David Newton

I know you would pick a Paramount from the trash, but will you also pick other things?

I'm an equal opportunity trash picker, on my lunch and evening rides I've brought home parts of a drum set, a cool adjustable stool on casters with a cushioned seat, and any number of new red shop rags. Good hardwood lumber is at the top of my agenda.

But just last evening I hit the jack pot, a perfect condition, matte green glaze Van Briggle #522 vase, worth at least $50.

Other than bikes, what have you found while on two wheels?

big chainring 

I was out riding a couple years ago and spotted a Weber grill out at the curb. Couldnt have been more than a year old, had a vinyl cover, and best part - it was bright red.

Drove back later to pick it up and it was still there. Webers have gotten pretty pricey. Gotta be a $100 grill.

sailorbenjamin

I'm a 4th generation dumpster diver. Great Grandpa showed mom the ropes back in the 50's and she passed the love down to me.
Bike-wise, a crusty SuperCourse that's become my primary all time favorite bike, a pretty nice Raleigh Sport in my size and a shiny all origional Trek that I flipped after a light cleaning for over $200.
I also picked up a big batch of that old orange plastic Hotwheels track with a pair of those "Power House" buildings that you put batteries in that give your car a little boost of speed every time they come round and a bunch of other accessories.
Though not exactly in the trash, yet, my favorite score was this 27' Herreschoff S-class racing sloop circa 1919;

David Newton

Wow, just looking at that boat made all the money that was in my wallet disappear.

Chris_in_Miami

No kidding! An elegant old Herreschoff need to be restored properly, that'll make a dent in the finances. I'll stick to polishing old Raleighs, thanks...

Whit51 

My wife's neephew found a nice vintage Schwinn with barcons in Northern VA---in his next door neighbor's trash. My best find was a guitar case. Found an office chair the day after my sister said she was looking for one. David, have you found any usable guitar wood in the trash?

Chris W.

I'm always on the lookout for treasure! My work bench was made from scrap lumber I picked up at construction sites.

Cheers,
Chris

David Newton

Yes I find good wood, but so far not on my bike.
People who pick trash are always picking trash, this was supposed to be "picking trash while on your bike"

My wife reminded me of a local fellow who has a trailer for his bike, and who makes whatever living he does by picking on his bike.
I don't know how he takes the gathered stuff to the recycler.

sailorbenjamin

Actually, I gave the boat to my boss who sold it to a fellow who paid us to rebuild it. We pretty much replaced the whole boat, piece by piece.
Which reminds me (to bring the thread back around to bikes and trash) that most of the parts that I put on that SuperCourse came off trash bikes, including the Brooks and the barends. I used to ride over to the town dump and look through the steel recycling bin several times a week. Got quite a few bikes out of there. I'd have to come back with the car to get them.
I wonder where the steel recycling bin is in this town, I'm kinda new here.

Jeff Wills

Went out for a clean-up day on the local bike path a while back.

Found this: