post-race-gp-gloucester-1
http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235695-nact-3-4-grand-prix-of-gloucester/203131-amy-dombroski-post-race-gp-gloucester-1

Race results from the Great Brewer's Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 1
Elite Men
14 Will Dugan
20 Dan Timmerman
22 Josh Dillon
Elite Women
9 Amy Dombroski
Masters Men 55+
6 Richard Sachs

Race results from the Great Brewer's Gran Prix of Gloucester Day 2
Elite Men
7 Dan Timmerman
15 Will Dugan
19 Josh Dillon
Elite Women
6 Amy Dombroski
Masters Men 55+
5 Richard Sachs

The time just flies by around here in the new routine we have in Franklin County and already we are planning for the
trip down to Providence, Rhode Island for Providence Cyclocross Festival. Here's a link to that event:
http://www.providencecrossfest.com/

I promise to be more chatty and certainly more timely after Sunday's drive home and get a race report, some great
links, and of course - more shameless RS 'Cross Team props - into the ether by Monday.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

27, September 2009

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team had its best-ever launch by getting to the front of racing from
the word go. There is just toooo much excitement for me to contain myself, so I'll type what I can and
then make this into a bonifide (spelled wrong) link fest atmo.

Matt Pookums Kraus had the head start on his team mates and went down to the MAC races last
weekend and, after so many high-five seasons as an Elite category racer, started 2009 life in the
Masters 35+ events. The Pook rode in with a 13th in Pennsylvania and an 8th in Baltimore.

Several days later on Wednesday, Amy Dombroski began her season by racing 'Cross Vegas and
getting a 9th place. Following the event, she jetted off the Wisconsin for the first in a series of USGP
race weekends. On Saturday Amy was 4th and then was 7th the following day. Here is a good list of
links regarding The Dom's exploits and accomplishments in such a small window of time atmo:

Vegas -
cyclingnews dot com
illustrious pic number one

MadWis 1-
cyclingnews dot com
fashion spread
road test
ham sandwich atmo
velonews dot com
mouth wide open atmo

MadWis 2 -
cyclingnews dot com
so hot right now
can go to her left better than larry bird
as light as scandium atmo
velonews dot com
determination situation

And thennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn here in the East, the rest of us started our real season up in Vermont
at the UCI C2 race weekend held at Catamount Outdoor Ski Center in Williston. Wow Wow Wow. On
day one, Dan Timmerman showed the 'cross season who's boss by riding off the front before the first
lap even ended. Team mate, Josh Dillon came in a not so distant 5th. It was a remarkable site to see
these two race so well and with such confidence. As with all of the racers on the RS 'Cross Team,
most of the parcels containing all of the sponsor goods and components only just left the worldwide
headquarters several days earlier. All of the successes we garnered these past few days were on
bicycles that were anything BUT familiar to the rider. Mad props for the motivation and the horsepower.
But I digress. On dat two in Vermont, Dan repeated the victory dance with the same conviction as on
Saturday. He left the field early and rode nearly the entire 60 minutes alone, holding off the field. Late
in the race, the splits occurred and Josh, along with Will "Just Du It" Dugan, made the selection. Josh
sprinted in with Danish National Champion, Joachim Paribo, and netted a 3rd, while Will, just behind
by a few, got 6th. It was a GREAT weekend in the Green Mountains. PS in the Masters 55+ races, I
was 5th and 7th respectively. Day one was fine - I felt fast. The same can NOT be said for Sunday. I
was ready to sell my bicycle on lap two. Blah blah yada yada yada.

Green Mountain Cyclocross Weekend -
velonews dot com
comes down from the mountains
day two victory
cyclingnews dot com for day one
cyclingnews dot com for day two
saving the world, one 'cross race weekend at a time
road (rode?) to victory
josh eyeing some cherry danish
willmeister

That's it for now atmo. But - and it's a BIG BUT - if you have made it this far, I encourage you to
click on, through, read, and bookmark Amy Dombroski's blog, World Peas and Carrots. Have a
look: http://amydombroski.blogspot.com/ The most recent several entries are 'cross season
specific now that Amy has switched gears over from the long road season. Also, here is a post
race interview in two parts that followed the MadWis USGP races a few days ago:
Link-ee 1
Link-ee 2

All of us will be in Massachusetts this coming weekend for the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester.
I hope to see you there atmo.

Many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

A memo to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team on the eve of the season -

19, September 2009

Greetings Amy, Dan, Josh, Matt, and Will -

Okay, it's time atmo. After all the dancing around, sniffing each other out (meant with love, huh...), hustling,
filling up your inboxes, hustling other people, ensuring folks that we are real, doing the hustle a few more
times just to make it rain even harder (as in, getting us more stuff and more funds), after all the fantasizing,
bushitlilng online about how cool and how worthy we are, the racing begins. Pookums goes to the MAC
events this weekend, the Dom does (and conquers) 'Cross Vegas and then is off to the MadWis USGP,
and the rest of us all do Catamount UCI C2 next weekend.

I have sent out as much booty as I could and will follow up with the balance over the course of this coming
week. Thank you for bearing with me and also my repetitive emails about clothing sizes, chainrings, and
whatever else (schedules) I had here but never transcribed for posterity. Eff man, I am so scattered.

Please remember this from an earlier email, as well as from years past in case you've heard me state it before:
there is only one first reason we exist and why we go to races. That first reason is that we owe our souls to
every single sponsor, equipment provider, behind-the-scenes donor, and fans/followers/friends who support us.
We are at the races to prove a point. That point is to be ambassadors for all of those I just mentioned. (Y)our
obligation is to know everything about every company on the kits as well as about every part we use until the
season ends. We are at the venues to represent, and represent well. We (the team - you - us - the folks who
raced here before 2009) give good brand. In an era and in a climate in which teams falter, vaporize, splinter,
cease to exist, and just plain can't raise a fucking dime, we are flush. We are quite flush atmo. Data point -
we're not Radio Shack flush, but heck - I can only panhandle so much, huh. We have parts. We have a good
war chest of funds. And we have each other.

The second and third reasons we exist are interchangeable. That we have each other is a gift. The gift gives
back in spades, especially to me atmo. But our team is not just a team. This is a troupe, a cabal, a closed
society, and a family. We should bleed for each other and for 'cross. We should know how lucky we are that
our paths have crossed (no pun...) so that the next 4 plus months can be filled with opportunities that afford
us memories we'll cherish for the rest of our lives. Cue the string section. Let's each of us do what we can -
or have to - to ensure that the other 5 has a banner filled season filled with mighty fine and fun times at the
venues, at the meals, while traveling god awful miles to hotels we can't find, on start lines, and every place
we spend time with each other.

Let's also use our support system and each other to help everyone reading this have the most successful
season of racing possible. We also have personal goals, and we each have an obligation to help the others
reach those goals atmo. We are each others motivators, coaches, pit crews, and shoulders if needed. It's a
gift to be in each others lives, racing 'cross, and having the support and camaraderie that we have. Let's represent,
let's make memories, and let's race.

e-RICHIE

17, September, 2009

Greetings -

Deb and I are settling supremely nicely (sic) thank you very much into our new life as residents of Franklin County, Massachusetts
atmo. The move north has thrown a wrench or five into what was a routine, and I do expect that to continue on through the Fall months.
In the shadow of all that has changed since this past winter, one thing that remains stronger than ever is the sentiment carried by the
Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team that 'Cross Fukcing Rules Atmo. Been there, done that, so get the t shirt - XXX .

Well anyway, we start racing this weekend. Before these emails become full time reports about long weekends, podium places, and
dinners at Outback, this last one before the storm will be dedicated to writings of some of our closest pals. The first text in will be from
Matt Pookums Kraus (with one S...) while the second and third will be from two of the RS 'Cross Team's silent partners. I call these
cats silent partners because, like so many of the commercial sponsors who remain front and center in the news and on the kits, we
also have a small army (more than two, but not enough to get a minyan at the local shul) who also help raise support bar around here
and add to the team's war chest atmo. Public Broadcastings has "Viewers Like You" and we have the, er- "Silent Partners". Their
contributions to our collective efforts are every bit as appreciated and important as our title sponsors and biggest industry suppliers.
Thanks in advance to all of these behind the scenes folks.

Before I get to the texts, a word or three about Pookums. I first met Matt in 2004. At that time, he was former National Champion in
the B category (think Napa, California - the same year Jon Page aced the Elite division for us) who had already risen to the top of
the Elites and was a force to be reckoned with at any venue. Matt and I tried to work together for several years, and the opportunity
finally presented itself in 2007. By that time, Pook was almost an age-graded cat racing against full-timers, some of whom were
15 years his junior. Matt always raced at the front. I remember before we "inked" our deals, he reminded me that, despite his age,
he could confidently race and rub elbows with the big dogs (his term). For the past two seasons, Matt did just that. He got regular
call-ups at the UCI events by dint of his consistant finishes, and capped off last season by getting a second place in the Masters
35-39 age group National Championship. Now in his third year on a red bike, I look forward to seeing Pookums race each weekend
starting this Saturday. His words, as well as those of two from our support system, follow.

From Matt Pookums Kraus (with one S...)
This is my third season with the bestest most cool racing team (club) and my 9th season racing the only sport that REALLY counts.
I'm excited to see the new energy and talent en la famiglia. I had a racing light summer, getting married to Tali in June follwed by an
amazing two week honeybreak in Israel. Since the end of June, I've managed to train well and get in about 6 races. Not as much as
in prior years but fitting considering all that went down.

Between 03 and 08 I have been racing elites, and trying my a** off to get better, faster and improve year to year. I was amazed how
well my body responded to healthy safe training and nabbed some spongeworthy results along the way. However, sometime last season
I began to recognize that I no longer had that extra spark (motivation, will, heart, desire) needed to continue to improve on the top level.
Being able to name the 30 guys in the country who are better than you is an honor in itself. But you can imagine the work it takes to
improve more than them. Much training effort only lets you "keep up with the Joneses." For many seasons this was very motivating, but
at the end of last season, after what I considered a string of frustrating results, I realized that my time as a full time elite was coming to
a close. I was no longer able to close that gap.

Deciding to race in the AARP leagues initially felt like a tough choice for me even though I knew it was the right thing to do. After pouring
myself into the elites for 6 seasons, moving on to Masters racing initially felt like a letdown...like letting go of a dream and getting demoted
to the minors. I began to think about reality, took stock of what I accomplished as an elite and slowly thawed to the idea. But then I remembered
all the fun I used to have throwing punches at the front of the race. I thought about the inner dialogue all athletes face when things are not matching
up with self-expectations. I recognized this step was the right thing to do, and important for me to continue enjoying the sport I love the mostest.

So where does that leave me now? On the best fckuing team ever, racing in the Masters 35+, extremely happy in my life and motivated to nail
down as many podiums as I can. I am looking forward to making my mark on a new field and getting to watch the elites do battle. To me, that
feels like the right place to be and I am looking forward to this season with a wisecracking hungry smile and two eager 37 year old legs.

Oh, did I mention how much fun it will be to be albe to throw punches to the front group again?

From Grant M. (in The Great White North)
Having been a fan and follower of his work for many years, like a lot of you, I've seen the magazine covers, heard the industry accolades,
and encountered the reputation as a passionate individual (...not to mention style icon), so it's truly amazing to me that I now proudly call
Richard Sachs my friend.

Richard's passion for cyclocross is incredible. It's intense. It's illegal is several states I'm quite sure. Let's not kid around here, 'cross is
serious stuff - it feels like life and death kind of stuff. It's the stuff that gives otherwise plain little lives purpose. it helps defines us.It's also
infectious, like some kind of crazy virus that lives in the dirt and grabs hold of you and won't wash off.

For Richard to have this outlet to share his passion with others is a gift for many. The spirit of the team he has built, with it's fun and it's
hard work, the joy and the suffering is a also a gift. To share with the team just a little in that love, and be, in a very small way, part of this
nutty collaboration is a gift from Richard to me. So thanks to you, atmo, and all the team!

From Tom E. (in The Big Apple)
Why do I contribute? It makes no sense, really. I know absolutely nothing about Cyclocross, I hate being cold and wet, and it drives me
nuts when there's even a hint of dirt on any of the 6 road bikes I own. So frankly, I just don't GET it. After all, I'm a New York City boy, born
and raised. I take my life in my hands by riding through traffic, put my collarbones in peril by dodging skateboarders, runners, and bladers in
Central Park (IPODS jammed into their ears) and if I can find the time, I'll ride all the way up to Bear Mountain and back. I've even joined a
racing team! So it's not that the idea of suffering on the bicycle does not resonate with me. I wear my road rash scars as badges of honor
and will happily regale anyone who asks about the surgeries I have endured to repair the damage of slippery roads, unseen potholes, and
that nasty twig that I hit on a rapid descent into Piermont, New York one lovely August afternoon a year or so ago. But that's a different kind
of suffering, and while I dutifully embrace it, I certainly don't SEEK it. So..why do I contribute? I guess it's because I DON'T get it and because
maybe, just maybe, I would LIKE to. I guess it's because I envy those who can find such joy in plowing through muddy fields with complete
abandon and total passion. I guess it's because it's been such a long time since I played in the mud...

Hey Richard - why don't we make one of those three frames I have on order with you a Cyclocross bike? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Thanks to Matt, Grant, Tom, and all who give so much to, and follow, the RS 'Cross Team. Let the racing begin atmo.

Thanks for reading,

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.73, Hastings Pond Road
Warwick, MA 01378 USA

24, August 2009

Greetings -

As I wrote in July, the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team is not my team, it's your team atmo. For many years now,
we have been able to assemble, develop, maintain, and even "graduate" some of the best 'cross racers in North America
because we have the best support system in this country. While the brand of it all is wide and crosses (sic) borders, we
are a small group of pals and athletes who share a common goal: to have fun, promote the niche, and to be zealots for
all those who help us through the months that cyclocross takes up. We have made lifelong friends and have helped draw
attention to many sponsors and industry suppliers who are the backbone of our program. Wins, podiums, and 10 National
Championship jerseys since 1997 make sweet icing on the cake.

For the 2009 season, Matt, Will, Amy, Josh, Dan, and myself (or is it me...) will soon begin the races, the road trips, the
dinners at Outbacks and all the memory making a crew can cram in between the first gun and the last lap at the Natz in
Bend, Oregon. We have been shining the light on many of the sponsors these past two months, and today I am excited
to paste in texts from RGM Watch Company and House Industries. RGM is the title sponsor of our group by dint of its
deep and consistent support going back 5 years now. House Industries has recently joined our troupe and I hope it's the
first of many years on the front of the team kits atmo.

From Roland Murphy at RGM Watches -

A continued symbiosis between RS and RGM...

Compare what is required to excel in cyclocross racing and watch making, and you might immediately recognize some notable
similarities: skill and endurance. Add to those the perspective that comes from experience and you begin to understand why RGM
Watch Co. and Richard Sachs have enjoyed great success in their specific fields of expertise. You will also see why their partnership
is a logical one.

Each company is notable for having focused on creating some of the best of their respective products available. Their success in such
endeavors has been assured by both their dedication and their experience. Also, they have an understanding of their customers desires.
Having witnessed each of their industries move away from hand-made products, Richard Sachs and RGM have carved their niche by
providing hand-built products, often customized for the individual.

The partnership forged by RS with the RGM Watch Company has been a satisfying one, blending the vision of like-minded innovators in
separate but often analogous fields. The success and growth of the venture is being enjoyed by both companies - Richard Sachs Cyclocross
Team has added new riders and new sponsors (see previous blogs) while RGM continues to develop new markets and models, including
many variations on its celebrated 801, the only mechanical movement serially produced in the United States. Also indicative of the two
companies attitude is the recent undertaking by RGM to secure local sources for many of their watch cases, reducing reliance on overseas
suppliers and renewing a market for skilled jobs in the US.

More specifically, the popularity of RGM's Richard Sachs-edition wristwatch has been an emblem of a satisfying partnership. Designed with a
special case back design, fitted red straps, and a dial featuring the intertwined RS logo, the North Pointer GMT (Reference 254) features the time,
date, and a 24-hour index with a unique red pointer. The watch combines a large, eminently readable dial with bold new hands and highly luminous
indices and its introduction has enjoyed a successful response which is a Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team.

note: see these links for more info -

http://www.rgmwatches.com/RGMSACHS.html

http://www.rgmwatches.com/254S.html

From Rich Roat at House Industries -

Soon after opening our traditional graphic design shop in 1993, we noticed that contemporary typographical emesis bounced off our retinas
like a mass-produced aluminum frame with over-inflated tubulars meeting a raised iron sewer grate. The available selections were either pushing
the wrong end of the typographic envelope or so hopelessly steeped in platitudinous traditionalism that they did not jibe with our visual message,
so we eschewed those anemic offerings to create our own visual oeuvre with pencils, pens, brushes, ink and the judicious use of bezier curves.
With the help of a few unsuspecting clients, our compositional message leveraged its way through the turbid sculls of the aesthetic establishment
to allow us to entrench ourselves in the exciting and high profile world of lettering and typography design. Since then, we have fiercely guarded our
independence while maintaining a keen eye for authenticity and a firm grip on traditional skills to provide the creative community with an ever-growing
list of glyphal treasures.

Point your browser to www.houseindustries.com for more perplexing statements about us.

Thanks, Roland, Rich, all of RGM and House, and to all who make this possible. Many are on the team kit, some are not.
We race for, and represent, all of you atmo.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

19, August 2009

Greetings -

We closed on the house in Episcoville today and will close up in Franklin County next Tuesday. These are interesting
times indeed. I have lived and worked in NoMaChe (that tiny part of Chester a.k.a. North Main Street) since about 1973.
If I recall correctly, I turned 19 here, or maybe it was 20. The streak ends in less than a week atmo. No baggage. No
regrets. No emotional ties. No rear view mirror. I am (we are...) at that fork in the road that likely should have been taken
before, perhaps years ago. It's a liberating feeling to know that it's here now. A generation ago I could never have imagined
a change like this. With these last few months firmly in the bank, I can't imagine a brighter path than the one that has
opened up for us. No last waltz at-fukcing-all atmo. Massachusetts: The New White Meat. Thanks for listening.

This email/missive is officially back on track. I am writing this evening for one (other) reason and that is to let you read
about the folks who will make up the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's Elite squad for this 2009 season. Pal Matt
Pookums Kraus with one S will join me in the age-graded races, and in the Elite category we have what I suspect may
be the strongest and most cohesive group ever assembled in Red (which has actually been Black for what - 4 years now).
As I do each season about this time, I've solicited the comments and bio-ish texts from the riders so those who sponsor,
support, and follow our 5 month long travails (data point: I love using that word travails) can read about each racer written
by the actual person who'll be pushing hard and pedaling fast starting in less than 3 weeks. We have drama for you from
Josh Dillon, Amy Dombroski (no W), Will Dugan, and Dan Timmerman. These are all racers who will be at the front of every
field at any venue. These folks are motivated, 'cross zealots, and I am fortunate to have them assembled representing the
team and all who follow it. Their words follow.

From Josh Dillon -

'Whoa, whoa, whoa wait a second. What is the deal with 'cross? One hour, flat out, on a glorified road bike, through mud,
sand, snow, rocks, roots, dust, and dirt?! OK, where can i sign up?'

That was 3 years ago. Fortunately, I had the coattails of a successful road team (sponsored by some Organic Jam company)
that also ran a small 'cross squad to help me with a frame and some race entry fees to get started. Fast forward to present day
and now I'm on the program baby. Richard Sachs 2009 atmo!! Couldn't be happier to get the invite on a team so steeped in
cyclocross tradition and success.

A little background on my athletic career: I had the great fortune of parents that drove me to thousands of soccer, skiing,
swimming, baseball, golf, and basketball practices, matches, meets, tournaments, and races for my entire childhood. But
mostly soccer and skiing events, which led to decent collegiate careers including NCAA Academic All-American in skiing
and Academic All-Conference in soccer (good thing my grades were OK). But wrapping up college left me without a competitive
outlet...I floundered a little bit and even helped out with my old college teams as an assistant coach, but I wanted to be in the
action. (enter bike racing stage left) A good friend of mine from the ski team told me to meet him at a mtn bike race at
Sugarbush and give it a shot. That was it, I was hooked. The next season we started doing road races too, which went pretty
well and pulled me away from the dirt for a good portion of the summer. I still hit up some local mtb races while meeting my
road commitments but needed more off-road excitement. The move to the aforementioned Jam Team was the perfect solution,
with ample road opportunities in the summer and the all of the 'cross competition in the fall. So this summer is going well with
some great road races, which I've learned on Richard Sachs, is the "pre-season". And I am looking forward to my best 'cross
season yet in a couple of months. Can't wait!!

From Amy Dombroski -

My name is Amy Dombroski. Without a W. When my ancestors came over from Poland, they didn't have enough room in
their suitcases for the W. I enjoy long rides in the mountains, copious quantities of coffee, and chocolate chip cookies.
Sometimes I read stuff, and my favorite book is "The Lorax". I was born and raised in Northern Vermont on a pair of alpine
skis. My high school years were spent at Burke Mountain Academy, a ski school for alpine and nordic racers wishing to
devote themselves to their sport, while also receiving a solid education. Eventually ski racing led me to Colorado where a
second knee injury forced me off of skis and onto my brother's cyclocross bike as rehab. The competition bug was eating
at me while watching my bro and other spandex-clad skinnies riding rapidly on two shiny wheels. After entering my first bike
race in May of 2006, I was hooked. The rest is history.

Well, not quite. In 2007 I hopped on a local team, Excel Sports. That opened the door into the cycling world for me, and with
my final race of the season being Green Mtn Stage Race, I didn't want to stop. I had no choice but to buy a cyclocross bike.
How asinine a sport?! Jumping on and off a moving bike? Running? Going into the purple zone in the first 30-seconds of a
race? Again, I watched in awe as my brother performed these fairy-like mounts and dismounts...this time with tears of frustration
streaming down my face. For whatever reason I kept picking up my little bike again and again after throwing it down again and
again, my wails of frustration becoming less with every huck of the bike. By the end of the week I freakin' loved the sport!

With a successful 2007 under my belt, I was able to get a contract with the women's professional road team, Webcor Builders,
whom I have raced with for the passed two years. While they couldn't support me on the 'cross bike, they have been amazingly
encouraging in my pursuing two cycling disciplines. Velo Bella was my 'cross crew for the passed two seasons, helping me
throughout the US and across the pond for the World Champs in 2008. Last 'cross season was a breakthrough for me and now
that I am too old for the little girlz U23 race, I am going to need to step it up again. I have a tremendous amount of confidence
in the Richard Sachs machine and the mastermind behind it, and am truly honored to be backed by Sachs. The team is legendary
and this year we're creating legends.

From Will Dugan -

There’s more to cycling than pedaling your bike around- it’s about networking, building relationships and smiling the whole
way. Richard has helped me more than I could have possibly imagined and I have wronged him, supporters and sponsors
for being AWOL for too long. It’s August now. I saw a red leaf on the ground just the day before yesterday. Is fall coming
so soon? Indeed.

Even my teammates haven’t heard much (though I see Josh at most races and I got to say hello and a quick congratulations
to Amy out at Cascade); I’m excited to get the season underway. Being busy is no excuse, but at least I can clue people in
to what the season’s been like since the end of college. My college lifestyle continues but the classes are over. I hope that’s
familiar to someone out there. I’ve bounced from Burlington and landed in Lenox, MA- jumped from Lenox to Westerly, RI- and
again from there to Tim and Lyne’s in Beverly, MA all the while traveling to races.

I’ve done all of that skipping and jumping, (it might better be described as dragging and hauling based on the amount of $h!t
a racer brings with them everywhere) since January 31st, the day of Cyclocross World Championships. I came home, took a
week off, and then got sick with Pyomyositis, a rare muscle infection localized to my quads and calves, for 4 weeks. It was
10 days I didn’t walk, 4 days I spent in the hospital, and 6 weeks of really, really slow riding until the weekend of Battenkill.
The pre-season to ‘cross has been great since Jessica the nurse was changing my I.V.’s in February. I’ve had a number of
podium finishes at the regional races including Hills of Somerset, Balloon Festival and second to my teammate and ‘cross
competitor James Driscoll at Collegiate Road Nationals. Early July I had the legs to challenge Fitchburg for the Green Jersey
in the NRC Pro field. I then had some correspondence with Team Type 1 while I went to Cascade in Bend, OR and crashed
out with Taylor Phinney because Floyd ran over my head. I can show you the scar if you don’t see it on every photo taken of
me for the rest of my life. It’s on my forehead. The following week I had mediocre finishes at U23 Nationals (though with a
nickname like dragon, you know I didn’t go down without a good fight!).

The preseason isn’t over for me quite yet. I’ll be a stagiere for Team Type 1 for the Tour of Utah in less than 2 weeks, which I
must say is going to be an extraordinary experience in itself and I’m planning on racing Green Mountain Stage Race in traditional
fashion at the beginning of September. Univest GP will hopefully wrap up the 2009 road season marking the commencement of
my second ‘cross season with Richard this 2009.

From Dan Timmerman -

I'm from New York. No, the other New York. The beautiful and rural state. It's not the cycling mecca of the world, but that's
OK. The riding is top notch. The roads and trails of the finger lakes region still regarded as my favorite anywhere. It has a
decent scene for racing here and there, every now and then. One such time was mountain biking in the '90s, which is where
I got my start on a bike. The '93 Highland Forest Classic. I got lost and did an extra lap, but hey, I was 13 and I had fun.
Mountain biking was my thing from there. I followed my older brother around for years. This inevitably lead to racing the local
cyclocross series. I raced on my MTB, dismounted on the wrong side, and didn't know you could shoulder a bike. I loved it,
but the road races I had started doing were frustrating at the time and lead to a break from competitive cycling for a while.
It didn't last. I accidentally got in shape after I rode from Oregon to Toronto and cyclocross was how I chose to take advantage
of it and get back to racing. Of course, I was still slumped over the handle bars, on the wrong side, pushing my mountain bike
up the "run ups". Later, surprising success on the road earned me a spot on an elite amateur team sponsored by some Organic
Jam company. That was my new thing. After a couple years of persuasion, I convinced them to let me race cross with them. I
dug it. A lot. They got me a real cross bike and I learned how to dismount on the left, even though I'm still, to this day, more
comfortable on the right-hand side. I then found out I could throw the bike up on my shoulder now too. Wow! However, at the
same time, years of progress on the road paid off with a nice poverty level income on some professional road team sponsored
by beer and cameras that folded at the end of the year, which lead to making a bunch of loonies the following year with a Canadian
professional road team sponsored by rich people in Toronto. Fast forward. I race cross now. That's my thing. It's been a long road
to Richard Sachs cross team for me. Three years actually. But it's well worth the wait. This is a prestigious program that I am
honored to be a part of. The process it took only makes it more satisfying to finally be here. I'm looking forward to the best fall ever.

'Cross fuickng rules, and it rules in large part due to folks like Josh, Amy, Will, Dan, and Matt atmo.
Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

11, August 2009

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's pre-season is essentially over atmo. All the frames are being painted,
all the new kits are being produced, all of the components from the long list of suppliers should descend here (or
there...) shortly, and soon these updates will be about the racing!

Regarding the racing kits, the art files are pretty much done, and I have signed off on the PDF versions just today.
The folks at Verge Sport have once again done a stellar job with the revisions. Mad props to Mariola there for her
attention to detail so that we will once again have the best looking outfits on the 'cross circuit. have a look ----> XXX .

It's great to see new sponsor for 2009 (and long thereafter, we hope), Cole Products, get some virtual love in
the form of a product review on VeloNews' online pages. The writer took a good hard look at the road wheels
and, all in all, it bodes well for the brand. Have a look here -----> XXX . For our 'cross campaign which begins
soon, a special wheel set designed in conjunction with us (the lab rats at Richard Sachs, Worldwide, Inc.) is
in the works. Stay tuned atmo.

In other RS 'Cross Team news, freshman sponsor/supplier Bailey Works is the official luggage, baggage, and
carry on brand for us. I have used the New Hampshire firm's product offerings since last January and am very
pleased to have them as part of the support system atmo. Have a quick look ate what they make ----> XXX. I
asked Toni Smith from Bailey Works to send over a few words about the new liaison, and here is what she wrote:

BaileyWorks had the good fortune joining the sponsorship group of Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team early in 2009. We are
new and enthusiastic members of this happy family. “Time for a team bag” we all seemed to say. The requirements were
straightforward: the bag had to be big enough to carry the riders’ gear, tough enough to endure the riders’ travels, and it
needed enough real estate to accommodate a large “atmo” on the exterior.

Working together, we came up with two customized bags – suitable for both the team and friends of the team. The team
sports the medium Whale Mouth Duffel. This bag’s capacity is 2,835 cubic inches, or 126 cans of beer (which would be
heavy indeed, weighing in at a bit more than 103 pounds). This Duffel is strong and its contents are easily accessible. It’s
made of super sturdy 1,000 denier US-sourced Cordura and has a zipper that is 50% longer than the bag itself (hence the
name, Whalemouth), and an adjustable split strap that allows it to be worn tightly across the chest when riding. These
customized ATMO Duffels, along with a customized ATMO 253 Courier Bag, or as Richard likes to call them, “man bags”,
are available to friends of the team as well.

Like the RS Cross Team, we are New Englanders. Our bags are stitched right here in our Portsmouth, NH shop by Jan, Jenn
and Caroline. BaileyWorks has been here, making bags, for 15 years. If you are ever in the neighborhood, please stop in!

Great stuff atmo. For those unaware of what these gems look like, please visit my Sachs Toys page ----> XXX or have a look
on my well stocked Flickr site ----> XXX .

Regarding the move from bucolic Episcoville to the remote and uberbucolic region of Franklin County Massachusetts, I have
been slowly and systematically been deconstructing the NoMaChe atelier. No matter - this doesn't make me a constructeur
has been. However, the things one finds after a 3 decade (and then some) stint on the same street. I am in the middle of a
huge purge-a-thon and have chosen eBay for some of my treasures. Bid high and bid often atmo ----> XXX .

On an unrelated-to-sports note, The Framebuilders' Collective was formed over the past 30 or so months. You may read about
this group here ----> XXX . I am proud to link a recent print article that I scanned and now lives online. Have a read on a dedicated
Flickr gallery ----> XXX . To have a clearer shot at it, please expand the page so that the type is readable.

Lastly and on a completely lighthearted note, the collateral damage (hardly) of some of my recent deconstructing has found its
way onto the collective radar of the bright lights at House Industries in Yorklyn, Delaware. Pals Ben and Rich caught some of
my Flickr action and blogged about it this morning. Have a look, and click through some of the hyperlinks when you read this.
Atmo, there are no secrets among us here ----> XXX .

In 3-4 days I will be in your inbox again. The 2009 'cross season starts in several weeks, and I will let you know all about the
Elite Team we have representing all of you, our sponsors, suppliers, friends, and fans. I have texts and bios from a killer troupe
of racers and I can't wait to have you read what Josh Dillon, Will Dugan, Amy Dombroski (there's no W...), and Dan Timmerman
have to say about what's it store for all of us as soon as the racing begins atmo.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

28, July 2009

Greetings -

The pressure to do these Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team spam-a-thons is omnipresent atmo. I love
so many words that start with omni by the way (btw). I have such a full plate that lately I find myself making
excuses for not writing today when I can do it all in three days hence in a more relaxed state. For those in
the know, a more relaxed state is a literal description because as of 4 hours ago, we (moi and my wife, aka
The Lovely Deb) have a contract on our house here in Episcoville and, if all the moons continue to line up, we'll
relocate to Franklin County by late summer. Say it with me:Massachusetts - The New White Meat. That
will be a more relaxed state for sure, and if I'm wrong, there's no turning back.

All of the team frames are at the paint shop. We (the RS 'Cross Team) have a proposed schedule for 2009.
All of the art files are with Mariola at Verge Sport in New York. I'll have schematics to approve by the weekend.
When I do, I'll pass them around for all of you to see and drool over atmo.

Before I get into current news, I want to link you all with Brian in that jewel of a rock called Islay. Recently,
on Brian's seminal (I love that word, seminal - detractors can let me know if I used it incorrectly) site called
The Washing Machine Post, there was a nice article on the Columbus tubing I use. It's called PegoRichie
and it was co-designed by Dario and Ricardo. All of my frames are made of the material and all of the team
frames are built from the lightweight version of the set. To read the article, click on the porn icon ----> XXX .

The raison d'etre (yikes am I on literary fire or what...) of today's missive is to present two from among of this
year's support system. For 2009 we have several new sponsors. Cole Products will be supplying wheels for
this autumn's campaign. Cole is a new name for us in the northeast but the firm has been a supplier to many
of the pro peloton's best 'crossers for several years now. We look forward to a new, fresh start with Cole, and
hope to be kicking ass and taking names on these superb wheels in the near future. To visit the Cole website
and catch up with what they are doing, click the porn icon here ----> XXX . And PS here's a great glam shot of
one of the RS 'Cross Team bicycles, Cole wheels equipped. Again, hit the porn atmo ----> XXX. The pic is
courtesy of the master, Jeff Weir. As I always say, Yosemite had Ansel Adams; I have Jeff Weir. So, do you
feel dirty yet atmo?

In addition to Cole Products, another new 2009 sponsor is (or are) The Fat Men. No, that's not a typo or misprint.
For the sake of omnitransparency, all you'll need to know about these cats is in the text below. I can vouch for that
they are all men, none that I know of are actually fat, and they are from the Garden State. Think Badabing, but with
college educations.

From Jack Cole of Cole Products -

Cole Wheels is proud to be a technical partner with one of the highest regarded cyclocross programs in North America.
Since we first worked the pits at Hofstade, we’ve been addicted to cross here at Cole. We’ve had the luxury of working
with top Belgian and American riders, which has helped us make improvements on our wheel systems. Cross is a special
environment, with completely different technical considerations. It has the most passionate fans and the best scene to be
had at a bicycle race, whether in Flanders or in Portland.

We try to make the best wheels, and we know that Richard Sachs is a demanding team. For us, it’s a match made in heaven.

From Mikey Schmidt on behalf of The Fat Men -

The FatMen are pleased to throw their considerable girth and support behind the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team for the
upcoming 2009-2010 racing season. The Fatmen, for whom cankles hold peculiar appeal, are longtime (much to his dismay)
proponents of Richard's uncompromising skills as a framebuilder, cyclist, and ambassador for the sport. Besides, even though
he lives in Connecticut, he is Jersey born and bred (but we cannot get him to admit what exit). To those who wonder why
sponsor a racing team when you have no discernible product or service, other than a brand, we reply because we can, and
because cyclocross and Richard Sachs Cycles complement our commitment to the sport and the fun it engenders. We are
proud of our award-winning FatMen™ logo and we are excited about increased exposure for our club via the Richard Sachs team.

We are a cycling club based in central New Jersey comprised of skilled riders, former racers and one guy who can’t ride in a
straight line, who enjoy friendship with fellow enthusiasts. While a well developed beer gut and a large posterior are appreciated
for drafting purposes, they are not prerequisites, although a self-deprecating sense of humor is essential. We ride from The Bike Stand,
a popular and well-known bike shop located at 1778 East Second Street in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. In addition to logging LOTS
of mileage on the bikes, we also value a laughter-filled, rich, and rewarding social calendar. We ride all year except in very inclement
weather conditions. Current schedule for spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons:
Saturdays @ 8:00 a.m. -- hills
Sundays @ 8:00 a.m. -- flats/rollers
During brighter months we conduct Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday training rides in the evenings. Fridays are reserved for Beer Night
at The Bike Stand with traditional merrymaking. All rides commence and conclude at The Bike Stand except where noted. Competent
men and women are welcomed at all rides.

Our distinctive red, black, and white jerseys are familiar to many people throughout the United States and around the world. The creator
of our FatMen club brand is David Neuhaus, a fellow Fatman and graphic designer. In 2009 the design received top honors for excellence
by the New Jersey Art Directors Club and was also awarded first place in the wearables division.

Thanks, Jack Cole, Mikey and all of the Fat Men.

The next time I write there will be links to all of the 2009 team art files from Verge Sport as well as news about the roster for this
year's RS 'Cross Team. Look for it all in an omniweek or so atmo.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

14, July 2009

Greetings -

Wow atmo it's already mid-July and the racing will start before we know it. And to no one's surprise, I don't
mean that mechanized kwap done by those wired up, twittering automatons who don't move an inch unless
they get a virtual smoke signal from their directors in the team cars.Warning - opinion follows: the TDF and
all of these wristband worshipers have truly turned the spectacle into an unwatchable month of soap opera
like days. Forza Alberto. It's your team atmo. Everything else is a distraction. Paul Kimmage was on the
mark atmo: The ego of the sport has returned.

So, what racing am I talking about? The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team thinks 'cross fuickng rules, yada
yada, blah blah. We'll start our season in early September and all of the groundwork is in place for a successful
campaign. In my last email I mentioned how much a collaborative effort this program really is. We couldn't get
to where we need to be without the support of our sponsors, industry suppliers, and followers. In some respects
the team is not unlike those PBS commercials (is that an oxymoron or what) that mention, "...viewers like you".
Today, I'll introduce you to two from among our deep support system. But first, a word about the bicycles atmo.

As most know, I work alone and also have a pretty full order book. Where do the RS 'Cross Team frames come
from? To fulfill my obligation to the riders and to everyone who works behind the scenes to keep us propped up
(as well as to my personal mission to give back to the sport), I need to budget about 6-10 frames a year to keep
the team supplied. Some years we repaint the lot of them and I fill in sizes where needed. In other years, I almost
have to start from scratch. For 2009 I am making 9 new frames - and I hope we are still racing on them in 2012!
The only way i can manage this, er - distraction, from my long queue of waiting clients is to spend time during the
after hours in the Spring months and try to prepare batches and sub assemblies so that, one fateful period in the
summer, I can come in and devote a week or so to tying up all of the parts, make the frames as fast as possible,
and get back to the paying clients. This year I had the old (new) G10 out for many of the late nights and weekends,
and shot many of the sequences involved in turning what is normally a bespoke, handcrafted operation into a mean
but not so lean assembly line. One note: the goal of all this preparation stuff that spans 2 months or so is to allow
me enough of a head start so that when it's "Let's go" time, I can come in and knock out a frame a day for a week
and then some. Talk is cheap. Here is the link atmo - Click XXX
Instructions for Dummies: if you see an image from among the 350+ that live in the gallery and want a better look,
click on it and follow the prompts to expand into larger file sizes. All of the pics are hi-res. Hey - go mental.

Back to reality. I mentioned that I wanted to introduce some of the folks who will make 2009 a success for the
RS 'Cross Team. The following texts are courtesy of Sam Chun and Douglas Brooks respectively. Sam's Radix
Group has been a sponsor for 4 seasons now and Douglas' Rajanaka Yoga is a new name for us in 2009. We
are fortunate to have both men and their business entities behind our team. As I always say, we race for you,
Sam and Douglas. I asked Sam and Douglas to write some thoughts about the liaison, and here they are:

Richard asked me (Radix) to chime in with a few words for the team email. I started typing out some stuff about
my last ride, pointless drivel really, and upon re-reading saw it for what it was. Truthfully, I haven't been riding much
lately (busy) and am at low ebb. Buy why restrict myself to cycling? So I won't.

About a year and a half ago, my son and I started fencing together. He took a class in summer camp and liked it.
I used to fence in high school. So why not. We joined a local salle. Our coach used to run the Egyptian foil team
(this is significantly more credible than the "Jamaican Bobsled Team"), so we were well supported. So far, my son's
done well, placing high in pretty much all of his junior tournaments. But this triggered some memories about competition
from way back.

When you fence a tournament, it's physically hard work doing the first bouting pools, moving up through direct eliminations,
etc. You fence, and wait, and fence some more. You wait. You fence, etc. But if you do well enough, you get to the last few
bouts from which a winner will emerge. These last bouts are particularly stressful. The beginning rounds of a tournament are
chaotic, and there are a lot of bouts going on all at once. Few people know who you are, and fewer actually care. But up in
quarter, or semi, finals, everyone is watching the few bouts left, and many care. With two people fencing on a strip, you're
totally exposed. At that point, winning relies as much on psychological stamina as it does physical ability. Perhaps even
more so. Especially if you've won before and everyone's got you in their sights (except for your coach, teammates and parents
who expect you to do it again).

But it's like this in pretty much every sport. Cycling included. To win once is hard. But to win again is even harder because now
you have to live up to expectations. And you're on everyone's target list. I think this is what commentators mean when they talk
about "courage."

Here's to a great cross season.
- Sam Chun

Rajanaka Yoga. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and advance the study of yoga in the West with teachings drawn directly from
original sources, firmly grounded in tradition and contemporary scholarship, and brought to life in experience. We conduct seminars
and immersion programs, offer books and audio, and lead trips to India where everyone is welcome to learn about the history, practice,
and diverse traditions that form the spiritual foundations of yoga. We mean to reach into open minds and speak to the heart, raising
some of life¹s most challenging questions in conversation worth having. Visit www.rajanaka.com and www.rajanaka.blogspot.com
for more information. We're honored and proud to contribute to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team because we believe in the integrity
of these racers, the fun-loving spirit of the competition, and the value of all whose efforts make it possible to be there on race day.
- Douglas Brooks

I will have more news from other sponsors and suppliers in the next few updates, and soon I'll make mention of the cats and kittens
who will make it all happen on the playing field in just a few (couple) short months. The members of the 2009 RS 'Cross Team will
be outed soon atmo.

Hey - thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

5, July 2009

Greetings -

This is not my team, it is our team atmo.

Now that I have your attention, thanks so much for letting the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team
into your inbox and world as these routine emails resume for another season. It's true that I am
attached at the hips to this organization. The Cliffs Notes is that this group began life in the late
1960s as the Connecticut Yankee Bicycle Club. In the mid 1970s, as the boundaries between the
terms amateur and professional were being dismantled, many Olympic sports began to allow athletes
and teams to be sponsored. In the beginning, many cyclists were racing with commercial ties to
bicycle industry brands. By the time the games were held in Los Angeles, most of the peloton were
representing firms which made household products, or by car companies, or chain stores, or candy
makers, blah blah yada yada. When I started racing with CYBC in the 1970s, we were sponsored. I
learned from day one where the lines were, who was responsible for keeping the team well oiled, and
where my allegiances belonged, for without sponsorship, none of us could make it from one race weekend
to the next.

A period in the early 1980s saw our little group with a dwindling support system. It was during that
time that I decided to switch over from being one of the racers in the squad to taking the reigns and
sponsoring the riders with my frame making business. This year, 2009, is the 37th contiguous year
that there has been a Richard Sachs Cycles supported team. Over the generations we have had scores
of racers as well as dozens of industry and non-industry firms helping to keep the organization in place.

About 15 years ago when the focus switched from road to cyclocross, the team began its slow and
steady rise from being a regional club with very good racers to a nationally known group whose focus
is completely and inseparably tethered to the autumn schedule. 'Cross Fukcing Rules Atmo, and it
rules for us because of you, and you, and you. This team could as easily be called the Challenge Tires
Team, or the RGM Watches Team, or the Radix Team, or the Rex Chiu Team (I'll stop here since I
know you get the picture) because all of these entities, as well as a host of others, are what keeps the
Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team alive, fueled, equipped, in the black, and inspired. We race for you
atmo. Thanks to all the sponsors and patrons, past and present. Without these firms and folks in the
background, we'd be nonexistent. Having said all this, I am proud to list the sponsors (and links where
appropriate) who are the backbone of the 'cross campaign for 2009. Note: I expect this list to be added
to in the next few weeks, and when it's complete, I'll revise it). But (drum roll...) for now -

RGM Watch Company
Radix Group
Rex Chiu
Rajanaka Yoga
Challenge Tech (tires)
Oval Concepts (stems, handlebars, and seatposts)
Cane Creek (brakes and headsets)
Cole Products (wheels)
Wippermann (chains)
Rudy Project (eyewear and helmets)
Crank Brothers (pedal systems)
Bailey Works (luggage)
Verge Sport (apparel)
Joe Bell Custom Paint (well, paint duh...)
Svelte Cycles
The Fat Men (no, that's NOT a misprint atmo)

Don't fall asleep yet I am almost done atmo. In keeping with the tradition of pointing readers of these
missives to links and stories that relate to our little community, I'm happy to supply two recent and
SUPERB interviews that regard RS 'Cross Team alumni, Justin Spinelli, and his not-so-new venture,
Svelte Cycles. In the past 2 weeks, Justin and Svelte have been covered by Pez Cycling news as well
as in The WashingMachine Post. Enjoy these two reads atmo:
Pez Cycling News
The WashingMachine Post

In the coming weeks I will continue to update the sponsor and support system list of names and I will
also be pasting in texts from the various firms and peeps so you can read, in their words, how these
liaisons come to pass and what it all means to them.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

27, June 2009

Greetings -

Like it or not, with July near and all the surrounding BS related to Lance, Alberto, and the TDF,
it can only mean one thing: it's officially the pre-season atmo. The routine updates, picture links,
and news about everything Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team will resume in a few short days.
For the 2009 campaign we have many returning sponsors and supporters as well as several new
ones.The team itself will have some familiar names and faces, though some cats and kittens will
be wearing our kit for the first time beginning in September. It's been a long time away from the
mud, the Fangos, and the cupcakes, but the great news is that the roster for the RS 'Cross Team
is better and stronger than ever. Film at eleven, or at least within the next 2-3 email updates. So do
NOT direct these missives to the spam folder or you'll never know who we are, or what the sponsors
who so graciously support us make, or who will be the familiar names on the 09 podium all season
long, or any other important fact along the way that speaks to racing at the best time of the year.
As we've done for more seasons that can be counted, we'll do our best from now through to the
Natz in December and hopefully passed that to the World Championships in mid-winter, to get
you to know what we know:

'Cross Fukicng Rules Atmo

The viral, subliminal, and gorilla machinery has been dusted off and the messages will start getting
sent out on a regular basis. Thanks so much in advance for your interest in our racing, in the sport
we love, and for following our travails (I love using that word, travails, in a sentence). In the meantime,
if anyone needs a refresher course, a CliffsNotes, or a RS 'Cross Team for Dummies primer, please
visit either of these links atmo:
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
http://richardsachs.com/rsachscybc.html

Take Care

e-RICHIE©™®
http://www.richardsachs.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

29, January 2009

Greetings -

To dovetail off of these two threads:
1) http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526
2) http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4843

I'm happy to paste in a note to ALL of you from Will. So many here were
uber generous when we asked for help. The big dance is this weekend,
and Will is ready. Thanks so much for the interest, support, and following
the season. 'Cross fucking rules atmo.

Here, from Will...

Dear friends,

My trip to Hoogerheide, Holland for the 2009 Cyclocross World Championships was made possible by you and I want you to know that without your help I would not have had this opportunity. Some of you I know and some I do not. It is truly remarkable to have this kind of support from people all around the country. This year marks a stride in my development as a rider and a person overall. I recognize the efforts and sacrifices that I have made to get to this level but many helped me along the way, and those people alone deserve much gratitude. If everyone could pass generosity and kindness around as you have, we'd live in a Utopian world where dreams become realities. You're unbelievable. I hope I can do the same for others in the future.

It is now the Thursday evening before the Saturday of Worlds. I visited the course for a short preview today. It's thawing as more racers ride it and a little greasy at the moment. The experience is not overwhelming, which is good for my nerves. The level will be similar to a World Cup, which I had the chance to race in Zolder, Belgium last month. If there is any interest, I believe there is a way to view the race Live at www.cycling.tv (it might cost something).

I once again thank you all very much for your support for the Richard Sachs Worlds Fund and hope everyone has an excellent new year, stays warm and healthy, and rides happily! I hope to write a new entry on Velocipede Salon soon, so please stay tuned.

Sincerely,

Will

A very personal and heartfelt thanks from me, as well as from all of us on the
Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. It's been a long and wonderful season.
We wish Will Dugan the best as he finishes his season this weekend at the
U23 Cyclocross World Championships in The Netherlands.

Sincerely,
Richard Sachs

28, January 2009

As we approach the weekend of the Cyclocross World Championships where the
Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's (did i just use the word, cyclocross, twice in
one sentence?) Will Dugan will be racing in the U23 event, I have only one thing to
say right now -

Brendan Quirk gets it atmo...
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=WHATS_NEW

Hey - thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

11, January 2009

Greetings -

As you know, Will Dugan has spent the past several weeks in Belgium at the Eurocross Camp in Izegem.
I have compiled many of his update on a forum that I admin and the link to all of them is:
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526

The two week camp as well as the trip back to Europe for the World Championships costs alot of money.
By my estimates it totals out near $6000. The riders must pay all of their own expenses for this, a chance
to represent themselves, their respective teams, and - their country.

Many riders have friends and families who have partys and bake sales and the like. Others have online sites
where donations can be made. For Will, The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team has decided on the Paypal
route. Despite the service fees, I feel this is the best and quickest method to raise money.

To this end I am asking ALL folks who receive these emails to make a donation that will enable Will Dugan to
complete the second half of his 2008 season with as few unpaid bills as possible. Please may a payment with
the words "Cross Funds" in the memo and go to: www.paypal.com . You should use the following dedicated
email addy for this: therichardsachs@gmail.com I will take all of the donated funds and send them to Will.

Many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

6, January 2009

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's Will Dugan continues what can only be described
as his second season. As noted in recent emails, Will spent these past two weeks at the
Eurocross Camp in Izegem, Belgium. I have just pasted another update from Will online.

Follow this link -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showpost.php?p=58283&postcount=59
to read about the latest goings-on from young Will. It's almost as good as being there atmo.

To read all of his posts, click here -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526
to see them all. Bookmark it. I expect more as January unfolds and we get closer to the
World Championships at month's end.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

28. December 2008

Greetings -

Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team rider and USA Cycling U23 Worlds Team member, Will Dugan, is
staying in touch while he's away at Euro 'Cross Camp in Izegem, Belgium. Here's his recent update -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showpost.php?p=55788&postcount=31

To read previous updates, click here -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526

Many thanks for following!

e-RICHIE

26, December 2008

Greetings -

Will Dugan is in Belgium for several weeks leading up to February when he will race the World Cyclocross Championships
as part of USA Cycling''s U23 team. The link below was created for post updates, diary news, and general info so we can all
follow him as he begins the second half of his 2008 'cross season. I'll direct Will and our pals to the Velocipede Salon and try
to make this ground zero for All Will All The Time atmo.

read here -
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526

Many thanks
e-RICHIE

25, December 2008

Greetings and happy holidays -

As I wrote once (or twice) before, the racing may be over, but the season lasts all year atmo. For
the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team, 2008 is pretty much done. What began in January with a
mild case of me having Post 'Cross Traumatic Stress Disorder soon turned in to a full fledged effort
to ready the sponsors, industry suppliers, and my team mates for racing once September arrived. It
has been a good long run for all of us, and our last time together was the natz in Kansas City almost
two weeks ago.

I mentioned in late November that the 2009 season will be different for the RS 'Cross Team. We're
very pleased that all of the 2008 sponsors and suppliers have committed to return. What becomes of
the roster as we know it remains to be seen. After what has arguably been our most successful season
of racing, the scorecard will be decidedly revised come autumn. And so it goes.

I asked some of the racers to pen some thoughts that reflect their season and career in red (now black)
and I'm very pleased to paste in these texts. Note: Will is on the road in Izegen, Belgium, and I hope to get
his thoughts included as soon as possible. Read on -

From Rotundo -
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all Team Richard Sachs sponsors that have supported me over
the past five years. I consider Team Richard Sachs my re-introduction to bike racing post-europe and
the times I have shared with the team will always hold a special place in my heart. This past season I
was fortunate enough to have my own Svelte Cycles on the jersey with a foot in the sponsorship support
pool. It makes me very proud to align my own company with another great brand and I hope in years to
come Svelte Cycles can remain a technical sponsor as every team needs color co-ordinating SRAM
Hoods...Hyman Roth always makes money for his partners.

So as I delve into the depths of my own cyclocross program I would also like to wish my current and former
teammates the best of luck and thank them for their undying support and camaraderie. Last and certainly
not least a big standing ovation for the man himself, thank you Richard Sachs.

From Issimo -
The 2008 cross season was another went-by-too-fast one with the Richard Sachs team. I had my share of
ups and downs, but find myself walking away with yet another mental cache of priceless moments. Some of
my favorite memories include the enormous Sucker Brook cupcakes… climbing up on that huge rock at Stage
Fort Park in Gloucester at the end of the weekend for the first time ever (ever!!!)… the Granogue/Wissahickon
weekend with the whole squad in attendance… presenting Richie with his ATMO SUPPORTER pit jacket…
running out of gas on I-70 en route to Louisville via Nashville on the Amy-Alie October Adventure road trip
(thank god for bicycles)… frantically cleaning the muddiest bikes you've ever seen in the pits at the Mercer
County USGP in New Jersey and racing Spinelli on foot through the pit to return his clean bike half a lap later…
the record-time road trips home from Jersey to Massachusetts…the miniature servings of french fries and the
spilled drinks…racing near my hometown on Thanksgiving weekend and having half a dozen cyclocross-newbie
family members in attendance for the spectacle…and of course, watching my teammates suffer and triumph in
countless races – Will winning the U23 race at the Louisville UGSP and cheering him through a nail-biting and
emotional victory in the collegiate race at Nationals, Justin taking home a hard-earned second place at Warwick
and a validating top-ten at Nationals, Richie's numerous silver medals, and of course Matt's silver medal in the
master's race at Nationals. All the weekends together, from coffee to twizzlers, have been incredible.

I'm still not sure what the 2009 season will look like for me. I know I need to put racing on the back burner for a
while. I really can't say now, in December, where the next few months will take me as I try to focus more on my
professional career and explore new hobbies other than bike racing – I haven't left myself much time to do that
in recent years! I'm looking forward to it all and am excited to see where I find myself next. I know I will miss this,
and whether my 2009 race calendar involves zero races or a dozen races, I know bike racing will always be there
for me when I'm ready to come back to it down the road. So for now, thank you everyone – teammates and supporters
and fans – it's been unforgettable.

From Pookums -
In June I went through a lot of life changes. I moved in with my girlfriend (now fiance), graduated with a Masters
in Expressive Therapy and moved from Boston to Westchester County NY. Moving to a new region also meant
leaving the group rides, the training loops, where to find that certain hill, best road for 3 minute intervals, riding
buddies, best trails to run in, etc. Fast forward to the end of October and my racing was not where I wanted to be.
I kept comparing myself to the past. Spinelli helped me realize you can't compare current seasons to past ones,
even though its tempting to do. Mid-season race form does not boil down to one preseason training session hit or
missed, we are also not static like. Finding optimal race form is a fluid act in motion. Because you were something
at one point, does not guarantee you will be that same something the next season. Ok, lesson learned.

In early November I began to be encouraged by efforts I could do in races. I also started digging around my racing
head game which needed some work. One day pitside, speaking to pookie about this he turned to me and said,
"look...cross is a sport, and you have to fight for position." That hit me like a bolt of thunder. I have been an athlete
all my life. I know what its like to go up for a rebound, challenge an opponent for the ball in the open field. I created
a feeling about cross that it was above sport, a celebration of lifestyle because its so cool, which was messing with
my competitive juju. That race my head repeatedly this mantra "cyclocross is a sport, you have to fight for position"
...and it worked. My motor was running, my head was in a competitive space and the racing was satisfying. That vibe
stayed all the way to my silver ride in the natz. I came close to the stars and bars for the 5th time, but fell short on a
hill climbing course that was tough for me. My disappointment turned to acceptance after hearing positive reactions
from the team. ALL of them were psyched. THAT blew me away.

What also blew me away was how we killed it at natz. Watching Will tear himself to pieces to win the collegiate natz,
Issimo's near top 20 ride, being able to be with Justin in the van after he got his outrageous 9th in the big dance. I was
humbled by the teams efforts, and that made me proud to be a part of them. The five of us developed such a flow and
great routine that superceded the venue, race, hotel or roadtrip. Its a closeness that will be tough to replicate as things
change next season. Personally, I am seriously toying with the idea of racing masters in the Verge and USGP series while
still racing elites from time to time. I like the idea of being "able to throw punches" as Richard Fries suggested to me, it
sounds appealing. Regardless, I am beyond thunderdome happy to be wearing the RS kit next season. I could never leave
Pookies devotion to all things fckuing team cross, the stories we create, the laughing, the family we became, our sponsors
motivation to help us achieve our goals and our team's visceral kismet that hopefully makes it worthwhile for everyone.

Thanks for these kind words, Justin, Amy, and Matt. Indeed, it has been a good long run atmo.

I'll have more RS 'Cross Team news in the next several days, and I plan to use these emails and blog
entries to keep all of us up to speed on Will "Just Du It" Dugan's second half of the season.

Take care -

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

22, December, 2008

Greetings -

Here is some news that I am pleased to add to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team blog...

RGM’s Newest Point of View

In the grand tradition of gold and rugged instrument watches, RGM Watch Company is excited to introduce the North Pointer GMT,
RGM Reference 254. Featuring the time, date, and a 24-hour index with a unique red pointer, this watch combines a large, eminently
readable dial with bold new hands and highly luminous indices. The style is purely RGM--hearkening back to some discontinued icons
of the line—and is designed to bring a new level of practicality to the label RGM Professional.

Within the classic RGM stainless steel case and beneath the expansive sapphire crystal resides a sensible black dial laid out in a most
logical manner: the unobtrusive outer minutes/seconds track encircles the large hours chapter ring which, in turn forms the boundary of
a subtle 24-hour ring. Each indicator is given no more prominent display than it deserves, and the resulting effect is one of balance and
ease of understanding. Likewise, the hands of this new watch are both visually appealing and utilitarian. The seconds hand is minimalist;
the hour hands are strong and well illuminated, featuring cut-outs to facilitate the reading of the GMT track. These are impressive features,
but it is the watch’s compass-like 24-hour indicator that catapults this design into the realm of special instruments; the North Pointer GMT’s
namesake hand injects a subtle dash of bold color and personality into an otherwise sedate and pragmatic palette.

The North Pointer GMT’s 24-hour indicator is more than merely a decorative way to distinguish the second time-zone indication of this watch.
By holding the watch horizontal and positioning oneself so that the main hour hand of the watch points to the sun, the wearer can use the North
Pointer GMT’s red hand to identify the direction of north.

Additionally, as one would expect from RGM, the pragmatism is retained within the watch. The movement is a modified high-grade Caliber 2893-2—
a tried and tested engine whose less complicated brethren have proven their worth in a variety of other top-quality RGM watches. Due to the quality
of its 38.5 mm x 11.8 mm brushed steel case, the watch is endowed with anti-magnetic protection as well as water resistance to a depth of 300 feet.
A variety of leather straps is available including a set made of rubber, fitted to the shape of the case and lugs. As with any RGM watch, the North Pointer
GMT can be customized to the wishes of the owner. Several styles of hands are available; the customer may select those which he or she feels best
compliment the watch.

A special limited edition of the North Pointer GMT is also being offered to celebrate the partnership between RGM and Richard Sachs, the
celebrated bicycle manufacturing and racing establishment with whom RGM has been associated for more than two years. Twenty RGM
North Pointer GMT watches will be issued with a special case back design, fitted red straps, and a dial featuring the intertwined RS logo.

For pricing, ordering, and customization options, please visit the RGM Watch company web site, or call 717.653.9799.

http://www.rgmwatches.com/254.html

21, December 2008

Greetings -

It's worth noting that I have waited all week for Elite racer Nathaniel Ward to compose his
thoughts about the fracas that occurred last Sunday at the National Championships. He was
was the first person to tap me after all that happened during the awards ceremony. I have
remained somewhat silent and tried to be impartial. I know Nathaniel from the northeast and
am glad he finally penned a first person account. Have a read here.

I have been back from Kansas City less than 7 days and the unpleasantness that defined
my very last hours at Tiffany Springs Park has consumed most of my time since arriving
home. To say that it has been a distraction, especially after the successful run that we had
at the Natz, would be an understatement.

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team had its best season ever, and its most productive run
at a National Championship since Jon Page won in red at Napa in 2002. The racing may be
over but it's always 'cross season here. Over the next few days and weeks I will let you know
what the riders are doing, and how young Will Dugan is fairing over in Izegem, and what plans
are laid down for 2009, and - once I get a new Dell Vostro and resume mining images for the
team Flickr site I'll shamelessly link them with my Cc and Bcc fields as well as with all those
who follow us through the RS 'Cross Team blog.

Thanks for reading atmo.

e-RICHIE

20, December 2008

Greetings -

As the season winds down for the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team, I'll try to keep some
updates lively and informative as we transition into the new year. I am still without a laptop
(see the nats report from 2-3 entries back...) so my surfing, pic finding, and culling skills are
on hold while I bang away on a POS ibook. What is the big deal with these f*&>ing Apples?
In the meantime there are a few links worth adding.

Today, pal Gary B. wrote a nice story about the next chapter in Will Dugan's life. Read all about
it on Bike Radar dot com here. James Huang also wrote a nice piece on the RS 'Cross Team
bicycles that appeared last week on Cyclingnews dot com. Have a look. (It also appered on Bike
Radar dot com a few days later - here's that version).

And, as many internet vampires know full well by now, I have a distraction that was not planned
and certainly not needed at this busy time. Here are two links to articles that speak to this.

XXX

XXX

Wow, huh! One shrewd journalist suggested my clients in waiting now have yet one more
reason to be anxious about delivery dates. This incident has consumed me since I returned
home this past Tuesday atmo. As they say at the network, film at eleven.

Lots more news, rider info, 2009 stuff, and sponsor info to come in the next few days. 'Good
idea to bookmark this page. I love watching the hitcounter get spiked either way!

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

18, December 2008

Congratulations to Will "Just Du It" Dugan atmo. Today, USA Cycling named Will to the U23 Team for the
World Cyclocross Championships this coming February. Will "Just Did It" atmo. Here he is after winning
Collegiate Natz's Division One Championships this past Sunday in KC -

-

17, December 2008

Greetings -

The end of the season should be a culmination of dreams and fulfilling goals. The National Championships
in Kansas City have come and gone. The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team did exceptionally well as was
both planned and expected. Young Will Dugan won us our 10th Stars and Stripes jersey since 1997 when
he aced the Division One Collegiate event on Sunday. The day before, in the U23 race, he was a strong
7th. Will is now off to Belgium to be part of Geoff Proctor's two-week 'cross camp in the hopes of being
named to the World's Team in February. If he is, he'd be the 4th RS 'Cross Team cat since 2000 to make
it all the way to the big dance atmo. Forza Will.

All of us had strong races at the Natz. Justin absolutely fukincg killed it in the Elite Men's race and came in
9th. "Pookums" Kraus with one S finished 37th. This was just one day after a stellar ride in the Masters 35+
race in which he took 2nd. It was a dream come true. Amy "Vote For" Wallace was just outside of the top 20
and finished strong in 27th place. In my 55+ event, I was hoping for a top ten but am pleased with the 12th
place I finished in.

This entry will be cut short here and I'll leave you this explnantion: Several moons didn't line up exactly right
for me this past week and it's now time to face a reality that I'd rather ignore. On the trip out, my laptop, all
10,000 pics, art files, docs, and all, was pilfered from my checked baggage. I have been banging away on
borrowed appliances for the past 6 days. I'm kinda' sorta' fucked until further notice, and my zeal (readers
here will know how much I love using that word in a sentence) for culling pics, articles, comments, and props
for and with the RS 'Cross Team is greatly affected. It's like wanting to fish, but without having a pole handy.
I promise that once a new Dell Vostro whatever shows up, I will resume this page and add to it as best as
I can. The 2008 'cross season wrap up may appear here in 2009, but I promise I will not end it all here. We
did great in KC and had a wonderful time all these past 5 months atmo.

And - in addition to the fact that there's hardly an e in e-RICHIE until further notice, I also have to deal with
the residual crap that's part of the last 30 minutes at our stay at lovely Tiffany Springs Park. WTF? Here's
a glimpse of what happens when trailer park behavior meets 14 RS 'Cross Team bicycles minding their
own business: http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery-show/G0000n6uvqM258gM I have my hands full
already with paperwork and police reports and US Air paperwork that deals with my old Dell and the pilferage
that occured en route. Now I have to add to this a date with my lawyer so that the cowboys whose 600 or
so pounds of St. Louis waste that landed on my bicycles can have their fair share of FRNs extracted from
their collectve pockets and pay for the damage they caused. Film at eleven.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

8, December 2008

Greetings -

This past weekend's races included back to back UCI C2 events in Warwick, Rhode Island at beautiful
Goddard Park on Narragansett Bay. The NBX G.P. of 'Cross was the last ever home stand for the 2008
version of the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. For many. this was a last ditch effort to either 1) get
some valuable UCI points that would help with the call ups and final start positions at the Natz this coming
weekend, and 2) gain or lose momentum in this, the final two races of the season-long New England
Championship Cyclocross Series, sponsored by RS 'Cross Team apparel maker Vergesport. For us
it was another productive weekend of results along with some podium appearances atmo.Will, Justin.
Matt, Amy, and myself were present for the two days. I'll spare you some of the details regarding the
several crashes, mishaps, and mechanicals we suffered and get straight to the finishes. In the Elite Women's
race, Amy came in ninth, and in the Elite Men's race, Pookums was thirteenth and Rotundo was sixth.
Atmo these cats raced so much better than the results would suggest but sometimes, especially in 'cross,
a zig-turned-zag (or similar) can knock anyone down or over a place or three in the win/loss column. In
the Elitest Master's race, I finished second after spending most of the fourty minutes chasing for third
space. My eyes were so crossed at the line that I had no idea that I made up an extra body in the last
sand pit. While I was pleased to snag a third, I was even more surprised to find I was incorrect and into
second place did I go. I'll take what I can get. For my part, the finish put me in good stead for the points
series since I have had good, consistant results in all of the events. I started Saturday's race in third position
and my finish on day one put me into second overall. A win on Sunday, for me, was a long shot, though
possible, and if I did finish first, I'd wear the Leader's Jersey. Read on

So Sunday was a different day for all of us. No mishaps. But the weather had changed decidedly. Snow,
the winter season's first, was upon us. For most of the evening and dawn, a dusting had help at least two
to three inches of the slippery and soft white stuff on the ground, The temps were also lower on that day.
My race was the first to go off, and despite not doing a complete ride-through on the parcours, I felt at ease
and mildly confident that I could win. After getting second place at least six times in 2008 I was ready to take
no prisoners. A fast start on some kinda' sorta' icy macadam led about twenty two card carrying AARPers
into the beach sand area and to the course's first running section all within the first minute of racing. I was
okay with my start, but not fully at ease with the slippery stuff under my Fangos. It was the stuff, not the
Fangos atmo. I made it to the first run-up in fifth position but knew early that my desire to go for the win at
all costs was less than my ability to negotiate the ruts and the sliding I'd have to endure for slightly less than
an hour's time. My fitness and motivation were fine, but when it becomes a bike handling course, I get in my
own way more than anything else. From mid way into lap one, I was in fourth place and always no less than
fifteen seconds from my competitors. I spent the entire race looking for a section to make up one body at a
time, yet always found a tree or a root or a barrier that kept me from fulfilling my goal. I finished day two in
fourth place, still less than thirteen seconds from a win, but that's racing. The fourth kept me in second
overall for the Verge Series so I must be content for that, and tip my hat to Dusty Adams who wears the
Leader's Jersey at season's end. Dusty was a formidable adversary going back to the first event of 2008
in Amesbury and I thoroughly enjoyed chasing him as well as being chased lo these past four months.

In the afternoon races, the RS 'Cross Team did quite well again atmo. Amy came in seventh, and Justin
and Matt were second and eighth respectively. Will ended up as the third U23 racer in his event and
twentieth overall. So the great news is that we collected more UCI points heading into next week's National
Championships in Kansas City, and that all of the riders are carrying excellent fitness going into the end of
the season, especially Justin. His race on Sunday was his best in 2008, and that's a hard comment/choice
for me to make since he's had so many fine finishes this 'cross season. For those who'd like to read the
race reports on cyclingnews dot com, click here to start on day one and click here to read about day two.
I've culled out some of the better images and will list them below:
Justin
Spinmo
Rotundo
Svelte
Hans
The Living Legend
Issimo
Amy
Wallace
Spinelli
Willmo
Kraussss
Justmo
Nicemo
Memories
Pres
Kowallace

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far atmo. I'll mention here that the famed and heavily trafficked
team Flickr pages are expanding again thanks to all the fine images I have received (and also mined...)
from my pal photographers. Please keep these links handy because I will soon add another seventy or so
hi-res pics from the most recent four races.
Gallery One (at capacity)
Gallery Two (in progress)
Front Page (has all sets)

On Wednesday I will head to Missouri for the National Championships. I race on Thursday at 1PM and
Will, Matt, Amy, and Justin race on the weekend. It has been a long, but good season. We raced hard,
represented well, and made memories atmo. Everything we set out to do, we did. I love this team and I
love my team mates. 'Cross fukincg rules atmo. In a week or so another season will be history. Thanks
so much for following it.

e-RICHIE©®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

1, December 2008

Greetings -

What a race weekend atmo. Or, more specifically, what a day Saturday was for the Richard Sachs
Cyclocross Team. First off, I hope all who read here had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and
friends, ate and drank a lot, and managed to travel to and fro without much bother. We went south to
Jersey (crossing the Hudson River for what must be the 7th time since October) and had a very nice 36
hour visit with my family down at the shore. Upon return to the hell hole of a hamlet we call Chester, I
got the car unloaded from the holiday and then reloaded for the trip to Sterling, Massachusetts for the
Baystate Cyclocross. This event was a UCI C2 race and there were those wacky, valuable UCI points
going down to tenth place. The race also was part of the season long Verge New England Cyclocross
Championship Series. The RS 'Cross Team got points, just let me tell you atmo. In my Master's race,
I ended up in third place and am now in third place overall in my age group series ( I was second going
in to the day. Bwaaaaaaaaaa...). In the Elite Women's race at 1:30PM, Amy had one of her best results
of 2008. For most of the race it looked like the Issimo was in an uncontested battle for third, but with a
couple of laps to go, was sandwiched between two team mates from NEBC. Ultimately a gap opened and
Amy rode in to fourth place and captured a Birken bag full of UCI points going into the Natz in two weeks.
In the Elite Men's race, Justin, Matt, and Will were on the start line along with some of the best 'crossers
from the East Coast. While the trio didn't have the explosive first lap start that young Nick Keogh did, they
all but made up for it as the laps counted down. Spinmo had some great form and spent most of the 60
minutes in the front five, and ultimately was in a two-man duel with Matt White. Clearly, Justin was doing
100% of the work and was the stronger racer, but was outsprinted at the line and finished a very commendable
third. Pookums was not that far behind and when his race ended he was eighth. UCI points all around atmo!
And Will? Will's race was the U23 category which runs concurrently with the older Elites, and Will scored the
top podium once again/ Forza Will-issimo. Just Du it. Will's win Saturday puts him back in the Leader's Jersey
in the Verge Series in his category. Awesome atmo.

It was a great day race-wise and all the way around. The weather held. The Chocksett Middle School serves
as a wonderful venue for cyclocross. And my new best friend, Patty the baker (of Sucker Brook fame) was
there with her food concession and her now-famous Big Ass Cupcakes©™®. Have a look. This, my friends,
is what Autumn in New England is all about.

Sadly, I didn't bring my camera, so what follows is a small laundry list of links to pics that appear on the
cyclingnews
dotcom race report page. Have a look at us through the lens of pal Dave McElwaine:
Justin
Justin
Rotundo
Pookums
Spinmo
Du
Spencer a.k.a. The Love Dispencer
Willmo
Justin
Issimo
Amy
Kowallace
Hmmm...
and some others straight from Dave's site:
Spinmo
Mattmo
Amy
Matt Damon

There's also a great race report on velonews dotcom that has wonderful pic links. Please have a look here
to read about how the day's racing played out. The pics on that site are from pal Mark Suprenant. Nice work
atmo.

That's all I can do for now. When I paste all this in the team blog, this text may have more pics and news.
We'll see! As far as the racing goes, it's one more complete weekend in New England before we board the
RS 'Cross Team jet and head to Missouri for the Natz. This coming Saturday and Sunday we'll be in Warwick,
Rhode Island for the NBX G.P. of Cross. More UCI points and Verge series points are there for us to pick.
And we will be getting them.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

25, November 2008

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team spent last weekend in the Hamptons bro', oops I mean dahlings,
at the Whitmore's Landscaping SuperCross Cup. This is an event we've been to for the past 5 years,
at least. Myles Romanow and his staff really know how to throw down a race weekend atmo. Will, Justin,
Matt, Amy, and myself were treated to excellent host housing courtesy of Rick and Julie (thanks, Rick and
Julie), had our ferry tickets and a few other bits comped (thanks, ferry god person), and had a mahvelous
meal at Wild Thyme restaurant on Saturday evening. I'm not sure if our team had the power table, but we
did have a few seats that faced the door. What more could we ask for to make the weekend perfect? Well,
here's my list. For starters, warmer weather would have been nice. Yeah, it's 'cross and all that shet, but
it's only okay when you are racing. Standing around the other 4-5 hours is an event unto itself. No one ever
wants to talk about how hard it is to endure the spectating stuff, but let me tell you it's not a picnic. I love my
team and 'cross, and am 101% committed, but we were surely spoiled after the 2007 race in which Myles
arranged for some 80 odd degree temps for both days. It's the ^&%$ing Hamptons and I didn't have my
Bijan fur coat, and I was one cold mofo for a few hours each afternoon. The other gripe? How about 9 -
that's NINE - french fries over two identical prix fixe steak dinners that Spinmo and I ordered. I counted 5
on his plate and 4 on mine. And these weren't big, handcut gourmet-ish french fries. They were normal
sized cuts that one would see at any restaurant in any town. Rant over - not. I also went out to breakfast
on Sunday. In what could only be described as a normal looking Greek diner on Route 27, the same type
that dots New Jersey and all urban areas one can name, I had a pancake (3) and bacon meal with coffee
(Kraft packaged syrup product in lieu of maple syrup) and the bill came to $17 before the tip was added in.
Hey did I mention that the team had a great weekend of racing at Southampton? Read on.

Both of these races were UCI C1 status which, I believe. is the highest an event can be regarded unless it's
a World Cup, National Championship, or of similar importance. The lineup of cats and kittens that started
each day was as quality a field as we'll see anyplace. I'm so proud to say that we raced hard and came
away with great finishes. On day one, Will elected to do an under card race in his University of Vermont
colors so that he could fulfill an obligation that enables him to race the Collegiate Nationals in Kansas City
next month. Most likely he was running it at 3/4 speed and still finished well at 15th. In the 1:30 race, unfortunately
Amy slid into second base on lap one, not fully realizing that this was 'cross and not a baseball diamond.
Yuck atmo. The Issimo had to abandon with a sore neck and decided to save it for the second half of the
double header. Pookums and Rotundo both had fine races in the Elite Men's event and were 17th and
11th. In the Old Timer's race for which the prizes included early bird special dinner coupons at the Cracker
Barrel, I got a 3rd place. I'm on fire this season.

On the next day, the team repeated it's aggressive racing ways. Will, in his college race, was set to win
with a lap or so to go when, regrettably, his chain snapped while climbing. That's tantamount to a trip to the
locker room. Will was certainly putting his stamp on the field that Sunday, and we'll just have to wait for the
Natz to see him redeem this misfortune. In the Elite Women's race, Amy had a great start and a great and
complete race and came home in 13th place. Matt and Justin were 17th and 9th respectively. Data point: I
believe this was Justin Spinelli's BEST 2 days of racing all season, and maybe in several seasons atmo. I
mentioned to him that, based on the races, his preparation, call-ups, weather. tech issues, and lady luck,
he could nail a top ten at the Natz with the form he's carrying. Finger's remain crossed. Lastly, I came in
2nd on Sunday. This result was, I think, my sixth 2nd place this season so look out all you AARP-ers that
race with. I'm using my french fry angst and will get a win for the team before this season is over atmo. End
of story.

Before I continue and lose my train of thought, I'll paste in an email that I sent to the team late Sunday night
upon my return to wifey and wifi. Here:

thanks, all, for a great weekend in long island.

except for the french fry count, it was as good as it gets atmo.
'sad to see the season wind down, but an happy for all new
opportunities. our routines may change but the memories will
always be there. friends forever atmo.

have a happy thanksgiving.

Yes, the season is nearly over. By my count we have 5-6 more races before the sun sets on 2008. If we
didn't have so much fun, such great results, and so many fine memories, it'd all be such a shame. But the
RS 'Cross Team has had another fine year, so no one can really have regrets. I believe it was last year
when I realized that, though I wished it all (what we have) could last forever, often such emotions are the
kiss of death for the things (and people) we hold closest to our hearts. We're lucky for what we share(d),
and that should be reward enough atmo.

I recently loaded about 40 more really ^&%$ing great pictures onto the Flickr team gallery number two.
These shots are from pals Anthony Skorochod and Dave Chiu. Most are from the USGP at Trenton 2
weeks ago and also some are from this past weekend's races at Southampton. Have a look here.

Well that's about it for now. I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving. This coming Saturday, racing
resumes for the RS 'Cross Team as we travel to Sterling, Massachusetts for the Baystate Cyclocross,
a UCI C2 event. For those with a nose for trivia (though it's hardly trivial atmo...), you may recall that this
race is where I first came to know a Miss Amy Wallace some 3 years ago. Well, if you want the Cliffs Notes
they're all here. Time passes so quickly, doncha' know.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

19, November 2008

Greetings -

Words, and maybe one picture atmo. That's how it's rolling this evening. This is a very rare, midweek
RS 'Cross Team entry and it's mostly cut, paste, and mining. To begin with, last week, on the Classic
Rendezvous list, a.k.a. no lug left behind, I saw this post from a pal:

Announcing a Fatmen event. Sunday, November 16, 2008, Mercer County Park, Princeton, NJ

The Fatmen Drinking Club LLC is pleased to announce that we will be at the Cyclocross Gran
Prix cheering on RGM Watches/Richard Sachs and other local racers. The Fatmen, are a well
known drinking club that are into vintage bicycles and off-topic bicycles. Throughout the year
when our spouses are looking to get rid of us for a day, we sponsor an event which consists of
beer, whine, wine, stinky cheese, not so stinky cigars (at least to us), bar-b-que food, cow bells,
and the Fatmen flag. This is one of those events.

I'm happy to write that Mikey, Eric, Ray, Dave, Stevie, Mordecai, Mario, Gabriel, and several other
no so really fat men did, in fact, come to cheer us on. Some of these cats are clients, and all are pals.
And, as our luck has it, this social group will be putting some of their collective financial resources
behind our 'cross team in 2009. Make (more) room on the jerseys, jackets, and bibshorts atmo, the
Fatmen logo is about to be added! I asked them for a few words about what the connection was
all about, and these are two replies I received:

My attraction to Cyclocross is purely an extension of my desire to experience all of cycling. As
a collector / rider I had started many years ago with old balloon bikes, then went onto Muscle
bikes, from there I went into antiques. I went over to MTBs until trails by me began to close. My
LBS (The Bike Stand - owner - fantastic mechanic Steve Willis) got me into road bikes. This also
happen to be Fatman Central Headquarters.
I have collected and have ridden all types of bikes. I still hang onto to some and frequently ride
my 1878, 56 inch Rudge high wheel. I really liked MTBing and now like road. Cyclocross seems
to be an extension of both. I am to old and not fit enough to compete but can still enjoy the
challenge of the dirt, mud and obstacles and hope to experience this side of cycling someday.
It is also great to know a Pro level team and its leader. Not often you get to meet and chat with
someone at the top of the game.
Ray Homiski

and this one too:

"...Attending the Grand Prix of Cyclocross was a stroke of luck and now I'm totally hooked. Earlier this
summer I commissioned e-RICHIE to build a frameset. He sent his Richard Sachs 'Cross Reference to
accompany my receipt. I then received a subsequent email from him to visit the team at Mercer County
Park and SHAZAM 'cross is now my favorite form of racing. While I love all flavors, from criterium, to TT,
to road racing, NONE match the athleticism and laser-focus required to excel as in cyclocross. Autumn
weekends now have a whole new meaning..."
Eric Moberg

Thanks, Ray and Eric. And if you're interested in seeing how fat these cats really are(n't) here's
a link to the day's event as seen through Ray's Instamatic. Looks like they had s great day atmo.

In other news regarding sponsors, we recently received a nice, unsolicted check for the 2008
season, courtesy of a RS bicycle client requesting anonymity. Upon receiving it, I let the riders
know about the client and his generosity, and asked if one would kindly write a thank you note.
What follows is that note, and I am pasting it here because it so touched me that I wanted to share
it with the world. It really expresses the gratitude and humility that typify the fine folks I get to support,
hang with, and race with all season long. Read:

R__, as a member of the Richard Sachs team, I would like thank you for your generosity.
Before the warm fuzzy parts, I would like to make sure you know what type of madness you
are supporting. We are a close knit group of friends who race hard while having fun. While we
are all 1400% committed, we do not place results at the top of the list for life is too short for
that type of shallowness. While we have a well oiled marketing machine (e-Richie) that promotes
our weekly exploits, we are all constantly emailing each other making more fodder. While we
are not a squad of 6 national champions, though we may win some national championship
jerseys atmo, but for some reason industry people give us fantastic equipment to race with. I
say all this because I want you to know what we are and stand for. We are you, you help
make us a team. We race for ourselves, for Richard, our sponsors and for you R__. I dont say
this with fanfare or falsities, I say this with conviction. Thank you so much for helping us
continue to participate in the intense madness carnival traveling circus that is our beloved
cross season. We truly could not do it the way we do it without your help. It means a lot to
me, and my teamates, that someone like you would give us money to support us. I still don't
quite know how it happens, why it happens or what donors expect. But that is less important
than recognizing and appreciating that is DOES happen. Enjoy the rest of our season, for it
now partly belongs to you.

Thank you.
Matt 'pookums' Kraus and the rest of the RS CX team/club/family/movement.

What great emotion atmo. This team has real heart as well as a wonderful support system.

As far as pictures go, I am so glad to write that pal Irfan was in the house this past weekend and
sent me links to almost 200 killer shots of the RS 'Cross Team. He pasted most of them online
and they can be downloaded from this site. I also mined some of these pics and added them
to one of the team Flickr pages, so have a look! And speaking of race pics, Anthony Skorochod
from Pennsylvania bracketed a wonderful group of RS 'Cross Team images and left them at a
dedicated gallery on his Cycling Captured website. Have a look here. And finally,as far as pics
go, it's impossible to love one more than any other, but somehow, when the link to this gem of Dave
McElwaine's came across, I just had to mine it:




That's Amy "I Voted For" Wallace at speed atmo. Forza Issimo!!

This coming weekend we'll all be on the ferry heading to Southampton, New York for the two days of
UCI C1 racing known as the Whitmore's Landscaping SuperCross Cup. Our team is a co-sponsor
of this event so I hope you'll follow the hyperlink and come cheer for us.

Lastly, as the off season approaches and my thoughts turn just a bit less racing and more commercial,
I'll once again be at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. This year it's in Indianapolis,
Indiana. Here's a nice story that JUST went live as I was here blogging, so I think it's worth a link:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/nahbs-honours-original-six-framebuilders-19246

Thanks for reading, huh!

e-RICHIE

17, November 2008

Greetings -

This past weekend the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team traveled across that Sinatra of all river
crossings, a.k.a the Tappan Zee Bridge, for its final time this season. In recent weeks we've gone
down to the Grenogue/Wissahickon races, the Beacon and HPCX events, and these last two days
had us in Mercer County Park in Trenton, New Jersey for round two of the Crank Brothers US Gran
Prix of Cyclocross. Crank Brothers is an RS 'Cross Team sponsor, and the event itself is underwritten
by a handful of other firms whose parts are an integral part of our racing life, Challenge tires and
Sram components to name just two.

Those who made the trip included Amy, Matt. Justin, Will, and myself. Racing went well for all of us,
especially on day one. Will managed to finish high enough in the Men's Elite event to score the
points needed in the concurrently run U23 race so that he'd get a podium call up and be awarded
the overall leader's jersey in the USGP. Amy and Justin also had strong races that day and finished
in the top twenty. In my 55+ event, I sneaked in a good effort and finished second. These results, as
well as links to weekend pictures and related topics, will be pasted in the RS 'Cross Team blog
by Tuesday latest. If you're keen to follow this, please visit http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com/ in
a day or so.

On a more business-ish note, after dinner on Saturday night, we had a team meeting so that I could
begin to discuss all things roster, 'cross, and sponsorship for the 2009 season. While we do have
wonderful and generous financial and industry support, there's always some purse pulling and social
juggling that occurs so that things run smoothly, and so that the team and the brand endure. This
season has been no different. We've welcomed new names onto the team kit, and new products
onto the team bicycles. I'm happy to say that all the new has meshed incredibly well with the old.
For 2009, all the sponsors asked thus far have committed to returning, and there are several new
names which will be added. From this vantage point, all of the racers will be wearing large or even
extra large skinsuits just so that all of the logos can get be fairly represented! News on all of this in
the months to come.

As far as news on the inside goes, we'll continue to maintain the racing presence and general
participation that all who follow this team have come to expect. Our primary goals remain to
represent the sponsors, suppliers, backers, and supporters, to race consistently for the course
of the season, and to make fine memories for all involved. I'm happy to announce that, in 2009, I
have decided to cast out the net to see how the roster and body count can be expanded and
improved upon so that all our obligations to the sponsors and to the 'cross culture can be fulfilled.

In closing, one point that came out of the meeting this past weekend was that Justin Spinelli has
made the decision to ride his own program for 2009. Pal Justin has been part of the team going
back to the late 1990s when he was a phenom on the national road and 'cross circuit as a U23.
His career exploded over the course of two seasons which saw him go from a podium at the 1998
'cross Natz to racing for Farm Frites at the Giro D'Italia in what seemed like a blink of an eye. After
several seasons abroad, Justin decided to walk away from the sport "...after disagreeing with the
European Pro cycling mentality" yet never really let go of his dream of racing for a living. By 2004,
the will had returned and, as Justin wrote in one of the RS 'Cross Team bios, "That fall, Richard
Sachs went out of his way to give me a shot on his cyclocross team." (Note: you may read Justin's
text here: CLICK).

Justin has spent a decade as part of our group, has ridden shotgun with me on many, many road
trips, and has, by virtue of his class, drive, talent, and humility, helped raise the bar around here.
His commitment to 'cross and this team never waned, and his friendship through the years has
been part of what makes our troupe so successful. All of us wish him well for 2009 and beyond.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

11, November 2008

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team has about one loooong month left to its 2008 season. It's
been an incredible ride all year going right back to the first time I wrote to this cc field way back in
mid January. If you recall, I was suffering from a mild to severe case of Post 'Cross Traumatic Stress
Disorder, also known as WIMW2IDN* syndrome. Anyway, I had a touch of personal funk these past
few weeks but there's still some high level racing to be done. We have the USGP this weekend in
Trenton, the two day road trip to Southampton for back-to-back UCI C1 races courtesy of Myles
"Just Say" RomaNOw and his pals, then on to Gearworks for a UCI C2, a couple more UCI C2s in
Rhode Island, and then we're off to the National Championships in Kansas City, Pennsylvania ooops
I meant Missouri.

I want to thank all those who make it possible for us to make this journey so enjoyable and effortlessly.
The RS 'Cross Team receives financial support from RGM Watches in Pennsylvania, from Boathouse
Inc. in Massachusetts, from Rex Chiu in Palo Alto, from Sam Chun at Radix LLC in Missouri, from
Ozell Stankus Associate Architects in Georgia, from Nelly's Deli in The Bahamas, and from The
Wheatmarket in Connecticut. In addition to these generous businesses and people, we also have
had anonymous support from a number of past and present Richard Sachs clients. Our industry
sponsorship also runs deep, and we owe a debt of gratitude to these suppliers who keep our bicycles
uniformly well-equipped and our spares bin stacked in case of emergency: Verge Sport in New York,
Rudy Project in Colorado, Crank Brothers in California, ChallengeTech in Italy, Selle San Marco
in Italy, Oval Concepts in Switzerland, Joe Bell Custom Paint in California, Svelte Cycles in
New Hampshire, Cane Creek in North Carolina, Wippermann in Germany, and Sram in Illinois.
Thank you all for making my job of organizing and running this team that much easier. More than
anything else, we race for you atmo**.

So I spent the past three weeks or so in a darker place than I like to be and it's all because of racing -
my racing. I took a not-so-bad fall in Wissahickon a few Sundays ago and once again, I put my ribs
in the wrong place at the wrong time. The discomfort and the hit my fitness took as a result of some
painful recovery days ended up playing havoc with my priorities. While they do include keeping the
team happy, organized, and on the road, I found myself spending a fair amount of time obsessing
about how my own racing would be affected by the recovery time. Some days were better than others,
and a few races were worse than I would like to admit. And all along I was aware that I wasn't
taking care of the important stuff in the manner that it deserved and was accustomed to. Well I had
a couple of personal Jesus moments this past weekend and chatted with some of my team mates
and also with my wife, a.k.a. The Lovely Deb, and layed it all on the table. I was duly upset with
myself for crashing, though it's unavoidable in 'cross, yet I was beside myself with the pain that
bruised ribs can cause my body, as well the havoc it can cause my racing plans in an already short
'cross season. All of this came to the surface on the way home from this weekend's venues in New
Jersey, and by the time I purged my thoughts and feelings late last night, I was ready to turn a page
let go of it all. A good night's rest, a few pleasant emails exchanged with my team pals, and best of
all. a GREAT ride this afternoon, and I am ready for the rest of the season and all that it brings for us.

So the racing this past weekend took us back to the Garden State once again. I'm a Jersey boy to
the core, though I left at age 18. I spent my best three years at the Peddie School in Hightstown and
haven't had a moment in a classroom or in a book since I left in 1971. I even recall when John Hammond
was touting Bruce as the next big thing. I love the Jersey Shore and all the diners from the top of the
Parkway to the bottom of the Turnpike, and the pizza and hot dog joints in between. Oh, and about
cyclocross in New Jersey - on Saturday morning I picked Pookums up from his (and Tali's) digs in
Pleasantville, New York and we drove down to Bridgeton for the Beacon 'Cross race. Normally this
event is a UCI C2 race but I reckon someone forgot to put enough postage on the return envelope
so it went on as "just" a local race but with a MAC designation attached. This year, the MAC Series
is a priority for Pookums so I decided it would be fun to road trip it down. The race course is one of
the more imaginative ones of the season as it's help in a lovely park that runs along a river (or is it a
lake?). Part of the course is a natural amphitheater that serves as a ride-down and then run-up for
all the contestants. It's known as the Amphitheater of Pain. Yeah - that should say it all. About 35
Elite Male cats lined up and Pookums had a call up based on a good ranking in the Mac Series
points to date. Matt got a decent start and then fell back in the field as a result of a few bad falls in
front of him. At one point early on he was as far back as 16th and I was worried that the body count
would be insurmountable. Yet Pook persevered, and with two laps remaining, he was vying for a
podium spot. Ultimately, a small group formed with a lap or so two go, and Matt ended up sprinting
for third, yet had to settle for fifth place. It was a result that really didn't tell the story since Matt left it
all on the course, fought hard, and rode through a number of different groups of racers to get oh so
close to the front. While a sixth in and of itself is a fine finish, Matt was just seconds away from a top
three place. It all comes under the heading of training for leadership, I guess.

After the race, we sped up the pike to meet at Jamesburg, host town of the HPCX, a UCI C2 event.
This race was superbly promoted by the bicycle racing team of Rutgers University, and those in
New Brunswick should be duly proud of these students. At the hotel that evening, we met Issimo
and Spinmo who had made the long drive down from northeastern Massachusetts. Amy, Matt, and
Justin were all entered in the Elite races on Sunday. I did the 35/45 Masters race. End of story. The
good news is that, like nearly every other f%^$ing weekend this year, the RS 'Cross Team rocked,
bay-bee. The Issimo, fresh from a long campaign and already thinking of ways to personalize the
decor in the Oval Office, had a good start and then spent most of the race see-sawing between 15th
and 8th place. By the bell lap it looked like yet another top ten was in the cards for The Amy, but
when the line came up she was about 25 seconds outside of tenth place. It was a strong effort for
Amy Wallace for President on a course that favored climbers over mudders.

On the Men's side, the field was perhaps forty strong. Justin and Matt both had rocket ship starts
and, by halfway through lap one, a group of six emerged, and both were there. That group yo-yo-ed
around for the rest of the rest, and one thing was certain, no matter what combination of cats would
come through, Justin was always there. While Matt ended up fighting back for sixth and then fifth
place, Justin never relented at the front. With one to go, I expected a win. Justin was on fire and had
a look on his face that told a story. Last year at HPCX we had three RS cats vying for first place and
ended up with second and third. Justin's eyes and body english said it was redemption time. But
yuck, one never knows, does one? At about four turns, two bumps, seven trees, and a set of barriers
to go, Spin was passed by young Adam McGrath who would show his nose for the first time in an
hour. That's all she wrote. Or as Betty Boop would say, "That's all she wote." Justin sprinted hard
and fast, and second place in a hard fought race was his. This was Justin's best 'cross result of 2008
and just a heartbeat away from a UCI C2 race win. The two - Spin and Matt - rode a great race and
each earned highly coveted UCI points as a result.

It was a great weekend that I spent with Amy, Matt, and Justin. Though it was a shorter than normal
road trip, and a lower body count owing to Will's week off and Jon and Alie staying home to race in
their respective regions, I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie, the racing. the Saturday night dinner,
the lazy Sunday morning breakfast, and all the moments in between. Results are always icing on the
cupcake, but we, as a team, also win when we have these great race days together. Making memories
atmo. Many more to come.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

* whoa is me what will i do now
** according to my opinion

6 November 2008

Greetings -

Whoa am I behind on this or what atmo*. It's Wednesday evening and I'm just now getting around to
blogging about this past weekend. The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team spent two lovely days
in Northampton Massachusetts at the 195th Annual Cycle-Smart International Cyclocross at
Look Park. This race predates the actual conception of 'cross by at least a century and then some,
and I'll wager that this fact is lost on the great minds who follow the sport, and is as equally unknown
by the scribes who report on it every Monday morning. One thing is for sure, the race, the venue,
and the experiences we share each weekend never get old. Adam et al, you all put on a wonderful
weekend. We all look forward to the next forty iterations. The team had a very successful two days
of racing. Will "Just Du It" Dugan was once again on supreme fire as he won the U23 Men's
(doh...) contest and returned his own self to the lead in the season-long NEECS Verge Point
Series. On day two, we had an iota less of luck, as Will came home second and gave the Leader's
sweater back to Nick Keogh with whom he's dueled since September. No matter - Will has good
legs and an even better head. We all look forward to more lng weekends and seeing him at the top
of the podium again very soon. Amy and Pookums also had a good two days of racing. The pair
came in 16th and 19th on Saturday, and bettered these finishes to 9th and 15th on Sunday. Atmo I
would wager that Issimo and Pook had their best day of racing this year on that Sunday as they
were each extremely motivated and looking send a message about their fitness for the upcoming
USGP in two weeks, and for the National Championships coming up in mid-December. Racing-wise,
all is where it should be. Justin, a.k.a. Rotundo, also had a great result on Saturday finishing 10th,
but a mishap and then a mishap redux ended his chances halfway through Sunday's race, and he
went to the showers early. Better to save it for another day.

This coming weekend is a bit of a buffet for us. I think I'll drive down to Bridgeton, New Jersey with
Matt and race at the Beacon 'Cross, and then high tail it back to Mercer County and meet up with
Amy and Justin so we can all do the Highland Park Cyclocross Race in Jamesburg near my old
Peddie stomping grounds in Hightstown. Last year, both events were UCI C2 status but this year
only HPCX has it. Quelle dommage (french for "what cheese").

I also want to mention that I have been zealously ( I love that word - zeal - and all it's derivatives)
adding to the team Flickr galleries. Don't forget the two links which are dedicated to 2008 so far:
Gallery One (filled to its limit)
Gallery Two (in progress)

What with my new camera and so may pals taking great action pictures, I expect to fill at least three
galleries by Thanksgiving. As the images come to me and get pasted online, I'll remind you about
them here. In the meantime, here is one of my favorites of 2008:

I also received an email update from Alie Kenzer-For-The-People from the People's Republic of Boulder.
As most know, Alie moved west this past Spring but still represents for the RS 'Cross Team. This past
weekend was the Boulder Cup, and here is a first person account:

Home Away From Home:
This weekend, I decided to subject myself to some of the most excruciatingly fast Elite (with a
capital E) Women's racing at the Boulder Cup. Though I was aware that the races would be
tough, I don't think I fully comprehended the extent to which I would need to have my mental
game just as dialed (if not more) than my physical game (which is slowly but surely coming
along.) On Friday, I met up with a few Boulderites to do some "openers." Now - in most towns,
this would be a group consisting of a few racers who want to spin out their legs and maybe
add in a few hard efforts. Needless to say, we ended up riding with a few of those Elite (with
capital Es) cats and though I had a blast trying to hold on to any wheel I could, I should have
probably seen this as a sign of what was to come. It was great to meet some new faces though,
and be reminded that no matter how intimidating these folks look when they're racing, they're
actually very friendly and welcoming. Saturday's race venue was out at the Boulder Reservoir
and was filled with sandpits, loose gravel, off-camber turns, and more sand. My one briefly
redeeming moment on Saturday was during my warm-up when I rode behind Tim Johnson to
see what lines I should attempt to take. We entered the pit at full speed and made it about half
way down to the beach when he had to dismount. I thought I could keep going so I pulled around
his left side and gave him a little friendly goading. My glory lasted about 1 second though, and
as I was about to dismount, he ran up next to me and pushed me so I could keep going. I
proceeded to watch him gracefully mount his bike mid sandpit, and ride away from me just as
my front wheel got stuck and I did my own graceful endo. Sigh. One day I'll learn this game.
But for now, its nice to know I have so much support, even if my "e" in elite is still lowercase.
Which brings me to Sunday's race. This course had a lot of grass, some sand, and a LOT of
pedaling uphill. And even though it was no New England race scene, I was astounded at the
abundance of cheering on every corner. I was determined to stay in the race on Sunday, as a
few mistakes and lack of mental toughness caused me to not finish on Saturday. I had my best
start of the season, riding the entire first lap with the top ten women. It was incredibly fun and
exciting. I settled in to my own pace after a bit, but the cheers kept coming as if I were still up
front. The familiar faces and friendly cheers certainly brought up the racing morale. As the
race wore on and Georgia Gould - one of my racing idols - was about to lap me, I turned to
the crowd and said, ''Hey - I'm beating Georgia Gould!" Might have said it a little loud, as I
could hear her chuckle while riding past me. She then gave me some words of encouragement
and the crazy part was, she wasn't even out of breath! I told her "great job" as I pedaled a
little harder to try and keep her in view. We took a slick grassy corner a little hot, and as I slid
my rear wheel out, I watched her as solidly handle her bike and take off like a speeding bullet.
Congrats to her on a stellar weekend of racing! I'm looking forward to some low key local
races next weekend. Time for a little confidence boost!

Thanks, Alie. We miss you like you cannot believe.

Lastly, I want to remind all who read here about the sidebar to the Whitmore's Landscaping
Super Cross Cup that will be held in another three weeks or so. I have this pee are puff piece to
paste in courtesy of the promoters:

Entire Atmosphere up for Grabs at Whitmore's
Myles Romanow is giving the atmosphere to a lucky cyclocross racer. The promoter of the
Whitmore's Landscaping Super Cross Cup in The Hamptons has announced that he will be
giving away the atmosphere as part of the event's "Ready, Set, Race" raffle. Romanow had
previously announced that one of the raffle prizes will be a complete, custom-built Richard
Sachs Team Cyclocross bike, complete with wheels, SRAM components, shoes and helmet.

Now, Romanow has teamed up with Richard Sachs again to give away the "ATMO-sphere",
a baseball personally autographed by Sachs himself. "It's a really lame prize ATMO," said
Sachs airily, "not nearly as good as all the other s**t Myles is giving away." ("ATMO", short
for "according to my opinion", is Sachs' signature catchphrase.)

The raffle will also award a set of Dura Ace 7850 SL scandium tubeless clincher wheels and a
complete SRAM Rival group set as prizes. Non-UCI competitors at the Whitmore's Landscaping
Super Cross Cup will automatically receive one free raffle ticket for every race they enter.
Raffle Tickets can also be purchased through the event's registration page on BikeReg.com.

"People always knew I had balls," said Romanow, "now I'm giving one of them away."

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE©™®
www.richardsachs.com
http://rscyclocross.blogspot.com
Richard Sachs Cycles
No.9, North Main Street
Chester, CT 06412 USA

*according to my opinion

29, October 2006

WILL POWER!
JUST DU IT!

WILL DUGAN WINS A BIG ONE FOR THE RICHARD SACHS CYCLOCROSS TEAM.

This pic speaks volumes atmo. While Justin, Pookums, Jon, and myself all took a weekend
off, the A Team (a.k.a. Wallace and Kenzer) and Will traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the
U.S Gran Prix of Cyclocross, presented by Crank Brothers - who are, in fact, a longtime RS
'Cross Team sponsor. Amy had two very fine results, and Alie, after coming up short on day
one, finished well on Sunday. On the men's side, Will was racing in the U23 category which
runs concurrently with the Elite event for men of the same gender. On Saturday, Will was 22nd
overall and 4th in his own group On Sunday he was racing for blood and the brand. I was not
there and still don't know the lap-by-lap blows, but according to heresay and race results online,
Will aced it by finishing 16th overall and FIRST in the U23 division. Here's a great pic of the Du
getting his just do. A big e-RICHIE congrats to all three racers because I know they were all there
all weekend for each other, and any success is a shared success and the result of a collaborative
effort atmo. This top podium appearance of Will's is his second this season in UCI races, the
first being on day one at the Vermont UCI 'Cross race in late September. Hugs all around.

Regarding this past weekend, here is some pasted text mined from The Amy's blog from Sunday:

Everyone is boxing up bikes and packing away dirty laundry here at Oli's house, ready to head
homeward early tomorrow morning. I can't exactly say that anyone is going home with extra hardware,
but someone is going home with this sweet plywood plaque!!
Yup, our buddy Will Dugan took the #1 spot on the podium in the U23 race today!! The women's
race for Alie and I went... well... it went! We had fun anyway. WILL on the other hand rocked it,
racing in a group for 10th spot for most of the hour-long event. Eventually finishing 16th, he was
the first U23 rider and was congratulated by his teammates after the real podium girl gave him
nothing but the bouquet and plaque. (SEE PIC ABOVE)

And here is a nice note from Alie which sums it all up, RS 'Cross Team style:

That was some very tough racing, IMHO. Those ladies are incredibly fast and I felt very humbled.
I'm sorry I couldn't do better but I am pretty happy to have finished yesterday....and I've gotta say,
I feel really lucky that our team is so awesome and inspiring on AND off the course. I loved how
the three of us RS cats really meshed well, par usual, but especially this weekend. We've got
something really special going here, and I think its clear to those around us as well. We gush
charisma and good spirits and as much as we appreciate the folks who support us, I think they
feel the same. Only major major factors missing this weekend were the rest of the crew....only a
few more races till we meet up again!
xoxoxoxoxozox
Alie

Thanks, all. It sounds like it was a wonderful weekend for making memories.

On other news, I received a nice note from Joel Ankeny this week. Some of you may recall that
way back in July I mentioned a BikeMS fundraiser than he was participating in, along with a link
to make donations. It sounds like the event was a success for Joel:

Hi Richard,

It's Joel Ankeny from RGM Watch Co. I just wanted to pass along a quick thank you for posting
my BikeMS NYC fundraising link on your blog. I had a number of donors mention they found
out about the ride from your site. If you could pass along the thanks I would greatly appreciate it.
All together we raised $1,600.00 for a great cause! I will be riding again next year and hopefully it
won't be so wet and soggy. This link will take you to some pictures of me flying the red RS/RGM
jersey during the ride . Hopefully I will get a chance to see the team this year at one of your races!

Thanks again for the support.
Joel Ankeny
P.S. After reading your blog and Amy's you guys inspired me to start my own - so thank you! :-)
--
J aka Captain Crunch
http://adventuresofcaptcrunch.blogspot.com

Two more things to mention atmo. Matt "Pookums" Kraus with just one S is in the news. He has
what appears to be a 6,000 word interview in the current newsstand edition of Cyclocross Magazine.
It reads like a "Matt's life until now..." and I am proud to out it here. I hope you all can locate a copy
at the LBS or local Barnes and Nobles. I'm equally pleased to mention that Mo Bruno Roy and Matt
Roy have launched a new website kinda' sorta' devoted to the '08 season and all of Mo's new 'cross
plans and sponsors. I got on the email list and get their news that way, but the site has all the details,
is updated very often, and is very beautifully crafted. Check it out, huh.

Well, aside from my wanting all who read these tomes to know that the Flickr galleries* are being added to
almost daily (lotsa', LOTSA' great 2008 team pics are now up), the RS 'Cross Team will be in Northampton,
Massachusetts both days this weekend for the 18th Annual Cycle-Smart-Invitational UCI-C2 events which
are also races 5 and 6 in the NECCS Verge Series. I hope you can come out to Look Park and have a great
two days of fun and see why we always say, 'Cross Fucking Rules Atmo.

Thanks for reading.
e-RICHIE

* gallery uno
* gallery duh

23, October 2008

FYI atmo -

21, October 2008

Greetings -

This pretty much sums it up for me whenever the question, "Cross Fuickng Rules Atmo" is asked,
even though it's not even a question! The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team had a very great
road trip weekend to the MAC states and competed at two of our very favorite venues, Grenogue and
Ludwig's Corner. It was the first time all season that the entire roster was in one place in one time.
All of us - Jon from the South, Alie from Boulder, and Justin, Willy, Pookums, Issimo, and myself
from the Northeast. To complete the treat, Alicia and young Fox made the trip with Jon and the
weekend felt equal parts family reunion and back to back UCI races rolled into one. I think 'cross
is about fun and making memories, and despite the fact that the RS 'Cross Team always races at
the front and gives good brand, the single best detail that defines us is the good times we have
when we are together, especially on the road. There's an intangible that comes from mixing 'cross
and the road, and then adding a MAC weekend to the stew. We've been going to these two races
for years now, and they keep growing and getting better. Promoters Tom McDaniels and Drew
Guldalian and all of those who work with them should get major league props for what is for many,
the single best race weekend of the 'cross season.

So what's with the image at the top of the page? Ya' see, long after Saturday's race ended and all
of us were back at the NoTelCo Lodge, dinner plans were vaguely being discussed. Contrary to
what I wanted (a group-ish meal) folks seemed to be leaving in ones and twos as if we were
students at some school and off to the cafeteria we'd traipse in pairs etcetera. I was the last to be
ready, and - alas, all were missing. It was a strange and unique feeling being left upstairs and it did
play tricks with my head just a wee bit. No matter. I stored it away and walked across the road to
the restaurant where the riders would be dining. There was a big table and all 8-9 were there waiting.
No one had ordered, so I felt okay that I didn't miss anything.

Orders were placed, 22 ounce Sam Adams were thrown back, meals were eaten, and there were
no awkward moments as a result of folks leaving me to be last to leave for the restaurant. Within a
minute or two of possible dessert decision making, a slight shift occurred. To my right, Pookums -
who seemed to be duly uncomfortable in his seat and who had been a tad fidgety that evening -
made a move to stand up as if to relieve a pair of cramping legs. But it wasn't the day's race effort
that was making him jumpy, it was a box that he and all of the team were hiding under the table
since before I arrived. You see, they arranged a gift for me and when Matt reached for the box and
presented it on behalf of all, I realized why the troops were so self-absorbed just 60-90 minutes
earlier as they all rushed to leave for TGIF's. The upshot of all this was I am the lucky recipient of a
fabulous gift courtesy of my very thoughtul, very caring, and most wonderful team. In true Erwin
Vervecken fashion, I now have my very own fan club jacket just like the Varsity 'cross cats in
Belgium do! Just check me out proudly strutting home after dinner:

It was a very special moment for me to receive this gift. I was completely surprised and then very
pleased to share my emotions and thoughts with my mates. We have a very strong bond that is
shared all year, despite only really spending 4 or so months of it together. As I told them, we are
friends, family, team mates, and co-workers all rolled up in one, and I love each and every one of
them more than I can explain.

So what else about the weekend? For starters, we had a unique (very unique?) experience of
having photographer, RS client, and newest best friend, Irfan Khalil, spend the day following
the team and the race through his REALLY BIG and EXPENSIVE camera! The result? Irfan
singlehandedly captured the very essense of the RS 'Cross Team from the moment each of
us pinned on numbers to the day's end when we chilled out in the parking lot. Someday I will
paste all of his images onto my Flickr page, but until then I encourage you to click through this
link and have a look at what we look like. Scroll to the page bottom and download the zipped file.
For those too timid to try, here is a small sampling that Irfan culled for his own site. Please note
that if you don't see the images in the zipped file you're missing the best pics atmo!

Speaking of pictures, no self respecting Atmo would do a MAC race weekend report without pointing
a few times to the work of the hardest working shooter in Delaware, a.k.a. Dennis Smith. I have
been following Dens' site for years now and always look forward to seeing what he comes up with.
Here's what I found:
Alie
Alicia
Issimo
Issimo
Pook and Jon
Pook and Justin
Pook and his own selfmo
Just Dugan It
Pookums (are you paying DS under the table?)
Guess who...
Willmo
Spinmo
Not Ben Johnson
Atmo
Atmo
Mo Atmo
Wallacemo
Kenzermatic for the People
Atmo voting for Wallace
Oval Office
Willmo
Spinmo
Justin
Jonmo

Cool stuff, huh! Thanks, Dennis. We love your pictures and we love the MAC road trips atmo.

But wait! There are other GREAT pictures that I loaded onto the Flickr site. Check these out.
This gallery is almost at its limit and it's only just October! I'll have to start a new one in a week or
so, and when I do I'll highlight some other pals/shooters whose work I, er - collect! A special thanks
to all of you - Dave, Geoff, the other Geoff, Matt, Robert - and names I can't even summon up I'm so
typed out right now, but we are grateful for all the team images we have on the Flickr page.

One last thing re pics: don't forget to check out the work of our own shutterbug, one half of the pair
that is known in Nashville as the Pretty Princesses, our own Issimo's Picasa page is also a trove
of mighty fine pixels. And while you're there, take a side trip to The Amy Blog as well! Nothing
says lovin' like driving up the Site Meter hitcounter atmo. Just do it.

One last mention of pics and then I am DONE. Here's a real gem from the Grenogue event.
Okay, enough said!

Well I have been typing for a while and need to post this, despite having race results to paste
in and news of next week's events. If you made it this far, perhaps check back in 2-3 days and
I'll hope to update.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

15 October 2008

Greetings -

This past weekend the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team was in Gloucester, Massachusetts as well as
in Richmond, Virginia. It's all good, no GREAT, news atmo*. First things first. While I do not as yet have the
first person account from Hambo himself, the news is that, like - who was it, Lee? - Jon Hamblen, our lone
Mid-Atlantic States soldier, came and conquered. How do I know? I saw it here: http://www.bikereg.com/
Results/2008/10/11-Richmond-Festival-of-Cross.asp We (the folks in the northeast) don't get to see or
race with Jon more than 3-4 weekends during the 'cross season (and I am desperately trying to get him to
move his hiney up here just so the numbers improve). However, that will change for the moment soon because
the next string of events has all of the RS 'Cross Team converging in Brandywine country in 4 short days.
More on that later. In the meanwhile, here is a race report JUST sent over from Jon:

Alicia and I took our boy Fox up to Richmond, VA, for the Cyclocross Festival races. Three
races put on by Dr Matt and the Altius cycling team. The first race on Saturday was a really
torque-y circuit in Chmborazo park. Chimborazo is on the side of a big hill downtown. We got
to up and down the hill plenty of times. To make it hurt extra super bad, they had us go over
a big set of stairs at the top. Alicia finished third in her race after losing her rear wheel at the
start (we forgot to tighten the quick release after a pre race wheel change). I won my race
after riding with my road teammate Mike Stoop (Altius) until the last time up the stairs. Stoop
let me win. Good thing too, even though this was Mike's second cyclocross race ever he was
riding strong and he has a good bit of sprintyness in him. Thanks Mikey!

The one lap time trail was held just after the Men's race Saturday, one lap of the course minus
a barrier. It hurt more than any lap in the race. Alicia took second and I won my race by just
two seconds over Stoop.

The last race of the omnium was held at Bryan Park, a place I know very well. I used to live
down the street when I was an amateur bike racer in the mid-nineties. We used to race at
Bryan Park on skinny tires every Tuesday night. The course was super fast with fun sections
in the woods and lots of barriers. After the grinding lower back workout the previous day,
Alicia's back was already in trouble before she had to run the two sets of fast barriers. About
halfway into the race her back finally quit and she had to limp in for third place after riding in
second for the first half. In my race we had a group of four together for the first half. Stoop
was there again but having trouble on the barriers, Craig Dodson (Richmond Pro Cycling) was
riding fairly well, and another Altius guy was not having trouble staying on either. I'm pretty
sure I was the only full time cross racer in the group but these guys were not letting me get
away without a fight. I had to light it up out of every turn for two laps to get a little gap. But
it was enough of a gap to hang on for the win and another big check. Which reminds me, the
prize money for this race was awesome, Thanks Dr Matt!

Up here in the Cupcake Belt, the rest of us had a mighty fine, no - make that a MIGHTY F^&*ING FINE,
time in Stage Fort Park for the New England World's, aka the Erdinger Gran Prix of Gloucester. Myself
and my wife, aka The Lovely Deb, along with Justin, Amy, Matt, Dave, and Will, all raced extremely well.
Especially on Saturday. I know, that was not a real sentence. For starters, Dave and I were in the Masters
55+ race (which was kinda' sorta' combined with the Masters 35+/45+ B race...). I was there in Glawsta' for
at least one podium appearance and I delivered. Came in second. I know, that was not a real sentence.
And the ca tthat beat me was a two-time National Champion, so I feel mighty effin' fine about the result.
Dave followed me in, not much further back, at sixth place. We rule. In the real racing events, where folks
half our age - folks who could be described as skinny white people with tan lines - the RS' Cross Team