Ted King
Athlete,Promoter,Storyteller
As a competitor, advocate, event promoter, creator, and all-around supportive human being, Ted King is highly deserving of recognition and inclusion in the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame.
Highlights:
- The First Professional Gravel Racer
(In the opinion of this nominator)
- 2-time winner of Unbound Gravel & Winner of most key gravel events (Athlete)
- Event promoter & Community builder
- Top gravel YouTuber & podcaster (Storyteller, educator, advocate)
-The Definition of Approachable & Genuine
-The Gravel Athlete Archetype
Ted is the first former World Tour professional to not only take part in, but also win, Unbound Gravel. To say that he elevated the level of performance at gravel races is an understatement. He shattered the notion that gravel racing was a silly sideshow or a passing fad. His mere presence increased attention and notoriety for gravel events around the globe.
The 2016 edition of Unbound was Ted’s first attempt at a gravel race. But as a New Englander, originally from New Hampshire and based in Vermont, Ted was no stranger to dirt and gravel roads. Likewise, his incredible motor, built over 10 years in the professional road racing peloton, helped ensure a result. But to win with a massive solo effort, after fixing three punctures, showed that Ted was destined for gravel gold.
From there Ted went from strength to strength, returning to the top step of the Unbound podium again in 2018 and expanding his repertoire with wins at Grinduro, SBT, unpaved, Rasputitsa, and beyond.
During the Covid-riddled 2020 season, Ted established DIYGravel where people could do their own rides and races based on what their original calendar looked like, garnering more than 40,000 entries from around the world.
Also that year Ted set an FKT (Fastest Known Time) for the Arkansas High Country route, his first experience in bikepacking, showing his skill and endurance as he branched out into varieties of gravel cycling. Later, a Tour Divide attempt showed Ted’s willingness to explore new challenges and share with his audience along the way. In doing so, Ted both tested his own limits and celebrated the self-supported origins of gravel cycling.
Key Results:
Unbound Gravel – winner in 2016 & 2018
SBT GRVL – winner 2019
Last Best Ride – winner 2021
Grinduro – winner 2018
Rasputitsa – winner 2018
Vermont Overland – winner 2018
unPAved – winner 2019
The Epic 150 – winner 2019
Much more than results, Ted has been a champion for riders and racers of all abilities. Whether sharing lessons learned or showcasing a new race or geography via his YouTube channel, on his podcasts, creating and promoting Rooted Vermont (3 editions from 2019-2022), Ted is a source of positivity and encouragement. The humility and sincerity with which he conducts himself serves as a strong example of what a professional cyclist should look like.
Ted is also a family man. Married to Laura King, a successful triathlete turned cyclist in her own right, Ted is the father of two young children. Often traveling the country as a family, the Kings are always full of smiles in expos, race-day parking lots, and on course.
From the outside looking in, there is little to Ted’s life that isn’t centered on genuine interactions, community building, and a deep love for the gravel cycling world. Yes, you may know him best for his incredible athletic abilities, but it’s his incredible generosity and service to the cycling family that makes Ted worthy of Hall of Fame status."
