RICHARD SACHS 'CROSS REFERENCE©™®

2011-02-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

4, February 2011

Greetings -

It's been a while since I have sent out an update. The 'cross season ended on (see last missive) and the circle of life has brought me
back to the bench in Warwick atmo. Snowshoeing is the new black, if you catch my drift. And sisters, drift doesn't begin to describe
the accumulation of white stuff we have here. There have been days in the past few weeks during which half the time was spent shoveling
the paths to the road, and to the shop, and to the woodpiles, and to the compost area. I finally caved and had our property put on the list
for a local to plow so that at least the cars would no longer be landlocked. It has indeed been a long winter and it's not over yet atmo.

So, I haven't ridden a bicycle or even had my leg over one since the last lap in Bend sometime during December. You'll notice in this image
that air is key to a smiling face. I flatted with about a lap or so to go and the look says it all. Unlike 2009 when heavy mud days (it IS 'cross
after all) were the norm, I never had to power-wash my bicycle once all fall, but the natz were different. This coming season will be extended
by a month or so since the championships are in January of 2012 and I look forward to more days of fitness, travel, and finding ways to get
on or near the podium. The fire within me that is only satisfied with a good race result still burns and I and I am resting up in anticipation of
starting the 5 month ordeal all over again by late summer.

The new (revised) dotcom site is up and running and we finally have all the pages functional. Please check out the press/articles as well as the
the interviews links for the latest print and viral reporting about me and the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. It all begins on the front page.
I also am part of peloton magazine's site's new feature on artisanal framebuilding.. An interview I did with Patrick Brady went live last night. Here
are the links to read them -

http://pelotonmagazine.com/Artisans/content/17/379/Richard-Sachs-Part-1
http://pelotonmagazine.com/Artisans/content/17/380/Richard-Sachs-Part-2

In three weeks I will be in Austin, Texas for the NAHBS show. This makes number seven for me. The weekend looks to be well organized
and the exposition is said to be near to a sell-out capacity both in terms of exhibitors and tickets sold. See you there atmo.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-12-08T06:59:00.001-08:00

7, December 2010

Greetings -

As a varsity team procrastinator, a poster child for ADD, as well as a champion of the low word count post (please don’t mention terms like
Zen-shortened or sound bite, huh), I wonder where the time goes and if I've sat still long enough to savor the memories I am so vigilantly
reminding others that we, the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team, are here to make. It often seems like one continuous wave we are riding,
year after year. We race, we stop, we plan, we rearrange, and we race again. Lather, rinse, and repeat atmo.

We are one race weekend away from closing the books for 2010. I am on a plane heading for Bend, Oregon where Josh, Matt, and myself
(or is it “and me...?”) will race the National Championships. After that, as has become the norm, we’ll cherish the good times we’ve had,
second guess some of the what-ifs, and go our separate ways for a while.

Unlike so many other seasons on the road, or iterations of sponsors and riders, this one seemed like an autumn in transition. For us, the
moons lined up a certain way, and in a heartbeat we became a Ménage à Trois (that’s French for three for dinner). Typically, everything the
RS ‘Cross Team touches and is touched by is planned nearly a year in advance. There was a real contrast between what was expected once
September arrived with what we actually brought to the table when that first start pistol was fired. For whatever reason, we had one rider who
decided two days before that first race that the demands on him from his 2011 road program precluded racing the very ‘cross program we spent
countless months setting the table for. (Yes, I was supremely disappointed, but I said to myself, this is the business we've chosen; I didn't ask
who gave the order, because it had nothing to do with business!). Then, about three race weekends into the schedule, pal and team sponsor,
Lil Justy, hit the deck at Stage Fort Park and would be sidelined for a month or so. Fate showed us who’s boss when, two weeks later, he was
hit by a car, making some injuries worse, as well as adding several new ones. Season over. And then we were three atmo.

Many of you have read the previous thirteen or so missives from the 2010 season and know that we missed our sidelined team mates atmo.
Regardless of our trio status, we forged ahead with the same determination and aggressive attitude that have become our stock in trade. The
three of us were at each race venue to represent our sponsors, to make memories, and to race well. Nothing had changed. The last month has
seen Josh and Matt at the front of all races as well as finishing in the top five with each start. As results go, the RS 'Cross Team has been getting
it done. My own finishes have been a smidgen less remarkable than last year's, but I am still in the first ten on a regular basis. As a group, we have
a few less wins this season, but the efforts were there and I've never be prouder to be part of all this. In a nutshell, despite having our little program
sliced in half, we didn't miss a beat, or a cue, or find reasons to half-pedal and wait for next year, or anything remotely similar atmo. Mad props to
Josh and Pookems, as well as to Alie and Tali, and to, of course, the to master of the pits - TLD herself - for what has been a complete season for
the RS 'Cross Team.

Thanks to all of you who support us, follow us, and race against or with us atmo. One more race to go.

e-RICHIE

2010-11-25T04:41:00.001-08:00

25, November 2010

Greetings atmo -

From all of us who ever have been a part of the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team to all of you who have ever
sponsored us, supported us, followed us, and raced against us, we wish you the best during the holiday season
and especially over the Thanksgiving weekend. The text that follows is courtesy of Matt Pookums Kraus with
one S and is pasted below.

Take care

e-RICHIE

Athletes love goals. Cross racers love the natz. The natz is a pretty severe season goal for cross racers. Cross racers live for natz,
even if its only a race like a race on any given Sunday. Racers do special things for this any given Sunday race, we train, taper, pay
attention to fatigue and take advantage of opportunities given to us. One of these such opps came in the form of the missing east coast
USGP that relocated to Colorado. That relocation, gave a gap to the calendar on the weekend of November 13/14. Most of us, myself
included, used that gap in the race program to get in some fitness reload. When racing weekend in and out, it tends to wear down the
fitness. The mid season (or so) reload can top the tanks off and set up the nats regime on a good foot instead of hanging on to a thread
hoping to have the stuff on December 9-13th. The downside of the weekend off, fitness reload is the broken up routine.

Loosing ones racing rhythm, while not hard to get back, it can be mental to let the racing mindset and form on a slightly longer leash while
the training happens. Longer leash means little fitness rover is not right out in the backyard where you can see him gnaw on a bone, he's
taken to running off after a flock of seagulls and has disappeared over the crest of the hill. When you call rover, sometimes he takes longer
than you want to come back. But when he comes back, he's usually pretty happy. Happy rover equals happy racer. Coming back from my
run over the hills, I raced in the new new Southampton relocated strong island race. Also worth noting, 1 hour from our apartment in Pleasantville,
which was the first time I can remember when racing a double weekend and getting to return to my wife and bed on Sat night. Not bad at all. Day
1 was my re re welcome back to the big leagues day. Watching football with my dad, whenever a rookie got his clock cleaned, he called it the
"welcome to the NFL" hit. Even managing a decent 4th on Saturday, my legs were getting their welcome to the racing hit, but I knew this was
temporary and the next day would be better sensations. I got overheated with an attack and could not recover, having to let 2 and 3 spots leave
the station. Day 2 got off to a better start, I found myself sitting in the leader group in 4th or 5th spot, feeling more comfortable. Two thirds of the
way through lap 1, I rolled a freshly glued tubi. Boo. Big effing boo. Lucky for this jew, I was near the pits and when I was back on trusty awesome
bike 2, I was in 12th. Now the good news is that I pedaled strong and well, and brought myself back into battling with a foe for 5th place. I lost the
sprint because I failed to 'mark' the finish line and timed my sprint too late, but that kinda rookie move happens from time to time. After the race,
warmed down, packed up and made it home to watch another barn burner...the Jets win what looked like a sure loss with a last minute 70 yard
march. First time I got the watch the Jets all season!

Anywho, it's Sterling MA, double in RI and then we fly out to natz. The season is on the tail end but the tail end we love and live for. Everything starts
to matter even when nothing really matters. It's the perfect trifecta, and I hope little rover is ready to rumble. The weekends keep ticking by and the
season is a much a memory as it is yet to unfold. I feel good about my team, my odds and my desire. I also want to take this opportunity to (re)thank
everyone that helps make this most awesome team happen. From the steel man, to the companies that help the steel work, to the donors who help
on the money end to lube the whole program. Its the most fun and something that has come to mean a lot to me, and I have said this before, I don't
know why you support us so devoutly, and I cant speak to what you get out of it, but I can tell you I live for this shit and embrace almost every moment
of it. Thank you.

2010-11-17T19:24:00.001-08:00

16, November 2010

Greetings atmo -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team, D.B.A. Matt Pookums Kraus with one S and Josh One Too Many Mornings Dillon will be in
East Meadow, New York this weekend for the Whitmore's Landing Super Cross Cup Mac Series 11 and 12 (wtf huh - who makes
up these race names, anyway?) without me. TLD and me (or is it myself) will take some personal time at home. Ahhhh Franklin County.
But I digress. For this team email-to-all, the salient feature is the text I pasted at the page-bottom. Josh penned it and I am pleased to
include it as part of a RS 'Cross Team missive. Before I sign off, please be aware that my Smoked Out page over at the V place has
been added to through the weeks and I'll link it here for you all to click through to. Start with this ---> XXXX . The Smoked Out forum is
a sub-board over at the VelocipedeSalon and it's a place where framebuilders could broadcast their inner thoughts, list their muses,
talk about their business models, or just hold court. I have hosted the ordeal going back to the late winter, and dozens of my peers have
taken threads and gone viral atmo. I hope you enjoy scrolling through the pages there.

Thanks for following us, and please read the words below.

e-RICHIE

From Josh Dillon -

Today is November 16th. It's probably the birthday of somebody you know. Or maybe an anniversary. Or both. Here at the 'Cross Reference
it is roughly the mid-point of the US cyclocross season. Starting with this coming weekend in Long Island we will make a strong push for the
US National Championship race held in Bend, Oregon on December 12th. While this season has been a couple of big steps backwards for
me personally, in terms of results, I am very optimistic that this final push will find some glimmers of the hallowed 2009 season, when Dan
and I went 1-2 in the Verge New England Cyclocross series. But if a "big result" isn't realized in these closing weeks, which there is a good
chance of being the case as changes in bike racing take years and not months, it will be a blessing just the same. This year has left me
with no choice but to be grateful for the opportunities to travel and ride my bike with my closest friends. And that is a blessing in and of itself.

November 16th also happens to be 4 months to the day that my cousin was mugged and shot in the back in Hyannis while vacationing with
his family at the Cape this summer. He was paralyzed instantly, and has battled (i mean fucking battled...not in the bike racing sense) to
return to life as a husband, father, and counselor at a private academy in Connecticut. But everyday he thanks God to be alive as he could
have died face down in a pool of his own blood in Hyannis on July 16th.

My fondest memories with him are from the ski slopes. Nowadays in ski films everybody and their grandmother throws flips off anything, but
20 years ago nobody did - except for Cuz. I will never forget the most idyllic of spring ski days on Bear Mountain at Killington (which for those
not in the know has THE BEST deck facing square up the marquee Outer Limits trail...which by this point of the year had cleared away the gates
from the steepest stop on the now defunct US Pro Tour and was wall to wall moguls the size of VW bugs). So with the sun deck packed with folks
nursing their wounds with ice, as in ice cold alcoholic beverages, Cuz would throw a flip off the big kicker at the bottom of the run every time down
and the deck would roar (as i type this i swell up with tears). So those days are over - but he is grateful to be alive, as is anybody who knows him.
Everyday is a gift. He truly is inspirational. Not this year, and probably not next, but maybe in the next 5 years Cuz wants my Dad and I to take him
heli-skiing. I will drop everything the day he tells me he is ready to go and make it happen.

Oh ya - bike racing. So this hasn't been the best of years for me or the team for results - but I am grateful to ride today. And am really looking
forward to the weekend and the next.

Read more here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/patrickshanahan
and here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/patrickshanahan/journal .

2010-11-03T18:13:00.001-07:00

4, November 2010

Greetings -

Some of us on the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team used this past weekend as a chance to rest our souls at the half way point in
the season. Matt Pookums Kraus with one S did not. He was down in New Jersey at the Highland Park CX and had this to say about
the racing atmo (the m now stands for Matt...).

Flying solo to a race is not regular for those in the famiglia squadra sachissimo. In fact it only seems to happen once or twice a year.
While its pretty easy to bear the torch and represent, it is a different experience. Whether its chatting with Deb, casual exchanges with
pookie (ed note: I think that's me, e-RICHIE), grabbing some time with Buddy, shooting the crap with Josh and hopefully soon the lil shaver
(another ed note: he must mean Justin), getting the best pit service this side of the ____ (insert witty geographical place here) it's our racing
family and I like being around it. Us racer types are all creatures of habit even as those habits evolve over times. Over the last two weeks I
found my 2010 inner get ready plan big time. The most important of this new 2010 routine is my new emphasis on riding for at least 20 minutes
BEFORE getting in at least a hot lap and a half during the short course inspection slot. The challenge there is getting my butt early enough to
the venue, but that's fodder for another writing. In the past I have doubled course inspection with my warm up, but now I think that's bunk.
Warming up while inspecting allows you to go slow and see lines, inspect this or that, choose a sneaky way to deal with a transition, etc. But
it's at a drastically different pace than when the gas pedal is on. Now the trainer intervals just keep me loose before its go time. Anyway, back
to the solo trek. Even though I had plenty to do and keep my busy, I missed having the crew around. In between the to-dos it was a quieter
experience until the gun sounded. I staged on the 4th row from low MAC transactions and as the race funneled quickly I was a cattle in a herd
for about 40 seconds, the same amount I finished behind the leaders - fancy that! I fought hard, raced in a frontward direction for 45 minutes
and played the game well but was not able to mark the top three. I did race aggressively and made the extended podium to grab 5th. Solid, but
not getting me excited. I think we're at the midway point in the season, which is worth noting as a marker for plenty of time for good times to come
with the crew.

The family is down another quart this week as the news from the medical community is that Lil' Justy is done for the season. Following his hard
fall at Gloucester, getting hit by a car (with state marker plates, no less) within 10 days of that, has sealed his 2010 fate as a 'crosser. We're all
in touch regularly so the bonds continue. But the racing is over atmo. The cat's absence will leave a hole that cannot be filled.

Josh, Matt, and me (or is it myself...) will be in Northampton, Massachusetts this weekend for two days of UCI C2 events. It's the Cycle-Smart
International Cyclo-Cross at Look Park. Hey - bring the family, huh.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-10-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

30, October 2010

Greetings -

What a difference a day makes atmo. The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team had one of its best weekends in years
this past Saturday and Sunday. We were in New Gloucester, Maine for the Downeast Cyclocross UCI C2 events. It's
funny (not) how focused I have become on results these past few seasons as wins and podium places have become
quite routine for us each weekend. We are there at the venues to represent first, and make everlasting memories too.
One fine way to build and support a brand (read: keep the RS 'Cross Team's sponsors in the limelight) is to race rather
than just ride. There's a big difference between being there and being there and having a presence, and I feel our team has
a presence atmo. In Maine, not only did we leave with memories, we also left spent and reaped the rewards of wringing every
ounce of effort from ourselves. In the two days of racing, Pookums' sixth on Saturday and second on Sunday, coupled with
Josh's fourth and fifth respectively in his events, made for our best finishes so far. Both riders are on the fast track to consistently
high places going into the second half of the season. I couldn't be more pleased with this. Please click through the image links
below to see them in focus and at speed.

For my own part, I had a rare-slash-unusual-slash-surreal moment of racing on Saturday. It's no secret that 2010 is not
going to be, for me, the take no prisoners (what does that mean, anyway?) season I had waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2009.
Well, if it is a secret, I wish it was one that was kept from me. Regardless, I have reconciled that another summer has passed,
I'm a year older, and the competition in my category is deeper than ever. When last year I could start any race and fear no one,
since this season started, my demeanor has included a, "I wonder when I'll get popped" component that has effed with my head
major league like. It's not a healthy attitude, especially since I am at the race to RACE rather than to ride in circles. Thus far,
most of my finishes have been top tens and I have worked very hard to get them too! So anyway, Saturday I had this great start
(rare for me...) and was in the first five for most of lap one. All of the sudden - poof - some demon got into my head and put in this
doubt shit that came from who knows where. Within a pedal stroke, I was wondering why I was even in Maine. It's hard to articulate
because at that very point I was still in the race (as in, at the front of it) but all energy needed to get the bicycle going was lost. In
the space of less than a minute, I went from a great position to one of getting passed by this cat and then that cat, and then those
guys. I was in a place that was unfamiliar to me and I made a decision to quit. In all my years of 'cross, it was my first DNF and it
came with less than ten minutes of effort. I was upset. TLD was upset. I pondered what message this action sends to all who saw
it in real time or might read DNF next to my name in the results. It sucked to be me, and it sucked to be around me as well. The
lovely Deb and I discussed what transpired and the conversation left me with a will to never get close to losing focus again. We invest
a lot of energy to be at all race weekends fit, and prepared, and on the best equipment. Going there and leaving matches left unburned
makes no sense at all. The next day I felt compelled to prove to myself that I had legs and motivation and raced the way I expect to,
am supposed to, and am there at each event to. The ninth I got on Sunday may seem like a mediocre result in the larger picture but
I left it all on the course and was more satisfied with that finish than I was with any of my five wins in 2009 atmo. I am part of the team,
and not just the guy who helps coordinate it. My race may precede Matt's and Josh's, and Masters racing may seem like just a part of
the under-card. But it is a race just the same, and we all line up with a chance at beating up on our fellow competitors. I may have forgot
about this for a moment on Saturday but I'll stay reminded of it until the very last 'cross event I register for. Hey - thanks for listening.

Okay, now for my specialty, mining the internet for RS 'Cross Team stuff. There's quite the list this week and it includes three videos
(one for me, one for Pookums, and one for JD), a link to what I feel is a superb article penned by Brian Palmer at TWMP in which, I
believe, the team is used as a metaphor - or maybe we're there as an example of how to get it done. Note: drink more Ardberg atmo.
And, all of this is followed by a list of images I found on Flickr

That GREAT post by Brian atmo

e-RICHIE on film
Pookums on film
Josh on film

Josh one
Josh two
Josh three
Josh four
Josh five
Josh six
Josh seven
Josh eight
Josh nine
Josh ten
Josh eleven
Josh twelve
Josh thirteen

Atmo alef
Atmo bet
Atmo gimmel
Atmo dalet
Atmo heh
Atmo vav

Pookums I
Pookums II
Pookums III
Pookums IV
Pookums V
Pookums VI
Pookums VII
Pookums VIII
Pookums IX
Pookums X
Pookums XI

I want to thank Matt Kraus and Josh Dillon for racing hard, racing at the front, and for representing the RS 'Cross Team
superbly well in 2010. Along with these two and TLD, I want to send regards to Justin Spinelli who remains on the injured
list for another few weeks atmo. Please drive up his Luxe Wheelworks hitcounter by following his new tech journal.

Many thanks.

e-RICHIE

2010-10-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

20, October 2010

Greetings -

Delightful is such a purple word atmo. The members of the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society might use
it to describe an afternoon in July or the cucumber sandwiches served at a recent fundraiser. And now I, e-RICHIE, choose
to invoke it too. This past weekend I had an absolutely delightful time with the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. We were
in Brandywine Valley racing at the Grenogue Estate in Delaware. The Grenogue 'Cross weekend has been the highlight of
my season for many years going back to the Monkey Hill days, and it's a promotion of DCCD, Marc Vettori, Tom McDaniels,
and many, many of their pals, all of whom make it one of the best run events on the calendar.

There has been a lapse in my electronic broadcasts these past couple of weeks but this weekend I have found my muse. It
all began where it ended, too. The lot of us were the guests of the Roat family. Rich Roat owns House Industries, one of the
RS 'Cross Team sponsors. They are based in Yorklyn, Delaware and the race venue is with ten miles of the office. Rich and
his family hosted us for the weekend and made Deb, Buddy, Matt, Joshua, and me comfortable beyond measure. Racing, but
especially the road trips, comes with a high degree of stress. We're all there to turn ourselves inside for a good ride and finish
on or near the podium. The hospitality and warmth extended to us for the three days made it a bit easier for the team to race
hard and leave nothing of ourselves on the course each day. I haven't been updating the results in real time, but all of us have
been landing in the top ten in all races since our 2010 baptism up in Williston some five weeks ago. At some point I'll compile
a bar graph or similar to show all how we've done each weekend. For now I'll just say that the team is racing very well, is highly
motivated, and the riders have been excellent ambassadors for all things RS 'Cross Team atmo.

The picture mining I do after each event has long since reached cottage industry proportion, and 2010 is no different. Most of the
images that I shoot end up on my Flickr page in this gallery. All the shots there are loaded oldest to newest, so scroll to the end
of the page(s) if you want to see only the recent stuff. For other race day pictures that I find (or that find me, as the case may be)
are in the form of links only. For instance, MAC pals Anthony Skorochod, Dennis Smith, and Joe Mallis were in attendance this
past weekend and the following represents their efforts atmo:

Anthony's RS 'Cross Team page on Cycling Captured Dot Com

Dennis Smith 1
Dennis Smith 2
Dennis Smith 3
Dennis Smith 4

http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Sunday/13946719_XUmtW#1051936764_B4rjN-XL-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Sunday/13946719_XUmtW#1052097109_35f4c-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Sunday/13946719_XUmtW#1052221160_oockF-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1051782117_SN4yc-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1051791784_ZhmLb-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1051791460_mykFu-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1051792465_N45mM-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1051800199_MpbcJ-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1052178309_aHXrq-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1052328288_tiETK-X2-LB
http://www.joemallis.com/Sports/2010-Cyclocross-Season/Granogue-Cyclocross-Saturday/13946660_mk6qB#1052456205_M8Zma-X2-LB

After the Sunday race, I asked each of the riders to reflect on their season to date, while focusing on the recent weekend. What
follows are the texts from Pookums and Josh, but first a note about pal Justin Spinelli. Lil' Justy has spent more time racing on the
RS 'Cross Team than any other single person (so far...), going back to the late '90s when his breakout season in 1998 (or near to
it) saw him get a second place in the U23 event at the National Championships. Since that time, LJ has moved to Europe, turned
pro on the road, come home to race full time here, retire, come back, retire, and come back once again for this 'cross season. In
the times he was "retired", Justin still raced at a more local level and never lost a step or his drive to excel in any event in which he
pinned on a number. The goal this season was to ramp up his results to a point that he'd get a World's Team selection this or next
year. Unfortunately, LJ hit the deck hard three weeks ago at Gloucester and it looked like he'd be sidelined for a good long while. Out
on a recovery ride on just seven short days ago, a state vehicle turned onto the road and into his path, sending Justin to the ground,
and then into an ambulance to the hospital. The little shaver is kinda' sorta' banged up and I'd fully understand if he started shopping
for a hammock or a set of golf clubs. Justin vows to race as soon as possible, but that could leave little room to achieve his initial
goal for this year. We all wish him the best and I am sure that if he does race again soon, it will be to win rather than merely to ride.
That's how Lil' Justy rolls atmo. PS Justin's business, Luxe Wheelworks, is one our sponsors, and was written up just this very day.
Read a superb article about him here.

This is from Justin -
It is with regret to inform the supporters and fans of the RS 'Cross Team that I've recently suffered two substantial accidents within the
span of 6 days starting with my first lap crash at Gloucester and culminating with an incident that following Friday on a training ride. I
hope to rejoin the squad in good health soon and contribute to its effort out on the race course. Thank you for your continued support.

This is from Matt -
When one expects to podium, does getting 8th and 6th have any significance?
Its like one of those stupid when a tree falls in the woods questions...

Granogue has always been one of the classiest venues and demanding courses with lots of vertical. Wet or dry, its a
course that can beat you up. I've had some memorable moments and this weekend, despite a mediocre looking result
and a piss poor staging number, was one of them. Its been a long time since I have lined up at the back of a field with
70 riders, cant remember the last time actually. Since I had no MAC puntos, to the back it was! I was not pissed about
this, even though on Sunday TLD recommended I be a diva and create a scene to get better staging. Ha yeah, that's me
alright. Starting in the back was a very different and good learning experience. I was more relaxed on the grid than I can
ever remember [self take note V1]. After the whistle, I was able to count to 3 before even clipping in, then meandered in
the field for nearly a minute before having the green space to put out some horsepower. Not having the opportunity to red-line
myself early left me plenty more to work with later in the race [self take note V2]. Somehow on both days by the end of the
second lap I was in the top 12. I heard this news from the RS in the pit and was surprised both times! I had fun playing the
bike race game picking my way through the pack around corners, sneaky inside lines and anywhere I could create daylight.
One time I was passing a group of 3 and had to veer into the brush praying out loud, "no stumps, no stumps". Sunday I had
my best effort all season and got to zoom zoom zoom all day with endless throttle and quick recovery. For the first time in
2010 I did not have a few uncomfortable 2-3 laps during the middle of the race [good sign note to self V3]. Even the announcer
keyed on my efforts and proclaimed I might have been the fastest guy in the race. My fit on my machine was so dialed, I had
one of those zen symbiotic me bike ground fusion experiences. No we're not lighting incense here, but I'm trying to say all is
where it needs to be, including me. This weekend marked a line in the sand, where I know my fitness is ready to go. It did not
happen last season until early November. I had one of the better August and early Sept training modes, so that had to help. I
also have the best pit in the business in RS and TLD, who know how to be helpful. My point, I know I was putting out a podium -
if not winning - effort on both days. Yeah its a shame a poor staging stops that from being reality but more importantly now that
it's there, it will be there in the next weekends. I feel like Babe Ruth calling out right field as he steps up...but, its podium time!...
which tastes great more than less filling. Speaking of tasting great, big thanks to Rich and family from sponsor House Industries
for their Saturday night feast. Sharon and Rich made a SPREAD and opened up their home to us. Awesome weekend and good times.
PS: One quick plug if anyone out there is in the twitterverse, you can follow me along this season at http://twitter.com/krausmattic

This is from Josh -
The reasons I love Delaware top 10 list (soon to be seen on Letterman):

10 - sunny and 70 in mid October
9 - piles of prosciutto and its cousins
8 - incredibly fresh pasta and meatballs (x2)
7 - fresh fruit tarts
6 - waffles with real maple syrup
5 - home made pumpkin muffins
4 - lots of cheeses i can't pronounce the names of
3 - sleeping 15 minutes from a race venue
2 - the raddest sweater i now own
1 - Rich Roat of House Industries and his lovely wife Sharon hosting us for the Granogue Cyclocross race

And this is from me atmo -
This weekend we travel to New Gloucester, Maine for the Downeast Cyclocross Weekend. It's another two days of UCI C2 races
for the RS 'Cross Team. Film at eleven atmo.

Many thanks for reading.
e-RICHIE

2010-10-05T19:08:00.001-07:00

6, October 2010

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team is off to an uncharacteristically slow start this season. This weekend we
are off to the Providence Cyclocross Festival in Rhode Island with the hopes that we can jump start the energy
levels needed to earn the support and following that we've had these past years. So far, despite being caught out
with a prior commitment here, a badly timed crash there, and an injury or two, the team has had its share of top
tens in the events we have managed to finish. There are no excuses offered for a lack of accomplishment so far,
and my goal of having this team show its worth both on the field and off continues. As it is, I have gotten quite used
to better finishes, my own included, and realize that there will often be bumps in the road This year they seem to
have found us. For Justin, Josh, Matt, and myself, this weekend is the start of a new day atmo.

On other notes, I started a 2010 picture gallery on Flickr and this link will take you to all the images which are loaded
from oldest to newest. Go mental here XXXX . There also is a stand alone thread about my business on the Velocipede
Salon, a message board where I happen to share admin duties with my pals. There's a forum there called Smoked Out
whose raison d'etre (that's french for reason of the to be) is to introduce framebuilders to the registered reading public we
have there. The sub-board began this past winter with a different framebuilder holding court each week. Though I am the
host, I decided to grab the mic and start opining and sharing stories rather than let a void occur. Read it all here atmo XXXX .

Lastly, for those of you who have received my emails about ordering 2010 RS 'Cross Team clothing, that deadline remains
the 15th of this month so let me know as soon as possible if you are interesting.

All my best,

e-RICHIE

2010-09-12T18:48:00.001-07:00

12, September, 2010

Greetings -

With less than a week to go before the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team begins its assault on the racing
season, I am making this the last email-to-all. This missive contains the texts supplied by the men who will
be just finishing up week one in seven days hence. Each year, I ask the riders to reflect on the team, or on
cyclocross, or themselves, or each other, and/or all things in between. It's my version of that assignment we
have all had in school that was under, "...so how did you all spend your summer vacation?". Here is what Matt,
Josh, Will, and Justin had to say...

From Matt Kraus -

Yatzee!

Wednesday nights I have been going to Greenwich CT for a weekly world championship. I don't do much
summertime racing, so it provides a great outlet to supplement my training. I drive to a church parking lot,
warm up, rip the two hour ride and meander back to my car as the sun sets. This parking lot is quiet, tucked
into the woods and has become a hallowed ground. Week after week I get the euphoric, deserved and welcome
peace after the energy storm…all cyclists know and enjoy this feeling. After the ride last Wednesday I was totally
having a moment and it got me thinking how much I enjoy putting myself out there in that state of sheer output.
The more time passes on, the more I regard who, what and why I put myself in that state. This is my fourth season
on the team where I unquestionably give my all weekend after weekend. This team has become my cycling identity,
something I am proud of and will do almost anything to preserve. My competitive desires have narrowed into the fall,
less involved in other two wheeled organized activities. I still dabble from time to time but I have other things important
to me: an awesome wife and a good career path. I enjoy balancing my life, putting enough summer deposits in the bank
to support the heavy withdrawals the fall requires. I am accumulating hours towards getting licensed as Creative Arts
Therapist and Mental Health Counselor in New York, and should be licensed by early 2011. I work with kids ages 5-12
in an inpatient unit on a psychiatric hospital, a demanding and fun job that keeps me on my toes...so much that it was
easier to begin running for cross this year! I kid you not. On the horizon, Tali and I are trying to have kids, and I am
looking forward to all that brings into our lives. Bringing me back to the point. I feel like my life is dusk on a Wednesday
night, hard ride in the pocket, spent and headed home to a great dinner. It all takes work and the work always pays off.
This fall I am laying the groundwork to have one of my best seasons and am looking forward more than ever to spend
some time with the boys (and TLD), hanging it out to dry each and every weekend.

From Josh Dillon -

Thank you very much for the incredible offer to ride for the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. The team you have built
has been integral to the American cyclocross scene and its growth in the past decade. To be a part of this institution is
a tremendous honor and responsibility. I accept this opportunity of a lifetime. I pledge to represent you, the sponsors, and
my teammates, both past and present, to the best of my ability.

From Will Dugan -

Team Type 1 gave me a great pre-season to cyclocross this year. Last year it was CCB Racing, and next year is still to
be determined. Until then, I'll be out on 32c's with the Richard Sachs crew spinning on my fire-engine red transportation.

This season has been unique for me. It was my first full year as a professional in the sport and my eyes were opened wide
by racing in many of the world's toughest fields. Beginning with the San Dimas and Redlands Classic Stage Races, I finished
this year's list of larger stage races with an invitation to Tour of Qinghai Lake in China. It was nothing less than surreal. It was
completely mind blowing, not only to be half a day from home, but to see the day to day struggle of Chinese culture revolve
around our celebrated bike race.

It's been 9 months since I executed my last dismount and enjoyed my last Twizzler. Racing this year with TT1 has been a very
challenging novelty, but I'm looking forward to riding with the familiarity of Richard, Matt, Josh and Justin. These boys bring back
memories of easy-going, stripped-down-to-earth race weekends, polishing the essence of why we all ride. Yeah, it's great to punch
tickets and take names, but we're out there to pedal and show people that we do it because our hearts are in the sport. I took a
couple of weeks' vacation in Spain visiting Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona to complete my trip around the world after Qinghai Lake.
It was my break before my second half of the season and it served me well with hearty bread and quenching wine. I'm ready for some
good old New England Cyclocross and most of all I want to be back with these guys. It's one of the most comfortable and rewarding
groups of people to be around. See you on the course.

From Justin Spinelli -

Hi, my name is Justin Spinelli and I race bicycles. Try as i might, I just can't quit.

On the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team, mine is a special case. I am also a sponsor via my brand Luxe Wheelworks. This
makes me not only a team mate but also an industry insider. I like to consider myself a reliable source, and even the last word
on many high end components. I offer timeless, properly sorted machines. Most importantly I offer my fourteen years experience
as a bicycle technician and eleven years experience as a professional racing cyclist.

Has choosing this avenue of exclusivity kept doors closed and perhaps even persuaded others to think I am an effete elitist?
Perhaps. Do I care? Of course I do but I often pretend I don't. I'm getting closer and closer to not pretending at all.

I digress. Racing bikes. What's this all about, and what's the big deal anyways? Here is what it means to me: leaving it all out
on the race course, looking good while doing it, and representing my sponsors well.

Before I officially hang up the wheels it is my goal to make selection and compete at the Elite Cyclocross World Championships.
This should keep me occupied for at least a few more years.

Thanks for reading.
e-RICHIE

2010-08-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

29, August 2010

Dear Will, Josh, Matt, and Justin -

In two weeks or so we will begin racing. The off-season for the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team
ended when the TDF started. Road bicycles are for 'cross training, and I know all of you are ready
to represent.

This year I will be sharing some back door details with you in the hope that knowledge is power atmo.

As far as the support system goes, all of the Cole wheels are en route. Donn (from Clement) is getting
us tires on an as needed basis I expect batch one any day now. I ordered enough stuff from Alex (from
Sram) to get all the bicycles dialed. I plan to reuse a few 2009 parts too.

The Oval stuff is here, as are the Cane Creek headsets. I believe the cantis will follow. The pedals from
Crank Brothers and all the Rudy Project items will arrive by the end of week one in September. We'll
start the season using the last of the 2009 booty from Wippermann with another parcel coming soon. I
should also make note that all of the luggage (two different sized duffel bags, as well as a messenger bag)
from BailyWorks is here waiting to hand out, as is a season's worth of Chain-L No.5 lube. One addition
to last week's laundry list of sponsors is Northwave. Chats with pal John there stutter-stepped a bit while
the company was reorganizing its distribution, but I am happy to write that they are back with us for another
year and all your shoes were shipped three days ago. Oh happy feet.

As in the past, I supply the frames, all the Verge clothing, and the spares we will need all season (cleats,
cables, casing, brake pads, cassettes, energy bars, liquid refreshment from the boot of the Outback, etc).
The cash from the money sponsors covers what I use for your entry fees, motels, and some traveling. I am
pleased to report that we have more resources in 2010 than ever before, and expect the budget to still be
close to even. Have it, use it. That has become the status quo (that's Latin for My Way atmo) here.

So there it is. The RS 'Cross Team is fully supported by the bicycle industry. It supplies us with everything
you need to race with the exception of some spares (and IPAs) that I buy using my own operating budget.
That is a boatload of equipment. And it comes with strings attached.

In past years I have stressed and uber-stressed the concept of camaraderie, making memories, and the gift
we have of each others support all 'cross season long. None of that has changed. We help each other achieve
personal goals, and we also keep a light shining on the bigger picture - the one involving why we are here atmo.

The money sponsors and industry cats who underwrite us expect a high profile team, a team that gets press
regularly, and a team that can get a guy on the podium every weekend. We are no longer "just" a feel good,
local-team-exceeds-its-wildest-dreams team. We are racing to get notoriety for every single name and every
single dollar that has aligned with us. Don't ever forget that.

Go to the window and scream, 'Cross funckig rules atmo.

Hey - thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-08-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

20, August 2010

Greetings -

The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team is ready atmo. A month from now, we will all be traveling
together, racing, making memories, and working towards goal number one: representing our long
list of sponsors and suppliers. In the next few emails-to-all I will be introducing the team riders by
way of having them post here in their own voice. In what has become a tradition with the RS 'Cross
Team, each season I ask the riders to pen about ten thousand words about themselves so as to
familiarize our friends and followers with who we really are. Not only do we race, and not only are
we all good pals who consider these five months together a gift, we are also men who feel, we are
men who think. We are men of depth who happen to race 'cross. I'm rambling. Look for these mini
bios in the next couple of weeks.

For now, I would like to thanks all of the team supporters by publicly outing the official racing team
clothing art files for this 'cross season. Mariola at (team sponsor) Verge Sport did a magnificent job
of revising them into what I think is our classiest kits yet. Have a look here. The official roll call is:

RGM Watch Company
Radix Group
Rex Chiu
Rajanaka Yoga
House Industries
The Fat Men
Joe Bell Custom Paint
Cole Wheels
Crank Brothers
Bailey Works
Oval Concepts
Rudy Project
Sram
Luxe Wheelworks
Velocipede Salon
Clement
Cane Creek
Chain-L No.5
Verge Sport
Wippermann
Caffélatex
Atmo
and Viewers Like You

Here is the proposed 2010 schedule that lead up to the National Championships in December:

Sept 18 Schoolhouse Cyclo-cross Williston, VT C2
Sept 19 Catamount Grand Prix Williston, VT C2
Sept 25 The Nor Easter Cyclo-cross at Loon Mountain Lincoln, NH C2
Oct 2 Gran Prix of Gloucester 1 Gloucester, MA C2
Oct 3 Gran Prix of Gloucester 2 Gloucester, MA C2
Oct 9 Providence Cyclo-cross Providence, RI C2
Oct 10 Providence Cyclo-cross Providence, RI C2
Oct 16 Granogue Cross Wilmington, DE C2
Oct 17 Granogue Cross Wilmington, DE C2
Oct 23 Downeast Cyclo-cross Day 1 New Gloucester, ME C2
Oct 24 Downeast Cyclo-cross Day 2 New Gloucester, ME C2
Oct 30 Beacon Cross Bridgeton, NJ C2
Oct 31 HPCX Jamesburg, NJ C2
Nov 6 The Cycle-Smart International 1 Northampton, MA C2
Nov 7 The Cycle-Smart International 2 Northampton, MA C2
Nov 13 ?????
Nov 14 ?????
Nov 20 Super Cross Cup 1 Southampton, NY C2
Nov 21 Super Cross Cup 2 Southampton, NY C2
Nov 27 Baystate Cyclo-cross Sterling, MA C2
Nov 28 Baystate Cyclo-cross Sterling, MA C2
Dec 4 NBX GP 1 Warwick, RI C2
Dec 5 NBX GP 2 Warwick, RI C2

On a personal note, in recent week I have exhausted the G10 to the point that if I never take another
picture again it will be too soon atmo. I have documented a frame being built and posted the entire
image sequence on my Flickr page. Warning: it's like visiting a sausage factory. Click here to see
all of the frame pics and here to see all of the fork pics.

Lastly, this week, pal Brian over at The Washing Machine Post wrote an excellent text that dovetails
off of the above picture taking saga. It's entitled fastidiousness, and can be read at this link atmo.

Many thanks to all.

e-RICHIE

2010-07-26T06:16:00.001-07:00

26, July 2010

Greetings -

I am very pleased, and proud, to make mention of this atmo. Brian from thewashingmachinepost
has written a very nice article about one of the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team's long standing
sponsors, Rex Chiu. As a matter of background, the seed for this story was planted when Brian
took delivery of a team issue rain jacket. His curiousity about some of the names and graphics that
were screened on it led to an email or three - and now we have his article.

Before I go, I want to add that I had the information Brian wanted for his research, but it was buried
in past entries in the team blog. Since I knew the story I was trying to link had the word "family" in
it, I did a search for that alone and was pleasantly amazed at how often it was used outside of Mr.
Chiu's story. Clearly, I have (also) used family many times over the years when blogging about the
RS 'Cross Team.

Now, about that wonderful story about Rex Chiu: Click here, huh!

Many thanks to Rex Chiu and to Brian, and to all of you for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-07-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

22, July 2010

Greetings -

Do you remember this gem of a pep talk atmo? Well the good folks at RS 'Cross Team sponsor,
House Industries, distilled the sentiment into a killer poster. It was offered only once before (at the
2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show) and I am now listing them here on the team broadcast.

Some of these links speak to the project:
Polymer Graffiti
thewashingmachinepost
Printing The Old Way
thewashingmachinepost again

Here are some images of the RS 'Cross Team poster:

If you'd like to see larger versions of these, click this link to a Flickr set.

I am offering these limited edition (only 200 were made) posters for $54 (includes s+h in an over sized flat
mailer from Uline. Along with the team poster, I am including two others that I printed over the past year.
Have a look at them at these links:
The Tao Of Atmo
The Frame Is The Frame

Again, that's all three posters for $54

All revenue from this sale goes into the RS 'Cross Team coffers and is used to offset the expenses incurred
during the racing campaign which runs from September though December and, with hope, until the World's in
mid winter atmo. I have set up a separate paypal account for this.

If you are interested in these posters as well as being the, er "you" in the phrase viewers like you (a way for
me to describe the support system that helps keep the team in the black...), please send a PayPal payment
for $54 to therichardsachs@gmail.com . On the off chance that you are not PayPal savvy, send me an email
at that address and I'll work with you without the 1s and 0s.

Hey - thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-07-17T13:19:00.001-07:00

17, July 2010

Greetings -

It has been a while since I sent out a broadcast about the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team. This
pre-season has been a full one for me personally and professionally, and this email will speak to that.
I have spent the last three months or so on a kinda' sorta' hiatus from work, and that personal time has
recently ended. After the long schlep from there (Connecticut) to here (Franklin County), followed by the
breaking in period of settling into new environs and also a new made-just-for-me studio, it has taken longer
than anticipated to find a balanced routine atmo. The first several months of 2010 were consumed with the
NAHBS show, and after a small break, the MAD show. By the time May arrived, the groove I expected to
finally stay in was derailed and I concluded that some much needed down time was the antidote. It's not
that I was on vacation or didn't come in to work, but the productivity was more apparent elsewhere than at
or from my workbench. So - this is all behind me now. As of last week I got back to the 24/7 framebuilding
lifestyle of my past. It was good to detach for a few months, and even better to reconnect atmo.

I am very proud to be part of the aforementioned show at the Museum of Arts and Design and would like to
thank Michael Maharam and Sacha White for their huuuuge efforts in making this a reality. The show is
named Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle, and it runs through the end of August. For anyone near to the
New York City area and interested in 'cross, or bicycles, or handcrafted items, or any combination thereof,
you must see the exhibit. I have been culling the online searches to the show and will paste in some decent
reviews so you can get a feel for what is on display. Click through these, huh:

Design/Applause
Commute By Bike
Wallpaper
Wallpaper Redux
Cool Hunting
the washingmachine post *

* I have a particular affinity for this site no matter, but the link takes you to a nice story that's related to the show
in as much as it's about the collection of New Yorker magazines I have, all of which contain images of bicycles in
the cover art, some how, some way. There are over 110 variations since 1928, and I have all of them atmo. To wit,
here is a direct link to a Flickr gallery I started to store the scans I have done to date. (Note: the gallery is a work
in progress and only has a sampling of my collection so far).

The New Yorker Gallery

On the framebuilding side of the table, I want to connect all who read these missives with another project I am
involved with. On the famed online salon, Velocipede, we have started a new board called Smoked Out. In a
nutshell, the raison d'etre (that's french for the reason of the etre...) of the place is to introduce framebuilders of
renown to a wider-than-normal audience and to allow all of them to hold court in their own unique threads. The
cats speak to their beginnings, muses, tools, methods, riding experiences, and a trillion (not really) other things.
Readers of the board are encouraged to post to the framebuilders and ask questions about their work. So far at
least eighteen folks have had the light shined on them, with many more to follow. The link to all of this is here:

Smoked Out

So, find a pal builder or two from among those outed and ask them about your last (or next) frame. These are the
best of the brightest in our field, and all deserve your support atmo.

The last link I want to paste in contains a wonderful read about our pal, Dan Timmerman. As you must know, Dan
raced with the RS 'Cross Team in 2009. Over the winter, Dan decided that the rest of life was calling and has recently
retired from almost a decade at the top of the sport. He gave a killer interview a month or so ago and I want everyone
to know about it and to read it. We all wish Dan the best of everything atmo.

Dan T Unplugged

Oh I guess there's one more to add. Paul Weiss recently sent me a video shot at the end of 2008. It contains an
interview he did with us at the National Championships in Kansas City. If I recall, it's about twenty minutes long
and is a basis q/a format between me, Amy Wallace, Will Dugan, Matt Kraus, and Justin Spinelli. Paul has left
it online in its raw footage state and I hope it's cached for a long time. In watching it I am reminded why the RS
'Cross Team lives for autumn and why 'cross fukingc rules atmo. Have a look and listen:

The Dear Hunter

Hey - thanks for reading. I'll be back in your inbox in another couple of weeks.

e-RICHIE

2010-06-03T13:26:00.001-07:00

3, June 2010

Greetings -

It's been so long since I tended to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team blog that I needed a refresher
on how to work the settings and some of the permissions atmo. So much has happened since the last
race (the Nats in Bend) that I feel disconnected with the broadcast machinery here. As many of you know,
we relocated this past autumn and have found a peaceful and very secluded spot in which to, er - start the
fourth quarter. Every aspect of the move went smoothly. The one tangent that was beyond my control was
the new studio. What with building permits, architects, and contractors, it took me about 5 months of waiting
before I was able to resume work. By February I was back at the bench atmo. With the exception of a few
detours such as NAHBS in Richmond, Virginia and, more recently, the Bespoke show at New York's Museum
of Art and Design, I have been working as diligently as possible. For the sleuths and bean counters out there,
don't ask me to define diligently.

The 2010 'cross season will be here soon. The RS 'Cross Team has all of its sponsors and suppliers returning
for another year. On the field, we have another excellent roster containing all the names familiar to those following
us and the sport all these past years. Matt Kraus, Will Dugan, and Josh Dillon will be joined by a returning alumnus
in the form of one Justin Spinelli. These four men, plus myself, will spend from late August through to the Nationals
in Oregon focused on cyclocross, our sponsors, and each other. This team has always stressed the experience of
racing over the actual racing itself, and our ways are well documented. The term I use is "making memories". It's
fitting because, though we are all 'cross zealots and bleed for our supporters, 'cross is not really life. For us to have
the 25 or so weekends together is our gift to ourselves and each other. We race hard, win often, and leave for home
each Sunday night wishing these days could last forever. More on all this as the weeks and months unfold.

I recently started a batch of frames that I hope to send out to pal and team sponsor, Joe Bell, for some fresh red
paint real soon. For those counting, I am limiting my production for this season's team bicycles to six. We have a
good supply of 2009 units still usable, and I'll supplement it with a few new ones.

I'll close by saying thanks to all who have followed us over the years. 2010 marks the 28th contiguous year (I love
that word, contiguous...) that I have been sponsoring a team, and also the 15th that I have been 'cross centric. We
live for the autumn months atmo.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2010-03-06T15:50:00.001-08:00

2010-01-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

What - atmo unplugged
When - 17, January 8:30PM
Where - Here

2009-12-21T17:17:00.000-08:00

21, December 2009

Greetings -

As the shortest day of the year nears an end,I'm here to write some more about the last few weeks of 2009
as it relates to the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team atmo. The National Championships have come and gone.

Dan, Pookums, Josh, Will, and myself are all four pounds heavier than a week ago, and all of the team bicycles
made the getaway safely without so much as a fracas or even any verbal humiliation. What a difference a year
makes, huh. For us, the natz were another great weekend of racing and making memories. I remember most of
it too. Actually, my recall seems to end at 9PM on the eve of our departure. That's the approximate time the team
dinner ended and we all skirted over to the post race party atmo. So many drinks, so little time. I'm so glad (fortunate)
that no film was present. Thankfully, film really is dead.

Before I paste in texts from Pookums and Dan, I'm excited to mention two recent articles about the RS 'Cross Team.
For starters, pal Patrick Brady did an interview with me about all things team and 'cross for his great site, Red Kite
Prayer. For a direct link to that chat, click here -------> GO BABY . I'm also very happy to inform that James Huang
did a very nice review of Dan's team issue bicycle while we were in Oregon. It appeared last night on CyclingNews.
The link for this story is here -------> OH YES, OH YES, YES . And while there, don't forget the thumbnails that show
the well used bicycle. You know the drill -------> UH HUH OHMYGAWD . Now, have a cigarette.

After the last race of 2009, I asked the riders to write something - anything - that would reflect upon their experiences
these past 5-6 months. Today, I'll present the replies from Matt and from Dan.

Pookums writes -

The cross season is a funny double edge sword, both enjoyable and taxing while it flies by - memory making and
mentally fatiguing. Something so fun that takes away is kinda paradoxical and intoxicating...intoxical? I know having
this reaction stems from a commitment, level of involvement and desire to show quality. If I left the season feeling
totally fresh I would worry about how I really engaged to the process. This season I raced Elite Masters instead of
the Elites. While a creature of habit, I was pleasantly surprised to find this season to be full of flavor and I continued
to learn how to better practice this craft. I found the Masters tactics really interesting, as well as the joy of being able
to race among experienced riders a positive experience, doubly positive getting to spend more weekends with my clown
college team mates. There were so many new things about this season; it feels fitting to share some:

> 09 was a season of firsts...

> first time not racing the last race of the year (elite natz)
> first time watching the elite men take off in their race each weekend
> first time racing Elite Masters
> first time not giving a shit about a UCI point (ahh)
> first time winning a cx race since 2002 (B's)
> first time pitting for an elite rider
> first time rocking SRAM Force
> first time playing the tactics for podiums each week (too dumb/strong as a B to know better)
> first time since 07 that I have been able to throw punches at the front of a race
> first time using Cole Wheels
> first time being on an all boys RS club
> first time being on a podium more than I can count
> first time being the veteran rider on RScx
> first time not getting top 8 in a Masters natz race since 05
> first time being rather quickly okay with that, sort of
> first time being effected by altitude at natz
> first time having my wife out at natz
> first time being married
> first time saying to myself (since 02), holy shit how fun rather than holy shit how hard
> first time on Northwave shoes
> first time since 05 not racing 24+ cx races a year
> first time TLD has become ABD in the pit
> first time the season has felt short
> first time doing a tweet (it's still dumb atmo)

> 09 was also a season of not so firsts...

> not the first time I've felt part of a RS gypsy racer family
> not the first time I've had my best result of the year at HPCX
> not the first time I've felt extremely dialed into my bike
> not the first time I've timed my fitness to natz
> not the first time I've have been humbled and thankful for our sponsors
> not the first time I've gone all season w/o a mechanical (yes component suppliers)
> not the first time I've laughed my ass off
> not the first time I've used Challenge tires
> not the first time I'll be thankful to leave NJ behind
> not the first time i'm bewildered how a promoter of a UCI race plans one hose in the pit
> not the first time I've enjoyed every weekend all season
> not the first time I'm ready for off-season
> not the first time I'll miss my team mates
> not the first time I'll miss my cross bikes
> not the first time I cant wait for next season
> not the first time the seasons memories bring a smile to my face

peace from pleasantville

And from Dan we have -

Seems like not too long ago I was writing the pre-season letter. What a success. To follow on the Matt Kraus
format let's reflect on the season. We...

> won 6 UCI races
> won what seems like at least as many masters races
> stood on a UCI podium 13 times
> won the VERGE series
> won second in the VERGE series
> represented on two steps of a UCI podium at least 3 times
> top ten at nationals
> top twenty at nationals
> flatted about 15 tires
> flatted 5 in one day
> flatted 4 by one person in one day
> rolled one tire
> glued alot of tires
> had hypothermia at least once
> drove who knows many miles
> covered in mud at least 50% of the time
> destroyed at least 3 hotel showers
> destroyed a few washing machines
> shaved 0 times
> grew 1 sweet beard

What else? That's not all that happened but I'll quit there. Maybe Josh or Will can pick up where I left off. However,
this all is only possible because of the support of many. So I'll take the rest of this space to send a thank you to all
that make it happen.

> Of course the boss man Richard Sachs for organizing it all. If it wasn't for him none of this would be
> The Lovely Deb for all the help out on the road
> RGM Watches especially Joel Ankeny for working the pits at Mercer and the continued words of encouragement
> Rex Chiu
> Radix
> Rajanaka Yoga
> House Industries especially Ben for letting us crash at his place and Rich for hanging with us during the Grenogue race
> The Fat Men who aren't actually fat, or even all men....for cheering us on in NJ
> Oval Concepts
> Cane Creek
> Cole wheels for sweet hoops and putting up with drama
> Wippermann for connecting our pedals to our wheels
> Rudy Project for keeping the mud out of my eyes and for protecting my head when I smashed it into the ground
> Crank Brothers for connecting our shoes to our cranks
> Bailey Works for the sweet ATMO bags
> VERGE for the kits and for sponsoring our New England series
> Joe Bell paint for making our bikes red
> Svelte Cycles
> Clement for tires at some point in the future
> John McKone at Northwave shoes for nice kicks
> SRAM for letting the Force be with us
> Chain-L for making the best chain lube ever
> Amy for the sweet wheel upgrade at natz
> Will Dugan for being a great team mate
> Matt Kraus for being a great team mate
> Josh Dillon for being a great team mate again
> Sam for letting me fill every weekend of our fall
> Tali for letting Matt fill every weekend in your fall
> Deb, again, for letting Richie fill every weekend in your fall

The racing may be over but the season never ends atmo. More news to come in a few days. Many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2009-12-18T09:56:00.001-08:00

18, December 2009

Greetings -

Yes, I did miss a weekend update owing to the rush of the packing and traveling for the National Championships
so I'll try to get caught up here atmo. The Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team is officially leg's-up now that we've
all returned from Bend , Oregon. The next few emails will be about that event, the ones that preceded it, and what
follows next. Let me begin with the races in Rhode Island, the last two before we headed west.

The NBX G.P. of 'Cross Weekend in East Greenwich's Goddard Park is traditionally the closer for the circuit here
in New England. It also serves as the finale of the Verge Sport season long, 14 race series that is a primary focus
for many of the 'crossers in the northeast. All of the events are UCI C2 designations and the importance of doing well
in these for a myriad of reasons cannot be emphasized enough. I'm happy to write that our Dan Timmerman and Josh
Dillon capped off a stellar 2009 by finishing one-two on the podium. It's truly an accomplishment worthy of praise that
they performed so consistently over a span of so many events. The pair kept the RS 'Cross Team's visibility front and
center right up to the last kilometer as Dan and Josh also finished that final race in Rhode Island in first and second place.
In the Saturday race, Josh was fourth, narrowly missing a podium spot. Over the weekend team mate Will Dugan also
had great races finishing seventh and fifth respectively in the Elite Men's category. In the Master's events, Matt Kraus
with one S was fifth both days in the 35+ category, while I was sixth and then fourth over the two days in my 55+ race.
My regular season ended with me netting a fourth overall in the Verge Sport series in my division. For the folks looking
to collect stats and screen shots, here's a peek at what it all looked liked when over atmo:

Elites http://crossresults.com/?n=results&sn=verge
Masters 35+ http://crossresults.com/?n=results&sn=verge&series=V09+35%2BMen
Masters 55+ http://crossresults.com/?n=results&sn=verge&series=V09+55%2BMen

I'll write it right here and now that the RS 'Cross Team's 2009 campaign ended on a high note, just as it began in the
Spring months when all of this was still in the seedling stages. Through all of the planning, the shmoozing, the begging,
the child rearing, the pistol whipping, the twizzlers, the screaming, the waitresses, the saving the world one weekend at
a time through 'cross, the road trips, the 2,704 emails to date, the reports, the pic mining after each race that often took
more time than training for 'cross itself takes - through ALL of this, this team succeeded in spades. I could not be more
pleased with how these men represented the brands and entities that keep us well oiled, or how fine a time was had by
us all as a group of individuals who, while we are all pals anyway, gained an ever better and stronger kinship owing to the
closeness and experiences we share over such a concentrated season of racing and traveling together, or, lastly, how
successful Dan, Josh, Will, and Pookums were in their own personal racing campaigns these past four months. I'll stack
up this year's squad and its accomplishments with any I've known over the years and confidently state that these cats have
raised the bar for all things 'cross.

For now, I'll google some sites that explain how to communicate in sentences far shorter than I have been accustomed to
writing, and fire this off to you all with the promise that another report will be sent into the ether by this coming Sunday. The
RS 'Cross Team's National Championship weekend reports 'n shit will follow at that time.

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2009-12-01T18:30:00.001-08:00

1, December 2009

Greetings -

This will be a very brief update and report from the news desk at the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team atmo.
We spent this past weekend burning off sweet potatoes, dark meat, and long drives to Grandma's palace while
doing laps around Chocksett Middle School in Sterling, Massachsetts, site of the Baystate-Gearworks UCI C2
cyclocross events. Dan, Josh, and Will each had two remarkable days of racing in the Elite Men's category. In
the same order in which I typed their names, the finsishes were 2nd, 4th, and 5th on Saturday, and 3rd, 5th, and
7th on Sunday. All three got some good UCI points for this and Dan and Josh further secure their rightful spots
dominating the season long Verge Points Series. Have a look at the standings with only one weekend to go:
http://crossresults.com/?n=results&sn=verge I missed the first day of racing but arrived loaded for bear on
Sunday. Sadly, my four race winning streak ended with a bang. I lined up with almost 30 other 55+ cats and as
soon as the pistol fired I realized that it was going to be a struggle. An under inflated front tire caused me concern
from the first turn despite my ability to ride through most of the obstacles. I took a bicycle on lap two and lost little
time getting back into the first group. Later that lap I burped (that's a politically correct way of saying "rolled") a
rear tire on an off camber remount and had to push the mutha' back on before i could still feel like I was in the
game atmo. No matter - a turn or seven more and I was sideways on the floor, an act I was called back to perform
at least two more times before the finish line. So while I was there in Sterling hoping for a podium and the realizing
that the closest I was all race was near 4th place, I settled for a lowly 9th after the mechanicals and mishaps. Oh
well. My Verge Points Series standing is listed here: http://crossresults.com/?n=results&sn=verge&series=V09+55%2BMen
As far as the National rankings go, I still have no ideer if it's done by race results or by a combination of one's ability to
channel Sinatra while simultaneously doing the white man's overbite, but I remain quite high in the standings still, being
top five in all cats 30 and older:
https://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=M&state=&org=road&disc=cx&cat=MR&msj=mr&agemin=30&agemax=99
and on top of the world in the actual age group in which I race:
https://www.usacycling.org/rankings/index.php?sex=M&state=&org=road&disc=cx&cat=MR&msj=mr&agemin=55&agemax=59
PS I did it my way atmo.

I must run and be the Greek God of Kitchens, Dudycious (Do Dishes...) now so I'll cut this off here. The last item of
note is the long laundry list of links found below, all courtesy kinda' sorta' of Jeff Scher, a shooter based in Maine.
Click through ALL of them atmo because there are some great pics of Dan, Josh, and Will.

http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729003608_7Sydi-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729011292_A3rR5-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729007158_qYb3i-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729007774_AsHuZ-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729019395_p3Ps3-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729012691_cYest-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729024101_jJWLo-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729024831_ddi6S-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729020512_XuBQ8-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729019834_NRKwL-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729026778_Ka396-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729026070_uALjW-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729025632_cAPMJ-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729032747_dYKZc-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729033395_oXkFe-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729034497_uT9QB-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729035788_EE4Dm-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729037481_V4Z9D-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729038000_VkWjv-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729038875_X2pNh-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729044328_SU7yo-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729045326_JGZJs-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729042507_trkhv-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729043272_CfJuy-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729049420_wnBET-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729057216_WeCes-X3-LB
http://jeffscher.smugmug.com/Sports/Bay-State-Cyclocross-112809-1/10501807_B4drg#729051292_moaq4-X3-LB

Hey - thanks for reading atmo.

e-RICHIE

2009-11-24T19:41:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-18T17:53:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

2009-11-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

2009-11-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-03T08:39:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

2009-10-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

28, October 2009

Greetings -

We are half way through the 2009 season and the Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team is having doing very well
every weekend atmo. Here in the northeast, we traveled to New Gloucester, Maine for the Downeast Cyclocross
back to back UCI C2 events. As we are getting used to seeing, the team made the podium - again. Dan Timmeman
rode superbly both days and won twice. Josh Dillon had a great series of races too, and was third and fifth on the
two days. It might have been the worst two days of race conditions seen in New England in recent years. Dan is
back in the Verge Series points leader's jersey and Josh is now in third place as a result of two high finishes. Out
at the USGP in Louisville, Kentucky, Amy Dombroski had a breakout weekend placing third on Saturday and then
second on Sunday. Awesome results all around.

Before I turn this text into a link-a-thon, I want to remind all who read here that we - the RS 'Cross Team - are indebted
to all who sponsor, support, underwrite, cheer for, and follow us all season long. The good news is that several entities
have already signed on for 2010. Many thanks to all. Here's my love list:

RGM Watch Company
Radix Group
Rex Chiu
Rajanaka Yoga
House Industries
The Fat Men (no, that's NOT a misprint atmo)
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 (my man)
Clement (tires)
Northwave (footwear)
Sram (components)
Chain-L (lube)
Viewers Like You (any and all of the "private donors")

So, from this weekend's events I have mined these wonderful links. Some are images, others are not.
I hope you enjoy these and the information contained therein as much as I did atmo. Here:

0) http://twitter.com/Cole_Wheels
1) http://blog.colewheels.com/2009/10/26/team-richard-sachs-chooses-cole-for-cross/
2) http://www.houseind.com/showandtell/
3) http://www.houseind.com/showandtell/2009/10/22/SupportATMO
4) http://velonews.com/article/99289/the-second-episode-of-the--cross-reality-video-series
5) http://cxmagazine.com/north-american-cyclocross-power-rankings-october-26-2009
6) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-1-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93304
7) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-1-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93303
8) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-1-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93300
9) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93449
10) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93447
11) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93446
12) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/downeast-cyclocross-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93445
13) http://velonews.com/photo/99557
14) http://velonews.com/photo/99568
15) http://velonews.com/photo/99570
16) http://velonews.com/photo/99572
17) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93208
18) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93207
19) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93201
20) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93194
21) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93191
22) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-1-c1/stages/stage-2/photos/93189
23) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93419
24) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93411
25) http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/usgp-of-cyclocross-derby-city-cup-day-2-c2/stages/stage-2/photos/93398
26) http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235799-usgp-3-4-derby-city-cup/205564-amy-dombroski-post-race-usgp-3
27) http://www.cyclingdirt.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235799-usgp-3-4-derby-city-cup/205799-amy-dombroski-post-race-usgp-4

Until next time, many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

2009-10-19T19:44:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-12T18:36:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-08T07:12:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

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 -

2009-09-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-16T19:41:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-14T18:51:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

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

2009-01-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

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