Invited to the Party with Rebecca Rusch (Ep. 168) - Girls Gone Gravel Podcast
You know, I've always been an athlete at heart, diving into adventure racing, running, and rock climbing. But believe it or not, I didn't swing my leg over a bike to race until I was 38. That was a game-changer for me. I wasn't the top rider starting out, but there was something about mountain biking that just clicked with me. It was more than the competition; it was about pushing my limits and exploring new trails.
In 2012, I had this incredible experience at Unbound Gravel. Winning that race wasn't just about the title for me. It opened my eyes to the amazing world of gravel cycling, and it lit a fire in me. I thought, "Why not create my own gravel event?" I wanted to share this passion, this sense of adventure with others, especially women.
See, for me, bringing more women into the sport is so important. It's not just about growing the sport; it's about building a community, a place where we can challenge ourselves, support each other, and break through barriers. That's what cycling has done for me, and I can't wait to see more women experience that same thrill and empowerment.
Listen to my Episode of the Girls Gone Gravel Podcast ⬇️






Listening to this episode really reminded me of those hours spent with friends playing the snake games—simple yet thrilling, just like finding joy in gravel riding and the connections we build. It's all about community!
I love that you didn’t start racing until 38—it’s such a good reminder that it’s never too late to find your thing. And turning that Unbound win into creating your own event just shows how much this sport gives back. By the way, I keep a free Grow a Garden 2 calculator I like to share: https://gag2calculator.net/
stickman hook In 2012, I had this incredible experience at Unbound Gravel.
There is something funny about confidently typing the wrong answer in heardle. Players often convince themselves they are absolutely correct, only to realize they mixed up two similar songs. The confidence disappears instantly once the real answer appears. Those moments happen more often than people admit. They are painful but memorable.
Been using Pico Image for a while now for resizing and compressing images. It runs entirely in the browser so nothing gets uploaded to a server, which I find reassuring. Background removal works pretty well too, saves me from opening heavier software for simple tasks.