STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS BY LINDA GUERRETTE
After a year of going virtual due to the COVID pandemic, Rebecca’s Private Idaho returned to the streets and byways of Sun Valley this weekend in a big way.
More than 1,500 riders signed up to take part in four days of events that culminated in Sunday’s 102 Baked Potato gravel bike race 5,295 feet up Trail Creek Road and beyond. That number actually taking part, however, was closer to 950 with smoke from the California wildfires and COVID taking its toll.
Riders also had the option to ride a 43-miles course around Galena Lodge and down the Harriman Trail, a 49-mile ride up Dollarhide Summit out Warm Springs, a 20-mile fun ride out Corral Creek Road and Sunday’s 20-mile Tater Tot and 52-mile French Fry while here.
Of course, there were parties and music galore.
Among those taking part were Dan and Brie Hoopes, an Orem, Utah, couple who rode a tandem bike in the 102-mile Baked Potato race up and atop Trail Creek Summit.
“We are loving it,” said Brie Hoopes. “It’s a great tandem course for sure, the volunteers are incredible and there’s all this beautiful scenery.”
The couple has been married 18 years and they’ve ridden tandem for 17 years. They have 16 bikes between them.
And, yes, they were able to set a course record in the new tandem category, while placing in the top 30 among all the riders.
“Tandem is most joyful because we’re together,” said Brie Hoopes.
“I didn’t marry just somebody. I got somebody who is totally into riding,” added Dan Hoopes.
Seven-time Mountain Bike Champion Rebecca Rusch started the event in 2013 to share her living-in-the-mountains lifestyle with the world.
It was designed to support her adopted community of Ketchum and help raise funds for different endeavors in the cycling community.
“Cycling for me is healing,” she said. “This has grown from a couple hundred people the first year and is now one of the top cycling events going.”