A cyclist from Steinbach has decided to embrace the frigid weather.

While many of us have intentionally spent as little time as possible outdoors this week, Chip Martens continues to cycle to work, everyday, even with wind chills at nearly -50 degrees.

Martens says it was two years ago when he decided to try biking to work. It took him about 15 minutes to cycle the nearly four kilometres that summer morning and Martens says he loved it. Summer turned to fall and when winter hit Martens says he made the decision to keep the car in the garage and continue cycling to work.

"I had a co-worker who was doing it and he seemed to have no problem doing it," recalls Martens. "So, I figured why don't I try it too."

(Chip Martens is bundled up for his journey home.)Martens admits he wasn't entirely prepared for that first winter but says things are different today.

"Now, I kind of feel like it doesn't matter what winter throws my way I'm going to be able to make it," he says.

In fact, there is not a temperature out there that will make him trade in the bike for a car.

Martens says he wishes more people would realize that cycling in winter is not that big a deal. Yet, he says a proper bike and appropriate clothing will go a long way in making your experience a positive one.

He says you definitely want to have some base layers. Items like merino wool long johns and long sleeve shirts will not only keep you warm but are breathable and dry quickly. He adds keeping your hands, feet and face warm is most important. He suggests wearing good winter boots and gloves and possibly buying some pogies which protect your hands from the wind while gripping your handlebars. Martens also suggests ski goggles with a clear lense and a balaclava to protect as much of your face as possible.

"Most of the clothes you have as a Canadian will work to bike to work," he says. "It's nothing special, you are just layering up."

As for your bike, Martens says it doesn't have to be anything fancy, as long as you use a slightly wider tire.

Though it might be old hat for Martens to cycle in winter, that doesn't mean his hobby isn't at least a little alarming to motorists.

"I get little funny looks," he says.

Even his co-workers are not entirely used to his form of transportation.

"I think because I've been doing it for so long now, their reactions are less and less crazy," he notes. "But I still do get a few funny looks when I roll up in the morning and it's -45, -50 on Steinbachonline weather page and I'm on my bike."

Martens certainly isn't the only Steinbach cyclist to bike to work in the extreme cold, he's not even the only cyclist at his workplace. He suggests there are a few others that also partake in the daily challenge.

"We kind of work at different times so we don't necessarily see each other but it's always nice walking through our building and then seeing that they made it in too," he says.

Martens credits the city's Public Works crews for enabling him to carry on this tradition. Though he can't necessarily take the bike path, he is able to ride down the streets on these winter days.

"I can basically make it taking side streets that have been cleared before work the whole way," he says. "The city does an amazing job of clearing streets."

As icy as it has been, Martens says he can not recall ever having a bad wipeout because of the winter conditions. On the bright side, he says if you fall in winter, the snow will at least provide a softer landing.

Environment Canada is calling for more comfortable conditions beginning later this week, but then a return to lows of -30 degrees next week.

"It honestly doesn't phase me," he assures. "I've made the decision that I'm going to bike to work, so I just look at the forecast in the morning that's all that's really important and decide what layers I'm going to wear and then I head out the door. There's nothing really that bothers me."

So, in this day and age where time is of the essence and most people race from one place to the next, not wanting to waste a single second, what motivates Martens to take this slower, frostier journey to work?

"I would love to say that it was for one of those environmental reasons but it really wasn't," he admits.

Martens says he does this because he enjoys being on his bike, referring to it as a type of meditation.

"It's not something that's scary," he says. "It would be awesome to see more people realize the benefits of being outside and what fresh air is doing for you and that it is something that's possible to do in winter."