a write-up from Rebecca Rusch

Two-Time Solo 24 Hour World Champ and new friend wrote a story about staying with all of us Trek folk in Brian Head.

http://mbword.mountainbike.com/2008/08/american-moun-2.html

the carnage and the glory

It's hard to believe it's over. One moment I feel like it was over in a flash, and another I feel like the prologue was a month ago. At times I felt it was never going to be over. (Like the start of stage 2 when my legs were in horrible condition. Then the start of stage 3 when my legs were in really horrible condition...)

It is truly amazing what the human body can do and I was pleasantly surprised when I got stronger as the days went on. I credit my teammates who are exceptional and professional athletes. They definitely showed me the way this weekend. The amount of talent and experience just staying in our cabin was incredible. Lea, Jenny and Rebecca were great, positive spirits while Brian and JB were inspirational and kept me fighting the whole weekend. Gregg was the perfect support as he did all the calculating and logistical planning, (not to mention keeping the bikes running perfect).





I never thought I'd say I was tired of eating, but at 5 AM, I got pretty close...



Thanks to all who helped all weekend and my parents for supporting. (morally and financially)

AMC: day 3

Today was another good learning day.

I had a great start and felt real strong in the beginning. I sat in 6th/7th for the majority of the race until (again) the last 10 miles. Today, however, I ate a lot of food on the bike and even had a little caffeine toward the end. I realized that I probably just need another year or two under my belt to be able to battle it out with these super fast guys...

Speaking of super fast, JB won again! And - it was another sprint to the line! After 3 hard days of mountain bike racing, Jeremiah holds a 6 second lead over JHK. Tomorrow's stage is said to be the hardest (I can't even imagine) and it will sort out the winner of the whole stage race.

My other teammate, Brian, is killing it and getting stronger every day. He keeps catching and passing me right at the end of the stages. It's sort of good for me as I can learn a lot from these guys here.

Well, tomorrow should be another hard day.

AMC: days 1 and 2

As I try to complete my first stage race I'll update the best I can as the days go on.

Trek VW had an amazing day one (The 6 mile prologue) with Jeremiah Bishop and Lea Davison each winning and grabbing the leaders jersey.



I had a good day, but blew up a little bit at about the 4 mile point and ended up 9th. When you go into the red zone at this elevation, you don't come back.

After the prologue and team dinner, Lea, Rebecca Rusch, Jenny Smith, Jeremiah and myself decided we would jump in the freezing cold creek to get our legs nice and flushed out...





The elevation is so high here that Jeremiah headed down the mountain so his heart rate would get low enough so he could sleep. Speaking of JB, he won again today in another sprint finish after 55 miles. He is on fire with 2 stage wins so far. I again had a real good day, but I faded from 6th to 9th as I ran out of calories in the last 10 miles. Maybe 9 is my number. (even my mom's birthday is on a 9th)

I can't believe we race 62 miles tomorrow - and another 55 on Sunday. This race is turning out to be really fast and difficult with all the big names here. I'm hoping to stay consistant and healthy the next couple days.

skinsuits and 20 dollar bills

Handsome Rob and I made the trip to Breckenridge for their Wednesday night race series, (which is ran with impressive organization). Both of us were in need of redemption following a disastrous race the last time. I will not go into detail.

Well, we got it. Handsome Rob, with super tired legs from all that water skiing?, pulled off a top 5. I managed to win by, literally, half of a wheel. My first sprint finish in a mountain bike race - and they hurt real good. Great work to Kevin Soller of the US National Team for killing it and giving me a run for my 20 bucks.

Here is a write-up: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20080813/SPORTS/198241091/1056

Man O' War

Eric Bachmann's music video directed by Rad Rod Blackhurst. Filmed by Rod and myself.

Coming Soon.

you can't always get what you want

Even though I didn't have the race I wanted, I had a great time at the solo world championships last weekend. My parents came up to Canada and I was surrounded by some of my best friends for a week. How can you beat that?



Jen Gersbach absolutely killed it in her first solo 24 hour race . . . ever . . . by taking home 3rd place and a nice check.



Sammy and I had some tough luck. Some bad food tore Sammy up quite nicely right off the gun at the race, while the onslaught of rainstorms brought my early lead to a quick and quite painful end. I've got a lot to learn when it comes to riding over wet, slimy tree roots.

Having quite a few of my family members come to the race made it very special. What made it even more special was that some of my extended family surprised me the night before. It was key as my cousins, Ryan and Alexis, played huge roles in the success of our pit.

All in all, it was a great time and we spent it in a beautiful place.





My new good friends, Sammy and Bunny



A huge thank you to Nick, Bethany and Ryan. I'll never be able to thank you enough - I know you were tired . . .



And to Josh, my teammate, who loaned me his personal race bike and has relocated to Montana. Miss ya bro.



I will be back next year. And I'll be back to win it for everyone who has put so much time into helping me get there . . .



Mark my words . . .