Rebecca Rusch

Recent Rebecca Rusch Videos:
Rebecca Rusch's Gear:
  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=10Era&eid=4342&menuItemId=9247

    Era FSR

    The fastest, lightest and most efficient performance mountain bikes,

    Learn More at Specialized.com

  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=4952&menuItemId=9301

    S-Works MTB Helmet

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

    Learn More at Specialized.com

  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=5095&menuItemId=9406

    Specialized Gloves

    Made to keep your grip sweat-free and your bike control precise ...

    Learn More at Specialized.com

  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=4953&menuItemId=9300

    Specialized Optics

    Prevents harmful UV rays from getting in your way ...

    Learn More at Specialized.com

  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=4927&menuItemId=9309

    MTB Shoes

    Get the maximum potential out of your power transfer.....

    Learn More at Specialized.com

  • http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=5098&menuItemId=9304

    Tires

    The product that started it all.....

    Learn More at Specialized.com

Era FSR

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.

I just walked in the door

September 1, 2009

I just walked in the door and settled from our race weekend at Grand Targhee, which is right by the Driggs/Jackson Hole area. We had no cell phone coverage, no computers, just some friends and some tents. It was great! It was almost like being in another place or time. We went to this semi-local 24 hour race at last minutes notice because a bunch of friends were going from Ketchum, the prize money at the race was really good, and the trails there are awesome.

It was the lat minute pack job for Greg and I, and we didn't even know if we were racing solo or as a duo team until about 30 minutes before the start. There is a great cash return if you win one of the categories there, however 2nd place gets nada. Greg and I were weighing the odds based on how many entered each category. We probably could have raced duo and won, but then we had to split the prize money. So we rolled the dice, and entered solo, and believe it or not, we both won the race!

Greg was first solo overall, even on a singlespeed against all the geared men! I raced open women against a well known local endurance guru. We had five solo athletes from Ketchum sharing one pit area, so there was a lot going on in our camp to say the least. We only had one pit crew guy, Tenacious Todd, who was crewing for all of us. It was not the usual scene I was used to for a 24hr race. I took care of my bike, mixed my own bottles, and fiddled with my lights for the whole night. It was hectic, but it was a good hard training day/night. I brought both my Era and my 29er hardtail to do a direct comparison. I love them both but for different reasons. I am definitely faster on the technical descents on the Era's full suspension, but the 29er climbs like a bat out of hell and smooths out all the rollers and bumps. Both bikes weigh about 21lbs and have the new SRAM XX 2x10 drivetrains that I love! It simplifies shifting and makes dropping a chain a non-issue.

We swept the field in Targhee with Ketchum riders. I won the women's division and was second overall. Greg won men's open on a singlespeed, Chris and Mike H were 2nd and 3rd, and Mike S was the first single speed male. It was a impressive showing!

Cheers

Reba

Stats for Rebecca Rusch are coming soon.
Epic
Epic

The fastest XC race bike on the planet

BG Fit
BG Fit

Ride faster, longer, and in greater comfort.

Era
Era

Supreme Cross Country Performance

All content © copyright 2010 Specialized Bicycle Components. All Rights reserved.