Rebecca Rusch is a woman who does not understand the phrase “You can’t do that”. Throughout her life she has pushed her body to do crazy feats on (and off) a bicycle. Over the years, she has inspired many riders, which is what makes Rebecca’s Private Idaho(RPI) such an amazing event. Rebecca is a BikeFlights.com Ambassador so, of course, we jumped at the chance to head up to Sun Valley, Idaho for the second year in a row.
Like last year, there was an option for some extra credit racing earlier in the week with the Queen Stage Race. That meant three extra days of riding, including two mass start gravel ride days and gravel hill climb. BikeFlights.com’s Special Project Director Gordon Wadsworth is a glutton for punishment and decided to take on the additional days of pedaling.
“Rebecca’s Private Idaho is clearly a masterpiece of sport and spectacle from one of cyclings masters. Rebecca Rush’s Queens Stage Race was a fantastic way to experience the challenges of the Idaho Rockies while fellowshipping with incredible athletes and enthusiasts from all over the world. As a BikeFlights staff member it also invigorated me for what we do every day; removing barriers to fellow riders and helping them add new experiences to their journals aboard their own trusty steeds.“ - Gordon Wadsworth
Every ride deserves a nice soak in some hot springs.
We had two more BikeFlights.com Support Team members join Gordon and Colin Blanchard, West Coast Marketing Manager, in Ketchum for the the big show on Sunday. Ivy Audrain made her way down to take part in the festivities and go on gravel and mountain bike rides.
“Seeing folks from so many different walks of life come together at Rebecca’s Private Idaho was something really unique to this event. First-time gravel riders and elite-racers alike are able to share all the beauty, suffering and joy that not only the event held, but also the town of Ketchum itself! Where else can you soak in hot springs just a quick ride away from amazing breweries and restaurants?!? Other worldly!” - Ivy Audrain
Matty Grant, on the other hand, rode his bike all the way from Massachusetts to Idaho join in on the ride.
“The ~103 mile Rebecca’s Private Idaho Baked Potato route was as brutal as it was beautiful. If I wasn’t gasping for breath on the climbs or white-knuckle navigating the nitty-gritty of the washboard roads, I was gazing in wonder at the sheer splendor of the Sawtooth Mountains and high prairie. I started riding gravel to put myself in places cars seldom go and test my endurance, and RPI delivered in full. The community of riders that participated and the mission of cycling advocacy that RPI supports were cherries on top of my completing such a challenging event.“ - Matty Grant
With a spare entry, BikeFlights.com decided to show some love to the bike world and held a contest to give out said entry along with free round-trip shipping to get the winners bike to the race. Dani Stack from Montana ended up winning our contest. Embracing the attitude of not accepting being told that “You can’t do that”, she signed up for the 103-mile race on Sunday. Dani ended up coming in quick enough to be awarded one of the coveted Bolo Ties that were reserved for the top finishers.
With RPI taking place is cattle county there were all sorts of beasts roaming around the expo.
Thanks to the #interbike mobile app notification, I'm watching Blood Road, my friend Rebecca Rusch's story of searching for and connecting to her fathers story... he was shot down over Vietnam/Laos along the Ho Chi Minh trail in 1972. It's minute 5 and it's riveting already. #bloodroad #rebeccarusch #whatastory
@rebarusch here..me at @dirtykanza finish…. Signing off now for @sunfloweroutdoorandbikeshop! Fun taking over the Instagram account of a pretty amazing shop. Hope you’ll pick up a copy of my book #RuschToGlory and keep riding! C’mon out to another great #gravelgrinder next year @rebasprivateidaho in my home town! Follow me here @rebarusch Or on twitter @thequeenofpain #mtb #cycling @dhughes101 & team are the best! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1ufArs2
