Win a By-Invitation-Only Trip to Rebecca’s Private Idaho
You’re going to have to excuse me for the tone — gushy — in today’s post. I simply cannot help myself and don’t intend to try. Cuz here’s the thing: I’m a total Rebecca Rusch Fanboy.
Every year for the past four years (including seeing her cross the finish line the year I crashed out) I’ve watched and been inspired by Reba’s incredible wins at the Leadville 100. Cheering her on as she flies down the Columbine road as I struggle up it.
And then, more recently, I’ve gotten to know her a little better, at Levi’s GranFondo this past summer. I really like the way Rebecca is willing to jump in and make a difference — whether it’s promoting women’s cycling with her Gold Rusch tour, helping raise money for good causes with my silly fundraisers, or spreading the word about World Bicycle Relief:
Racers like Rebecca — strong, smart, and community-minded — are exactly the kind of role models cycling needs.
So obviously, I was incredibly excited when Rebecca said she wanted to contribute a grand prize in my Grand Slam 2 for Zambia fundraiser, which she announced yesterday in our chat. You can watch that below, or over at SpreeCast. (Rebecca’s part of the interview starts at 38:00, though I highly recommend watching the entire thing.)
So now, let’s talk a little bit about what that prize is.
Rebecca’s Private Idaho
Rebecca’s Private Idaho (September 1, 2013) could maybe be best described as GranFondo meets gravel grinder. It’s 100 miles of timed — but not raced — beautiful backcountry riding. The purpose of this event will be to raise money for both World Bicycle Relief and the local IMBA chapter: Wood River Bicycle Coalition.
The course will be out-and-back, which means that no matter where you wind up in the pack, you’ll still see everyone on the ride (which is one of my favorite things about the Leadville 100).
The event is going to be awesomely supported, including, quite possibly, an on-course baked potato bar. Which could quite possibly be the most awesome aid station in the history of ever.
And while details are still being worked out on this, some riders will get the opportunity to take on the WBR challenge, where if they do the ride on a WBR Buffalo bike (the bombproof 45 pound singlespeed bikes World Bicycle relief distributes in Africa), you’ll get a special award. (I’d like to go on record as being the first person to accept this challenge, by the way.)
Since this will be the first year of the event, Rebecca wants to get it just right and will be keeping it small. It’ll be an invitation-only event, with just a few hundred of her best friends and VIP types (E.g., Tom Ritchey, Kristin Armstrong, Patrick Dempsey, Levi Leipheimer, The Specialized-Lululemon pro women’s road team, The Hammer, me) from the bicycle community.
In 2014, Rebecca will be scaling this event up and opening it to the public, but only a select few will get to say they were there when it all began.
Including — if you win this prize — you.
That’s right, as the newest Grand Slam 2 prize, Rebecca’s donating airfare, hotel and entry into the event.
So how do you enter? The same way you win all of the prizes in The Grand Slam for Zambia: by making a donation. Every $5 you donate gets you a chance, and any donation over $134 — the cost of getting a bicycle into the hands of a student in Africa and changing her life for the better forever — gets you bonus chances.
So if this — or if any of the prizes in the list — appeal to you, click here to make a donation now. Your money gets doubled, you’re making a huge difference in someone’s life, and you just might win an incredibly cool trip to go on an incredible ride set up by an incredible person.
What the Ride Looks Like
At a hundred miles and with 7000 feet of climbing, Rebecca’s Private Idaho is going to be a challenging ride. But the view is going to be so worth it. Here are a few pictures Rebecca captured while she was scouting out the course.
The Pioneer Mountains. The riders will see these peaks from the other side.
Trail Creek Road, heading out of town on course and into the mountains.
Copper Basin in the middle of the course.
Top of Trail Creek Summit.
Backside of Trail Creek Summit and dropping into Copper Basin.
Trail Creek Road on the return. This is the view of Sun Valley ski resort that will welcome you back to the finish.
This looks like an epic, beautiful day in the mountains. I’m stoked to try it out — and if you’re one of the drawing winners and choose this prize, I think you’ll love being able to say you were there right from the beginning of this amazing event.
Comment by Doug (way upstate NY) | 12.13.2012 | 11:24 am
I would be there.
Comment by Anonymous | 12.13.2012 | 11:30 am
Rebecca’s Private Idaho in September, followed by Levi’s GrandFondo in October. I need to get back on the bike and start training!
Comment by Mark | 12.13.2012 | 11:31 am
The odds of winning any of these awesome prizes is getting lower (that’s a good thing), but nowhere near the Powerball lotto, so you can count on a donation from me! Amazing – the prizes, and that people and orgs are donating them. And the cause.
It’s true that your chances aren’t great for winning any prize, but as of right now there are 15 prizes (in addition to the 2 prizes that have already been given away). And there will be more prizes put on the heap soon. Honestly, of any contest I have put on, this one offers the best chance at winning a big prize, ever. – FC
Comment by Susie H | 12.13.2012 | 12:30 pm
As I am completely convinced that I will win one of these fabulous prizes, the only thing left to do is figure out on which one I want to focus my positive thoughts!
Comment by hautacam | 12.13.2012 | 12:46 pm
Can I put my saddle and clipless pedals on the wbr buffalo? I would totally take that challenge with those 2 mods.
I think there should be a wbr buffalo class in all events!
Pingback by Win a By-Invitation-Only Trip to Rebecca’s Private Idaho | Bicycle News Gator | 12.13.2012 | 1:02 pm
[...] the rest here: Win a By-Invitation-Only Trip to Rebecca’s Private Idaho This entry was posted in FatCyclist.com and tagged creek, event, grand slam 2, private, prize, [...]
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.13.2012 | 1:52 pm
AWESOME!!!! If we were so lucky to win I am definitely up for the Buffalo Brigade! (there will be a pacer, right?) Or, I’ll donate for my tandem partner and we’ll get a tandem mountain bike. (cool, I’ll need another bike…..xoxox honey xoxo)
Loved Rebecca’s WBR Video from Wednesday riding the Marin Headlands Singletrack!
and I agree with hautacam! Clydesdales on Buffalos! Jerseys by Twin SIx!
Comment by Christina | 12.13.2012 | 3:01 pm
So many excellent riders are going to see me riding in last place!
Comment by Kevin Collings | 12.13.2012 | 3:29 pm
Sounds like the Dirty Kanza 200 in June, Gravel Worlds in August, then this in September would make a killer gravel race season…
(plus a good handful of smaller local races in the Midwest)
Comment by Jeff Loomis | 12.13.2012 | 3:30 pm
So many great prizes but this is the one I want the most. I can’t believe you haven’t blown through the fundraising goal by this time.
Comment by Chris | 12.13.2012 | 3:30 pm
Getting to know Rebecca Rusch thru your recent interactions with her, you’ve got me all gushy about her too. I would have to say I have a new cycling crush.
Comment by Justin L. | 12.13.2012 | 5:05 pm
I wish i had money to donate right now, but things are so tight, i had to sell both my motorcycle and bicycle to help with my family. I will ride again soon though, anyways the point of my post is i really want to see you Elden right that WBR bike on that course and give a full report. I am sure that it will give you a great appricieation of your stumpy.
Comment by Helen | 12.13.2012 | 5:13 pm
Am I still in the running if I donated at the start!? Just wondering!
Thanks for all you do!
Absolutely. Every donation puts you in the running for every prize, including the ones that haven’t been announced yet. Thanks for your donation! -FC
Comment by Heidi | 12.13.2012 | 7:15 pm
@Susie H, please focus your positive thoughts away from the Malibu trip – I’ve got plans for that one…
Comment by TominAlbany | 12.13.2012 | 7:50 pm
Mr. FatCyclist, sir. You are testing my resolve. Bending my mettle. I was very inspired by the concept that is used in the giving. Give like an adult. I decided that, this Christmas season, I was going to give like an adult. I was only going to give to those places where I do NOT qualify for something for myself. After all, that’s playing the lottery, not giving from where I live. I do not condemn or criticize those that are giving here to a GREAT cause. This is my own little world I’m living in. However, with Rebecca Rush’s Private Idaho, I am wavering. The flasy bikes, not problem. Not tempted. But, an opportunity to meet The Hammer, her husband, Rebecca and finally, finally see Idaho – one of the 4 of the lower 48 I haven’t seen yet, is tugging at my heartstrings. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Comment by Liz M. | 12.13.2012 | 8:06 pm
@Justin L. — Don’t worry, the rest of your Team Fatty teammates will make up for you on this fundraiser. Just hang in there and hope you are riding again soon.
Thanks so much to Rebecca for this amazing prize and I wish her well with the event. I am not an “epic” cyclist so of all the prizes so far, I liked the Africa in Moab best. I didn’t feel worthy of the other prizes. But this is so good I might try to become more epic just to get to do it, should I get the chance!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.13.2012 | 9:18 pm
Can’t wait for 2014.
I’m confident Fatty and the Hammer will be back and that WBR or, another good cause will be the recipient of a portion of the entry fees. C’mon Fatties! Let’s have a team meeting in Idaho. We’ll have a great ride and then travel down to Alpine for a ‘recovery ride’….and PIE!
Comment by Barefoot Rose | 12.14.2012 | 12:28 pm
I can’t take it anymore. 1.15 more bikes to make a difference. It is going to be crushing when I don’t get to go to Idaho.
Comment by USAFANARC | 12.14.2012 | 8:27 pm
Fantastic prizes, all around! I so hope I win! I am a little confused, though. How does the drawing work? Does the first name drawn get to choose which prize they want, then the second name drawn choses, and this process continues until no prizes are left? Or does each prize have an individual drawing? Just curious exactly how I will win this amazing trip.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 12.14.2012 | 8:47 pm
@USAFANARC
Fatty’s mentioned before, and similar to last year. When your name is drawn you get to pick your ‘prize’, after that, the next winner is picked and they pick from the remaining prizes. I can’t imagine Fatty changing the terms. Go back to one of the earliest announcements about the contest….read comments, because I believe he answers this question there as well.
But just to caution you get ready to pick something other than Idaho, cause I’m picking that…or Moab,….or a bike,…..or the other bike……oh well maybe just the tshirt from Twin Six.
Comment by Eva | 12.15.2012 | 7:26 am
At this very minute, 1,111 people have donated… Don’t you like this number?! Just honored to be one of them… Let’s not get stuck by the beauty of the number though… We can still make it 1,333 or 2,222…
Is it Friday yet?
Thank you
Comment by ClydeinKS | 12.15.2012 | 11:23 am
I broke the fascination of 1,111 and was finally able to pull the plug. Feel so great being able to turn 2 bikes into 4 through the magic of secret donors. Definitely hoping for name to appear on 12/24, but if not, I am happy knowing I have changed the lives for 4 people/families!
Fatty – thanks again for providing the platform for awesomeness!