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Cross Vermont - Ted King's 310-mile Solo Gravel Adventure

Ted King took no prisoners as he committed to the ultimate adventure across his home state of Vermont. Part Everesting and part #DIYgravel DK200, Ted pushed the limits of solo gravel racing on the all new Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty full-suspension gravel machine. Join us as we tune into the YouTube Premiere at 8:30pm EST on June 11, 2020.

Film and photos by Ansel Dickey and Nick Keating of Vermont Social

The 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

  • Arundel water bottle cages

  • Fizik Tempo Argo R1 saddle

The Route

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The Gear

How to survive a 300 mile gravel ride

In Ted’s Words

Late at night on May 30 -- Dirty Kanza Saturday -- 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 Dirty Kanza, 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.

Links:

Ted King

Vermont Social

DIY Gravel

UnTapped

Cannondale Topstone Lefty