Rebecca Rusch

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    S-Works MTB Helmet

    The lightest certified helmet in the world, worn by 2008 UCI World XC Champion Christoph Sauser...

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S-Works MTB Helmet

Rebecca Rusch wasn’t thinking about world championships when she joined the Downers Grove North High School cross-country team. “I just wanted the free track suit,” recalls Rusch, who, 28 years later, finds herself among the ranks of the world’s elite endurance athletes. In July of 2009, Rusch won her third straight mountain biking 24-hour Solo World Championship.

Since donning those gray cotton sweats and Lycra shorts, Rusch has outfitted herself in the kit of numerous other disciplines: racking up ascents of big walls from Yosemite to Zion, paddling on the world-famous Offshore Canoe Club’s women’s outrigger team in the brutal Molokai crossing and winning adventure races around the world.

When not training in one of the five mountain ranges surrounding her hometown of Ketchum, Idaho, the 41-year-old known as the “Queen of Pain” can be found chasing adrenaline from Tibet to New Zealand to Kyrgyzstan, constantly adding titles to her impressive and extensive resume.

In addition to those three 24-hour solo mountain bike World Champion rainbow jerseys, Rusch is a three-time national champion in 24-hour team mountain biking. She’s Idaho’s Short Track state championship (twice), and its Cyclocross state title. An accomplished Nordic skier, she’s won the Masters Cross Country Skiing World Championship, in addition to taking the top prize at Raid Gauloises Adventure Racing World Championships. And although that’s just cross-section of her palmares, it’s easy to see why Rusch has been profiled by Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine and Adventure Sport Magazine.

Talking about age draws a laugh as she gestures at her surroundings. "People around here are all 10 years younger than they actually are. And I don’t mean they just look it; they are actually 10 years younger," she said. "Everyone’s out there constantly doing stuff, from biking to skiing to hiking. There’s a collective mentality that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it."

This mentality, along with what she calls "perfect terrain for training," provides a home base for the typically itinerant Rusch. She is part of the community; for more than two years she has been a stalwart volunteer emergency medical technician and firefighter for the Ketchum Fire Department, and a homeowner. On breaks from her race schedule, she works on her condominium, though the domestic idea continues to bemuse her; the last home she owned was a 1975 Ford Bronco.

Three days down

April 19, 2011

Three days down of the SRAM Ladies Lounge and we are killing it!  Great turnout both days and I'm super inspired by all the pros and the attendees.  There is such a good vibe of sharing info, tips and motivation!  I've even learned a few things. I'm so impressed with all the pros from downhillers to road taking time to come share their experience.  No matter what, this Sea Otter is a success for me because of the Ladies Lounge!  Thanks SRAM for supporting it and all the SRAM pro women for being so available.

I've been loving the sunny, warm weather and have been out riding with Susan every day.  We're so over snow and cold in Idaho that we have been getting up super early every day to make sure we take full advantage of being on dirt in shorts and no shoe covers or warm weather gear.

The pro short track was yesterday, but I did not race.  Running the Lounge took most of my energy.  Today was the pro XC race that's been changed to a multiple small lap format to more closely mimic the UCI races.  I have to say, I'm not a fan of the small lap format, but I'll take my medicine and get in a great intensity workout.  Today was the last day of the Ladies Lounge, and it has been a great experience. We had Team TIBCO warming up before their races, which was super cool for everyone. Then right afterwards, they came back to discuss their races individually. It's amazing how helpful it is to have firsthand contact with all the riders from different disciplines. I still have not had much time to roam the venue and talk to sponsors and friends.  Sunday will be my day for catching up with that stuff!

SRAM hot laps with Nic, Chris and Susan.  We were treated to some really fast driving (with pro drivers) around the racetrack and it was a blast...tires squealing and all.

Stats for Rebecca Rusch are coming soon.
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