Day 10: Tornado Season

It has been a while since I have rode my bike to work and then come right back home. I decided to make today that day mainly because Ashley and I have many things to do tonight. I can't believe how exhausted I felt yesterday. It makes since when I put everything together.

1 hour morning bike ride + 8 hours of work + two hour bike ride in afternoon + a tornado hitting me in the face = Exhaustion

See the formula just makes sense.

I prayed for energy before I passed out last night and for the first time in a long time I felt refreshed. I rode t.o work, riding with the wind and making good time (45 minutes). By around 11 am my eyes usually start closing, but today it was not like this at all! It was amazing so PTL (praise the Lord). I wish I could say that the afternoon ride was easy breezy, but once again things did not go as planned. I am not sure if it is tornado season but I am confident the wind is trying to kill me. There were also other things that contributed to my adventure...

3pm: Everyone at work is celebrating
because we are doing a great job
3:01pm: My boss screams, "Happy Hour
on me, get your drink orders!"
3:10pm: Drink orders have been placed...
I ordered a large Blue Coconut Slush
3:30pm: No one has left to get the drinks
and happy hour ends at 4pm (we are getting worried)
4pm: The drinks arrive as promised and I dive
into the blue sugary goodness
4:45pm: Stomach angry with Taylor
5:10pm: Leave work on my bike
5:15pm: Realize the wind is not with me (35mph against me)
5:30pm: Blue substance begins running down my leg

OK that last part was made up, but still drinking a slush of any kind is not recommended before going on a bike ride. I am starting to get the idea that food right before cycling is a bad idea, but as a man I cannot turn down free.

I swallowed a bug today. Did not taste like anything and went down with no issues. Tried coughing him up, but that thing was gone. I wonder what he thinks about his new home.

People at work have told me I am trimming down. I am still eating the same, but maybe having no vehicle is helping with that.

Day 9: A Haiku for You

I rode thirty miles
Wind makes a fool of many
So very sleepy

Day 8: A familiar face

As I fell asleep last night around 11:30pm I had a bad feeling about the next day. As I opened my eyes at 6 am I felt like crap. My throat was killing me and my nose was stuffed to the rafters. I got up, blew my nose and decided to go back to bed. I do not want to blame the cycling for this sickness, but everyone at work believes this is the reason for my stuffiness. I called one of my co-workers and then fell back asleep.

I had a whole lot of things I needed to get done at work today so I was hoping that I would feel better by around noon. And as I rested for a couple more hours I felt great. PTL! Ashley came back home during lunch to pick me up and take me to work. The only problem with this plan is that she was running late and needed to be on time. So, the only solution in both of our minds was for her to drop me off at 21st and Lewis(where she works) and I would walk the rest of the way. It was only 4 miles and I knew that the fresh air would be good for me. Little did I know the adventure I would have during my walk.

I was about 3 miles into it, listening to Journey on Pandora, when a familiar face rode up beside me on a bike of his own. I know what you are all thinking, was it Biker Fox or maybe even the Nintendo 64 kid, no it was the Jord himself! I am not sure if everyone knows who the Jord is, but he is also a living legend of Tulsa, in my mind. I was just talking with a friend about how much I hoped to run into him on this journey. Within two days this dream became a reality. We spoke about life outside ORU and then he told me he had to go turn in an application for a job. I told him where I worked and then he asked me my name (I guess I am not as popular as I thought). I told him to apply for a job at Link America and he actually did! He put me as a reference, not sure if I can help him get the job. I did not see him come to the office and he never actually said goodbye. He is mysterious like that.

I am stoked about getting back on the bike tomorrow. Supposed to be a day that actually feels like Spring! I have sent an email to Biker Fox in hopes of a meeting between the two of us, but I have yet to hear back. I am sure that it will happen, but I believe it will be random. Everyone should know that fox attacks happen when you least except them. I will keep everyone posted on my fox hunting.

Day 7: A day of rest

Today I will not be doing any biking (and of course not driving) because it is my day of rest. My wife and I believe that once a week we should rest and do absolutely nothing. It is awesome to be able to have this once either on a Saturday or a Sunday and I encourage everyone to try this.

On my last post I was challenged by Pradeepan to begin recording my weight and body fat statistics to see what not driving is doing for my health. I have not seen much change since I have started and I blame most of that to overeating. Usually when I get home from a bike ride I just want to eat tons of food. I am not gaining any weight but I am also not losing any. My goal of this journey was not to lose weight, but if I am exercising this much everyday I should be, right? I will meet this challenge and start recording my weight each week and my body fat (as best as I know how). I was actually trying to figure out calories burned from my workout the other day and stumbled upon this calories calculator. They go into extreme detail by including calories burned brushing your teeth, playing cards, and writing! Maybe even blogging burns a few calories...

The second challenge was that I document a day with Biker Fox. I actually had the thought to do this after seeing the Kabio video. Like I mentioned in my first post Biker Fox is a living legend in Tulsa. He invented the first front flip on a bicycle (Fox Flip) and holds the Guinness Record for this. I have only spotted him twice since I have been here in Tulsa, but I am going to dedicate my spare time to finding him and then riding alongside him. I am fully confident that I can make this happen. He has an email and I am sure that as the weather starts warming up the fox will be out.

My body statistics:
Weight: 205 lbs
Body Fat: Will find out at the end of this week

Day 6: Do you see me?

Temperature: 40-50 F
Music: Blayze LP, Mewithoutyou, Flobots

I have officially completed a week without my car. It feels incredible and I know that I am making progress with each ride to where my future rides will be easier. Although I am not driving my car, my wife has been enjoying it on a daily basis. Here is the conversation we had about an hour ago:

Me: Are you enjoying my car?
Wife: Yeah, but your left back tire is a little low.
Me: Oh yeah I meant to air that up, but it was snowing last week.
Wife: Can you do it now since it is not snowing today?
Me: Yeah sure, if you drive me to the gas station.
Wife: (pause) Oh yeah the bike thing.

And that is how you get out of filling your tires (unfortunately this will not work in about 24 days.

Since it was Saturday I thought I would rest for most of the morning. I could have read the book, but instead I watched Hulu for a couple hours. Then I had to go into work. Once every couple of months someone is chosen to do this. I was the chosen one this time. If there was any day that I truly wanted my vehicle it would be today. The weather did not look promising with the possibility of rain and strong winds (from all directions). I just rode in the rain a couple of days ago and I knew I could do it again, but was really hoping for a miracle.

I finally got ready at about 10:30 and headed out. No rain and the wind was with me the whole way! Take that Chief Meteorologist Frank Mitchell! I had a great ride with the exception of many drivers who I talked to even with their windows rolled up. The whole conversation pretty much went,

Taylor: Do you see me?
Car: No response
Taylor: Here I come!
Car: Head turned towards me and a grimace

I do ride on the sidewalk just so everyone is aware of this. I will never ride in the street due to danger and the fact that I hate bikers that do that too. One funny moment at work was that there was a huge meeting with tons of people there (truckers!) and they all gave me the strangest looks. One actually asked me if I live close and I said yeah only about 9 miles away. His face was priceless.

I finished work at around 1pm and decided to take the long way home. After watching an episode of the Biggest Loser the other night I was inspired to bike for over 20 miles at one time. The people on this show weigh twice as much as I do and they did 26 miles on a stationary bicycle! So, following their lead and made my way from 21st and Memorial to Riverside. From Riverside I made it to the Creek Turnpike trail and from there I went home. This trip was much harder then I realized and totaled 24 miles and took 2 hours to complete. The wind was not with me and was very intense on riverside. Right now as I type this my butt is killing me and strangely enough so is my right arm.

I am looking forward to having a day of rest this Sunday and getting a ride from my lovely wife who has just informed me that she will be taking me to the gas station to fill up the tires.

Taylor 0 Wife 1

Day 5: The Stationary Bicycle

Morning Temperature: 33 F
Weather Conditions: Windy
Music: John Mark McMillan

Afternoon Temperature: 63 F
Weather Conditions: Windier than this morning (25 mph)
No music, wind too loud

As I rode to work this morning, it felt good to know that the week was over. I am very tired today and left after 7am and all I wanted to do was lay in bed. The worst part about today was that it seemed like the wind was everywhere. Usually I will get wind either going to work or coming home, but today I got hit twice. In the morning the cold air stung and left my hands and legs frozen.

I made a side trip on the bike just a couple of miles during lunch to go pick up a book from the library. I now have in my possession a book called "Divorce Your Car!" Have not started it yet, but look forward to cracking it open tonight. One review featured on the book says, "For all of us who want to depend on the car less but find it easy to rationalize the status quo, this book is an inspiration." Here is to leaving the status quo!

Once again I witnessed more disrespect for the one biker on the sidewalks. Mainly in the form of cars blocking sidewalks (I am guilty of this when I drive) and once with a construction worker almost knocking me off my bike with a crane filled with dirt. Don't worry I gave the worker a dirty look...

Riding home today sucked. Plain and simple it was the hardest test I have had since starting this journey. I probably thought about my car every mile going home and it all had to do with the wind punching me in the face. I did not stop riding hard and so I gained the victory. I took so long getting home that I did get a call from the wife. I promise everyone that I will not die on this journey I will make sure to watch for all cars (this is for you mom).

Taylor 1 Wind 0

Inspirational award of the week will be going to my wife's Uncle Karl. Anytime I feel cold when riding my bike in the spring of Tulsa, I think of Karl because of what he rides in. He lives in Moorehead, MN (just east of Fargo). If any of you have seen the movie or know where Fargo is on a map of the U.S. you know it is cold. I mean frostbite on your entire body cold. This biker stud rode in -28 degrees this year where he made sure he did not leave the house without his studded snow tires! So if you still don't think you can ride when it is cold outside just remember Karl.

Lesson learned: People do not know what to do when they see a biker on the sidewalk next to them. Do they turn first, should they become angry with them? I would like to believe drivers like me...I have seen no evidence of this yet...

Random moment at work today is that my boss went to Hooters last night for all you can eat wings and ended up eating 101 wings. I wish I could have witnessed that...

Day 4: Red Squirrel in the mornin

I am trying to be out before 6:30am and the weather conditions are not going to stop me. Here is what is happening in Tulsa right now...
Temperature 48 F
Winds at 10mph
Rain Showers

Better get out the poncho because here comes another victory for Biker Wolf

Made it to work..soaking wet (rained more than I expected it to). Need to get back to work, but pictures coming later tonight of the aftermath. Golden Corral for lunch today on the boss. This will be my first time going there ever in my life! I am stoked.


Taylor 2 Rain 0

Afternoon Temperature: 57 F
No rain, clothes dry
Music: Fleet Foxes, EP and LP

The weather leaving work this afternoon was so perfect that I had to take my time getting home. The wind was with me and it was amazing. Golden Corral did not hold me back despite being the best and worst experience I have had with food. Four plates of food seemed amazing initially but once back at work this food that brought so much pleasure resulted in headaches and stomach pains. It also made me ridiculously tired for the last three hours of work.

Biking to and from work has become something that I crave. Everyday I sit at my desk and recruit truck drivers. Not the most exciting job in the world. I enjoy what I do but it can also be an extremely frustrating job. Wish I could describe more of why it is like that, but just trust me when I say my afternoon bike ride is not a bad thing...it something I look forward to.

Today was an interesting day with the people at work. It seems like riding your bike in the rain is unheard of to most and so I got positive reactions from people and what seemed like negative ones from others. I believe that many of them think I am going to get hit by a car and that I am insane. Something that I am loving from this journey is that my co-workers are talking about doing something to better their lives. Although I might miss the convenience of a car, I am enjoying the introspection that living life without it brings.

Lesson learned: People might have the right away, but drivers in Tulsa do not know this.

2nd lesson learned: Golden Corral is epic, might need six months of rest before going again.

Day 3: A little bit of rain never hurt

Morning Temperature: 62 F
Start Time: 6:45am
Arrival Time:7:25am
Miles: 9
Music: Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest


I woke up this morning and immediately had a longing to stay in bed. A baby cries in the distance for his mother. Our dog greets me with a wet tongue in my face. Now, it is time to get up. As I left on my bike this morning one drop of rain hit my forehead and I knew it was going to be a good day. I kicked it into high gear even though my body was telling me not to. The wind was with me and the rain was behind me. As I approached the office the rain started falling.

Taylor 1 Rain 0

Afternoon Temperature: 70 F
Start Time: 5:10pm
Arrival Time:5:35pm
Miles: 4
No music, slight drizzle

Today after work I did not go home, but instead I met my beautiful wife at her work. She brought the bike rack with her and so I was able to put my bike on that and get a ride with her. The reason for the change was because we were going to Mcnellie's where we enjoyed $3 burger night. The place was packed but we got a table within ten minutes, ate some burgers and went home.

Now, I know what a few of you might be thinking and no I did not drive. The main purpose of this blog is to see what life is like without a car. The good thing is that the person I live with does! So every now and then (mainly when going downtown) I will get a ride with her. I do have plans though to do a loop of the city of Tulsa. Not sure when that will take place but I will keep everyone posted.

If I were to update everyone on my progress I would say that I feel more then able to complete the entire thirty days, but I am exhausted right now. I never thought I would be ready to go to sleep at 8:40pm, but my eyes are shutting right now.

Lesson learned: biking in the rain is a great way to cool off and I actually enjoyed it.

Stay tuned for stories that are inspiring me to continue to push it to the next limit.

Day Two: I'm still here

Morning Temperature: 39 F
Start Time: 6:50am
Arrival Time:7:32am
Miles: 9

So, I left much earlier this morning due to the fact that I was late the other day. It was still dark outside, but the sidewalk conditions were much better then yesterday. Ice was completely gone (with a few patches here and there) and the temperature felt warmer then yesterday. This morning I decided to turn on pandora and listen to Dirty Projectors radio...mmmm good choice. I felt strange walking in today because I came from the front and had to walk by everyone in the office with my helmet, sweat, and my bike. My bike is filthy right now after hitting some mud yesterday. My female co-workers were pleased to see that I brought a towel and deodorant today. I do not have helmet hair because my hair is short right now, but I did have a red helmet line across my head. I will have to document this with a picture tomorrow.

I feel stronger then yesterday and actually have a good amount of energy to work hard today. Went to bed at 10pm last night, that could have something to do with it.



Afternoon Temperature: 75 F
Start Time: 5:10pm
Arrival Time: 6:10pm
Miles: 9
Weather Conditions: Windy, windy, windy 15-20mph

Ok so I made it back home on my second day of this adventure and I am exhausted. It seems like every mile that I went in the afternoon my throat was dry and each time I tried to swallow it felt like cracking. I had water with me so I was not dying by any means but I am not sure how else to describe it. I would have probably enjoyed this ride more if it had not been so windy. The video below will show you what I mean.



I am learning that I enjoy the morning time much better mainly due to the lack of wind going to work and it seems like there is much less traffic before 7am then there is after 5pm. I might try to leave even earlier tomorrow and see what that is like. It is strange though that I look forward to riding my bike in the afternoon even though I know it will be more difficult after riding in the morning.

It was great riding down the street today because the spring temperature brought people out. Spotted three other bikers, many walkers, one boy playing with nunchucks, and a dude in a statue of liberty outfit. If I see either of the last two tomorrow I will take a picture with them to show you all their awesomeness.

A comment was made on my previous post mentioning a book called Divorce Your Car! Well, I have found that book at the Tulsa Library and I hope to include some insight from this book in the coming blogs.

Day One: This is spring right?

Morning Temperature: 31 F
Start Time: 7:10am
Arrival Time: 8:02am
Sidewalk conditions: icy with snow patches
Weapon of choice: Bicycle
Music: Anathallo, Canopy Glow
Miles: 9

Well, I am off to a good start...I made it to work! I am supposed to be there at 7:55 so I was a little late. This made for a grand entrance when I came rollin in during the morning meeting. More info about the ride coming soon, must get back to work...

Afternoon Tempature: 56 F
Start Time: 5:02pm
Arrival Time: 5:50pm
Sidewalk conditions: Melted and wet
Weapon of choice: Bicycle
Music: Anathallo, Floating World
Miles: 9
Total Miles for the day: 20 (I attempted going to something else after work)

I made it back from my first day of riding my bike to work and I am completely exhausted. I truly underestimated the elements when riding today. I cut my leg on some ice along the way and my back was completely covered in mud, sweat, and pride. Luckily I packed my work clothes in my pack so I could change for work. The entire day was filled with many co-workers asking about why I was doing this. Some of the best quotes of the day were:

"You rode your bike how far? Why would you want to do that?"

"You are just riding your bike everywhere for one whole month...you are going to lose a whole lot of weight."

Some other good moments were when the guy sitting next to me just started laughing around lunchtime and I asked why and he just said, "You are crazy man!" One woman wants to know what I am going to do about cleaning up after I get to work. Today she saw me take off my helmet and though the sweat on my head was disgusting. I hope she lasts the entire thirty days working with me!

Oklahoma wind sucks and it made my bike ride much longer then I wanted it to be. I also missed out on the young married group that Ashley and I attend because I was so tired from the two rides of the day. I look forward to the challenge of tomorrow and now that the ice melted it should be much smoother. Not sure if I am going to continue with the bike but as of right now it makes the most sense.

Lesson Learned for the day is to never go to sleep at midnight when waking up the next day without a car. I fell asleep at my desk during lunch...

Can I survive without my car?

Ok so I know this sounds pathetic that I have chosen this idea. There are so many places around the world where people rely on public transportation, bicycles, or even simply there legs to get from point A to Point B. Here in America there are some places where the public transportation system is not the easiest to work with. If you own a car or know somebody that has one it is much easier to get around town then to have to take the bus.

Living overseas last year in China for 10 months taught me that I really do not need a car to survive, but simply a bike, my legs, and a bag to carry everything in. All I know is that since I have been back in America I have used my car every single day. I have gotten spoiled to say the least.

I love driving mainly because I can get to work in 15 minutes (minus traffic) and I can have some alone time to just listen to music and relax. I could honestly care less about driving fast, but I know the main thing I will miss is the convenience of it. I have given up bottled water so I know I can live for 30 days without my car.

Here is the plan: Starting on Monday, March 22 I will park my car for 30 days. I will also not drive my wife's car during this time. The only way I can get to work each day is by public transportation, by bicycle, or by walking. Regardless of the weather (it snowed today) I will accomplish the goal I am setting for myself. My blogrimage will end on April 20. Thank you to Pradeepan, Bibeau, and Joe for the inspiration to try something outside of my comfort zone.

I hope that this journey will help me to appreciate the car I have been blessed with, as well as appreciate those I see without cars every single day. I also sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, so this will help me stay active. I also want to make sure everyone is aware that I am not competing with Biker Fox since I live in Tulsa. This man is a living legend and will never have any competition from someone as lowly as myself.
I will keep everyone posted on a daily basis on my progress and I am excited to dive in starting tomorrow. I am taking my final drive with my car today as I return from an amazing trip to Norman where I enjoyed watching some basketball and hangin with Blayze.