Ben Thornton
Location: Dallas, Texas
Just a few words to describe me...well Husband, Father (Lola Sky born 6/7/07), Firefighter, and lastly Passionate and avid mountainbiker. While growing up in the rice fields of Katy, Texas; I dreamed of bikes. When other buddies were obsessing about cars ...etc...I was only thinking about bmx bikes. Then in 1983 my father showed me a picture of a new type of bike. The picture was of a Specialized Stumpjumper. I was in awe... that sleek ride had gears, knobs, and to me dripped of freedom. Knowing I had to have one I set myself to task, mowing yards. Well in August of 1983, much to the uncertainity of my parents, I spent all my money I earned, and left the store with a brand new Schwinn High Sierra mountainbike. I left that store and rode my bike to the house, and from that day forward I have never looked back.
One bike lead to another and adventures followed. I have raced and riden, hell sometimes I was just riding during a race, for the past 24 years. Through this time I have been forturnate to meet some great people, and a large number of them I call friends.
My passion for the sport and the adventure has not left me. I stand today at 37, a new proud father, but still I have that wanderlust for adventure. I have raced since 88' at various levels and styles of mtb racing. Racing that ranged from local grass roots racing in the early golden days, to longer endurance events. My focus in racing has made a shift, and I plan on embarking on the longer unsupported events. In hopes of quelling that wanderlust, or well at best tempering it a bit. Making this shift I searched for a new do it all type pack/hydration system. Thus I found Scott Gibson and Wingnut.
I was searching for the holy Grail of hydration packs. A pack that could carry what I needed, but would not burden me with the load. I had tried several other brands, only to be back to the bottle in very little time. With the weight being placed between your shoulders your back was just pounded by the end of a long day. Thus I ended up one day on the phone with this crazy guy that was full of wild ideas. Scott was a riot to talk to...from one idea to the next you could hear the passion he had for his idea and product. Hell by the time I was hanging up the phone I had full heartedly drank the "kool-aid", and was in with two feet. All of that said from the first pack to the present I have been in awe of the performance of my Wingnut packs.
Here is the spot they ask for your personal achievements:
Sorry but I believe more in the passion of the sport, than in my own personal achievements. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy winning or getting to the podium. But I am motivated more the human side of a story where you see an individual battle his own personal war to barely make it over the line. Those struggles of an individual against a personal demon...those are inspiring to me... Ie: the man at Kona Hawaii that races the Ironman, with his handicapped Son. That is inspiration....that is the Triumph of the Human Spirit and Will.
Occupation:
Firefighter/Paramedic Dallas Fire Department, Soulcraft Bikes Factory Racer
Accomplishments:
Leadville finisher
2007 Texas State Series SingleSpeed Champion.
Future Goals and Focus:
First and foremost to learn to be a good father and person
Second: To continue to race for Soulcraft bikes in local and possible some national events. Also to do a few of these insane endurance races.
Such as:
Kokopelli Trail Race
Arizona Trail 300
and one day La Ruta De los Conquistadores
You can see my other bio and some beautiful bikes at:
WWW. SOULCRAFTBIKES.COM
Images
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