Rachel Gutish ISDE 2015

Hey everyone, my name is Rachel Gutish. I will be representing the United States in a prestigous motorcycle race, the International Six Days Enduro. It is widely considered the Tour de France of off-road motorcycle racing, and has been ran annunally since 1913 (except during the world wars), making it one of the oldest races in history. As the name would imply, it lasts for six consecutive days, and is a test of endurance for both rider and machine, as the mileage covered per day is anywhere from 160 -200 miles per day, through the gnarliest and most techinical trails that the host country can offer. You must finish on the same bike you started with, and deal with any mechanical issues with no outside assistance.(read more about the ISDE and it's history here )

This year, the event will be held in Slovakia, a beautiful and rugged location well-suited to the event.


As of now, there are 529 riders representing 32 different countries. There are four categories that racers fall into: Club Riders are the amateur competitiors, but don't let that fool you. Just qualifying for this event is tough. There is a Junior Trophy division for the younger pro racers who are under the age of 23. The World Trophy division consists of the greatest racers, the fastest and most skilled pros on the planet. Lastly, there is the Women's Trophy division, for the best female racers in the world. This is the category that my teammates (Mandi Mastin and Jamie Wells ) and I will be competing in from September 7th - 12th. There are eight women's teams entered this year: USA, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and South Africa.

Last year, the US Women's Trophy team, consisting of myself and Mandi Mastin, as well as Sarah Baldwin, snagged the last podium spot in ISDE 2014, held in Argentina. As a team, Mandi, Jamie and I aim to be on the podium again this year.

(Special test last year in Argentina - photo credit Michael Knight)

This will be my fourth time competing in the ISDE. My first was at the age of 16 in 2012 (Germany) and my best finish was a 7th place and a silver medal (based on how close you were to the winner of your class) in the 2013 competition in Italy. I race primarily here in the States, In the Grand National Cross Country and the EnduroCross series. I am also an X Games medalist in Enduro-X, having finished 3rd in the 2014 Games. In addition to my racing career, I am a full-time college student attending DePauw University, majoring in psychology, with minors in pre-law and buisness admininstration. I also am a Division-III track and field athlete for DePauw, competing in the pole vault and javelin.


Because the women are not considered quite as important as the male pro riders, a large part of the cost for competing in this event for the Women's Trophy riders falls on the rider. I feel like it is the duty of the best riders in the country who are capable of going to represent their nation. And honstly, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it! So, I'm asking for your help. $1000  is nowhere near the cost of getting myself, my parents, my mechanic and my motorcycle to Slovakia, but it's a start. Thank you! GO TEAM USA!!