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