Winter riding?

Someone posed on Facebook about winter riding. A close friend of mine said a "Little from column A and a little from column B." And I also have a very close best friend who lives in Jefferson, WI, who has taken care of me and some of my winter riding needs.

Yes, winter riding, as we all know it, takes place in the winter, but most of us know what that means. Putting on the bravery to ride when it is absolutely uncomfortably cold. I did that back then because I didn't have a choise. My small family at the time only had one car, and me, with multiple bicycles, just opted to ride to and from work, and it became a passion in just riding, because I still don't like riding on a trainer indoors.

Now living here in San Carlos, where it never snows, I can say that I do ride in the winter... but part of me says its not fair for my friends who live where it snows, because I have beautiful weather year-round.

Here's an article written about me back in 2009, when a reported for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel saw me riding. Well, read for yourself here:

Of course, Ernesto biked today

By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

Published on: 1/15/2009

Ernesto Martinez-Ordaz has achieved near heroic status among Milwaukee-area bicycle commuters.

When the bike-to-work list-serve starts firing with discussions of cold-weather cycling, Ernesto can be counted on share the tale of his ride and offer sound advice on gear for the worst conditions.

I had no doubt the 35-year-old would leave his home in Oconomowoc on two wheels today, despite wind chills approaching minus 40, and Ernesto did not disappoint. He covered about 16 miles roundtrip, from home to his office in Sussex.

In keeping with his somewhat anonymous nature, he agreed to share the story via email.

Describe the sensation of riding this morning, painful, invigorating? "Painful on my hands and feet. I couldn't feel my toes when i got there. Layer of ice over my helmet.

Invigorating, because it makes me feel alive. That also falls under exciting."

Why do you ride in this weather, what's the motivation? "We only own one car. We keep it simple. One car paid off and plenty of bicycles.

"You get those tough guys in their 4X4 trucks pass me by probably thinking what I fool I am. Is them who are the fools.

"Keeping fit and healthy is the motivation. I also have a celebrity status to sort of keep up, makes me wake up at 4 a.m. to get ready. I just don the gear, get outside, and don't even think twice or groan about the weather. I live for this."

What do you ride and what do you wear? I ride different bikes depending on mood, training for a race, or plain shenanigans.

I own a 1993 Trek 850 mountain bike. Top of the line for its time. Also own a carbon Land Shark, made in Oregon. Also own a steel Land Shark. All my bikes are single speed. Single speed with the ENO Eccentric Hub from White Industries. I've been riding single speed bikes for 10 years now and even race that way for triathlons.

So my life now revolves about the simplicity of single speed bicycles.

Dressing is the second nature routine I've developed for this weather.

Upper body: Whitewater rafting fleece top. Rivers are cold and fleece dries fast. Fleece vest.

Gore-tex rain jacket. Layering is key, and since I know I'll heat up, that's enough for me.

Head: Balaclava, ski goggles, ski helmet with minimal vents.In the 20's or 30's, cycling helmet with a cover over it and a skull cap underneath.

Hands: Gore-Tex mittens or regular gloves. Mittens, like today, keep my fingers together – warmer. Plus I use those little chemical heater pads in the gloves and my shoes for extra warmth.

Lower body: Cycling shorts for comfort. Thinsulate cold weather riding bike pants, Gore-Tex army style pants to trap in heat. They're a size bigger to allow for freedom of movement.

Feet: Wool socks, chemical pads taped to them right on my toes. Cycling shows. Adidas neoprene booties. That's all I need. I've been told I need winter boots and regular toeclips…but it is my preference.

The final word? "LIfe is too short, and at 35, I am living it to the fullest."

This was my last winter ride in Chicago - January 20 2025. Surly Steamroller painted bright pink so I'd be seen in the Chicago Loop better than a black bike (since I wear black most of the time anyway)

My Surly Pugsley some years back.

Vail Colorado 2016 - it was in the 60s and riding on 3ft of packed snow.

1996 Univega single speed in Chicago, February 2018