By MIKE MCKENNA
Rebecca Rusch didn’t plan on having a big and lasting impact on the Wood River Valley when she first arrived. She just came here for a bike ride.
But that training session turned into a love affair with our little slice of Ida-heaven—one that many locals can relate to.
“It’s a fairly typical, old-school story. I came here to visit and train 23 years ago and I never left,” Rebecca said. “I’ve lived in a lot of places and even lived out of my car, but this place, the riding here, the people here, I felt like I came home.”
Unlike most of us who visit and then decide to call the Wood River Valley home, Rebecca hasn’t just carved out a great life for herself, she has also had a large and positive impact on the lives of many others.
Since 2013, Rebecca’s Private Idaho (RPI) has offered a multi-day bike festival during Labor Day weekend. It has hosted thousands of bike riders from all over the planet who come to pedal the nearly 200 miles of Idaho’s stunning backcountry. It’s one of the longest-running gravel races in the country and, best of all, proceeds go to support the non-profit Be Good Foundation.
“I wanted to share this area and showcase this land for locals and visitors,” Rebecca said. “It has become a true destination event. People come and they bring their families and a huge part of the draw is the super-fun community and the vibrant small towns. We’ve become a true bike community.”
RPI, as folks will call the rides, isn’t just fun for the riders and their families, it is also a boon to the local, tourist-based economy. Besides filling up hotel rooms and countless local shops and restaurants, all proceeds go to the Be Good Foundation, which donates thousands annually to support causes and scholarships within the Wood River Valley and throughout the world.
“People, purpose, place. We want to give back to the community and to those organizations that are making positive impacts,” Rebecca said about supporting causes that things like providing access to bikes, protecting land for bikers and promoting all the positive impacts riding offers.
A National Mountain Bike Hall-of-Famer and 7-Time World Champion in several different fields, Rebecca was even the star of the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Blood Road,” about her bike ride along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to visit her late father’s crash site during the Vietnam War.
Despite all her accomplishments, there’s still no place she’d rather be than riding in the Wood River Valley.
“There’s so much choice here. We really have great variety and access and an amazing riding community,” Rebecca said. “The experience here is really special. You’re riding in my backyard and you are welcome here. You just always want to remember to treat it and the people here with the respect and appreciation they deserve.”
Rebecca’s Private Idaho takes place from August 31-September 3 this year. Find out more at RebeccasPrivate Idaho.com.