Welcome to 1×10, where we ask 1 inspiring human 10 questions about how they are using cycling as a force for good. On today’s addition, we’re adding a big ring and making this a 2×10; you know, to add a little more power! Read on to learn about Ted King and Laura King, creators of Rooted Vermont, co-founders of UnTapped Maple, reps for sustainability and high performance cycling brand Velocio Apparel, raisers of $$ for great causes, and so much more! This upcoming weekend I’m doing (if all goes to plan) my first gravel race (the aforementioned Rooted Vermont), and I’m excited (and a little frightened). I’m not one for racing normally, but I got excited reading about what they’re building in my new home state of Vermont and thought, ‘why not?’! Read more about how they fell in love with cycling, their most memorable rides, how they are using bikes for good in their rural corner of the country (Vermont!) and more in their interview.

1. How / why did you fall in love with cycling?

Laura King (LK): I’d say first and foremost, I fell in love with endurance sports. I was drawn testing my limits and  “going the distance” and where working hard plays an impactful role in seeing results. My background began in competitive swimming, swimming led to competitive triathlon and after 12 years or so, I found myself spending more and more time cycling as I was having trouble finding good balance in my schedule with triathlon and the demanding rigors of managing three sports. I love the speed of cycling, the elements of technicality, the way the bicycle connects people of different backgrounds/walks of life and how the bicycle lends itself to seeing a new place.

“I love the speed of cycling, the elements of technicality, the way the bicycle connects people of different backgrounds/walks of life and how the bicycle lends itself to seeing a new place.” – LK

Ted King (TK): My older brother, Robbie, got me into the sport. I grew up playing a lot of hockey and skiing up here in New England. Robbie went off to a prep school that had a cycling team and he was drawn to that quickly. When I was a freshman in college, the University of Vermont hosted the collegiate national championships and I went off to watch Robbie race that. I helped in the feed zone, but mostly didn’t care much about the race and left halfway through. I probably should have stayed; Robbie went on to win that race – the first of a handful of his national titles — and I was at a time in life looking for a new sport. Long story short, having an older brother in cycling means you have a good mentor, hand-me-down bikes, and a training partner.

“Long story short, having an older brother in cycling means you have a good mentor, hand-me-down bikes, and a training partner.” – TK

2. Favorite Bike (that you own or covet)?

LK: This is a tough one as I love to keep my riding varied. Right now it’s the new Cannondale Super Six Evo which is a racy road bike with disc brakes and great versatility in that you can fit a wider tire (32). It’s a go to bike for Vermont hard packed dirt roads.

TK: My Cannondale SuperX is downright dreamy. It’s lightning fast on gravel but equally quick on the road. It’s plush and has massive clearance for big tires and big gearing. I love that bike. I also just got my butt on the new Topstone Carbon and that bike is incredible. I’m having a blast ripping that bike all over Vermont!

3. What’s the most memorable ride you’ve done, and what happened?

LK: I’d have to say the most memorable ride is the one where I met my husband on the aptly named, King Ridge. That ride route was my favorite prior to even meeting him, I love how technical it is–crazy, winding roads and incredible vistas. I love flying down Myers Grade after conquering all the hard climbing through the ride. I remember trying to ask Ted some very open ended questions up the climbs so that I could keep riding hard and pretending to be nose breathing (yeah right).

“That ride route was my favorite prior to even meeting him, I love how technical it is–crazy, winding roads and incredible vistas.” – LK

TK: My first Giro d’Italia was definitely a highlight in the memory bank. I broke my collarbone earlier that spring going into my first year in the European peloton. I wasn’t expected to finish any of the first races I returned to as I came back into form, but went from Amstel Gold to Fleche to Liege to Romandie then the Giro. Racing for Carlos Sastre, we won five stages. It was trial by fire and an immediate (brutal) welcome to the big leagues.

“Racing for Carlos Sastre, we won five stages. It was trial by fire and an immediate (brutal) welcome to the big leagues.” – TK

4. Who do you admire in the cycling world?

LK: I’m not one to have a singular hero or person who I admire, but I recently helped put on a women’s clinic with an inspiring group of women, many ex pro cyclists (Lauren Hall, Janel Holcomb, Amber Pierce, Mary Zider, Ande Smith, Mo Bruno Roy) who put giving back high on their list of priorities within the sport. To see their passion, enthusiasm and desire to see more women on bikes was incredible. Complementing that, other inspiring women in the community came on as mentors to share their specialty or skill (be it nutrition, life balance, etc).  The collective energy that came from getting such a group together reminded me how powerful women can be when their forces and talents are joined together for an important purpose.

“The collective energy that came from getting such a group together reminded me how powerful women can be when their forces and talents are joined together for an important purpose.” – LK

TK: Oh, that’s a doozy. It wouldn’t be in the sporting sense, but more someone like Daniel Lloyd. We’re former teammates and his wit and vocabulary dexterity on GCN is pretty terrific.

5. Top tip for a new rider, or a cyclist about to take on a new challenge?

LK: Learn the basic skills that will help you become a more proficient cyclist. Attend a clinic or ask a friend to help break them down–skills like cornering, pedal ratcheting, bunny hopping-they’ll make you a well rounded and safer rider.

TK: I tell anyone getting into cycling that they should quickly find a favorite sunscreen. I’m a fan of Splats lately. Second to that, get a coach who can give so much direction and benefit to your riding.

“I tell anyone getting into cycling that they should quickly find a favorite sunscreen.” – TK

6. Favorite trend or innovation in cycling?

LK: Disc brakes. I feel safer on the road having such strong braking power these days!

TK: Tubeless tires have grown from mildly used to downright ubiquitous. I ride them on my road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, and fat bike. They’re so trustworthy, so helpful to run low pressures, and increase the comfort on any ride. Rene Herse makes incredible stuff.

7. What are you doing to use cycling as a force for good?

LK: I think Ted and I have witnessed that we are even more effective together than we were separately. Whether it’s raising over $1 mm for brain injury at the annual King Challenge, building community through hosting Rooted Vermont in our hometown, hosting clinics to help equip people with the skills to improve their cycling or just trying to be a good ambassador for the sport–I think all of these are important and they are also our current focus and mission. Life may not always revolve so much around the bike, but for now we have been lucky to have that be the case and I believe we have a responsibility to not have that be self focused.

“Whether it’s raising over $1 mm for brain injury at the annual King Challenge, building community through hosting Rooted Vermont in our hometown, hosting clinics to help equip people with the skills to improve their cycling or just trying to be a good ambassador for the sport–I think all of these are important and they are also our current focus and mission.” – LK

TK: We’re looking at the ninth year of the King Challenge, a ride benefiting the Krempels Center which is an organization in seacoast New Hampshire for adults living with brain injury. We’ve raised nearly $1,000,000 for the Krempels Center over the nine-year span which benefits people like my dad who had a stroke in 2003. That’s definitely my biggest force for good on two wheels. I also help a bit with Seacoast Velo Kids whenever I have the chance and I’m a huge proponent of NICA and NEHSCA (high school mountain bike leagues).

“I also help a bit with Seacoast Velo Kids whenever I have the chance and I’m a huge proponent of NICA and NEHSCA (high school mountain bike leagues).” – TK

8. Thinking about the work you’re doing, what do you see as the potential change for people or the planet? If you are successful, what impact will you have?

LK: Of course, more people on bikes equals healthier people with healthier outlooks (it’s good for the brain!) and a healthier environment due to fewer cars on the road. With specifically endeavoring to get more women on bikes, I think this will result in women seeing their confidence and independence rise which has an effect on empowering all different aspects of their life!

“With specifically endeavoring to get more women on bikes, I think this will result in women seeing their confidence and independence rise which has an effect on empowering all different aspects of their life!” – LK

TK: I often say with enough patience the bicycle can save the world. Let’s picture a world where people can ride their bike to work, to the store, to errands, kids can ride a bike to school or their friend’s house. All of a sudden everyone is getting exercise without forcing it just by going about their day. Stress is reduced, endorphins rise, the world is a better happier place. In fact, I think they call this utopia The Netherlands. I try to be a steward of cycling and help put another kid, another adult, another person on a bike.

“All of a sudden everyone is getting exercise without forcing it just by going about their day. Stress is reduced, endorphins rise, the world is a better happier place.” – TK

9. What’s your biggest challenge/obstacle to success?

LK: Our biggest challenge is probably time! We currently live a very fast paced and packed life which I am constantly trying to find an optimal balance where we can develop and invest in meaningful relationships and community and be available to our friends as we’ve been on the receiving end of so much giving since we decided to call Vermont home. Vermont has helped us find more balance but it’s learning to sometimes have to say no to great cycling opportunities so that you can be home, be balanced, be present and be more impactful in your OWN community.

“Vermont has helped us find more balance but it’s learning to sometimes have to say no to great cycling opportunities so that you can be home, be balanced, be present and be more impactful in your OWN community.” – LK

TK: We live in a remote control world. It’s easy to flip on the TV from a remote and lounge. It’s easier to get in a car than to go for a ride. I honestly think it comes down to the inherent human nature to work as little as possible. People should strive for a bit of drive, a desire to get outside, to work up a sweat, to kick their butt a little bit — that’s the obstacle. On top of that, there’s a big rift between seeing a cyclist on the road and seeing that as a human being, a person, a mother or father, sister or brother, son or daughter. That’s a human, not an object to be annoyed at and rolled coal on. Giving a cyclist the human element will give a driver empathy and a little bit of patience.

“On top of that, there’s a big rift between seeing a cyclist on the road and seeing that as a human being, a person, a mother or father, sister or brother, son or daughter. That’s a human, not an object to be annoyed at and rolled coal on.” – TK

10. How can people help?

LK: Our Vermonter friends help us find balance. I have friends who have helped me learn or improve skills like gardening, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, cooking–rounding out life is important and I’m happy to have friends and a partner who uphold that as important too.

TK: Ride a bike. Teach a kid to ride a bike. Again, have a little bit of patience behind the wheel to give the recognition that you don’t need to buzz a cyclist in order to get to the grocery store or errand 5 seconds earlier.

Laura King and Ted King, are a the creators of Rooted Vermont, a new gravel race in Vermont. Ted is a professional cyclist; formerly in the World Tour, he now does a handful of gravel races in addition to being an ambassador for the best cycling brands that exist. He’s also a co-owner and handles the marketing for UnTapped Maple, and does a bit of coaching on the side. Laura is a race promoter, sales and marketing consultant, and a force on the bike! You’ll most likely catch them in their new hometown of Richmond, Vermont, riding bikes and admiring the many barns!

Edited by John Kim. When he’s not out for a ride, John uses his expertise in Corporate Social Responsibility to help companies do well by doing good. Find him at virtcyc@gmail.com or VirtCyc on twitter or instagram.