Strange things found on your commute
#176
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Bikes: 2012 Cinelli Mystic Rat, Nashbar CX
Just as an honorable mention, The Georgia bike tour better known as BRAG boasts some of the funniest teams/clubs.
One team calls itself "Team Roadkill" They carry/adorn their bikes with plastic beads much like the ones you see at mardi-gras in New Orleans. Anyway, their fetish is to decorate roadkill along the route. Most people just try to encircle the carrion with a necklace. However, their are some pretty demented people out there. They do things like sit animals in an upright position and usually try to put a beer bottle in their arms. It's pretty gross, but kinda funny too. One year, someone went through the trouble to actually get a couple freshly dead opossums, and sit them up on the side of the road with the "roadkill" necklaces around their necks and beer bottles in their little arms. They were painstakingly positioned on the side of the road so they would look like a couple of macabre spectators. - no kidding. these people are very demented...
Another group is a group called "Team Thrown-Clear" To be a member of their team/club, you must have been hit by a car and survived. Hence the name "Thrown-Clear" Where ever they set up their camping area during the tour, you will most always see a body silhouette marked somewhere on the ground.
Sure wish I was riding BRAG this year.
One team calls itself "Team Roadkill" They carry/adorn their bikes with plastic beads much like the ones you see at mardi-gras in New Orleans. Anyway, their fetish is to decorate roadkill along the route. Most people just try to encircle the carrion with a necklace. However, their are some pretty demented people out there. They do things like sit animals in an upright position and usually try to put a beer bottle in their arms. It's pretty gross, but kinda funny too. One year, someone went through the trouble to actually get a couple freshly dead opossums, and sit them up on the side of the road with the "roadkill" necklaces around their necks and beer bottles in their little arms. They were painstakingly positioned on the side of the road so they would look like a couple of macabre spectators. - no kidding. these people are very demented...
Another group is a group called "Team Thrown-Clear" To be a member of their team/club, you must have been hit by a car and survived. Hence the name "Thrown-Clear" Where ever they set up their camping area during the tour, you will most always see a body silhouette marked somewhere on the ground.
Sure wish I was riding BRAG this year.
#177
Couple of strange finds come to mind.
Last week I found a pager lying in the road. Who uses a pager anymore? I was hoping the owner would page it so I could get it back to them. Hasn't happened. I also contacted the paging company, who has been less than helpful in locating the owner.
Back in December in the early morning pre-dawn hours I found a nice Planet Bike headlight lying in the middle of an intersection. I spotted it because it was on. I'm still wondering how a headlight that was turned on fell off someones bike in the darkness of a Winter morning and they didn't notice?
Last week I found a pager lying in the road. Who uses a pager anymore? I was hoping the owner would page it so I could get it back to them. Hasn't happened. I also contacted the paging company, who has been less than helpful in locating the owner.
Back in December in the early morning pre-dawn hours I found a nice Planet Bike headlight lying in the middle of an intersection. I spotted it because it was on. I'm still wondering how a headlight that was turned on fell off someones bike in the darkness of a Winter morning and they didn't notice?
#179
A number of years ago at a local ride I saw the same peculiar thing. At first I thought it was just a coincidence that a bead necklace and a dead squirrel ended up together, but then I kept seeing it over and over so it was obvious somebody was putting the necklaces there. Now I know there was a whole team of them doing it.
#180
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Reading, PA
Bikes: Iron Horse XT 2100 (1997?)
So I'm biking in this morning and I see a bible sitting on a big rock a little more than halfway to the office. Not open. Just sitting there. I think to myself - that's odd. What in the world is a bible doing there? I assumed someone had left it as a gift for whomever is so inclined to want a bible. I didn't stop.
About another mile down the path - just at the beginning of a bridge crossing - I see a pair of shoes and an open book laying next to the shoes. There were a few other sundry things there - but I was going so fast I couldn't catalogue everything I saw (my brain just wasn't fast enough). But the book definitely looked like a bible.
So I'm trying to figure out what this was all about and it finally occurs to me about 1/4 mile down the path that someone was playing a practical joke about the rapture. People gone - leaving their bibles (and their shoes) behind as they ascended to heaven. Pretty funny. Unless, of course, it wasn't a joke...
About another mile down the path - just at the beginning of a bridge crossing - I see a pair of shoes and an open book laying next to the shoes. There were a few other sundry things there - but I was going so fast I couldn't catalogue everything I saw (my brain just wasn't fast enough). But the book definitely looked like a bible.
So I'm trying to figure out what this was all about and it finally occurs to me about 1/4 mile down the path that someone was playing a practical joke about the rapture. People gone - leaving their bibles (and their shoes) behind as they ascended to heaven. Pretty funny. Unless, of course, it wasn't a joke...
#181
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Here was my lost treasure find this morning. I was riding down the road and spotted a baggy. Well, anybody in his right mind stops for a baggy. 
It was a baggy of female condoms......... I didn't even touch it with my shoe.

It was a baggy of female condoms......... I didn't even touch it with my shoe.

#182
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
She had a big stash. Looks like she's very busy
#186
it's hardly strange anymore, but i find lots of pairs of work gloves. I've stopped picking them up after the fourth or fifth pair since i only have two hands...
I found a big antenna and was so pleased with my cleverness at figuring out a way to transport it, that i took a photo:

when i got back up to speed, the ends started whipping around wildly in synch with my pedal cadence, and i realized i was wrong about the whole cleverness thing...
I found a big antenna and was so pleased with my cleverness at figuring out a way to transport it, that i took a photo:

when i got back up to speed, the ends started whipping around wildly in synch with my pedal cadence, and i realized i was wrong about the whole cleverness thing...
#188
Car-free in the South
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: SFCA
Bikes: Surly Pack Rat, Novara Trionfo retro-mod
#189
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury, CT
Bikes: Mongoose Alta 21 speed, NEXT Power X 18 speed, Royce Union 12 speed (Not sure what model)
It wasn't on the side of the road, but I found a 1931 Essex/Hudson Terraplane on my travels...on a nice little trailer, with the keys still in the ignition.

I was looking for things to photograph and try out the fisheye lens I cobbled together for my camera, so I shot this lovely hunka metal.
I was looking for things to photograph and try out the fisheye lens I cobbled together for my camera, so I shot this lovely hunka metal.
#191
The Rock Cycle


Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 17
From: Western Colorado
Bikes: Salsa Vaya Ti, Specialized Ruby, Gunnar Sport, Motobecane Fantom CXX, Jamis Dragon, Novara Randonee x2
A few years ago my bf were on a loaded bike tour out in the middle of nowhere and found a Leatherman tool that had been run over by cars a lot. Tossed it in a pannier and when we got home sent it to Leatherman and they sent us a brand new one. Yes we told them we found it on the side of the road but they wanted to send us a new one anyways.
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Gunnar Sport
Specialized Ruby
Salsa Vaya Ti
Novara Randonee x2
Motobecane Fantom CXX
Jamis Dakar XCR
Gunnar Sport
Specialized Ruby
Salsa Vaya Ti
Novara Randonee x2
Motobecane Fantom CXX
Jamis Dakar XCR
#192
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
A couple of months ago I found a pretty nice Leatherman multi-tool in an intersection near where I live. I rode past it, turned around, went and parked the bike at the corner and waited until I had enough of a break in traffic to go get it.
A few years ago my bf were on a loaded bike tour out in the middle of nowhere and found a Leatherman tool that had been run over by cars a lot. Tossed it in a pannier and when we got home sent it to Leatherman and they sent us a brand new one. Yes we told them we found it on the side of the road but they wanted to send us a new one anyways.
A few years ago my bf were on a loaded bike tour out in the middle of nowhere and found a Leatherman tool that had been run over by cars a lot. Tossed it in a pannier and when we got home sent it to Leatherman and they sent us a brand new one. Yes we told them we found it on the side of the road but they wanted to send us a new one anyways.
Nice.....
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#193
Spinning @ 33 RPM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 3
From: NE Ohio
Bikes: '89 Fuji Saratoga, '97 Schwinn Mesa SS, '07 Felt F1X, '10 Transition TransAM, '11 Soma Analog SS
Last week I found 2 8' sections of 4" PVC pipe along my route. Those were fun to carry home. I needed them for a project I was working on anyway. Good find.
This week I found a charcoal grill that had never been used and the grilling grate was still wrapped in plastic. Made quite a noise strapped to my Camelbak.
This week I found a charcoal grill that had never been used and the grilling grate was still wrapped in plastic. Made quite a noise strapped to my Camelbak.
#194
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Bikes: 2010 jamis commuter 2, Schwinn Roxie w/ springer front end, Schwinn OCC Chopper ss, Trek 4100 mtb,Trek ZX 6000 mtb
Found a wallet with Teacher credentials and all Id's,credit card etc,
and $150. Returned. He offered me $15.00 finder fee. PLEASE! Told him to have a nice day. A complete professional brand new poker kit, a leatherman tool. Found 3 dollar bill's one every 20 feet or so (paid for a drink after the ride),steak knife,and just all kinds of stuff. My Daughter thinks it's funny how much stuff I find on my rides. Truth is I'm not looking for stuff, but rather road hazards that might ruin a good ride.
and $150. Returned. He offered me $15.00 finder fee. PLEASE! Told him to have a nice day. A complete professional brand new poker kit, a leatherman tool. Found 3 dollar bill's one every 20 feet or so (paid for a drink after the ride),steak knife,and just all kinds of stuff. My Daughter thinks it's funny how much stuff I find on my rides. Truth is I'm not looking for stuff, but rather road hazards that might ruin a good ride.
#195
Found a wallet with Teacher credentials and all Id's,credit card etc,
and $150. Returned. He offered me $15.00 finder fee. PLEASE! Told him to have a nice day. A complete professional brand new poker kit, a leatherman tool. Found 3 dollar bill's one every 20 feet or so (paid for a drink after the ride),steak knife,and just all kinds of stuff. My Daughter thinks it's funny how much stuff I find on my rides. Truth is I'm not looking for stuff, but rather road hazards that might ruin a good ride.]
and $150. Returned. He offered me $15.00 finder fee. PLEASE! Told him to have a nice day. A complete professional brand new poker kit, a leatherman tool. Found 3 dollar bill's one every 20 feet or so (paid for a drink after the ride),steak knife,and just all kinds of stuff. My Daughter thinks it's funny how much stuff I find on my rides. Truth is I'm not looking for stuff, but rather road hazards that might ruin a good ride.]
#197
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Indian Head, MD.
Bikes: '93 Trek 520, '98 Trek 1220, '01 C-dale T800
It wasn't on the side of the road, but I found a 1931 Essex/Hudson Terraplane on my travels...on a nice little trailer, with the keys still in the ignition.

I was looking for things to photograph and try out the fisheye lens I cobbled together for my camera, so I shot this lovely hunka metal.
I was looking for things to photograph and try out the fisheye lens I cobbled together for my camera, so I shot this lovely hunka metal.
On a dirt trail that I used to frequent, I saw some rusted out car parts protruding from the leaves. I checked it out to find some really beautiful rear fenders (although totally rust eaten) that still had a tail light attached: the tail light went home with me. Occasionally while on-line I'd think of them and do a search to try'n find out what type of vehicle they came from. Recently (after 5 yrs!), I stumbled upon a picture of a '34 Hudson Terraplane (who'd a thunk) on Flickr, and finally had my answer - I was really beginning to think the parts were European! One other thing I couldn't figure out about the rusted fender was why it had a flat spot on top of that beautiful arch

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephan...as/5375676099/
Now that it's been identified, I think it's headed to e-bay for someone else to enjoy on a resto. project ~



Last edited by HillCusser; 06-05-11 at 04:22 AM. Reason: wrong pic :)
#200
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,805
Likes: 868
From: Greenwood Indiana
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck
I found a very functional MasterLock bicycle lock on Emerson Ave just south of Indianapolis. If anyone lost it just let me know. It was set to the combination when it came apart, so I can use it. Sweet.
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Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are





