You've been an athlete all your life. The bike and you - that was more of a late love affair. Why was that?
I couldn't stand biking. I came from an endurance adventure sport background and felt insecure in the saddle. But in my mid-thirties, I took part in the 24-hour race in Moab just like that, and somehow it spilled over. I was totally surprised myself that I was setting such fast lap times - especially because I was wearing all the technical gear. At the next 24-hour race, I beat everyone, including the men. The bike had me on the hook. But I was totally scared of technical sections.
And today?
Compared to the enduro girls, I'm still brutally weak from a technical point of view. I would say I'm a mediocre rider.
What exactly appeals to you about biking?
I'm an endurance machine and love pedalling. I love wherever my bike takes me. You can cover immense distances, discover incredible landscapes and, above all, you always come into contact with people. The bike is a universal language. Everyone understands what you do when they see you on a bike. It breaks down all barriers. People help immediately and willingly, whether in Vietnam, Africa or Europe. I cycled through half of Italy this year, which was incredible.
That was at the non-stop self-supported Italy Divide race: 840 kilometres from Rome to Riva. Pretty extreme, right?
A dream come true for me as an American: the heart of cycling culture beats in Italy. Here, the bike is more of a piece of sports equipment, and there I rode through these cute villages, overtook old ladies with baskets on their pannier racks and met perfectly styled racing bike squads. What a cycling tradition. And everyone wanted to invite me for an espresso.
That sounds rather idyllic ...
Oh God, only partially! It was one of the toughest races I've ever ridden. Mentally, physically and technically extremely demanding. Especially because I hadn't expected the weather to be so bad. It was cold, wet and the route was long - with 16,000 metres of elevation gain and really demanding. There wasn't much tarmac. I was on the road for four days and a few hours and slept a total of ten hours. I simply need my three-hour break in between, otherwise I lose concentration and it becomes dangerous. South of Lake Garda, I was forced to break into a house.
Excuse me?
Yes, it was borderline. I was soaking wet and riding technical trails at 2am in the freezing cold that were totally muddy. I desperately needed a break, but I was in the middle of nowhere. I saw this house, knocked, but nobody answered.
And you just got in?
I snuck in. I thought I could sneak out again before anyone woke up. But in the morning, a lady came down the stairs in her underwear and the dog barked. We were both a bit, well, shocked. But the sight of me was probably self-explanatory and I made it clear with my hands and feet who I was and what I was doing. She calmed down very quickly and became my favourite carer. Paola, an angel. She just said: You need breakfast and coffee! And that's exactly what you can only experience on a mountain bike.
What drives you to do such brutal things?
My strength is simply my stamina. I bite in and don't let go. Giving up is not an option for me. I once gave up on something and that was a more painful feeling than fighting through. And honestly, endurance and adventure are the areas of sport where you get stronger as you get older. The mind plays an extremely important role and, of course, experience. You become more relaxed and remember the much worse situations you've been through. But there is also a physical strength that takes years to develop. And I train much smarter today than I used to.
How much longer do you want to toil in these crazy long ultra races?
Why should I stop? I often have the feeling that things are getting better and better. My technique is getting better, the technique on the bike - and there is still so much out there that I want to discover. I also have to set myself these goals because I always want to keep developing. For me, it's not about pain and suffering, but about growth. I am always evolving, never standing still. I am so incredibly thirsty for knowledge. We are only in this world for a short time. And we should make the most of it. My path may be unusual, but it is certainly just right for me.
INFO Rebecca Rusch
The successful ultra athlete grew up in a suburb of Chicago. She has won the legendary Leadville 100 four times and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro this year as part of a World Bicycle Relief campaign - by bike. In her autobiography "Rusch to Glory", she describes her always unconventional sporting journey. After ten years without a permanent home, Rebecca has now settled down with her husband in the single trail hotspot of Ketchum, Idaho.
Website: www.rebeccarusch.com
