Video: Ted King’s rides the VTXL

A few weeks ago, Ted King rode across the entire state of Vermont on the epic VTXL bikepacking route, a non-stop ride of 301 miles (484 km). The route takes in many ‘Class IV’ dirt roads, a local designation that, as route creator Joe Cruz describes, “indicates a public right of way, but where there is no town maintenance.” In other words, it can be rough. And Vermont being famously hilly, there’s a lot of climbing. And Ted was trying to regain the FKT (Fastest Known Time) over this epic course..

Ted brought along a videographer to document the ride. I find it fascinating that the ‘King of Gravel,’ who thinks little of tackling the 200 miles of Unbound at a blistering 20 mph average, found this 20-plus-hour ride a big challenge. “Time doesn’t move linearly, it gets warped and bent and moves in mysterious way. Ten minutes can feel like an hour, and an hour can feel like ten minutes,” he observed. Later in the ride, he concluded: “It’s almost the less you think, the more you are able to enjoy the moment.”

Despite these challenges, he succeeded in his goal—helped by his equipment working flawlessly. For his record-setting ride, Ted chose our new Poteau Mountain 700Cx48 semi-slick. During the ride, he commented: “I’m glad I’m on the 48s.”

Click below to watch the video—enjoy!