The Ohrt brothers, Hans (1895–1960) and Ernest (1893–1973), were born and raised in San Francisco. Youthful daredevils, as teens they built and flew hand-crafted gliders. Just a few years later, they would become champion cyclists, whirling around velodromes world-wide. Ernest turned professional in 1914, while Hans remained an amateur through the 1915 season.
Hans traveled extensively in 1915 wearing the Winged O. The Olympian cataloged his victories: “forty firsts, two seconds, three thirds and three fourths, also winning five match races or every match he started in, both pursuit and sprint.” He capped the year by winning the U.S. National Amateur Cycling Championship for collecting the most points in amateur competition over the 1915 season.
The next year, they both competed on the professional cycling circuits on the East and West Coasts. In 1919, the brothers, with Ernie’s new wife, Florence, traveled to Australia at the invitation of race promoters. There they were a media (and crowd) sensation. 55,000 people watched the end of the Ohrt’s six-day race in Sydney.
At the end of the 1919 season, they traveled to Europe via the Suez Canal, and competed throughout the continent against the biggest names. Hans focused on the track races, while Ernie found success in road racing, including some early races venturing into the High Alps. But the brothers continued to compete together in the traditional two-man team format of the epic six-day races. Ernie logged the long distances, and Hans jumped in for the sprints.
Eventually, Hans came back to the U.S, while Ernie stayed in Europe and started his family. In 1924, Ernie was appointed head coach of the U.S. Olympic cycling team, because of his knowledge of the sport and competitive success against the finest European riders. OC President William Humphrey, who served as the U.S. vice-chairman for the Games, supported his appointment.
By the late 1920s, both had stopped cycling competitively. They then opened bicycle shops: Ernie in San Francisco (on Stanyan Street); Hans in Beverly Hills. Both offered a preferred selection of lightweight European imports when most American stores catered to heavy domestic and children’s lines.
Hans’ shop became the bike shop to the stars, and was widely recognized as one of the top bike shops in the country in the 1960s. But business aside, he promoted the sport for adults and advocated cycling as a mode of transportation.
Ernie’s store focused on renting bikes to encourage their use. He was passionate about teaching adults, particularly women, to ride — thus the store name, “Ohrt Cycling Academy.” His store sponsored the Western Wanderers, a group that would ride from San Francisco to places like San Jose or Santa Cruz. He was a cycling activist, and helped preserve the oft-threatened rights of cycling throughout San Francisco.
Generations of Californians got their first quality bikes from the Ohrt brothers. But their cycling legacy continued closer to home, as well. All four of Ernie’s daughters biked, and many of their children (and grandchildren) became avid riders and racers as well. Ernie’s daughter Constance moved her young family to Southern California and took over Hans Ohrt Lightweight Bicycles when Hans retired. Thus the Beverly Hills Ohrt family operation of the enterprise spanned six decades. Ernie sold his shop in the ‘70s — but just next door, a cycling shop remains — a fitting legacy for a remarkable pair of brothers.
