Strange things found on your commute
#151
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 129
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From: Aiea, Hawaii
#152
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 446
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: 1996 LeMond Yellow Jersey, 2013 Soma Saga, 1980 Zebrakenko Wind, 1980 Nishiki Ultimate
#153
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 223
From: Canada
Bikes: 2009 Trek 520
Today I saw what looked like an impromptu raft made of plastic snow fencing and pool noodles. Considering the water is ice cold and moving fast, riding it would be a very bad idea.
#155
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
I wish I'd taken a picture, but I found a Chevy Avalanche (oh, the irony) upside-down next to an elevated freeway overpass.
I always seem to find half of a flip-phone when I'm out for a ride...
Several car keys (how do they do that?)
Kind of different, but I found a microwave on the bank of a river in a very rural area when I was kayaking once.
I always seem to find half of a flip-phone when I'm out for a ride...
Several car keys (how do they do that?)
Kind of different, but I found a microwave on the bank of a river in a very rural area when I was kayaking once.
#156
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
Bikes: Giant FCR, Scott CR1 Team, Fuji Newest 3.0
we found an old computer monitor and a fireman's jacket the other day on our ride. We were pretty far out into the mountains, so I wondered if they were abandoned together or if they were some kind of offering...
#157
Update: Underpants are still hanging there. Even somehow surviving the high water from the flooding of that road. As a result, now they are all brown.
#158
Hmmm, I've found/collected quite a bit over the years. I have a large collection of bungee cords that I've picked up, vice-grips, large screw driver, electrician's pliers, toy wooden airplane, cds (country music: Blech!), adjustable wrench, tank top, and tons of road kill (including my own cat once). There's probably more but that's what I can recall off the top of my head.
#160
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
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From: Twin Cites, MN USA
Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T
Currently there is a black bra or bikini top on the side of the road on my route. Not such a strange thing really, but of course one cannot help but wonder about the story of how it got there.
#161
Hrumph!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Bikes: 2007 Dahon Cadenza w/ Alfine IGH11, modified MEC Desire w/Alfine IGH8,+ 2 ebikes: Bionx PL350 & 36V eZee FHB/Tidalforce frames.
Last week I found what appeared to be a new and barely used Canadian Tire e-bike sitting unattended at (nearly) the mid-point of the MUP on the Cambie St. bridge. The nearest person within 100' was a (homeless?) fellow who appeared as confused over an unattended e-bike as I felt ("what kind of candid camera trap is this?").
Oh well. :shrug: It was gone when I passed through again 12 hours later.
Oh well. :shrug: It was gone when I passed through again 12 hours later.
#163
Not found on my commute, but interesting nevertheless: earlier this evening on a rural road, my wife and I spotted two kittens in the road eating this:

It was a scarlet king snake, about 18" long. At first we thought it was road kill and the kittens were just scavenging, but it had some puncture wounds and it wasn't crushed. The little hunters didn't stick around, but I tossed the snake into the bushes after them to keep them out of the road.
About an hour later we found a 4' long yellow rat snake that was very docile, I helped her across into the bushes.

It was a scarlet king snake, about 18" long. At first we thought it was road kill and the kittens were just scavenging, but it had some puncture wounds and it wasn't crushed. The little hunters didn't stick around, but I tossed the snake into the bushes after them to keep them out of the road.
About an hour later we found a 4' long yellow rat snake that was very docile, I helped her across into the bushes.
#164
Guest
Posts: n/a
Usually I just find dead squirrels or rats or birds. Today though.. On my weekend ride, I was waiting at an intersection and this guy pulls up on the left with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" blasting. He was rocking out and singing along with it and looks at me and starts acting out the song. It was quite funny. I'm glad it was at least a good group.
#165
Human Powered Vehiclist
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
Usually I just find dead squirrels or rats or birds. Today though.. On my weekend ride, I was waiting at an intersection and this guy pulls up on the left with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" blasting. He was rocking out and singing along with it and looks at me and starts acting out the song. It was quite funny. I'm glad it was at least a good group.
#166
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
Well, we didn't do this on commutes, but a few years ago, a friend and I used to go on what we called Marlboro rides.
We would actually go on our regular training rides, but we would stop and pick up empty Marlboro packs and boxes. We'd score the miles on the packs and cash it in for cool Marlboro schwag. I got a decent backpack, a lighter for the backpack, a rainjacket, a very nice duffel that I use all the time when I travel. A poker card set in a cool little carry pouch, and other stuff I can't remember. My friend got the boombox, a inflatable kayak. the tent and other stuff.
Man, I was always surprised at how many packs people threw on the ground. I used to carry a daypack so I could carry them all.
Sure wish they would bring that back.
We would actually go on our regular training rides, but we would stop and pick up empty Marlboro packs and boxes. We'd score the miles on the packs and cash it in for cool Marlboro schwag. I got a decent backpack, a lighter for the backpack, a rainjacket, a very nice duffel that I use all the time when I travel. A poker card set in a cool little carry pouch, and other stuff I can't remember. My friend got the boombox, a inflatable kayak. the tent and other stuff.
Man, I was always surprised at how many packs people threw on the ground. I used to carry a daypack so I could carry them all.
Sure wish they would bring that back.
#167
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
A couple of days ago I found a 7.2 volt NiCAD pack from an RC car. As an RC nut I recognized it right away and slammed the brakes to go back and pick it up.
Got home and put it on the charger. Takes and holds a charge.
Score!
Got home and put it on the charger. Takes and holds a charge.
Score!
#168
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Washington
Bikes: '77 Traveller III '05 Rockhopper.
I've seen so many of them while cycling, I figured I'd start collecting them and see if I can make a set or two. In ~200 miles of riding I have collected a dozen individuals to make 2 pair that are like - new.
#171
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 1
From: 52°57'N 6°21'E
Bikes: Giant OCR
I found a gutted fox a few days ago. Took me 15 seconds to figure out what it was, 30 seconds to throw up my entire days meal, 1 minute to wash my mouth and get back on the bike. I've seen gutted animals on the road, but this was utterly nasty.
#172
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
A few weeks ago I saw a cat that had been hit by a car and next to it was a raccoon that had also been hit while scavenging the cat. I was extra careful swerving around them so I didn't end up on the pile.
#174
Older than dirt
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 2
From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
I find lots of stuff. last item was a 36" long 3/4 Dewalt rotary drill bit brand new in the package in the middle of the trail. Only thing I can figure since the trail runs along powerlines is that it must have been on the back of one of the work trucks.
It's like a $100 drill bit.. https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW5750-.../dp/B00004RHDF
It's like a $100 drill bit.. https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW5750-.../dp/B00004RHDF
#175
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914




