Unexpected Things You Come Across When Bike Commuting
12-09-14, 09:57 AM
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Unexpected Things You Come Across When Bike Commuting
One of my favorite things about commuting by bike is taking in the scenery. There's time to notice the little things & get lost in your thoughts. The other morning I was taking a slightly different route to work and I passed a sight that made me slow down and turn around to make sure I wasn't seeing things. And yep, there was a sheep, a pig and a little goat leisurely exploring the neighborhood and munching on the grass. Not something you'd expect to see in the middle of the city, that's for sure. Not sure how the neighbors feel about their flower beds getting chewed up, but it put a smile on my face. 
12-09-14, 02:06 PM
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Very cool, and somewhat unusual, fauna you have there . On this morning's commute I saw over a dozen deer, but that's not a new thing. Also saw a bunch of rabbits, but again, nothing new. However, one thing I haven't seen before is an owl sitting on a post. Not sure what kind (I'll have a look at my Sibley's book tonight), and unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me. Like I said, I've never seen one, though I've heard them on some night rides. Seeing this one, really made my day.
Edit: I was expecting this post to have pictures of lost tools, broken cell phones, etc.; a sheep, pig and goat in in someone's lawn is a bit different (all you need are a couple of crazy alligators and a rat and you'd have the cast of "Pearls Before Swine").
Edit: I was expecting this post to have pictures of lost tools, broken cell phones, etc.; a sheep, pig and goat in in someone's lawn is a bit different (all you need are a couple of crazy alligators and a rat and you'd have the cast of "Pearls Before Swine").
Last edited by KenshiBiker; 12-09-14 at 02:09 PM.
12-09-14, 02:30 PM
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lol awesome observation. Oddly enough, where I live, alligators and rats aren't uncommon.
12-10-14, 05:27 AM
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Unexpected Things You Come Across When Bike Commuting
I replied to a similar question a few years ago. I don’t remember when and I have no pictures, but no motor? remembered it earlier this year, and I replied with some editorial comment:
I replied to a similar question a few years ago. I don’t remember when and I have no pictures, but no motor? remembered it earlier this year, and I replied with some editorial comment:
Did you see the video in this article? You're not the only one to pull a cup off the head of a skunk.
Wow! What a pleasant surprise. Thanks for the post. That incident happened on my morning cycle commute at least ten, or more years ago, and I posted about it on Bike Forums years ago…Not to mention the brand name, but the skunk had its head stuck in a conical yogurt cup with a wide bottom and narrow opening … The skunk looked so pitiful, and surely would have wandered into the street. My recollection is that I jumped back as soon as the cup came off his head, and fortunately I was opposite the business end of the skunk. I don’t remember if it did spray.
I believe I did mention that a few years after that event I happened to have driven a car to work (I rarely do) and parked in the visitors parking lot. As I was leaving and stopped to pay the attendant, he told me he had witnessed my good deed while driving by years ago and let me pass for free.
To expand this discussion to cycle commuting, since we are so intimately familiar with the Road, compared to motorists, we are more apt to see situations of distress and can more easily stop and help out. Over the years I have found a few wallets and cell phones and returned them to the owners. On one nasty snowy winter day on my cycle commute (with studded tires), I stopped and pushed at least three stranded cars off of slippery surfaces where they could get no traction.
I believe I did mention that a few years after that event I happened to have driven a car to work (I rarely do) and parked in the visitors parking lot. As I was leaving and stopped to pay the attendant, he told me he had witnessed my good deed while driving by years ago and let me pass for free.
To expand this discussion to cycle commuting, since we are so intimately familiar with the Road, compared to motorists, we are more apt to see situations of distress and can more easily stop and help out. Over the years I have found a few wallets and cell phones and returned them to the owners. On one nasty snowy winter day on my cycle commute (with studded tires), I stopped and pushed at least three stranded cars off of slippery surfaces where they could get no traction.
12-10-14, 03:26 PM
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Usually just rabbits. But once I saw a coyote with something in its mouth. I followed it until it dropped it and ran, then I was able to get a look, and it was the front half of a cat.
Quite often I get to see a spectacular sunrise or sunset. Better visibility out on a bike than trapped in a cage.
Quite often I get to see a spectacular sunrise or sunset. Better visibility out on a bike than trapped in a cage.
12-10-14, 04:28 PM
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I had a turkey fly over me once. Just about scared the lycra off me. After seeing it fly I had a better understanding of why we call some people turkeys. Summer before last I saw a chick sunbathing as nature intended (an advantage of sitting properly upright and higher than some fences?). One morning riding to get my morning cappuccino I glanced next to me at a stop light and Osmo Vänskä (conductor of MN Symphony Orchestra) was on the bike next to me. I guess you can take the conductor out of Finland but you can't take the Finland out of the conductor.
12-11-14, 12:27 AM
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12-11-14, 08:41 AM
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i have come across the animals squirrels rabbits deer. almost hit one deeras i was coming out of driveway one morning at 5;15 a.m.. I have found several wrenches and screwdrivers. I have also lost a lottery ticket that was $100 dollar winner that was in my back pocket. Retraced my route from home to work and back again did not see. It was a very windy day so went back out one more time and started looking on peoples lawns and driveway lo and behold 1/2 mile from my house blown up against some bushes was the ticket.
. i no longer put tickets in my back pocket!!!
. i no longer put tickets in my back pocket!!!
12-11-14, 10:43 AM
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[QUOTE=cobrabyte;17374752]One of my favorite things about commuting by bike is taking in the scenery. There's time to notice the little things & get lost in your thoughts. The other morning I was taking a slightly different route to work and I passed a sight that made me slow down and turn around to make sure I wasn't seeing things. And yep, there was a sheep, a pig and a little goat leisurely exploring the neighborhood and munching on the grass. Not something you'd expect to see in the middle of the city, that's for sure. Not sure how the neighbors feel about their flower beds getting chewed up, but it put a smile on my face.
Cobrabyte, I too live in and commute in St. Pete that is very funny and kind of cool. Where was it? I know some people that have some farm animals but not sure if they are able to get off their property.
Cobrabyte, I too live in and commute in St. Pete that is very funny and kind of cool. Where was it? I know some people that have some farm animals but not sure if they are able to get off their property.
12-11-14, 10:59 AM
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I saw a huge dog in the biike lane ahead of me one morning commute. As I got closer it moved into the car lane and I saw that it wasn't a dog, it was a very large ram. It evidently decided that lane wouldn't work so it tried the far lane, then the far bike lane, than back a lane, always staying in the middle of the lane he was in and trotting along. Stopping all the traffic didn't bother him at all. Finally arrived at the 5 corner intersection. Now this was too many choices! Stumped! A pickup stopped, a man got out who looked like he knew what to do and I went on.
Ben
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12-11-14, 11:14 AM
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I saw a couple of Bambi deer frolicking in a meadow last week. 
12-11-14, 01:15 PM
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Another unexpected commute today. I got chased by two excited pit bulls. I was busy trying not to get bit, so no pictures to share lol. I can share my strategy for dealing with aggressive dogs, though. I jumped off my bike and held it in front of me while standing my ground and yelled NO! GET!
It did the trick and I was on my way in no time. Sure beats a cup of coffee to get the heart rate going.
It did the trick and I was on my way in no time. Sure beats a cup of coffee to get the heart rate going.
12-11-14, 01:33 PM
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That would be a bit close for comfort.
Not me, especially if they're on the same plane as I and talk loud, bump people with their bags as they're waddling down the aisle, constantly bump the back of the seat in front of them, bring smelly food on board, or otherwise make life a bit less enjoyable or tolerable for everyone around them. :-)
Not me, especially if they're on the same plane as I and talk loud, bump people with their bags as they're waddling down the aisle, constantly bump the back of the seat in front of them, bring smelly food on board, or otherwise make life a bit less enjoyable or tolerable for everyone around them. :-)
12-11-14, 01:49 PM
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I see lots of goats on my rides in the Delta. A lot of orchard and vineyard owners hire goat services to clean up the vegetation on the edge of the property.
12-11-14, 06:14 PM
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[QUOTE=Hopem;17380797]Off of 16th street. Probably had just broken out that morning I saw them and were partying out front lol. I passed again today and they were in the backyard.
12-12-14, 06:51 AM
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Ice on the surface! I was going up a very steep hill, and my rear tire let loose. I got off. The hill was so slippery and steep, I couldn't walk up it, either. I made use of the fence beside me and pulled myself up the hill with my right hand, pushing the bike with my left hand. It was so hard to do that I was laughing uproariously.
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12-12-14, 06:58 AM
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I saw a huge dog in the biike lane ahead of me one morning commute. As I got closer it moved into the car lane and I saw that it wasn't a dog, it was a very large ram. It evidently decided that lane wouldn't work so it tried the far lane, then the far bike lane, than back a lane, always staying in the middle of the lane he was in and trotting along. Stopping all the traffic didn't bother him at all. Finally arrived at the 5 corner intersection. Now this was too many choices! Stumped! A pickup stopped, a man got out who looked like he knew what to do and I went on.
Ben
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12-12-14, 07:00 AM
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12-12-14, 07:05 AM
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I guess I could have been cranky about it, but that's not my role. 
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12-12-14, 07:12 AM
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Last Tuesday I came across a woman on my bike path that had a large birdcage strapped to her rear rack. When I got closer I could see (and hear) that there were probably about 15 parakeets inside. As I passed her I said "well, you don't see that everyday." She laughed and said "they need fresh air too."
12-12-14, 07:37 AM
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Last Tuesday I came across a woman on my bike path that had a large birdcage strapped to her rear rack. When I got closer I could see (and hear) that there were probably about 15 parakeets inside. As I passed her I said "well, you don't see that everyday." She laughed and said "they need fresh air too."
12-12-14, 07:52 AM
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12-16-14, 08:12 PM
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My commute is in the country and thankfully I see way more cows than cars, but there's one place that I almost always see a red-tailed hawk hanging around waiting to score a mouse or such for breakfast. He flew by me for a closer look the other day and almost pranged me. No s**t, he was like ten feet away. Those birds are big! I commute all winter, and once the rivers in Northern New England start freezing up, I'll be seeing bald eagles on the part of my route that runs along the Housatonic River. There's an old hydropower plant upstream and the eagles love munching on the stunned (or dead) fish that have just made a trip through the turbines.
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