DIYgravel VTXL -- A 310 mile, cross-Vermont, Gravel Adventure Ride

Late at night on May 30 -- what would have been the 2020 race formerly known as Dirty Kanza -- Ted King set out from the northeastern corner of Vermont with the goal of riding nonstop to the southeast corner of the state. Over the course of the 22 hours that followed, Ted took on a 310 mile journey, 90% gravel roads with a large portion of those as Vermont's notoriously unmaintained "Class 4". There was also an "accidental Everest" as he climbed more than 34,000 feet. During the course of this video, you'll see a steady decline in Ted's... well, his everything. A challenge like this is unlike anything ever attempted by the King of Gravel, and it's a place for Ted to learn, to grow, to suffer in ways unlike he knew was possible.
This epic ride is part of the #DIYgravel series. Being that this episode is about the race formerly known as DK, it deserves a bigger than normal place on Ted's calendar, hence the bigger than normal undertaking. This route is the brainchild of Joe Cruz, professor of philosophy at Williams College, lifelong adventure cyclist, Vermonter, and contributor to to bikepacking.com.
Film crew and final production, thanks to Ansel Dickey and Nick Keating of Vermont Social Thanks go out to Cannondale, SRAM, and Dirty Kanza.
Ted's Bike:
Cannondale Carbon Topstone Lefty
SRAM Force AXS drivetrain featuring 46t front chainring, 10-50 Eagle cassette
Zipp Firecrest 650b wheelset
Rene Herse Switchback Hill 650x48c tubeless tires
Zipp SL Speed seatpost and Stem
Zipp XLPR handlebar
Moosepacks handlebar and frame bag
UnTapped waterbottles and a lot of UnTapped nutrition everywhere in his set-up
Arundle waterbottle cages
Fizik Tempo Argo R1 saddle
Saris MTR-2 bike rack for the drive north
And want to help support DIYgravel: wideanglepodiumpromo.commonsk...

[@tyrelellis8425]

Inspirational doesn’t even come close to describing you Ted King. Makes me proud to call VT home

[@bethw5998]

I did this in October at a leisurely pace and that mud section was certainly memorable. I refused to wash off my bike until I got home; it was well deserved mud! From the land of the BWR, I LOVE VERMONT!!

[@Steelrailbearing]

Cold, wet start in the middle of the night for a 310 mile ride across Vermont. The sound of that rain hitting the ground at the start of the ride was very telling of things to come for this crew. Great documentary showcasing the fact that all rides are not full of happy faces posted on Instagram. A huge salute from the Grand Randonnée crowd!

[@bokfitness]

Ted, because of the videos you have posted on KZbin I now own a gravel bike. The 2 races I registered for had to be COVID-canceled. Then you and Laura started posting DIY races and I was inspired to do my own version. I am an in-line speed skater so my format was different. I raced my own Marathon distance skate followed by a 100 mile TT on my bike. This happened on Saturday. This coming weekend I am repeating this challenge but this time I will be riding my fat tire bike instead. Same distance. During my bike ride when my will started to sag as I was going uphill And I was talking myself up the hill I asked myself “ What would Ted do?” Ted would finish. I did too. Print these shirts up and I will buy them. Many of us will. The King’s are inspirational and appreciated. What would Ted do. What would Laura do. They will sell!

[@johnschlag3]

I think you've created a new annual cycling event! Great job!

[@billz410]

A legend in his own time! LOL. Can't even get my head around ONE ride with 30K feet of climbing....

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

When I miss riding in America, I come watch this video.

[@hoterichoney344]

Without a doubt, my favorite video of yours thus far. Big shoutout to whomever edited, selected the background music, and shot the amazing footage. I took delivery of a new Giant Revolt Advanced 0 yesterday, partly because of Ted and other great adventurers' influence.

[@altezzadriver]

That Cannondale Topstone is gorgeous.

[@StrongOver40]

agree!

[@chesterelliott7307]

This was an inspiring feat of endurance, and outstanding production by Vermont Social!

[@gregjerome5843]

Way to represent the East Coast! There is nothing like riding through the woods. Keep it up!

[@stevepark6363]

This route catches some dirt gems of VT

[@elizabethloper1870]

I have recently found Ted King and it's amazing. I rode DAMn this last summer saying that it was a one time thing, but now I could be convinced to do it again. I have caught the Ulta bug and it's not going away any time soon.

[@kevingoza]

Awesome! Love your transparency, family focus, and determination!

[@barkeater7867]

I cant believe there were not course logisticals..private property worries..amazing work by course designer and as always incredible production and camera work.

[@StrongOver40]

I was just thinking the same thing. The logistics!

[@postridebeers]

I’d be happy if I could do this ride in a week, never mind 24hrs. Ted is a machine

[@keithmaclure9101]

1: wow, what a ride! 😲💪👍 2: Vermont looks fabulous👍

[@kaseycarpenter73]

House of Leaves on the bookshelf... Philosophy Professor status checks out.

[@cjbcross]

COVID hit and instead of complaining and longing for a return to "normal", Ted decides, "I want to create something poetic on my bike." Thank you for this bit of humanity and inspiration. Making anyone's art has battles and triumphs...in the end, the final piece stands alone. Think I will do a little "painting" on my gravel bike this fall. Well done!

[@denishoule3385]

You're a nut!! Great job!! Incredible effort. BTW - you've inspired me - I just bought a gravel bike and purposely sought out and rode on gravel...

[@ChlorophyllCrusher]

Such a colossal effort and accomplishment for everyone involved! Now I’m thinking we MUST ride to the start of the route from Ottawa! Chapeau, Ted and co., Vermont just got even more attractive!

[@steveayotte8908]

Incredible,I have heard about you,I too challenge myself,but not to that extreme,did my first solo CENTURY in years,last year on route 100 in VT,I love that state,being from northern Maine,it's my kind of place,thanks Ted

[@Schmotzky]

So glad I discovered this channel. This is the type of content and authenticity a bike riding channel should be. I’ve just begun to get into bike riding, maybe three months or so. Watching Ted ride, talk, people discuss his emotions and seeing him complete things is inspirational to me to continue riding and pushing the pedals a few more times. Knowing in my head when I’m tired, hurting and when I want to give up that other people suffer the same things. That’s what pushes me forward. That feeling of knowing through rough, the suffering at times and mental hurdles the end result will be happy, accomplished and you’d want to get out and do it again... if you didn’t just finish the ride. This is not like GCN or other channels that’s just “let’s look at these bikes you could never afford and how cool we THINK we are while riding” content. The arrogant, fashion forward, vanity filled or beauty contest type videos. Haha! Keep up the great work and videos, Ted. You make great content.

[@jdeckard1243]

There are Legends and then there is Ted King!!!!! Above and beyond!

[@emtek1k]

Better than most tv productions. 10/10! You inspire so much!

[@hughgrainger3766]

Ted, I love your barn. It's like a cathedral. Great effort, great film.

[@f.rickpalmon9350]

Fantastic thanks for taking us along on your adventures, truly inspirational

[@SMHS28]

Ted, hell of a ride! VTSocial, you told a great story! Thank you team.

[@rileyfrackleton4337]

Ansel/VT Social your work just keeps getting better and better!

[@lestergarabito608]

This was just awesome to watch 👏!

[@grantlingley5099]

That was a crazy ride! Thanks so much for taking us along on your adventures!

[@christopheranderson8619]

Hail to the King - Beast of the East!

[@DevinLittlefield]

Looks like an amazing adventure! Thanks for being an inspiration and getting people out on bikes.

[@mrwavey4801]

This was very motivating, it’s nice to see something positive something uplifting respect to this man !

[@mikekim6374]

Ted, you continue to be an inspiration to so many! Thank you for all your wonderful videos and especially this awesome challenge and ride!

[@gamby16a]

What an adventure! Beautifully filmed. You were amazingly composed on the outside. I can't imagine the degree of mush you were by the end. Huge props on a huge accomplishment. Thanks for taking us along.

[@jesseschloff4683]

Wonderful job guys; much dedication.

[@richhoey6469]

Soooo good - thanks Ted and contributors for this awesome content!

[@AmsterDanTheAmerican]

Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration!!!

[@jonathanbougie1769]

Very inspiring as usual! That’s unbelievable! Great job everyone! Chapeau 🎩

[@robertbyrnes1650]

Howdy Ted! The start of your ride reminded me of last year's Rasputitsa. Bringing back both painful and proud memories. What an incredible ride you just did. The video was a pleaseur to watch and truly inspiring. Thank you!

[@evankrakovitz6136]

a very welcome break from this morning's newspaper : story upon story of covid, racism, anarchy, stock market .... this was 14 minutes of brightness in what is a dark time

[@trabu86]

BRAVO!!!!!! Amazing story and amazing legs and mind to go through that monster ride. True inspiration!

[@scottfrisby4510]

Wow, Ted. Inspirational, amazing, nuts, you pick the word. I truly enjoy everything you post and every challenge you take on. Puts fuel in this old man's tank.

[@reganarendse6157]

Beautiful video. Thanks for the inspiration to explore our local gravel trails

[@deanh6349]

Wow! Great video as usual. Inspirational, makes want head out and do some suffering. Congratulations on doing that ride

[@raggedy7]

So awesome! Great effort and great video.

[@1972Konaboy]

GREAT video and much needed viewing!!!!

[@michaelcleveland98]

Simply awesome! Congratulations!

[@brianrobitaille4256]

Another great doc, Ansel!

[@leebender7463]

rode past my old place in east Barnard vt. goose bumps. killer effort!

[@JasonMitchell0]

Amazing job, brother! You do everything the right way. Keep rolling!

[@randallmiller3842]

Inspiring. We are liking our little DIY Gravel rides, but good to see how you finish a big ride. Hope there was good beer at the end.

[@leocavallini2496]

Great adventure and film! Congrats Ted, you're inspiring!

[@cleaneduphippy]

Way to smash that state wide point to point. HELLS YES 👍 🙌

[@corycoffey1285]

This is a really well done video. Huge effort by TK!

[@tevemullins8156]

Amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Ted!

[@StrongOver40]

Thanks for the inspiration Ted! Great vid. I went on a ride right after I saw it! Keep up the great work!

[@juanpagan2250]

This is one heck of a ride! Love your channel Ted💪🏽

[@dsheldo]

Well done! Great film

[@JaredKC1]

Amazing ride. Well done 👍.

[@rogerbmcdaniel]

Ted, you are the man. I was planning on heading over to watch DK this year and was disappointed it had to be postponed. I saw it is now being held in September. Hope it fits your schedule because I am heading to Emporia. Hope to see you there.

[@taylorahearn5871]

huge ride and great video! congrats

[@ltdattnspn]

new to this channel, the gravel bike idea (I ride an old rigib mb around NYC), bikepacking, and am loving all these videos. Have bikepacking goals for this year (after my first overnighter) that include VT. Thanks for the great content (great work Vermont Social!)

[@outerbike]

Bravo Ted! Most everything else might seem easy after this one!

[@RareCoinsandOtherStuff]

Incredible accomplishment. Wonderful video. Amazing kudos for highlighting the magnificent State of Vermont. Kelley Stand road is a favorite climb and I hope you enjoyed the decent a bit before it got dark.

[@memos_povreviews5539]

Badass 🤙🏽 super pumped to start a journey like this

[@brucehotaling7884]

Ted. So, so awesome. Congrats!

[@texaspinzgauer]

Without the maple syrup running through your veins, he could not have accomplished this. Great job. You're nuts!

[@leighdeluca7282]

An outstanding display

[@CG-vb9di]

Great Job Ted... 💪🚴🏻‍♂️👍

[@Astr0b0y8]

Epic!! Vermont is high on my cycling bucket list

[@bikeracersl]

Awesome ride!! Congrats,,,

[@frankiehoosier6998]

What an OUTSTANDING accomplishment and report !!!!! The End :)

[@1RA787]

Your wife was BAMF of the day when she did DIYgravel BWR.... You definitely are BAMF of DIYgravel DK!!!!

[@ovrlnd]

LET ME WATCH THIS NOW

[@AlmanacFilms]

Amazing. Thank you

[@thhorwitz1]

Good work Ansel!

[@carloscastro8390]

Awesomely inspiring

[@gtrogdon]

Awesome ride man. Great production value too. As good as the solo rides are, I hope to smash big sugar with you this year.

[@maticgila]

Awesome dude!!!👍

[@justinsparrey177]

MADMAN! Respect is due 🤙👍

[@maumiller6295]

"Ad astra per aspera" is also the Kansas state motto...

[@sammillward7551]

Per Ardua Ad Astra - is also the motto of the Royal Air Force - through adversity to the stars

[@hadleybennett6875]

What a great video! Cheers Ted

[@franciscopizarro9459]

Bravo Ted, what an amazing ride. The best of the best!!! Keep on going.

[@MiltIV84]

Epic! So epic! 🤙

[@abdurrahman79hack48]

Inspiration and Motivation for me👍

[@zepolekul]

One word...inspirational

[@budlacombe]

Simply an awesome human. ✌️ I’m up to ride it with ya TK, if you do this ride again.

[@tom89ontario]

Joe’s description of what makes Vermont special is spot on. Always felt like such a special place and try to find every opportunity to go visit.

[@revelintheride2639]

Wow seriously impressive!!

[@logancooks]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@dojazzu]

Legendary. None else.

[@bonn1771]

just awesome!

[@AdventuresOutdoors]

Good stuff Mr. King.

[@Bix103]

Wow! Amazing

[@jorgevargas4064]

Bien loco good job !

[@grahamkelly284]

Awesome ride....

[@dojazzu]

Godspeed! Doing the 500 km with the gang on october 3rd.

[@Volkmannx]

Awesome!

[@michaelmontalvo5757]

Inspirational.

[@robertreinhardt4924]

When I saw this ride on Strava my jaw dropped. You're an inspiration! Ted and Laura are killing it with this DIY series of rides!!