King Of The Ride

Anna Greetis is always on her toes. She looks after seemingly anything resembling a road bike, gravel bike, or cyclocross bike here in America for SRAM athletes, and then still has time to head off to Europe for some of the biggest bike races in the world. Anna is an all-star as she's helped keep my fleet of bikes in tip top shape for years now and does it all with a genuine smile and easy conversation. We cover her globetrotting schedule, her entry into the sport, the hurdles of being a female mechanic in a male-dominated profession, and an optimistic look at the future of a more welcoming cycling. We caught up at SBTGRVL amid her whirlwind travels before jetting off to the next one! Please visit www.drinkAG1/tedking to get those 5 free travel packs plus a one year's supply of vitamin D. You need vitamin D, so why not get it for free, right?  

There are many chapters to Ryan Standish's path through cycling, but beginning in Australia at the age of two straight up through the present, there are a book full of anecdotes along the way. From the pursuit of Olympic mountain bike dreams to a shot at the World Tour to the current ambiguous endurance off-road scene, Ryan mixes his passion for cycling with close-to-the-heart interest in giving back with his fledgeling company, Rocket Sloth. Check that out at www.rocketslothco.com Visit www.drinkag1.com/tedking to try out AG1

Roger Brown has four bike races under his belt. He's raced Unbound 200 twice, some random race in college that he discusses today, and now the Unbound XL! Admittedly, neither Roger nor Ted finished the XL, but that doesn't mean it doesn't come without stories. Drop in on these two friends catching up on an epic overnight in Kansas. Use code "podcast" at untapped.cc to get some handy savings on all UnTapped active nutrition! And visit www.drinkag1.com/tedking to finally try out AG1!

The Tour Divide didn't go my way, but that doesn't mean I didn't learn anything. I had hours and HOURS of alone time to ponder everything under the sun -- before, during, and after my race -- and it was fun to condense it and talk about it here with the one and only Rebecca Rusch. If you're curious about my packing list, please check that out here, www.iamtedking.com/blog/td-packing   And don't forget to give AG1 a try, visit www.drinkAG1.com/tedking

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!

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!

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.

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

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   

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

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.

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

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

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 www.littlebleeders.com And his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexDowsettOfficial  

Pete stepped away from the World Tour and planted his flag as a pro's pro, using professional road techniques to highlight speed and results. Gravel is a fluid sport and Pete's come to recognize the importance of some not so tangible aspects of gravel, such as chivalry, a moral code, unwritten rules, and more. As gravel takes a look into the mirror, so do Pete and I as we dive into this conversation. Enjoy! Don't miss out on a chance to start your day better. Visit www.athleticgreens.com/tedking to see how.

One hundred episodes! Thanks for listening to King of the Ride my friends. What can be said about Laurens Ten Dam that hasn't yet been said? Well, a lot, actually. Tune into this conversation late in 2022 where LtD again returned to North America for another gravel race, this time Gravel Locos Pueblo. His schedule has seemingly gotten more complicated since retiring from an extensive World Tour career. He jumps across the Atlantic more often than some international pilots. To check out the $0 deductible, on-the-bike injury coverage with the Ride membership by USACycling, visit: memberships.usacycling.org/products/member  Use code King20 for $20 savings! Also, please visit www.athleticgreens.com/tedking to get your hands on a gift from Athletic Greens. I've given up stacks of multivitamin bottles and think you would benefit from that too!

Ian Boswell returns for the second time as a guest on King of the Ride. Over that time since 2019, he got married, retired from the World Tour, had a daughter, won Unbound, and has seen the screaming hot arch of gravel grow with meteoric speed.  So where does it go from here? This conversation covers lots of topics, but most of them revolve around where we see things going as gravel continues to evolve. Just two dudes sitting around a table talking shop. Try Athletic Greens! Visit www.athleticgreens.com/tedking

Our guest today is an icon in the endurance running space, Anton Krupicka. Winner of the Leadville 100 as a fresh faced 23 year old in 2006, fifteen years later he was once again on the podium in 2021 at Leadville after a spate of injuries, but not a shortage of adventures over that time. Early in his career, Anton's blog became requisite reading material for all aspiring runners. His social media attracts millions of views. He writes prolifically and travels minimally… by that I mean, check out his stunning social media channel which features his bikepacking ventures. Anton's IG: www.instagram.com/antonkrupicka Anton's Strava: www.strava.com/pros/antonkrupicka And don't forget Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/tedking  

Jan Heine is the president of Rene Herse Cycles and editor in chief of Bicycle Quarterly. He's a builder, an engineer, a story teller, a photographer, and as it turns out is pretty handy on the bike too with a recent FKT on the Arkansas High Country Race's southern loop which spans 475 miles across northwest Arkansas! I've wanted to have Jan on the podcast for years and this seemed like just the right time. Congrats to Jan and welcome to the show. www.ReneHerseCycles.com www.BicycleQuarterly.com Jan's ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/7953986189 To try out Athletic Greens, visit: www.AthleticGreens.com/tedking  

Carl Decker has been a professional cyclist for longer than many professional cyclists have been alive. This 47 year old pro has been a mountain bike racer, cyclocross racer, Super-D extraordinaire, road racer, and now a stalwart gravel racer in the scene that is both burgeoning and reaching its adolescence. Thanks to Athletic Greens for supporting this episode and simplifying my nutrition routine. Don't forget to try out AG1 with a hard to beat offer using the website www.athleticgreens.com/tedking