Iron Biker Brazil
Rebecca Rusch reports on this 2-day mountain bike event
Rebecca Rusch (Specialized / RedBull athlete) / 28.10.2008
Iron Biker has been described to me as the Sea Otter of Brazil. It is the oldest and largest mountain bike race in Brazil and riders come from all parts of the country to participate. Each year, this 2-day stage race draws nearly 1000 riders to the hilly region of Minas and the historic cities of Mariana and Ouro Preto. I was invited to participate this year by Daniel Aliperti, the owner of Pedal Power bike shop in Sao Paulo and the Brazilian distributor for Specialized. Since I’ve never been to Brazil and the snow was about to fall at home, I jumped at the invitation to get some late season riding in a warm climate. The race format was pretty short for me, more a marathon length course each day instead of the multiple hour suffer fest that I am used to.I arrived in Sao Paulo Brazil after an all night flight. Sao Paulo is a city of 17 million people and a lot of fast, crazy drivers. I’m pretty sure this is where Manhattan taxi drivers come for training camp. Danny and his marketing folks planned a full schedule of magazine appearances, bike shop visits and a slideshow at the Brazilian version of Interbike. Oh yes, and racing the Iron Biker was thrown in the middle of that. It was a whirlwind trip, but one that has left me wanting to come back again next year for another Brazilian adventure. Many people have asked me if I miss adventure racing since I am doing more bike races now. These international trips are always an adventure from the moment I step off the airplane, so I don’t feel lacking in that department.
Day 1, Caliente!!!!!!
Day 1 was HOT. The average temperatures were recorded at 31 C (89 F) with high of 38 C (100 F). I lined up at 9am with 1000 amped racers. They line up the pro men first, then pro women, then everyone else pushing forward in a hungry pack. In traditional Brazilian party style, the disco music was pumping at an insane volume and the announcer was enthusiastically shouting words I could not understand. Multiple La Ruta winner, Louise Kobin and I exchanged confused looks and laughed. I think it’s good to have a sense of humor when you are in unfamiliar territory. See All Event Posts
