This is the latest update to my I Am Specialized Page, which you can view over at http://iamspecialized.com/triathlon/rider/ben-hoffman
They call me Hoff.
My life in triathlon began when I was a university student in Missoula, Montana, in the fall of 2003. Looking for a way to get some fitness back from the halcyon days of youth when I played soccer, basketball, golf, and rock climbed, I jumped in with the squad and began the arduous journey of learning to swim. Cycling came fairly easy from the days of riding tours with my parents across the American west, and I had run enough playing ball sports and two years of track in High School that I was able to get that back to a respectable level. After a couple of seasons with decent results, and a trip to South America to study for 6 months, I returned to get serious about the sport in late 2005. 2006 was the Summer of Glory, in which I lived out of a car with my friend while racing across Canada and the Pacific Northwest, earning enough money to put gas in the vehicle and pay for food. Upon returning to Missoula that fall, I had spent all of my money in Europe during a month-long adventure by rail, and I took care of a cabin high in the woods for a month. During the weeks of simple living, and running in the snow, I had the time I needed to figure out what I wanted to do next.
And what to do next was move to Durango, Colorado, where I could commit to the pursuit of professional triathleticism, logging the miles at altitude and even scoring a 3rd place at my first pro race at Wildflower in 2007. After a few years of doing the part-time work gig, I bagged my other job and went all-in with racing and training, winning an Ironman and 70.3 in 2010, and spending winters in Tucson, AZ. Feeling the need for a change of scenery and a boost to the training resources, I moved to Boulder in 2011, and have made it my summer base. I always told myself that I would only keep racing triathlon as long as it was fun, and so far I’m not too worried about that. The camaraderie amongst athletes, the challenge of training and competing, traveling to new places, helping develop the best equipment, and dedicating my days to health are all reasons why I have the best job around.
Here are some super interesting facts about me, and some not so interesting ones too, depending on your outlook!
Career Highlights:
Ironman Lake Placid Champion, 2010, 2nd 2011, 2nd Ironman St. George 2010, 1st Branson 70.3 2010, 2011, 1st Boise 70.3 2011, 2nd 2010, 1st Muncie 70.3 2011, 1st Western Montucky BeerMile 2005
Favorite Rides:
Mt. Lemmon, Coalbank and Molas Passes, Engine Creek Trail, Lefthand Canyon
Favorite Races:
Grizzly Triathlon, Boise 70.3, Wildflower, Ironman Lake Placid, Ironman St. George
Favorite Foods/Beverages:
Good pizza, fish tacos, bacon, chocolate, bacon chocolate, COFFEE, Pellegrino, wine.
First Bike:
Huffy with tiger stripes, but I still consider my 2001 Specialized Allez Elite M4 (a.ka. The Green Machine) the first bike I really rode hard, touring Colorado and other places, racing my first triathlons, and then converting to a fixed gear that caused me to crash on my face once when I tried to answer a phone call from my mom while commuting to work.
Future Goals:
I would like to keep winning races, and then win some bigger ones, like World Championships. I like the half distance, but Ironman is where you always see the most potential for improvement, and the sport’s biggest stage, Kona. In the words of Ricky Bobby, “I wanna go fast!”
What I ride:
Shiv- Wicked fast, comfortable for the long distances, and damn sexy!
Tarmac SL4- My go to for long road bike training rides. Incredibly light and stiff, yet plush for the miles ahead.
Venge- With a name like Venge, you know it’s good! Fast, fast, faster.
S-Works Epic 29er- Best mountain bike. Ever. Lighter, stiffer, and rolls over anything. Love me some trail shreddin’!
Specialized saddles (Toupe, Phenom, Romin), Shoes (S-Works road, S-Works MTB, S-Works Tri), and Helmets (TT, Prevail).
Support Crew:
Specialized has the best support around for its athletes, and it’s only getting better. Big shout out to ace wrenches Joe and Jeff, Mal and Sean, and all my teammates.