Welcome to King of the Ride, hosted by Ted King. A professional road racer turned gravel, I sometimes win bike races, but more than anything it‘s the gravel community that makes me happy. Slinging maple syrup, leading rides, hosting camps, and just enjoying life on two wheels, I now have the chance to chat with athletes, entrepreneurs, and all walks-of-life who love the bicycle. Hop on board and please enjoy the ride!
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
On the eve of Tour Divide, I thought it would be wise to talk to the friendliest character in bikepacking, Lael Wilcox. We caught up with Lael on her ride TO THE START of the Tour Divide, as she rides from Tucson, Arizona to Banff, Alberta, Canada.
There are loads of questions on my mind as it seems like this event is intentionally cryptic. For example, the Tour Divide is a ride along the Continental Divide Trail... which is also called the Great Divide... which starts in Banff... unless you consider the start in Jasper, Alberta... and the route usually stays the same... but sometimes changes year to year?
I'll be relying on Athletic Greens to seek daily nutrition thanks to AG1 all throughout my ride. If you're interested in trying Athletic Greens visit www.drinkAG1.com/tedking to get on the fast track to simplified nutrition!
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Paige Onweller stamped her name as a contender in the gravel scene by winning Big Sugar 2022. Lots of podiums and top 10 results also live on her palmares, despite a very short list of total races that she's ever done. Given her greater life story of selling her house, buying a van, and pressing pause on her career as a PA makes her transition to gravel all the more impressive.
Visit www.athleticgreens.com/tedking and pick up those 5 free travel packs!
Saturday May 20, 2023
Saturday May 20, 2023
What's path to victory look like in the hotly contested 2022 Unbound 200? That's what I set out to find out with our guest Ivar Slik. Ivar is a member of the Dutch Mafia, as amalgamated by Laurens Ten Dam and his introduction to his Dutch countrymen (and women) to the American gravel scene. Although Ivar's name is forever tagged to the win in the most storied gravel race of them all, he's been dabbling in the scene for years, and boasts a lengthy list of palmares prior to that. Like winning the sprint jersey at Tour of Turkey. Finishing second in the Netherland junior national championships. He rode a stagiere year with Belkin and was part of the hallowed Rabobank development team.
Follow Ivar at @ivar.slik
And help improve your day with a daily dose of Athletic Greens. Just visit www.athleticgreens.com/tedking and you'll earn an annual supply of vitamin D and 5 free travel packs.
Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
Cole Paton is one of the good guys. He happens to be one of the good guys who's off to a screaming start to 2023. With international wins to his name this spring, second at Whiskey Offroad, and sitting third overall at the Life Time Grand Prix, we're hearing his name a lot and should expect to see him near or at the top of the podium for many years to come.
Follow Cole at @colepaton
And give yourself the same daily boost of nutrition that I do with AG1 by Athletic Greens. Visit www.AthleticGreens.com/tedking
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Russell Finsterwald is our guest today. Professional mountain biker, crusher on a gravel bike, Russell wrapped up 2022 in third place in the Life Time Grand Prix and is looking for more this season. With a big year ahead, I wanted to check in to hear more from Russell, his background and history, plus his goals and ambitions for 2023 and more.
Don't forget to get your FREE flask at www.untapped.cc just by adding a bottle of bulk UnTapped then inputting the code KOTR.
Also for your five free travel packs plus a year's supply of vitamin D from Athletic Greens by visiting www.AthleticGreens.com/tedking
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Nicolas Roche is a pro's pro. This long time Irish born, French raised, global savvy individual has a lengthy list of impressive results. Twice finishing in the top ten of the Vuelta a España, Nico is a two time Irish national champion, and represented Ireland at the UCI road world championships seven times, the Olympics once, and just recently at the inaugural UCI gravel world champs.
He's got a heck of a lot going on, so I'm pleased as punch to have carved out the time in Oklahoma at MidSouth for this chat. Clearly there's room for another couple hours of conversation, hopefully later this year.
To start your day off right, try AG1 by Athletic Greens simply by visiting www.AthleticGreens.com/tedking
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Heather Jackson is putting up smashing results as she just now enters the worlds of gravel and ultrarunning. Which is as much a surprise that a "neo" pro would be able to accomplish these things as much as it's totally expected as she's been a triathlete for 15 years, expertly honing her 10-plus hour endurance.
But let's talk about her time in Thailand! Or her medals from the US track national championships! Or growing up playing hockey... with me in small town New Hampshire!
This is a great conversation that I know you'll enjoy.
Don't forget to give Athletic Greens a try by visiting www.AthleticGreens.com/tedking to jumpstart your day the best way possible.
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Lauren's story of winning Unbound and having one of the most successful years the sport of gravel has ever seen is as impressive as it is improbable. Her comeback from a TBI is a journey through uncharted territory. Over the span of about a half dozen years, she went from being a professional road cyclist to a (very) traumatic brain injury to an intense recovery period to then earning a Masters in Public Health to next pivot to a career as a professional cyclist once again -- see, that's not the standard! But it sure is working for Lauren, so why mess with a good thing?!
You'll find Lauren's social at: @laurenissima
Don't forget, get your hands on 5 free sample packs, plus a year's supply of vitamin D with this offer from Athletic Greens. Just visit: AthleticGreens.com/tedking
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Hillary Allen's story is one for the ages. Her 150 foot fall off of a cliff while leading the skyrunning race series, where she broke 14 bones and risked never walking again, is the kind of story you see in the movies or read in a book. Well, you can read it in her book, Out and Back.
We touch on that today, as well as the mental and physical struggles she faced in the aftermath right up through the present. We discuss where her fervor for life comes from, her endless curiosity, her pursuit of science (like real science; organic biochemistry and neurology), and where cycling now fits into her life since her first ever bike race was a little thing called the Unbound 200.
You'll find all things Hillary at HillaryAllen.com
Her social is @hillygoat_climbs
Get your hands on 5 free sample packs, plus a year's supply of vitamin D with this offer from Athletic Greens. Just visit AthleticGreens.com/tedking
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Alex Dowsett is a recent retiree after a dozen years in cycling's professional ranks where he tallied 15 victories, including 2 in grand tours; Alex set the world hour record, owns two Commonwealth Games medals (gold and silver, since you asked), and probably has a dozen other accolades omitted here. He's a father, soon to be married to his fiance Chanel, and does tremendous work with the organization he created, Little Bleeders, helping young kids diagnosed with hemophilia. This conversation hits on all that and loads more.
Check out Alex: www.instagram.com/alexdowsett
And his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexDowsettOfficial