Rebecca’s Private Idaho 2026 runs September 9–12 in the Sun Valley and Ketchum area of Idaho, with the main event on Saturday, September 13. Race week combines Wednesday’s Harriman Trail stage (35.6 mi / 3,132 ft of singletrack and doubletrack in the Boulder Mountains), Thursday’s Dollarhide stage (a 50-mile ride containing a 4.5-mile timed hill-climb TT with 30-second start intervals from mile 20, finishing at Frenchman’s Hot Springs), Friday’s expo, Potato Olympics and Be Good shakeout ride, and Saturday’s main event at Champion Meadows: Tater Tot (18.9 mi / 1,325 ft), French Fry (57.4 mi / 3,974 ft), Baked Potato (104 mi / 6,902 ft) and Fully Loaded (118.3 mi / 7,779 ft via the Copper Basin extension). For 2026 the Queen Stage Race is a mix-and-match format — riders can enter one, two or three stages in any combination, generating 19 route/stage options. Start times, cutoffs and support logistics remain subject to the final 2026 Rider Guide.
Distance
Baked Potato 104 mi · Fully Loaded 118.3 mi · French Fry 57.4 mi · Tater Tot 18.9 mi · Harriman 35.6 mi · Dollarhide 50 mi with 4.5 mi TT
Elevation
Baked Potato 6,902 ft · Fully Loaded 7,779 ft · French Fry 3,974 ft · Tater Tot 1,325 ft · Harriman 3,132 ft
Typical duration
6 – 12 hours for most amateur Baked Potato finishers on Saturday
Location
Sun Valley / Ketchum, Idaho, USA — hubs at Limelight Hotel (Ketchum), Baker Creek, Rotary Park, Champion Meadows and Forest Service Park
Time of year
Race week September 9–12, 2026 — main event Saturday, September 13
Terrain
Singletrack and doubletrack in the Boulder Mountains (Harriman), high-altitude backcountry gravel and mountain roads (Dollarhide / Saturday routes)
Course Map Stage-by-Stage
Interactive route for each RPI 2026 stage. Use it to plan pacing, aid-station touchpoints, and fueling windows.
Interactive stage map · aid stations & QSR variations
Switch between Harriman, Dollarhide, each Saturday route, and the QSR mix-and-match combinations to see the anchor locations, aid hubs and approximate route corridor. Coordinates are approximate — always confirm against the official 2026 GPX in race week.
Flagship 104 mi (167 km) route — sustained ~2,500 ft (762 m) climb over Corral Creek Summit.
Legend:StartFinishRace-week hubAid / rest stopSummit / high pointFully Loaded extension
Route corridor lines are visual approximations connecting known anchor points — they are not the official GPX.
Download the Printable Rebecca’s Private Idaho 2026 Race Guide
Get a practical planning document with the course breakdown, aid-station strategy, fueling and hydration worksheets, race-morning timeline, equipment checklist, crew notes, and space for your own plan.
The redesigned 2026 Baked Potato features an approximately 2,500 ft sustained climb over Corral Creek Summit. Long, steady climbing changes pacing, fueling and hydration windows relative to a rolling gravel race.
High elevation
Sun Valley sits at meaningful base elevation, and the routes climb well above it. Perceived effort is higher for visitors from lower elevations — pacing, sleep, hydration and appetite are all affected.
Accumulated climbing
6,860 ft on Baked Potato and 7,757 ft on Fully Loaded is delivered across multiple sustained pushes. Cumulative fatigue matters, especially for QSR riders arriving into Saturday off two prior stages.
Remote roads and limited cell coverage
Long backcountry sectors have little to no cell service. Riders must download GPX offline and carry the tools, calories and fluid needed to be self-sufficient between stops.
Wind exposure
Exposed mountain roads at altitude bring the risk of sustained wind. Solo effort into a headwind materially raises energy cost across long sectors.
Large temperature swings
September in the Sun Valley area regularly features cool mornings, warmer afternoons, colder high points and rapid drops in shaded canyons — layering and thermal planning are real variables.
High UV
High-altitude UV is stronger than a lowland forecast suggests. Sunscreen, lip protection and cap or sleeves matter as much as fueling.
Wildfire smoke / AQI risk
Late-season western wildfire smoke can affect the region. Air-quality status is race-specific and must be re-checked from official sources in race week — it cannot be assumed from prior years.
Washboards and puncture risk
Washboards on descents and rocky sectors put load on tires, casings and pressure choices. Puncture protection and redundancy matter more than optimizing pure rolling resistance.
Long self-supported gaps
Rest stops are expected but final 2026 support details are still to be confirmed. Plan for extended sectors without water, food or mechanical help.
Eating and drinking while climbing
Long sustained climbs make it harder to safely open, chew and swallow. Riders who do not rehearse eating uphill in training tend to under-fuel exactly when demand is highest.
Cumulative fatigue across race week
Race week now supports a mix-and-match format — riders can combine Harriman (Wed: 35.6 mi / 3,132 ft of Boulder Mountains singletrack and doubletrack), Dollarhide (Thu: 50-mile ride containing a 4.5 mi hill-climb TT from mile 20) and one Saturday route in any combination. Fueling, recovery and equipment inspection between stages become race-defining decisions.
Course profile — segment by segment
A tactical breakdown of the Rebecca’s Private Idaho course. Use this to plan pacing, fueling touchpoints and where to conserve versus commit.
Segment
Mile
Elevation
Note
Phase 1 — Rollout from Ketchum
0 – 10
Rolling
Pacing objective: cap effort at endurance / high Zone 2. Fueling objective: start eating in the first 15 minutes and lock in a 15-minute alarm. Common mistake: chasing early moves and burning matches you will need on Corral Creek.Surface: Pavement to gravel transition
Phase 2 — Approach to major climbing
10 – 30
Steady climbing
Objective: settle into a repeatable climbing effort well under threshold. Fueling: bank calories before the sustained climb. Common mistake: matching stronger riders on the approach and arriving at Corral Creek already cooked.Surface: Backcountry gravel
Phase 3 — Corral Creek sustained climb
30 – 50
≈ 2,500 ft sustained push
Objective: fixed HR / RPE ceiling, steady cadence, force calories and sips even at reduced appetite. Common mistake: surging over false summits and blowing fueling windows because you cannot chew comfortably.Surface: Backcountry gravel
Phase 4 — High point and extended descent
50 – 70
High point, then descent
Objective: keep drinking, take one gel before the descent, layer up if cold. Common mistake: stopping fueling because the descent feels like recovery.Surface: Backcountry gravel
Phase 5 — Late-course return
70 – 95
Rolling with wind exposure
Objective: pace by HR or power, not by feel. Fueling: reset every 15 minutes and confirm you still have emergency calories. Common mistake: assuming the finish is close.Surface: Backcountry gravel
Phase 6 — Final push to Champion Meadows
95 – 104
Rolling to finish
Objective: save one gel and one bottle for the final 45 minutes. Common mistake: letting fueling lapse in the last hour and finishing far worse than the fitness deserves.Surface: Gravel to finish
Fully Loaded — Copper Basin extension
104 – 118 (Fully Loaded only)
Additional sustained climbing
Adds duration, cumulative fatigue, late-day weather exposure and higher self-sufficiency demand. Reassess fuel, fluids, layers and lights before leaving the last reliable stop.Surface: Backcountry gravel
Aid stations & crew strategy
Every aid station along the Rebecca’s Private Idaho course, with crew access, drop-bag rules and the fueling action to execute at each stop.
Baker Creek — Wed Harriman start / kit pickup
Mile Wed 0
Kit pickup 7:45–8:45 AM, Harriman stage rollout 9:00 AM. Pre-load bottles and layers for a singletrack/doubletrack morning in the Boulder Mountains.
Limelight Hotel — Thu Dollarhide start / kit pickup
Mile Thu 0
Kit pickup 7:30–8:30 AM, Dollarhide rollout 9:00 AM from Washington Street. 50 mi ride containing a 4.5 mi hill-climb TT starting at mile 20 (30-second start intervals).
Frenchman’s Hot Springs — Thu optional finish
Mile Thu ~50
Optional extended finish for Thursday’s Dollarhide stage. Confirm shuttle / logistics in the final Rider Guide.
Forest Service Park — Thu Be Good Foundation Party
Mile Thu PM
6:00–8:30 PM, next to the Limelight (new 2026 location). Rehydrate and eat a real recovery meal.
Champion Meadows — Fri expo / Sat start-finish
Mile Fri–Sat
Fri: Be Good shakeout 8:30–10:00 AM, Vendor Expo 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, Potato Olympics 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, Rider Meeting 3:15 PM. Sat check-in 6:30–8:00 AM; Fully Loaded 7:00 / Baked Potato 7:30 / French Fry 8:00 / Tater Tot 8:30 AM; festival 10 AM–5 PM; awards 3:30 PM.
On-course rest stops (provisional)
Mile TBC
Final 2026 on-course rest-stop locations, services, drop-bag rules and cutoffs are published in the final Rider Guide. Do not reuse 2025 logistics.
Fueling challenges & strategy
General, evidence-based guidance. Numbers should always be personalized to sweat rate, body mass, fitness and weather.
Carbohydrate strategy — by route
Starting ranges: Tater Tot 30–60 g/hr, French Fry 60–90 g/hr, Baked Potato and Fully Loaded 70–100+ g/hr for trained athletes. QSR riders add immediate post-stage carbohydrate restoration on top of race fueling. Higher intakes require gut training and should be tested in representative training sessions — do not introduce an aggressive target for the first time on race day.
Hydration
Dry mountain air, altitude, sun and long climbs elevate fluid losses relative to a low-altitude ride at the same air temperature. Build a fluid range around expected conditions, sweat rate, support access and what you can carry — there is no single universal target.
Sodium
Personalize based on measured or estimated sweat sodium, heat, products used and drinking rate. Long, dry exposure with wide support gaps makes cumulative sodium easy to under-plan.
Caffeine
Use only if practiced. Common approach for a 7–12 hour Baked Potato day: 100–200 mg pre-start, a mid-race dose, and a smaller dose in the last two hours. Total dose and timing should be based on body mass and prior tolerance.
Support strategy
Plan every expected stop on paper before race day: bottles in, bottles out, calories to grab, layers, sunscreen refresh, caffeine. Confirm what is actually provided in the final 2026 Rider Guide — do not assume 2025 logistics.
Pre-race breakfast
1–4 g/kg carbohydrate 2–4 hours before the start from familiar low-fiber, low-fat foods. Add 30–50 g CHO 15–30 minutes before the gun via a gel and sports drink. Rehearse the menu on long training rides.
During-race execution
Fuel by the clock. Set a 15-minute alarm on your head unit from the rollout. Front-load calories before Corral Creek Summit and every sustained climb; sip on descents where the surface allows.
Emergency reserve
Carry 30–50% more calories than you plan to use. Weather, wind, altitude or a mechanical can add 60+ minutes to your day — running out of fuel late is one of the top predictors of a bad finish or DNF.
Between-stage recovery
If you enter more than one stage (Harriman Wed, Dollarhide Thu, Saturday route): fluids, sodium, carbohydrate and protein within 60 minutes of finishing, then a full meal 1–3 hours later. Protect sleep and equipment inspection between stages — cumulative underfueling shows up on Saturday, not Wednesday.
Fueling timeline by phase
Grams and millilitres per hour for each phase of the race. Personalize to your sweat rate, body mass and conditions.
Baked Potato (104 mi / 6,902 ft) — targets for a 7–11 hour finish
Phase 1 — Rollout from Ketchum
0–10 mi·0:00–0:45
Carbs
60–70 g/hr
Fluids
17–24 fl oz/hr
Sodium
500–700 mg/hr
Caffeine: 100–200 mg 20 min pre-start
Focus: Start eating within 15 minutes. Lock in a 15-minute intake alarm. Do NOT chase early moves — you will need the matches on Corral Creek.
Phase 2 — Approach to Corral Creek
10–30 mi·0:45–2:15
Carbs
80–90 g/hr
Fluids
17–27 fl oz/hr
Sodium
600–800 mg/hr
Focus: Bank calories before the sustained climb. Test how the gut is tolerating altitude and dry air — pull back 10 g/hr if bloated.
Focus: Fixed HR / RPE ceiling. Force calories even at reduced appetite. Do not skip a scheduled feed just because chewing feels hard.
Phase 4 — High point and extended descent
50–70 mi·4:15–5:30
Carbs
60–80 g/hr
Fluids
14–20 fl oz/hr
Sodium
500–700 mg/hr
Caffeine: 100 mg at the high point (mid-race dose)
Focus: Layer up if cold. Take one gel BEFORE dropping in. Keep sipping — descents feel like recovery but glycogen is still burning.
Phase 5 — Late-course return
70–95 mi·5:30–7:45
Carbs
70–90 g/hr
Fluids
17–27 fl oz/hr
Sodium
600–800 mg/hr
Focus: Reset every 15 minutes. Confirm your 30–50% emergency reserve is still intact. This is where under-fueled riders quietly break.
Phase 6 — Final push to Champion Meadows
95–104 mi·7:45–end
Carbs
60–80 g/hr
Fluids
14–20 fl oz/hr
Sodium
400–600 mg/hr
Caffeine: 50–100 mg only if under total daily cap (≤6 mg/kg)
Focus: Save one gel for the final 30 minutes. Ride to power / HR, not to feel. Finish, don't fade.
Fully Loaded (118.3 mi / 7,779 ft) adds the Copper Basin extension after Phase 6. Continue Phase 5 targets — 70–90 g/hr carbs, 17–27 fl oz/hr fluids, sodium tuned to conditions — and take one final caffeine dose only if under the total daily cap (≤6 mg/kg body mass). Recompute hourly targets against the personalized plan in the FuelQ Pro app if you use it.
Carbohydrate loading for Rebecca’s Private Idaho
A structured 48–72 hour carbohydrate-loading protocol tuned for a long day at altitude. Rehearse it before a training block, not for the first time on race week.
48–72 hours out
Target 8–10 g/kg body mass per day of carbohydrate from familiar low-fiber sources: rice, pasta, potato, bread, sports drinks, honey. Reduce fat and fiber to protect the gut on race morning.
Protein and fat
Keep protein moderate (1.2–1.6 g/kg/day). Reduce fat to ~0.5–0.8 g/kg/day. This is not the week for heavy sauces or fried foods.
Hydration and sodium
Drink to pale-yellow urine. Add 500–1,000 mg sodium per liter of fluid on the two days before the race — especially important at altitude with dry air.
Race morning
1–4 g/kg CHO 2–4 hours before the gun from familiar tested foods. Oatmeal + banana + honey, bagel + jam or a rice bowl are proven. No experiments.
Sub-9 & sub-12 split targets
Aid-station splits for the two headline finish goals at Rebecca’s Private Idaho: the Big Buckle (sub-9) and the Silver Buckle (sub-12). Use as planning anchors, not as commitments — weather, altitude adaptation and pack dynamics all shift real splits.
The Baked Potato is defined by long sustained climbs at altitude. Riding a step below threshold on Corral Creek protects glycogen and legs for the second half.
Avoid threshold surges
Surges into and over false summits drive lactate high and shut down fueling. Cap effort with HR or power, not with the wheel in front of you.
Variable surface speed
Washboards, loose sectors and technical descents change moving speed unpredictably. Plan by moving-speed range, not by a single average.
Altitude effects
Perceived effort at altitude is higher than sea level for the same HR / power. Cap early intensity and expect a slower opening hour.
Descending is not free time
Extended descents feel restful but do not replace calories and do not offset a bad climb. Keep sipping and take one gel before the next climb.
Stop-time budgeting
Every minute at a rest stop is a minute of daylight and margin lost. Write a target stop time for each expected stop before race day.
Altitude sickness (AMS) — prevention & red flags
Evidence-based prevention and safety guidance for Rebecca’s Private Idaho. Not medical advice — discuss altitude medications and pre-existing conditions with a qualified physician.
Base and route elevation
Sun Valley sits at meaningful base elevation, and the routes climb well above it. Confirm the elevation of your lodging and the high points on your selected route before race week.
Perceived effort for visitors
Riders from lower elevations feel meaningfully higher perceived effort at the same HR or power. Cap early intensity and expect a slower opening hour.
Sleep, hydration and appetite
Altitude disrupts sleep, elevates fluid loss and can suppress appetite. Protect sleep, drink to pale-yellow urine and eat rehearsed low-fiber meals in race week.
No universal acclimatization promise
Arriving a few days early may help perceived effort but does not guarantee acclimatization. Pace conservatively regardless.
Conservative early pacing
The single highest-leverage altitude decision is not going too hard in the first hour — on Baked Potato specifically, before Corral Creek Summit.
Personal health
Riders with cardiovascular, respiratory or medication concerns should discuss altitude exposure with their clinician before travel.
Equipment & bike setup
Gravel bike suitability
A dedicated gravel bike with clearance for 45 mm+ tires is the standard choice for RPI. Rehearse your full setup on rides that mimic the expected duration, altitude and surface.
Tire width and casing
Most riders run 40–45 mm tubeless gravel tires with reinforced casings to trade rolling resistance against puncture protection on washboard and rocky sectors.
Tire pressure
Pressure depends on combined rider + bike mass, tire measured width, rim width, casing, inserts, surface, expected mud and rider handling. Test on similar terrain — do not debut a new pressure on race day.
Puncture kit and redundancy
Tubeless plugs, at least one spare tube, CO₂ + inflator, mini pump backup, tire lever, chain quick link, multi-tool with chain breaker, spare derailleur hanger, valve core tool.
Chain lubrication and brakes
Fresh chain lube for dry mountain gravel. Inspect brake pads and rotors — sustained descents off Corral Creek and Copper Basin punish worn brakes.
Food and bottle access
Two large bottle cages minimum. Many Baked Potato and Fully Loaded riders add a top-tube feed bag, and some add a hydration pack for long remote sectors.
Offline navigation and backup battery
Download the official GPX offline. Cell coverage cannot be assumed. Carry a backup battery for your head unit or phone on Fully Loaded and QSR days.
Sun and altitude protection
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, cap under the helmet, sunglasses with tinted lenses. High-altitude UV is stronger than lowland forecasts suggest.
Wind / thermal / rain layers
Cool mornings, exposed high points and possible storms make a packable rain shell, gilet or arm warmers a real safety item on Fully Loaded and QSR days.
Identification, phone and emergency calories
Photo ID, emergency contact taped inside a jersey pocket, phone with backup battery, and 30–50% more calories than you plan to use.
Training for Rebecca’s Private Idaho
Volume ramp
Successful Baked Potato finishers typically build to 10–14 hours per week for 10–14 weeks pre-race, with the final long ride 3 weeks out and a 2-week taper.
Long rides
Progress long rides toward 5–8 hours on gravel with 5,000–8,000+ ft of climbing. At least two rides should closely mimic expected race duration and sustained climbing.
Threshold and tempo
Weekly threshold work (2× 20 min or 3× 15 min at 90–100% FTP) plus one long tempo block (60–90 min at 85%) for 8–10 weeks. Long climbs reward steady sustainable power.
Sustained climbing simulation
One weekly session with a 30–60 minute sustained climb (indoor or outdoor) trains the exact energy system Corral Creek demands.
Gravel handling
One weekly ride on similar surface trains cornering, line choice on loose gravel and safe descending under fatigue.
Nutrition rehearsal
Every long ride is a fueling rehearsal. Target 70–100 g/hr of carbohydrate on 4+ hour rides to train the gut for race intake.
Altitude preparation
If possible, arrive early to expose the body to altitude. Heat and altitude training tools exist but require guidance — do not experiment for the first time in race week.
Race-day morning timeline
T-4 h
Wake, coffee, first breakfast (1–2 g/kg CHO) from familiar low-fiber foods. Hydrate 17 fl oz with sodium.
T-2 h
Second small feed (~50 g CHO). Chamois cream, sunscreen, kit on with expected morning layer.
T-90 min
Bike check — pressure, brakes, computer, bottles loaded, top-tube bag stocked. Confirm route sync and offline GPX.
T-45 min
Ride or drive to the start. Sip 7–10 fl oz sports drink. Restroom.
T-20 min
First caffeine dose (if used). Final layering call. Confirm HR / power start plan with yourself.
T-5 min
Half a gel. Breathe. Commit to a conservative first hour.
Gun
Start times per the final Rider Guide (current guidance: Fully Loaded 7:00 AM, Baked Potato 7:30 AM, French Fry 8:00 AM, Tater Tot 8:30 AM — subject to change). Cap effort in the first hour — do not chase early moves.
Packing list
Bike
Race bike (fully serviced 2 weeks out)
Two large bottle cages
Top-tube feed bag
Computer + fresh mount
Route synced and offline GPX downloaded
Nutrition
Gels / chews / drink mix for expected time on course + 30% buffer
2–3 caffeine doses (if used)
Two solid items (rice cakes, bars)
Pre-race breakfast supplies
Post-race recovery drink + real meal
Hydration
Two large bottles
Concentrated drink mix rehearsed in training
Electrolyte tabs for backup
Hydration pack for long remote sectors on BP / FL
Clothing
Short-sleeve jersey + bibs
Arm warmers or light gilet for cool starts and high points
Full-finger or ¾ gloves
Cap under helmet
Sunglasses (clear + tinted lenses)
Weather gear
SPF 50+ sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
Packable rain shell for storm risk on FL / QSR days
Tools & spares
2× CO₂ + inflator
Mini pump
Tire plug kit
Spare tube
Tire lever
Multi-tool with chain breaker
Chain quick link
Spare derailleur hanger
Chain lube
Lights & visibility
Front light with backup power
Rear light
Reflective ankle bands or vest for late finishers or QSR mornings
Documents & logistics
Final 2026 Rider Guide printout
Race number + timing chip
Photo ID
Emergency contact taped inside jersey pocket
Written stop plan taped to top tube
Registration & lottery
Every entry route into the Rebecca’s Private Idaho, from the annual lottery to qualifier races, coaching-program slots and charity entries.
Official registration
Register through the official Rebecca’s Private Idaho website. The 2026 format is mix-and-match: pick one, two or three stages in any combination across the Wednesday Harriman stage, the Thursday Dollarhide stage and one of the four Saturday routes (Tater Tot, French Fry, Baked Potato or Fully Loaded). Confirm current-year process, pricing and deadlines on the official RPI site.
Choose the right route
Tater Tot (18.9 mi / 1,325 ft) is the entry point. French Fry (57.4 mi / 3,974 ft) is a serious mountain gravel day. Baked Potato (104 mi / 6,902 ft) is the flagship route. Fully Loaded (118.3 mi / 7,779 ft) extends BP with the Copper Basin extension for experienced ultra-distance riders. Harriman (35.6 mi singletrack/doubletrack) and Dollarhide (50 mi ride with a 4.5 mi TT) can be added in any combination for a multi-day race week.
Getting there, lodging & logistics
Airports, lodging, packet pickup, parking and crew access for the Rebecca’s Private Idaho.
Getting there
Fly into Sun Valley (SUN) for closest access or into Boise (BOI) with a longer drive. Rent a car — you will need it for lodging, packet pickup and getting to the daily start lines (Baker Creek, Limelight, Champion Meadows).
Lodging
Options in Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey. The Limelight Hotel in Ketchum is the official host hotel and Thursday start venue — booking there simplifies race-week logistics. Confirm the elevation of your lodging — it matters for altitude planning.
Packet pickup and rider meetings
QSR check-in: Tue 4:00–6:30 PM at the Limelight. Wed Harriman kit: 7:45–8:45 AM at Baker Creek. Thu Dollarhide kit: 7:30–8:30 AM at the Limelight. Fri: same-day rider check-in at Champion Meadows (Vendor Expo 11:00 AM–4:00 PM) and Rider Meeting at 3:15 PM. Sat main event: same-day check-in and bag drop 6:30–8:00 AM at Champion Meadows.
Full 2026 race-week schedule
Tue 9/9: QSR mandatory meeting 4:00–4:30 PM + check-in 4:30–6:30 PM at the Limelight. Wed 9/10: Harriman kit pickup 7:45–8:45 AM at Baker Creek, stage rollout 9:00 AM, Brats & Bevies awards 5:00–6:00 PM at Rotary Park (Ketchum). Thu 9/11: Dollarhide kit 7:30–8:30 AM at Limelight, rollout 9:00 AM (Washington Street), Be Good Foundation Party 6:00–8:30 PM at Forest Service Park (new 2026 location, next to Limelight). Fri 9/12: Be Good shakeout ride 8:30–10:00 AM at Champion Meadows (no-drop, free), Vendor Expo 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, Potato Olympics skills competition 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, Rider Meeting 3:15 PM. Sat 9/13: check-in and bag drop 6:30–8:00 AM at Champion Meadows, starts Fully Loaded 7:00 / Baked Potato 7:30 / French Fry 8:00 / Tater Tot 8:30 AM, public festival 10 AM–5 PM, awards 3:30 PM. All times subject to the final Rider Guide.
Crew and outside assistance
Verify current-year crew, drop-bag and outside-assistance rules in the final 2026 Rider Guide before planning support. Do not reuse 2025 logistics.
What most riders get wrong
01
Surging in the first hour
The rollout out of Ketchum feels controllable and everyone accelerates hard. Repeated over-threshold efforts in the first hour burn glycogen you cannot replace and set up a rough Corral Creek climb.
02
Under-carrying fluid between stops
Long remote sectors leave hours between reliable water. A single bottle empties in 60 minutes — plan for what you carry, not what you hope to find.
03
Treating altitude casually
Riders from low elevations often under-plan the first two hours, sleep and hydration. Cap early intensity and monitor perceived effort against HR, not average speed.
04
Ignoring the temperature swing
Cool mornings and warm afternoons trap riders into leaving layers behind or overheating on climbs. A packable gilet or arm warmers is a small weight penalty and a large safety benefit.
05
New products or new setup on race day
Long time-on-course and altitude amplify GI risk. Race only what you have trained with — nutrition, tires, pressure, saddle, shorts.
06
Skipping late-race calories on the descent
The extended descent off Corral Creek feels like recovery. Riders who stop fueling here bonk in the late return — keep sipping and take one gel before the last climb.
07
No stop-time budget
The day is longer than moving time. Riders who spend 15–20 minutes at each rest stop leak an hour of daylight and margin — write a target for each stop before race day.
08
Reusing 2025 logistics as 2026 fact
The current 2026 Rider Guide explicitly warns that much of the content below its opening section is outdated 2025 information. Do not plan support, cutoffs or start times off last year — confirm from the final 2026 Rider Guide.
Race history & culture
Rebecca’s home race
Founded by pro cyclist Rebecca Rusch, Rebecca’s Private Idaho has become one of the flagship gravel events on the calendar, based out of Sun Valley, Idaho and organized by Bike Monkey.
Redesigned for 2026
The Baked Potato and Fully Loaded routes are new for 2026, adding sustained climbing over Corral Creek Summit and the Copper Basin extension.
Not just one race
RPI is a full race week with 19 route/stage combinations, from the introductory Tater Tot to the multi-day Queen Stage Race.
Why generic fueling plans don't work for Rebecca’s Private Idaho
Two riders on the same start line can need very different fueling. FTP, target finish time, body mass, sweat rate, temperature, altitude adaptation, nutrition products and race goals all change the answer. A generic 60 g/hr recommendation is a starting point, not a plan.
FTP
Finish time
Body weight
Sweat rate
Weather
Products
Goals
Course
Related FuelQ resources
Free calculators, checklists and articles to help you personalize your Rebecca’s Private Idaho plan.
Download the Printable Rebecca’s Private Idaho 2026 Race Guide
Get a practical planning document with the course breakdown, aid-station strategy, fueling and hydration worksheets, race-morning timeline, equipment checklist, crew notes, and space for your own plan.
Generic fueling plans don't work for Rebecca’s Private Idaho.
Every athlete is different. FTP, finish time, body weight, sweat rate, weather, nutrition preferences and race goals all change what you should eat and drink.
FuelQ Pro builds a personalized race fueling strategy tuned to your ride — carbohydrate, hydration, sodium, caffeine and recovery, mapped to the course.
A Race Fueling Plan gives you a personalized strategy for this event. The free checklist helps you prepare the basics first: race-week setup, 48-hour prep, race morning, hydration, sodium, caffeine, aid stations, and backup calories.