The Tour Divide -- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Tour Divide is a 2700+ mile nonstop race the length of the Rockies, from Canada to Mexico. When the clock starts, you start riding, and it's a test of self-sufficiency, fitness, plus mental and physical toughness.
The race didn't go perfectly well for me. I'm not sure it goes perfectly for anyone, given the number of crazy circumstances and elements riders encounter.
To see the full bike setup and packing list, please visit: www.iamtedking...
Bike:
‪@CannondaleBicycles71‬ Scalpel HT
‪@SRAM‬ Eagle drivetrain, 38t front ring, 10-50 rear
‪@zippspeed‬ Cockpit, bars and stem
‪@ReneHerseCycles‬ Fleecer Ridge 700x55 tires
‪@velocioapparel‬ cycling kit
‪@SunGod‬ Airas sunglasses
‪@moosepacks‬ frame bag and stem bag

[@linesided]

This is the way a trip report should be. Some trail eye views. Some big bags under your eyes by day 3. The greasy burger, the crappy weather. The filthy bike. Nice change to the oft-romantic version of long distance racing. Good route planning to hit so many hotels. Smart to put your health number one. No bike race is worth losing it.

[@yumyumhungry]

I completed the Tour Divide this year and also noticed my face got extremely puffy as if I was stung by bees. I think my entire immune system just went nuts on me from the stress I was putting my body through. The good news was after Lima my body seemed to find an equilibrium. The swelling in my face went down and the pain in my legs went away. I had a whole host of other problems with my body, but it seemed to accept the effort I was putting in.

[@mgrant6607]

I haven't done the TD, but I went thru BUD/S (SEAL training) and after hell week everyone's body swells up to the point where you can't wear shoes for a week. I think its a typical physiological response to extreme physical exertion and no/little sleep.

[@jdeckard1243]

Firstly , thank you for putting the effort in to film your ride. Secondly , thank you for sharing it with us mere mortals. Thirdly , Ted King lives to ride another day.

[@mahditavazoei7611]

Thank you for the great report. We are not going to sacrifice our health for everything. Maybe later, much stronger. 👍

[@TedKing1]

I appreciate it

[@windy415]

You’re a classy guy Ted!❤️🙏

[@jackiegammon2065]

Like so many others have mentioned, I'm glad that you received treatment and can get back home. I'm sure it will be great to visit with your family and play with the kids. Take the time to take care of yourself, recover and enjoy Life. Vermont is a beautiful state, so enjoy it with your family and once again, you made the right decision. Thank You for sharing your story and reminding all of us that family is always the most important, and always there to help out. Take Care!!

[@ucanskixc568]

Since I knew you by some of your other adventures, I was following closely as I could, with the DOT, KZbin and Instagram reports. I trust all is well as you lived to see another day!! Keep on riding. :)

[@martinm1968]

This is the most impressive trip report I have seen so far on YT. It once again demonstrates how challenging ultra rides are, and more importantly what the right priorities are. Scratching was the only option

[@TedKing1]

I appreciate that!

[@erniemartineziidvmmba9220]

Thanks for sharing the good and the bad. Great video compilation and story. Ride on bro!

[@robertoatess1362]

This is such a great video! Showing the real side of a grueling race. As always, Ted does a great job. I hope he’s doing ok.

[@brianmorgan6937]

Amazing dude, crazy amazing,,

[@thakoharris]

Hey Ted! Love this video! We met briefly at the OG SBTGRVL. I live in Spain now. I think there should be a SBTSPA. If you’re ever in Alicante, say hi! Let’s ride! 🎉cheers.

[@thakoharris]

Just got to the end of this and seeing the health portion. Man, sorry you went through that. Hope you’re ok now.

[@TedKing1]

I’d love to ride in Spain with you!

[@richardseddon2943]

Wow, just wow you're a good human being.

[@scottsugimoto8223]

Great video Ted. Thank you for sharing. Trust all is well with you and family .

[@nmjazz09]

I hope you are doing well, Ted.

[@rjzeph6199]

what are the bells for?

[@robertmarr9104]

They're to help the bears find you.

[@TedKing1]

😂

[@GelMibson-u2y]

I dont know how anyone does those efforts daily for 2 weeks

[@drwatsonpe]

Rhabdo is no joke...you are lucky you didn't end up in renal failure. I'm glad that you made the difficult but appropriate decision to backtrack and, perhaps, save your life. As a physician, I've seen a few who weren't quite as lucky.

[@TheMisterSpok]

Not "perhaps". Going back did save his life. Doing another 50 miles could have made it worse, to the point of kidney failure.

[@GMoneyLove]

This is hero level stuff, Ted. Not because of the epic nature of doing the ride itself, but being open and honest enough to know when its time to call it. Always tough, but your health (rhabdo is no joke) and family are what is most important. The adventures will be there for next time! Keep at it. Cheers.

[@escsniper]

Ted, I learned more from this video about ultra-distance riding than I have from watching 100 success stories. It was raw. It was real. And I truly appreciate your willingness to share this experience with us. Glad you are OK, and I look forward to seeing your next adventure.

[@gregrossolimo4981]

Your final monologue - so honest, heartfelt, introspective, beautiful - is important for all of us to hear. Another amazing video - Thank you!

[@jimgoodyear1136]

This is one of the more honest inside looks at the Tour Divide that I've seen. You captured the epic-ness of this event.

[@erickstiner1668]

You mean epic-mess of this event………

[@garyonnen7634]

Great video. The cow bells would drive me nuts.

[@TedKing1]

Seeing a grizzly would also not be the best. Ha!

[@ferruccio4531]

you took the right decision and lived to fight another day. great video. ciao from Venice (Italy)

[@gmjohnson77]

Ted, you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing. I scratched on the TD in 2017 (I have not been able to return yet). This video brought tears to my eyes.

[@keepingtherubberdown5715]

Thanks for the recap @TedKing I followed your dot during the event and already knew the outcome. I am hoping you are doing better.

[@wprann]

Thank you for showing ALL sides to riding a bike! Taken care and see you on the flip side! 🚴🏻💪❤️

[@jerseybarrier64]

This was really a special watch. So well done. Thanks for sharing the highs and lows.

[@TedKing1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Lots of work to make it. Happy it’s sharing good vibes!

[@iTGbuDeeV]

Sucks that we're RhabBros, but so glad you had people in your corner to help you identify it and get through it. I spent 6 days in the hospital on fluids with Rhabdo almost exactly 1 year ago. My arms are still not back to normal. Live to fight another day!

[@spungieful]

Ted, Warriors status with your fitness, planning, commentating and more importantly..decisions. Very tight. Thanks for sharing.

[@j159423]

I was rooting for you and was disappointed to see the DNF but your health and the well being of your family should always come first. Tough decision but no question that it was the right one. Looking forward to your next adventure!

[@richardvaughn168]

Rhabdo is no joke. You went to the edge and slid over. Digesting your muscles is no fun! Glad you are doing better and appreciate you sharing your story.

[@billmcdowell4826]

Glad you'll be ok. There's always another day or not. You had accomplished alot in your bicycle life. Take care and see you on your other adventures. ❤

[@Andy_ATB]

Glad to see you'll be okay. These events are brutal....and far tougher than we sometimes realise. I think Ric off GMBN also ended up in hospital during a 24 hour desert MTB earlier in the year. I think you were also in that race.

[@jadamski]

Daaamn that was a pleasure to watch! You have got to do more of those. Silk Road next year?

[@pliccut]

I have to say that I’m surprised by your food choices. I would think your body would respond much better w/o all the empty calorie, high sugar content food you eat along the way. Where’s the endurance fuels and gels?

[@JMar4K]

This guy is amazing, I don't know how anyone does it this way as a race. Over 100 miles every day that's a lot of hurt on the body. I'd like to do this route one day just 50 miles a day at my own pace probably on an ebike to boot lol.

[@shanelaird9032]

I was waiting for this one, great video! Good call, when your health is in jeopardy it’s always the right decision 🤙🏼

[@markgrumke2193]

What a great feeling to have family back home and to be able to carry that love and their strenghts with you. Congrats on a big effort and glad you are recovered and healthy.

[@ianbarr4716]

Ted, I listen to your podcast weekly (or whenever you find the time to post). I watched your progress as the GDMBR started and wondered what happened. You are a true class act, an amazing ambassador for the sport and an inspiration to people everywhere. Thank you so much for this vlog. Your open, honest and vulnerable self has brought you up to an even higher level of human (if that's even possible) Cheers, bro.

[@Highnoonshred]

ThanksTed for creating such an honest and powerful video! Hope your July and August rocks and glad you got to experience montana in June! It was such a great month out here. Cheers biking brother!

[@waynekurtz5558]

Appreciate the recap Ted. Sorry it did not go to plan, but smart decision with everything you had going on. Onward and upward!

[@mikebird19]

THis long distance stuff is gnarly!!

[@gwilletts]

Don’t feel bad…I lost my Inreach a good 15 miles south of Fernie a few weeks ago when I completed a section of GDMBR. Was teally too late to go back by the time I realized :/ $igh 😢

[@TheBeautifulBike]

Always pro Ted. That is some rugged country. Now I’m gonna watch “200 on 100” again. 🙌🏼🌟

[@mycoolcar]

Ted, I watched all the way to the end. You made the correct decision, and you know it was the best thing to do, I’m just saying it again in an attempt to remove any shred of doubt you may have. It’s a hard ride and a major undertaking.

[@niklashbg]

The level of openness and honesty of this report is just as spectacular as the views from the trail. Thanks for sharing this! Would really love to try this route someday, although with a full nights sleep in between every day.

[@toddwhite1956]

Amazing Effort. Glad you knew what your priorities are! I remember seeing you at my 2nd BWR (I did the wafer, 60 year old dude with a pacemaker). You inspire me to push harder!

[@Thomas_Ekstrom]

Great decision, let those kidneys recover properly without any more muscle exertion. Take care Ted!!

[@koalalala3939]

6:18 It is exactly at this point that the TCR organizers would have disqualified you for 'taking mental support' 😬😬😬 (But they wouldn't let you know until you finished 😉)

[@ericpmoss]

Kudos on the buzz cut. It is much safer when dealing with heat, easier to check for ticks, easier/faster to clean and stay comfortable.

[@GD-cc4su]

I remember dot watching this - after coming home from Emporia with one more DK/Unbound story under my belt, and thinking Ted's going to tear this one up after that mudfest. The bags under your eyes were troubling on IG, but I didn't really get all the details until just now watching the video. Man, my heart goes out to you and your family - that must have been a really scary time for everyone. I might catch a glimpse or two of you in Emporia at the end of the month (definitely want an Untapped maple creemee, or two), and I will be cheering for you all day 💪

[@Leavenotraceexpeditions]

Aerobars, helmets, jerseys, sleeping in motels, tight shorts, clip on shoes, backpacks, Birkenstocks ... Only Lance was missing here. 🙂

[@wesleycurrin1457]

This video showed me you are a bigger man than I thought you were.

[@plutopedro1]

Glad you listened to your body ! I hope people have researched this issue and take into account all potential causes. We have all been through a lot these last few years, unfortunately it seems as though "mandated" doesnt make something safe nor effective. As a Mt. Individual I take my rights very seriously, I didnt do the thing that many assumed was going to help others around them, because I had serious reservations. Please people dont let this thing happen again. Our health is fragile , we need each other, and we need each other healthy to fully thrive. Question Everything, work hard and play harder ! Blessings Love and light. 🙏☀️

[@arcoulant87]

Chapeau great video thanks for posting onwards an up and rubber side down.

[@mycoolcar]

It’s 6am, I’m eating breakfast and watching this. I don’t have enough time to watch all of it now, but I will come back. Thanks for putting this together. At 5:52 it’s Joe Nation!! (He came 3rd)

[@erniemartineziidvmmba9220]

Thanks for sharing the good and the bad. Great video compilation and story. Ride on bro!

[@Neil.C57510]

You know that dream you carry around with you each day? It's kinda important. Wasn't it what you were put on planet earth to do? They say everyone has a calling, can you still hear it? Doesn't it eat away at you? That treadmill you are on, did it ever get too much? Did you ever wonder what it would be like to do your thing? Did you ever feel time was passing you by? Just how many days have you left before your last? Did you ever wonder about stuff like that? Did you ask yourself 'what was stopping you?' There is never a right time. You will be too old, too young. Too something or other. When was last time you took a risk? Did you remember how alive it made you feel? There are no guarantees of success. It's not called a leap of faith for nothing. It's not too late, honest. Jump. You might fall. You might fly.

[@michaellane1316]

When younger, as most do, we push our limits. I myself, seem to never quit but, take a step back, re-evaluate, (pick my battles), in hopes of making that quest, another day. I would say overall now at 68, in the long scheme of things, my health is there with fitness because of those decisions. I do remember older folks saying when I was younger, " that will affect you when you get older". That seemed to have stuck, why, can't say. Yet longevity can sometimes depend on our choices when in youth. One of my true beliefs is, money cannot buy your health and longevity unless one is willing to keep your goals in life simple. The right choice was made. The body knows better than the mind at times. KISS....Keep it simple stupid. This was a metaphor one of my old bosses, makes a huge amount of sense....when one listens.

[@curtbrown7967]

Good on ya! Take care

[@vampirekiller16]

this along with that DNF from Unbound maybe the writings on the wall. The first half of this video his heart didn't seem like it was in it. Contractually obligated feeling. No videos for basically 3 months when its peak gravel season. And how every race seems to be insurmountable. Might be time to hang it up. Switch to just being an influencer, reviewing bikes. Taking more leisurely rides. This seems harrowing. time to dial it back.

[@mowensmd]

thx for this honest and amazing documentation. Rhabdo is super dangerous, so glad you made the right choices. As a doc, we can all want things like the summit we dreamed about and the drive/passion we know worked in the past...it takes real courage to NOT. Kudos Ted. Hope your future challenges and fun are inspired.

[@nmjazz09]

Ted, I watch what I eat on a daily basis. No crap foods just living life. Do you think that maybe a better diet during your biking could help? I mean, sugar sugar sugar. Ugh....I can't do it.

[@towhee7472]

You need recovery by sleep after a workout, you DEFINITELY need a lot of recovery when racing like this. Don't miss out on sleep, it will break your neck.

[@daveslaughter8290]

Good video. One comment - It looked like you had your bear spray mounted on the outside if the down tube. Gravel can get kicked up by the front tire and puncture the spray can. This causes a realization why bear spray can halt a grizzly bear. I found this out by experience. Anyhow thanks for a truthful video.

[@wazzup105]

Smart decision.. Rhabdo is no joke and certainly something you can't recover from quickly and expect to race...

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

No shoe covers for all that mud. Wilding

[@edscoble]

Can you make your content inclusive by formatting the auto captioning into closed captioning please? it is extremely hard to watch it relying only on the auto captioning sadly (I'm Profoundly Deaf)

[@386Clarke]

Thanks for posting. This was very entertaining and informative. I’m interested in doing this ride. Can you tell me what your average speed was? What do you think was the biggest factor for you that led to rhabdo?

[@РостиславНізіньковський]

Hi Ted. It is not surreal, it is okay to be a human. We, cyclists often forget about that we are humans with an upper bound of capabilities. We need to think about our lives, health and people we love. Please do not think bad of yourself. Bike should be fun and not harm. Wish you a good recovery and nice rides after all.

[@kyleweck2695]

You rule Ted! This was great and what a strong effort.

[@andrewrockwell1086]

Great recap of a phenomenal experience Ted. Really did a good job capturing the true nature of the highs and lows. Happy to have made your acquaintance and to have been able to lend a small hand here and there! (Also glad you never needed the bear spray!) . Give me a shout when you come back to check out our riding!

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

21:00 I said out loud "good for you" when you said no alarm lol, that's a well-deserved alarm skip lets be real. I think rest needs to be emphasized a bit more in ultra endurance. Great video man, I really enjoyed it a lot.

[@josipX]

You're too honest in your thumbnail mate, be proud and confident, just round up the number of miles and use a larger font with more contrast :)

[@jayntina]

Ted, great perspective and vulnerability. We all enjoyed the journey with you. There is no perfect script.

[@TedKing1]

I appreciate that!

[@simonguard5087]

Sat here in the South of England, home comforts - I’m a great admirer of you and the way you apply yourself in life, even more so now because you recognise what’s important. Thankyou Ted King

[@bryanhutzler7010]

It amazes me that you can average over 180 watts for 12 hours and comment about being smoked. You elite athletes are amazing.

[@jesspatrick2171]

I was looking forward to watching you chuck that bell. I know it was necessary, but i would have lost my mind.

[@Battlehammer333]

insane to see these numbers - 355km in 16 hours which equals a 22kmh average with an mtb with gear on rough terrain

[@davidfroehlich4598]

Sounds like you made the correct call. Chin up! Live to fight another day!

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

Yeah you can always remember that you gave up long before you went in the hospital you beat yourself down mentally you never had a chance, better luck next time

[@jamesbrittain9564]

The REAL Divide. This video beautifully captures the raw humanity that makes this race so compelling. It's a vivid reminder of how swiftly life can shift, especially on the Divide. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[@yveshennequin1616]

"recognize the priorities" ! 🙌🙌 Big up Ted !

[@GeekonaBike]

For sure it's hard to slide back into civilization. Whether the bikepack was a bear or a dream, it takes a bit to readjust one's values.

[@jamesofallthings3684]

Maybe more protein and less sugar would help that in the future.

[@mattm00ey]

Ah man. Great video and really sorry you had to jump ship. For the best. Phew

[@andrewcarpenter8274]

Yo! Better'n gettin f'd by a grizzly! Buck up little camper!

[@MarisaBrignole]

watching Miron Golfman and Ted King meet was pretty nuts

[@trocycling1204]

That Idahoan sure looked like xterra hall of famer Michael Tobin.

[@elliotttampa]

I'm glad you stopped man... always next year!

[@oldanslo]

What was your Whoop data telling you through all this? It is promoted as the canary in the coal mine for these circumstances.

[@budlacombe3651]

Wonderful vid/ story/ post TK - bravo

[@reflectionsdetail]

Haribo PEACHES are the clear winner over BEARs

[@SteveFullerBikes]

So many good memories... Sorry the race didn't work out the way you wanted. :(

[@mattm00ey]

05:53 Poor Joe Nation having problems with his bloody Garmin

[@addingonbird1]

I followed your insta and the podcasts but this is so much more raw. Thanks for sharing.

[@graffix11us]

That was a hell of a ride, you made the smart decision. There is always next time. Great race report and thanks for the honesty as always! Feel better soon, though I'm sure time at home with family already has you on the right path.

[@johngorman7729]

You’re not allowed to take that beer. Buy it yes but not have it for free. Dems da rules

[@GrantLundberg]

Thank you for sharing. I’m so happy you made a good decision in a tough spot. The race will be there again. Take care.