RICHARD SACHS 'CROSS REFERENCE©™®

24, November 2009

Greetings -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday atmo.

e-RICHIE

18, November 2009

Greetings -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All my best -

e-RICHIE

10, November 2009

Greetings -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

4, November 2009

Greetings -

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading.

e-RICHIE

3, November 2009

Greetings -

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

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

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

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

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

Read top to bottom:

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

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

EDIT STARTS HERE -

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

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

END OF STRING

RICHARD SACHS 'CROSS REFERENCE©™®

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