Only Known Time: Rebecca Rusch Shreds 1st Bike Traverse of 1,000-Mile ‘High Country Trail’
Top photo credit: Corey Rich/Red Bull Content Pool
Logging 1,041 miles over 8 days, 3 hours, 33 minutes, renowned athlete Rebecca Rusch set the fastest — and first — known time on Arkansas’ new High Country Route bicycle trail.
“Arkansas better get ready for some cycling.” Rebecca Rusch’s cautionary words actually carried a congratulatory tone following her epic ride of the state’s just-completed 1,041-mile trail network, the High Country Route (HCR).
The 50-year-old American multisport phenom became the first to ride the entirety of the route, which comprises pavement, gravel, and singletrack. And her time of 8 days, 3 hours, 33 minutes now stands as the time to beat.
“It was the longest ride of my career, but I was not bored at all,” Rusch said after crossing the finish line. “It was so beautiful with so much to look at. The trail they built here is world-class.”
In total, Rusch logged 107 hours in the saddle and endured more than 84,373 feet of elevation.
Rebecca Rusch: High Country Route FKT
Originally expected to take 2 years, HCR first took shape last year when the Walton Family Foundation donated $100,000 to help build the trail network. Made up of equal parts pavement and trail, and roughly 5 percent singletrack, the route meanders through three national parks, eight state parks, 15 Forest Service campgrounds, and nine Corps of Engineers parks.
“Arkansas is a beautiful place to ride your bike,” Rusch said on Facebook after the ride. “I highly suggest you plan a bike trip out this way.”
This Week in Adventure: Mount Everest, Deepest Ocean, Rebecca Rusch FKT
From the inspiring to the tragic, 'This Week In Adventure' presents the top news in the world of exploration and adventure. Read more…
To conquer the terrain, Rusch piloted a Niner Bikes RLT 9 RDO. She “mulleted” SRAM’s road eTap AXS shifting with a mountain-ready Eagle 1x setup in the back. See the full build below.
Rebecca Rusch High Country Route Gear
- Frame: Niner Bikes RLT 9 RDO
- Drivetrain: SRAM eTap AXS + Eagle (MTB)
- Wheels: ENVE Composites SES AR 3.4
- Tires: Maxxis USA Rambler 38cc
- Saddle: Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) Koda
- Tech: Garmin Edge 1030 and inReach
Our congrats to Rebecca Rusch for christening one of America’s most epic bike trails. And stay tuned — GearJunkie will interview Rusch on her accomplishment next week.
The post Only Known Time: Rebecca Rusch Shreds 1st Bike Traverse of 1,000-Mile ‘High Country Trail’ appeared first on GearJunkie.