Ben Spies Rides Off-Road In Colorado

Ben Spies is riding motorcycles again and loving life. After retiring from racing four years ago, the former AMA and World Superbike champion married his Italian girlfriend, Patricia Manfroni, and last year the couple had their first child, Lyla. Ownership of Dallas-based cycling team Elbowz Racing helped fill a void left by a lifetime of competition.

Spies' shoulder injuries (six surgeries in all, five on his right side) were so debilitating that he sometimes struggled to sleep at night. "I've had nine months of steady rehab, but my [right] shoulder has never been the same," he said after leaving the sport. "I've never went a day without pain or restrictions."

Now, however, the 33-year-old Texan is back in the saddle, albeit off road. He recently spent nine days riding with friends in Colorado. When asked how his shoulder held up, Spies replied, “All good. After the second day, which was nine hours on the bike, it hurt a bit, but it got better the more we rode. We did eight days of single-track—600 miles total. It was a gnarly week.”

Spies owns two late-model KTMs, a 350 XC-F and a 300 XC-W. He took the two-stroke to Colorado. “We mainly rode around 11,000 feet and got to 13,400 once,” he said. “Our bikes would hardly run. I usually run a 440 main jet and a 37.5 pilot at home. I had a 360 and 27.5 in there, and I thought it was going to seize.” Spies also brought along his mountain bike.

While Spies says he enjoys trail riding and racing regional off-road events (he won rounds 4 and 5 of the Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit) in his home state, he may expand his horizons next year. "[Enduro legend] Steve Leivan told me if I give him a new bike he will prep it—throw a few parts and some nice suspension on it—and take it to the races for me," Spies said. "We could haul a Jeep and make it a family vacation."

Spies picked up a new motorhome last week in Ohio and drove it back to Texas. He still thinks about roadracing, especially now that his shoulder doesn't bother him as much. "Racing enduros is more dangerous for me than a Superbike," he said, laughing. "I just want to do something and have a goal that's not huge pressure."