An Open Letter and Open Invitation

Dear all,Many, seemingly most, of my conversations over the past few months have included being asked what it's like to be retired. Being defined as a professional cyclist for the past decade, I chuckle a bit then segue into the fact that cycling contracts run the calendar year, so I'm still employed until the December 31. Turns out, time waits for no one and we're quickly zeroing in on the end of this road. It's nearly time to let go of my firm embrace on "Ted King, professional racing cyclist" and embrace retirement.Nearly.Before January 1, 2016, however, I want to say thank you. I've had the red carpet rolled out for me throughout the season as soon as I announced that this would be my final one. Truth is, I've received a very similar heartfelt reception for my entire career. See, precisely because cycling as a sport is so tangible -- we race just a breath away from the crowd and anyone can literally hop on their bike and come train with us on open roads -- that cycling fans are so knowledgeable about the the sport and well informed regarding the competition and competitors. Sure plenty of football fans can rattle off how many consecutive field goals Stephen Gostkowski has hit for the Patriots, but do they know his family life, what he thinks of home in New England, what his favorite foods are? (Okay, probably plenty people still can name those facts too, but not nearly in the same numbers as cycling.)For success in this sport, we live, breathe, eat, sleep cycling. Our friends and families are in the sport and our success hinges on our friends and families understanding our place in the sport. It's starkly selfish to bid farewell to those you love, to miss holidays, birthdays, and weddings, and kiss goodbye to nearly all sense of normalcy to pursue the pinnacle of the sport. It's as much love as it is patience.Which all adds up to the two words, thank you.Thank you to my family, friends, sponsors, fan, coaches, teammates, competitors, directors, mechanics, soigneurs, managers, engineers, race promoters, professors, housemates, announcers, and everyone else whose paths I've crossed so as to find success in this sport. I could give testaments and stories of each, but that would extend for a lot more paragraphs that I'm sure you have patience for, so I'll leave it at that -- thank you.It's a bit odd to be a 32 year old retiree, and I'm guessing that some of you reading now are like some of the people I see day-to-day who logically ask, "So Ted, what are you going to do next?" Cycling has given me a lot, more than I ever would have imagined the first time I pedaled a bike, bombing around the neighborhood, riding to school or to my best friend's house. Fast-forward to the decision to retire, I came to a crossroads where I could either hang up the bike completely and pursue a new avenue in life, entirely independent of the bike, or I could invest in the sport that has invested in me. Cycling isn't just racing; it's a sense of freedom and movement and liberation and exploration. It's meant for anyone and everyone who wants to put in the time and make their lives better. Traffic is eased, health is improved, emotions are spiked, and PEOPLE WHO RIDE BIKES ARE JUST WAY WAY COOLER THAN THOSE WHO DON'T, gosh darnit!The sport of cycling is on the early cusp of change. We see it in the growth of fondos, camps, rides without prizes and primes, instead with a start time and nebulous finish time, plus the enormous expansion of the industry with all things gravel. Dirt dirt dirt! Why? Because riding dirt is sweet! It's said you can't reinvent the wheel, but you can sure make it fatter and more fun.This new age of cycling is experiential. Therefore with the support of industry leading sponsors, Cannondale, SRAM, Zipp, Velocio, POC, Cycliq, Speedplay, and others I'm happily remaining in the sport to continue this revolutionary wave in cycling. I've experienced the racing facet, but now it's time to ride for the love of the ride. It's a matter of getting people stoked to hop on a bike, go for a ride of some unknown length, ride over hill or dale, see something cool, do something new, venture down a road or gnarly path you've seen but never yet explored, then finish up with laughs, high-fives, a slap on the back, and some tasty grub. Driving a few hours to risk life and limb for a one hour criterium, win $25, and then choke down a recovery drink on the stoic drive home has its place in cycling. Been there, done that. Now time to cater to not just those pinning a number on their back, but those who are pumped to just get out there. I present unto you an open invitation to the TK A-Z Tour. No no, I'm not riding my bike across country, that would be nutty. I'm now home for the holidays and what better excuse to make a road trip than moving to San Francisco. I'm driving coast to coast to promote that stoke in cycling. Departing New Hampshire this Saturday morning, I'll be in The Plains, VA hosting a ride on Sunday morning at 9am from Haymarket Bicycles. Next up, I'll be in Asheville, NC for the week of the USA Cyclocross National Championships, leading rides, following rides, cheering like mad, and having a great time at a great venue. I lived in Asheville once upon a time back in aught-eight and I can't wait to get back!Monday morning January 11, I'm setting off for Boulder. Here's an idea, let's do a ride on Wednesday morning, shall we? Then I'll speedily zipp onto San Francisco where I start The Coast Ride from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.Nutshell of a schedule:January 1: Exeter Cycles New Years Day Ride, Exeter, NHJanuary 2: depart NH for the wild westJanuary 3: Ride from Haymarket, The Plains, VAJanuary 4-10: Cyclocross National Championships, Asheville, NCJanuary 13: Ride from Boulder, CO(Possible January 15 ride, but that makes getting to SF awfully cozy)January 16-18: The Coast Ride, San Francisco --> Santa Barbara, CAStay tuned here and the Twitter machine using #TKAtoZ to see where and when we're having a blast, somewhere coast to coast. I will find a town with an A in New Hampshire and then find a town in California with a Z (...any help?) to complete the eponymous tour, Ted King goes A to Z. You've perhaps noticed that I'm riding my bike a lot and that's precisely because I'm still excited to ride. Cycling has been so ingrained in my life for such a long period that I would be a fool to quit cold turkey. In fact, I think there are few people who have the infectious urge to ride as much as I do; I think I'll be a great advocate.Right right, I will also continue with my young company, UnTapped. We wouldn't have the success we've had for such a young company were it not for your help and support. I encourage you to continue to tell friends and cycling buddies, neighbors and family about UnTapped. If your local shop needs it, it's as easy as having them email us: hello@untapped.cc. Plus we just debuted these stylish and comfy hats and what better day than today since it's finally snowing in New Hampshire.I've said it once (I've said it at least three times in this email alone), and I'll say it again, thank you.Sincerely,Ted