Rebecca Rusch

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    S-Works MTB Helmet

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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.

Rude Sun Valley Bike Festival

July 9, 2012

We are already a few days in to the Rude Sun Valley Bike Festival and I couldn't be happier. Town is getting full of cyclists, both beginner and pro that are here for the weeks events. There are almost more bikes than cars here now, and town is starting to look a bit like a expo rather than a town! We already raced the Super Duper D, which ran from the top of Baldy starting at the Mayday Chair and ending in front of Apples Bar and Grill at the base of Baldy. Over 3,000 feet of descending and riding my home trails helped a bit too. I took home a nice little bag of goodies and a little prize money to sweeten the pot too!



Locals claimed the two tops spots in the Super D which helps further stake the claim that the Ketchum/Sun Valley area is a hot bed of cycling talent. Scott Robinson, a good friend of mine also claimed the top spot in the podium with authority. The Whit Henry Memorial Galena Grinder also took place this weekend and is a classic race for the valley. It's been going on forever and has some grueling climbs. When races start at 7,500 feet in elevation you know they are going to be rough!



I spend tons of time cross country skiing the trails up here in the winter, so this is kind of like my back yard, which helps calm the pre-race nerves a bit. As much as I love racing all around the world, having all your close friends and the support of the community all there for you is unexplainable.

This is only the start of the racing this week in Sun Valley, with USAC Nationals up next. My goal is to survive the Fat Tire Crit in town and to retain my single speed title! Below is the schedule of event for those trying to attend and watch. The weather and trails are in primo condition right now, so its a great time to visit and ride.

Tuesday, July 3

 8:30am                                    Local Stoker Ride: Edge of the World

3:00 - 4:30p                  Wheel Girls Mnt Bike Club

6:00 – 9:00p                   Sun Valley Fat Tire Criterium

Dinner:  food vendors at Fat Tire Crit

Other optional activities:

2:00 – 6:00p                  Ketchum Farmers Market

7:00 – 9:00p                   Ketch’em Alive: local free live music concert series

Wednesday, July 4

8:30am                                    Local Stoker Ride: Greenhorn Gulch

1:00 – 4:00p                   4th of July Hailey Crit

 

Thursday, July 5

RACES! All day                  Amateur Races-USA Cycling Nationals USA Cycling National Championships Schedule

2:30pm                  Descending clinic with Lindsey Voreis – Ride chairlift to top of Baldy and descend Warm Springs

 
Friday, July 6

RACES! All day                  Amateur Races-USA Cycling Nationals USA Cycling National Championships Schedule

 

9:00-Noon                  Pump Track session / ride with Rebecca and Lindsey

Saturday, July 7

RACES! All day                  Amateur/PRO Races-USA Cycling Nationals USA Cycling National Championships Schedule

10:45a                  USA SS National Championship – Rebecca races @ 10:45a

Afternoon:                   Watch Races with Wheel Girls Cheering Section USA Cycling National Championship Events

1:30p                  USA XC National Championship - Pro Women

3:45p                  USA XC National Championship - Pro Men

6:00p                                    SV Shakedown Concert with casual dinner in town Sun Valley Shakedown Concert

 
Sunday, July 8

9:00 – Noon                  USA Cycling Super-D National Championship

2:45p                                    USA Short Track Championships Pro Women

3:30p                                     USA Short Track Championships Pro Men

Stats for Rebecca Rusch are coming soon.
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