Rebecca’s Private Idaho Kicks Off August 31st

As a professional cyclist and owner of multiple cycling world championships, GU Energy Labs athlete Rebecca Rusch is fortunate to travel the world riding her bike. Yet “The Queen of Pain” would rather be nowhere else on Earth than her home town of Ketchum, Idaho, site of the second-annual Rebecca’s Private Idaho.

This is her story:

I had a dream. It started as a seedling of an idea and the desire to share the place I call home. I’ve traveled the world with the bike as my vehicle to explore and challenge myself. I’ve toiled over an infinite number of miles of trail and road and marvelled at the world around me. However, no place on this earth pulls me in and inspires me like Idaho. The mountains, the open vistas, my training ground, the welcoming atmosphere: all of this needed to be shared with my cycling friends.

With a needed push from friends, I embarked on one of my biggest challenges to date. I started planning Rebecca’s Private Idaho and we are now about to host the event for our 2nd year. I’m a mountain biker through and through but after riding a couple of gravel road events, I was convinced that gravel is the great equalizer of roadies and mountain bikers. It’s a middle ground that’s technical, challenging and super fun no matter what bike you ride. Gravel road was also the ticket to get more people riding and to showcase the maximum amount of stellar terrain.

The first year was a massive success with a couple hundred riders who were sweaty and smiling at the end of the 50 or 100 mile ride. In true Idaho style, the course leaves town and heads into the remote mountains. You will have no cell coverage and will likely see more animals than cars. Riders will roll into the Copper Basin with the Pioneer Mountains providing the stunning backdrop everywhere you look. The wind, hills and washboards will put riders to the test, but they’ll be welcomed back with a rip roaring town party with live music, our signature drink The Head Rusch and a Gelande Quaffing competition. Riders who make it back under 6.5 hours will get a custom Private Idaho bolo tie. The fastest men and women of the day will also go home with the coveted custom Idaho cowboy hat.

No matter how fast or slowly you ride, I promise you’ll fall in love with Idaho. I did and so does everyone else who comes here. On August 31, 2014 we will once again call out “Giddy Up” and head into the mountains. There’s still time to join me on my home training ground and the place I call home.

Videos are here.