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.

As I sit here ...

December 22, 2009

As I sit here moving into the hectic holiday season, I figured I would take a short break and bake some cookies, write a blog, and relax for a few. My Christmas present to myself is currently in transit from Portland, a little Audi A4 for me! I needed a car to drive on road trips, as the Bronco doesn’t really do the whole freeway thing to well. I must say I am eagerly awaiting the heated seats for the winter.

This weekend marked my first 24 hour shift at the fire department. I spent the morning washing ambulances and engines and mopping the floor at the fire house, not too glamorous but fun nonetheless. I drove engine 1 around for practice driving and fuel. Greg and I gave each other an IV for practice, which was pretty funny. It was a super slow day with only one call for an ice skater who hit his head on the ice, not exactly the dangerous day I was expecting.

After the success we had with the showings of Race Across the Sky in Boise, I am coordinating a film tour for five mountain towns. The movie had a pretty limited release across the country, and most shows sold out. Most mountain communities would love to see this film and I strongly suggest you try to make it to an event. Here is the proposed list of towns: Aspen, Telluride, Bozeman, Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole. I’ve teamed up with IMBA to make each showing a fundraiser for their local chapters. They are stoked and will promote the tour for me through their avenues. I’m trying to pull this 6 stop tour together for late Feb/ early March. I’m going to do PR and media in each town and also host a party with the local retailers. Raffles and ticket sales will raise funds for IMBA so we can keep riding new buffed trails around the country! Stay posted for more info.

Later

Reba

Stats for Rebecca Rusch are coming soon.
Era
Era

Supreme Cross Country Performance

Epic
Epic

The fastest XC race bike on the planet

BG Fit
BG Fit

Ride faster, longer, and in greater comfort.

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