Fifty Plus (50+) - Do you stop for 'treasures' ?

I've found a few useful things in the gutter over the years as well as rubbish. Things that probably bounced out of the tray of a tradey's ute. This week: large roll of 50mm bright yellow packing tape; and a couple of days later a 750mm solid rubber bungee strap in good nick. Previous finds include spanners and duct tape. The best find was a tool box, crushed by a truck. Unfortunately the half-dozen small tools were cheap stuff -- but I couldn't pass them up anyway.

I've never found anything as interesting as Sheldon Brown's eagle, Igor.

I only stop if I'm going at moderate speed and don't have to turn back. I don't stop for 'silver' coins unless there's a few of them. 'Bronze' coins are hard to spot but I have found $2 ones a couple of times.

Anyone else stop for 'treasures' and what have you found?

Doesn't everyone?

I've got a running joke going with a neighbor. Several years ago I
retrieved a discarded decorative deer and stuck it in his yard. It was one of
those inexpensive sculptures made from a bunch of sticks or vines.
It took him a week to notice it was there but only seconds to
realize how it got there. I've since added two more deer to "The
herd", both brought home strapped to the rear rack of my bike.
He displays them proudly and prominently in his front garden.

I often take morning rides through parts of the trails with parking lots frequented in the evening by youth. One man's treasure is another man's........................:eek:

To date I've found over $60 cash. Many tools with the best find a 12in cresent wrench. Cell phones, beepers(one beeper I recieved a $20 turn in reward from Motorola), sunglasses, check books, drivers lic., credit cards. Mostly stuff found on the road and a few things on the trails.

Doesn't everyone?

I've got a running joke going with a neighbor. Several years ago I
retrieved a discarded decorative deer and stuck it in his yard. It was one of
those inexpensive sculptures made from a bunch of sticks or vines.
It took him a week to notice it was there but only seconds to
realize how it got there.

Excellent! :D

It depends on the mood I am in and whether or not I am in a zone. Or in a hurry. Have found coins, never paper money. And a very servicable backback that I use frequently. Occasional bungy cords, tools, hats. And some things that I would never touch even with bike gloves on.

I've found so much stuff over the last 27 seasons that it's hard to remember it all. A couple that stand out are a 16oz hammer that I found at the start of a 35 mile ride and carried the entire ride in my hand. Another was a step ladder that i carried home on a fixie; luckily, it was only a couple miles.

Many years ago, I had a Thunderbird with huge wheels and hubcaps. One day, I was riding this horribly rough road when my wife passed me in her T-bird. A little ways down the road was a T-Bird hubcap in the ditch and figured she lost one og hers. I picked up the hubcap and headed home in to a horrible headwind with this huge, heavy hubcap between my hands like a steering wheel. My wife returns home a couple hours later with all of her hubcaps intact. :)

Pair of Vise grips
Sunglasses
Bungee Cords
Hub caps (I lean those up against something like a sign or mail box).
License plates
Adult DVD movie (thought I'd better remove that one from the ditch, as as not to fall into underage hands)

Maybe I'd stop for anything more valuable than a 5 dollar bill. ? I'd prefer paper.. Other than that, the only thing I stop for is a flat tire.

Earlier this summer I was mountain biking with my dog at a reservoir we frequent. I got back to my car and found a $10 bill in the grass nearby.
The next day I was riding the same area, rolling through a field frequented by horse people, when I thought I saw a folded-up twenty. I went back, and it was a twenty, with another twenty and a ten inside.
Oh yeah, I stopped both times.
I didn't report it to anybody because I ride for fun: I don't want to have to turn pro.

Of course, but what do I do with all these one-ended bungy cords? - TF

Of course, but what do I do with all these one-ended bungy cords? - TF

"S-hook" from Lowes and you are good to go!:thumb:

Best find $200 in mixed bills an envelope. Another time I found 2 $100 bills in the grass soaked with dew, but I was walking that time. Found and returned a couple purses and a few wallets. Found a broken iPod Nano yesterday. Over the years many bungees and tools. Once there were just a bunch of $1 bills blowing down the road. Once a $20 and lots of time just a $1 bill.

On tour we found some cool stuff too. The things I remember from the TA were an ice cold liter of blue Poweraid, a nice spork, some 3/4" webbing straps, and a very nice pair of gloves. The Poweraid was the best because we hadn't had anything cold all day and it was 100F or a bit more. It has hence forth been referred to as the Poweraid from heaven. A methodist priest bike tourist that we met on the tour asked if he could use that in a sermon, I always wondered if he did.

I seen a pair of sunglasses that looked perfect yesterday before I broke my spoke. Did not stop because heavy traffic, they were probably scratched anyway. I have seen several single shoes. I cannot remember picking up anything this year on my bike. While jogging is a different story. I have found money, tools, heavy chains, polaroid pictures, multiple motel room keys (during the mini), all kinds of clothes, hummm sounds like i am a looter. Really I have found all that on the road over the years.

I have finally decided that any fruit hanging over a fence from a yard is fair for the taking. So, I came home yesterday with about two pounds of good Satsuma plums--my favorite and they are delicious!

Someone down the street from me has an absolutely wonderful nectarine tree planted in their parkway, about 3 feet from the curb. I liberated some of those and this is probably my most tasty memory of this past summer: coming up the hill to home, taking a break in the shade of a tree and eating an absolutely ripe, juicy, melt-in-your mouth nectarine before continuing home.

I have finally decided that any fruit hanging over a fence from a yard is fair for the taking. So, I came home yesterday with about two pounds of good Satsuma plums--my favorite and they are delicious!

Someone down the street from me has an absolutely wonderful nectarine tree planted in their parkway, about 3 feet from the curb. I liberated some of those and this is probably my most tasty memory of this past summer: coming up the hill to home, taking a break in the shade of a tree and eating an absolutely ripe, juicy, melt-in-your mouth nectarine before continuing home.

I love the non-material quality of this post. :)

One of the greatest treasures for me was from my days of night riding and passing a mimosa tree. The smell was always so heady, I'd just ride in circles beneath it for a while.

bounced out of the tray of a tradey's ute.

At first I didn't know if he was talking about a native American from Colorado, or a youngster from New Jersey.

Then I realized it was an Australian pick-up truck.

When I was a ute, I was forever finding treasures on the ground. These days, not so much.

I've found a few treasures while riding, a hammer, a couple of razor knifes, some sockets, a cell phone, an iPod, a few screwdrivers and end wrenches. Most were cheapos, but two screwdrivers were Snap-On. The popular local MUP is a mother lode for bike parts. I walk it frequently, and hope to find enough parts to eventually build a bike. I have pedal dust caps, fork dust caps, derailer pulleys, brake cable adjusters, various bolts and nuts, tubes, a front derailer, handlebar plugs, water bottles, a blinky, a nice lunch in a paper bag, (the apple was good), a pack of Kleenex, (unopened), packs of gum and cigarettes. A couple of quarters and dimes, but I once found two ones and a ten in a parking place as I got out of my car. Twenty years ago, but I still like to remember it! :)

I love the non-material quality of this post. :)


Today was my TBWA day (training by wandering around), so I just took roads I was not familiar with and stopped to look at stuff and read the bronze markers that we tend to flash by when driving or even cycling diligently.

I came across a little town I had never heard of, Berrytown, a remnant of the old Dixie-crat segregated shanty towns that I take it were common in the early 1900's in the Louisville area. What was weird about it was 1) that is still existed, albeit with a very nice YMCA serving as a community center, and 2) it is surrounded on all sides by very pricey subdivisions like Anchorage and Owl Creek.

So I pondered the state of politics, demographics, and economics in this land.

Which I guess was kind of cool.

The best thing I found was a ratcheting 10mm wrench. Usually the tools you find are SAE (imperrial); finding a metric tool was different, even in Canada. I also found a needle-nose vice grip in very good condition, except the owner's first name was etched into it. No contact info, though. Any other tools I find that I don't need I contribute to the bike room at work.

L.

On occasion, I've found items of interest by the side of the road. The most interesting thing I've found over the past five years was a sledge hammer. Yes, a sledge hammer! It was laying right there in the gutter on Comm ave. I just couldn't figure out a method and means to carry it safe, so I leaned it against a tree. I could only guess that it bounced out of someone's truck, as the road at that time was in rough condition.


I've found all the usual stuff over the years, including wallets, keys, tools of various kinds, Compact Discs, a Toupeé, (only one occasion.) coins, (never any big money. Nuts.) Hubcaps of all sorts, and the occasional paperback book.

I encounter a lot more dead raccoons than anything else on my rides, thus I keep this recipe handy:




Raccoon Kabobs
(Also known as "Ringtail Surprise")
http://www.globe-guardian.com/images/button.gif Two pounds, reasonably fresh raccoon, cut into one-inch cubes; one-half cup homemade French dressing; two green peppers, cut into squares; one large onion, cut into one-inch pieces; one-third pound mushroom caps.
http://www.globe-guardian.com/images/button.gif Place raccoon cubes in a ceramic bowl and pour dressing over cubes. Let marinate two or more hours. Remove cubes, reserving marinade. Alternate raccoon cubes with pepper squares, onion pieces and mushroom caps on skewers. Brush all with reserved marinade and broil over hot coals until done to desired degree. Turn frequently and baste with marinade as needed.
http://www.globe-guardian.com/images/button.gif Serves six.

When I stop at traffic lights I always find penny's. They are often scratched up so bad the copper coating is almost gone. I love to give them to stores just to see the look of "WTF?" on their faces. No one has refused to accept any as yet.

I haven't found anything of note, but on one ride I contributed a full bottle of energy drink and a spare tube still in the box. It was back to the drawing board on methods of loading the bike that day.

I don't usually come across anything worth noticing, let alone stop to pick up.
I did score a small bungee once and I have found a couple of tennis balls to bring home for Roxie.
For those, though, by the time I turned around to go back for them, they've been retrieved by a human
Yesterday, however, I was out with Mrs S and spied Ol' Abe on the ground. I did stop for that and it turned out to be $26... that was worth picking up :D

Riding on the road between trails one day- and found a load of copper in the road- Copper is 1p and 2p pieces. There was a lot of it and no idea where it came from. Filled the back pockets of the jersey- The wedge and anything else that the 3 riders could fill. Got to the cafe and this is what we had collected it for. They have a charity box. We just gave it to the cafe owner to change and put in the box. No idea how much was there- but we did feel a lot lighter after getting rid of it- Despite the full breakfast we had. We reckon there was about 6 or 7 lbs weight of small change there.

14" aluminum pipe wrench
24" crow bar
48" wrecking bar (went back w/car)
2 pair of Justin alligator cowboy boots
15 jts 1/2" x 21' of steel pipe (went back w/pickup f/this)
lots of change--as in money
so many bungee cords I don't even stop any more
chains
screwdrivers
pliers
discarded meth ingredients
clothes that I wouldn't touch

I used to pick up every bungee and truck tie down. My Son-in-law always gave me a hard time about it. When we moved, I liquidated my collection (keeping a few, of course) at a garage sale. I had 7 bundles of miscellaneous bungees/tie downs, each sold for a dollar. People were very happy about getting the deal. Just last week, he needed some bungees. "Come to Mojo's Roadkill Bungee Emporium", I said. He got some good ones.

I have also found 8 - 10 music CDs, most of which still played. Most of which were home made compilations of very bad Rap music, probably thrown out the window by some aggravated parent.

But my friend wins the game. He found a dead body.

Now this thread have me watching the ditches. I did not see anything of value except a perfect ear of corn, I was in farm country. did not stop becasue it was probably my fastest downhill of the day.

A bunch of stuff, including a really nice almost new pair of leather motorcyclist's gloves, two months ago. I posted a note on the local tavern's bulletin board, but no one has claimed them. A 12" crescent, years ago, various pliers, wrenches, the 10 mm ratcheting end wrench is one of the handiest wrenches I own. A box full of rubber bungee cords. I only stop for the nicer looking ones now. A 35' steel tape measure. A small keyhole saw, there is more, but I can't recall it all.

My only cycling haul was on the LA River Ride this year, when I saved the reuseable shopping bag someone dropped.

But my best-ever haul (that I could, with a reasonably clear conscience, make use of) was one day in at a grocery store pharmacy, picking up a prescription. When I looked down while I was digging in my pocket, I saw money on the floor. Turned out to be two Franklins and a Grant.

I turned in the credit card I picked up Sunday morning when I stopped at the 7-11 for coffee.

On my first long tour along the Southern Tier I picked up a bunch of good hand tools. After just a few days, I began to realize the weight and space consequences of the practice and I ended up putting it all back along a roadside for someone else. I no longer pick stuff up unless it is paper money. Once found a full set of false teeth. I still wonder what kind of event caused a traveler to loose his teeth and then not stop to get them.

I found a wallet with it's contents strewn about. I picked it all up and brought it home (no cash), it turned out it was my son's friend who lost it, his girlfriend was pissed at him and tossed it out while they were driving.

Many years ago, I had a Thunderbird with huge wheels and hubcaps. One day, I was riding this horribly rough road when my wife passed me in her T-bird. A little ways down the road was a T-Bird hubcap in the ditch and figured she lost one og hers. I picked up the hubcap and headed home in to a horrible headwind with this huge, heavy hubcap between my hands like a steering wheel. My wife returns home a couple hours later with all of her hubcaps intact. :)

Had to laugh at that story! Oh well - a spare hubcap is always useful.

Adult DVD movie (thought I'd better remove that one from the ditch, as as not to fall into underage hands)

But of course. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

My best find - a cyclist's under-saddle bag containing $25 cash and a quality folding tool kit (probably worth $40-$50). I felt sorry for who ever lost it so I put up signs on the tree next to the bike path, facing in both directions, with my phone number. Never heard anything in 3 weeks so removed signs and kept loot. Mustn't have been a regular user of that path.

My most disturbing 'find', 3 weeks ago. My wife got home from her morning walk about the same time I returned from my ride. She said there was something 'funny' in the local park and she didn't want to look too closely and would I go down and check it out. The park is deserted on weekday winter mornings. I got back on the bike and set off.

It was a chap of about 30 who had hanged himself from the rafters of the picnic shelter. Nothing I could do except call 000 and let the police deal with it: 3 squad cars, ambulance, and fire engine. I asked one of the policeman why the ambulance and fire engine. 'Protocol', he said.

I once found a cell phone on my commute to work. It was beat up, but still worked, so I called the number listed under "home" and made arrangements for the owner to pick it up from my house that evening.

She was very suspicious of how I got her phone. Weird.

Over the years I've found many socket wrenches, open end wrenches and even a complete set of drill bits. My wierdest treasure was a furneral marker with a magnetic base that is placed on cars during the procession to the cementary. I just happened to be using a Camel Back that day and couldn't resit putting the marker in the the webbing on the Camel Back and riding home with the flag waving in the wind while ridding in the drops. My wife told me that was a pretty stupid thing to do. We do have our differences on what is humor and fun.