Interesting discoveries while on rides?
#51
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
An albino squirrel - don't see that every day!
DD
DD
#52
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,334
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 4,844 Times
in
2,233 Posts
Just a peanut truck and a clean song (and dance).
You are obviously too young to remember fresh, hot roasted peanuts that used to be available at many stores. In Nashville there was a Planter's Peanut shop downtown that had an aroma that pulled clients in from a block away. And the Woolworth's (5 and Dime store) had a Soda Fountain that roasted peanuts on Saturday morning. I used to pass it most every Saturday after the Hop-A-Long Cassidy or Cisco Kid movie (and cartoon) at the local movie house, 10 cents for the 1st Sat showing. But I never had the money for peanuts after splurging on the movie.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 06-30-17 at 02:42 PM.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,056
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,805 Times
in
1,409 Posts
Jet
Farm 013 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Wedding
Farm 024 by iabisdb, on Flickr
What wasn't there, the road itself
Marengo02 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Crucifix
Germany 211 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Flood
2013 Spring Classic 024 by iabisdb, on Flickr
What's left of a deer
Namekagon 002 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Farm 013 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Wedding
Farm 024 by iabisdb, on Flickr
What wasn't there, the road itself
Marengo02 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Crucifix
Germany 211 by iabisdb, on Flickr
Flood
2013 Spring Classic 024 by iabisdb, on Flickr
What's left of a deer
Namekagon 002 by iabisdb, on Flickr
#54
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
Saw this on my way through the UW campus this afternoon. I honestly thought I might be looking at a dead body:
I did a quick u-turn, leaned over, touched his arm (which was cold) and asked if he was alright. No response. His breathing was so shallow I couldn't detect it. I asked a passerby for a phone to call 911 since I wasn't getting anything from this guy - that's when he opened his eyes and looked up. I again asked if he was okay; nothing. He just closed his eyes and laid his head back on his arms. Whatever, dude!
I did some business at Recycled Cycles and on the way back 45 minutes later passed the same spot. I circled round and sure enough, he was still there (that's when I took the pic). Clothes were too nice/stylish/new to be a homeless guy. In the final analysis I think maybe he was nodding (we've got a heroin epidemic in Seattle according to local news sources).
DD
I did a quick u-turn, leaned over, touched his arm (which was cold) and asked if he was alright. No response. His breathing was so shallow I couldn't detect it. I asked a passerby for a phone to call 911 since I wasn't getting anything from this guy - that's when he opened his eyes and looked up. I again asked if he was okay; nothing. He just closed his eyes and laid his head back on his arms. Whatever, dude!
I did some business at Recycled Cycles and on the way back 45 minutes later passed the same spot. I circled round and sure enough, he was still there (that's when I took the pic). Clothes were too nice/stylish/new to be a homeless guy. In the final analysis I think maybe he was nodding (we've got a heroin epidemic in Seattle according to local news sources).
DD
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 2,982
Bikes: LESS than I did a year ago!
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I guess that the most interesting thing I have come across on a ride is not a thing...but a people...
First, Richard Petty, of Nascar Racing fame! I lived near him many years ago...I was out for a ride and this guy pulls in beside me and asks if we can "ride along?" Sure! So we ride for about a dozen miles...and I am watching him, he looks SOOO familiar! But, he does not have on his cowboy hat and/or swept back sunglasses, he, of course, has on a helmet and a pair of Oakley's! Well, about about a dozen miles, we stop for a few minutes and chat. He takes off the Oakley's...WHOA! YOU ARE RICHARD PETTY! He smiles and says..."took you long enough!"...but in a good way, smiling and kind of laughing. We rode on for a bit and he pulled off to head home...
Second person was more cycling related. I was riding near my cabin in the Boone, NC area when I get swept aside by a guy going MUCH faster than me. He turns and looks...and I recognize...and realize why he was SOOO much faster...it was some dude named Lance! The Boone area is where he recovered from his cancer concerns, although this was well after that.
First, Richard Petty, of Nascar Racing fame! I lived near him many years ago...I was out for a ride and this guy pulls in beside me and asks if we can "ride along?" Sure! So we ride for about a dozen miles...and I am watching him, he looks SOOO familiar! But, he does not have on his cowboy hat and/or swept back sunglasses, he, of course, has on a helmet and a pair of Oakley's! Well, about about a dozen miles, we stop for a few minutes and chat. He takes off the Oakley's...WHOA! YOU ARE RICHARD PETTY! He smiles and says..."took you long enough!"...but in a good way, smiling and kind of laughing. We rode on for a bit and he pulled off to head home...
Second person was more cycling related. I was riding near my cabin in the Boone, NC area when I get swept aside by a guy going MUCH faster than me. He turns and looks...and I recognize...and realize why he was SOOO much faster...it was some dude named Lance! The Boone area is where he recovered from his cancer concerns, although this was well after that.
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,249
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 818 Times
in
421 Posts
Santa Susana Depot, Simi Valley, CA. Lucky shot of Amtrack passing by.
#57
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 886 Post(s)
Liked 1,000 Times
in
526 Posts
A totally nude lady taking a bucket bath, a 2 foot long monitor lizard, a cobra on 2 separate occasions, an albino water buffalo, a couple of hundred 1 hundred dollar bills (fake, they throw them during a funeral or on Chinese New year), a 1000 year old Temple in the middle of nowhere.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Locust NC
Posts: 717
Bikes: 1992, Cannondale R900. 1991 Paramount pdg
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Liked 174 Times
in
68 Posts
I use to ride the maintenance road around Charlotte motor speedway, 2 miles. Several drivers stopped me to ask what kind of bike I was riding? It was my 1987 7/11 bike .
#59
PeopleCode delaminator
On the road:
- A car with the rear end leaning against a telephone pole. Bonus: the car is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Double Bonus: it is also upside down. There was a flatbed tow truck driver beginning retrieval efforts. He was taking pictures of it, because his buddies wouldn't believe him.
- A fox, carrying a squirrel in mouth. I spooked the fox, it dropped the squirrel, and the squirrel ran away with the fox in close pursuit.
- A dead deer with part of a bumper sticking out of the midsection
Along the rail trail near my house:
- a full, cold case of 24 cans of Coors Light. That went to my neighbor.
- a fairly new Werner aluminum extension ladder. Not a short one, either. Again, on a trail, at least half a mile away from any roads or bridges, and not close to any houses\garages. Went past it on my way out, it wasn't there on the way back.
- snowpants, a nice Descente ski parka, and lots of gloves and hats. In August.
- a rear Skyway 20" mag wheel. No tire, and the hub didn't have a freewheel. Or an axle\bearings.
- a kid complaining about the 'weird old bike' his dad was making him ride, and how he wanted a 'cool' bike like his friend. The weird bike was a vintage Hutch Pro Raider BMX in fantastic shape. The allegedly cool bike was a Walmart Mongoose. I chatted with the dad, turns out the Hutch was his childhood bike. He was surprised to hear that his son was riding around on something collectors would happily pay him lots of money for.
- A car with the rear end leaning against a telephone pole. Bonus: the car is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Double Bonus: it is also upside down. There was a flatbed tow truck driver beginning retrieval efforts. He was taking pictures of it, because his buddies wouldn't believe him.
- A fox, carrying a squirrel in mouth. I spooked the fox, it dropped the squirrel, and the squirrel ran away with the fox in close pursuit.
- A dead deer with part of a bumper sticking out of the midsection
Along the rail trail near my house:
- a full, cold case of 24 cans of Coors Light. That went to my neighbor.
- a fairly new Werner aluminum extension ladder. Not a short one, either. Again, on a trail, at least half a mile away from any roads or bridges, and not close to any houses\garages. Went past it on my way out, it wasn't there on the way back.
- snowpants, a nice Descente ski parka, and lots of gloves and hats. In August.
- a rear Skyway 20" mag wheel. No tire, and the hub didn't have a freewheel. Or an axle\bearings.
- a kid complaining about the 'weird old bike' his dad was making him ride, and how he wanted a 'cool' bike like his friend. The weird bike was a vintage Hutch Pro Raider BMX in fantastic shape. The allegedly cool bike was a Walmart Mongoose. I chatted with the dad, turns out the Hutch was his childhood bike. He was surprised to hear that his son was riding around on something collectors would happily pay him lots of money for.
#60
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,580
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 663 Times
in
312 Posts
#61
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,985
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26427 Post(s)
Liked 10,383 Times
in
7,211 Posts
A couple of Mexican sheepherders stringing temp fence for fire control grazing
..
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Liberty, Missouri
Posts: 3,120
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 77 Times
in
40 Posts
So, this morning marks the fourth cell phone I've found on the road while cycling this year. Today's find was a massive, huge button, sparkly pink something or other. The first three I came across were iPhones, two of which had already had fatal encounters with automobile tires. Do that many people lay their phones on top of their car, and then absentmindedly drive off? I can't think of any other explanation for the volume of cell phones on the road. ...oh, and they've all been spotted within about a three mile stretch of road.
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 746
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
18 Posts
Here's something we came across today and it's pretty weird:
It's a wooden frame 636 meters long, 12 meters high and was built in the 18th century. The frame is completely stuffed with branches of wood. Windmills pump water to the top and it trickles down to the base.
Here's my bicycle for scale:
It's a bit horrible to behold:
... and smells vaguely of fish.
Can you guess what it does?
It's a wooden frame 636 meters long, 12 meters high and was built in the 18th century. The frame is completely stuffed with branches of wood. Windmills pump water to the top and it trickles down to the base.
Here's my bicycle for scale:
It's a bit horrible to behold:
... and smells vaguely of fish.
Can you guess what it does?
#64
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
Wallet with 600 cash. I live in a small town, owner lived in nearby town. I phoned her and she was at my place in 20 minutes with her daughter. Grabs the wallet, daughter whispers 'is it all there' as mom hastily counts. Back in the car and GONE. I really didn't want anything but a sincere thank you. Made me wish someone else found it. Bloody rube.
#65
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
I'm gonna guess it's an evaporator for a salt mine.
I've seen similar apparatus at salt mines in Germany.
I've seen similar apparatus at salt mines in Germany.
Here's something we came across today and it's pretty weird:
It's a wooden frame 636 meters long, 12 meters high and was built in the 18th century. The frame is completely stuffed with branches of wood. Windmills pump water to the top and it trickles down to the base.
Here's my bicycle for scale:
It's a bit horrible to behold:
... and smells vaguely of fish.
Can you guess what it does?
It's a wooden frame 636 meters long, 12 meters high and was built in the 18th century. The frame is completely stuffed with branches of wood. Windmills pump water to the top and it trickles down to the base.
Here's my bicycle for scale:
It's a bit horrible to behold:
... and smells vaguely of fish.
Can you guess what it does?
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 746
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
18 Posts
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 376
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I found a five dollar bill once...not terribly unusual, but at the time I was unemployed and dead broke, I had a grand total of $3 to my name when I found the fiver. More than doubled my net worth!
Second story: back in college, I was riding home at dusk, it was just about dark. Up ahead there's dark figure standing by the side of the road. As I get closer, the figure turns to face me--and its eyes started glowing bright red! Momentarily spooked me--I didn't think I was THAT stoned at the time--but it turned out it was some kid wearing "sunglasses" that had tiny red lights on them to freak people out.
Second story: back in college, I was riding home at dusk, it was just about dark. Up ahead there's dark figure standing by the side of the road. As I get closer, the figure turns to face me--and its eyes started glowing bright red! Momentarily spooked me--I didn't think I was THAT stoned at the time--but it turned out it was some kid wearing "sunglasses" that had tiny red lights on them to freak people out.
#68
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Lotta' curious stuff here. I usually find tools, 6mm hex wrenches, 1/2" sockets, an occasional open-end/closed-end wrench, etc.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#69
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
First, Richard Petty, of Nascar Racing fame! I lived near him many years ago...I was out for a ride and this guy pulls in beside me and asks if we can "ride along?" Sure! So we ride for about a dozen miles...and I am watching him, he looks SOOO familiar! But, he does not have on his cowboy hat and/or swept back sunglasses, he, of course, has on a helmet and a pair of Oakley's! Well, about about a dozen miles, we stop for a few minutes and chat. He takes off the Oakley's...WHOA! YOU ARE RICHARD PETTY! He smiles and says..."took you long enough!"...but in a good way, smiling and kind of laughing. We rode on for a bit and he pulled off to head home...
DD
#70
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
When on a ride up the North Fork (Snoqualmie River) a week or so ago we passed a yard in which was a huge tortoise (North Bend). The front yard was too deep to get a good pic of it, but I pointed it out to everyone. That was a first.
Did you find the green stuff in the baggie along with the tortoise? Maybe that would explain why he was just sittin' there veggin' out
DD
#71
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
Wallet with 600 cash. I live in a small town, owner lived in nearby town. I phoned her and she was at my place in 20 minutes with her daughter. Grabs the wallet, daughter whispers 'is it all there' as mom hastily counts. Back in the car and GONE. I really didn't want anything but a sincere thank you. Made me wish someone else found it. Bloody rube.
DD
#72
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,580
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 663 Times
in
312 Posts
Is that a tortoise?
When on a ride up the North Fork (Snoqualmie River) a week or so ago we passed a yard in which was a huge tortoise (North Bend). The front yard was too deep to get a good pic of it, but I pointed it out to everyone. That was a first.
Did you find the green stuff in the baggie along with the tortoise? Maybe that would explain why he was just sittin' there veggin' out
DD
When on a ride up the North Fork (Snoqualmie River) a week or so ago we passed a yard in which was a huge tortoise (North Bend). The front yard was too deep to get a good pic of it, but I pointed it out to everyone. That was a first.
Did you find the green stuff in the baggie along with the tortoise? Maybe that would explain why he was just sittin' there veggin' out
DD
I think you may be right about it being a tortoise. AFA the baggie...way far away from him/her.
#73
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,517
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
2,058 Posts
The usual, cell phones - people are usually happy because of the pictures and contacts not the hardware and give you a reward.
Tools - lots, mostly cheap screw drivers and combo wrenches but some scores - a complete set of craftsman reversible ratcheting combos W/foam holder, a couple snap on impact swivel sockets, a 1/2" milwaukee corded drill, a arborist grade pole saw.
Cash - I don't stop for change unless it's at a light but folding money I do, biggest was a $20, in River Hills one of our richest suburbs.
People having sex on the trail - One bent over on a MC, the other standing in the middle of the trail and being orally active. Both incidents were within 20 yards of each other, but right where there is a spur to the trail from a Walmart.
Lots of animals as my main commute trail is along a river. Deer, turkeys, coyotes, foxes, herons, ducks, turtles, muskrats, beavers along along with the usual rabbits etc.
In spring lots of fiberglass snow plow markers. Because I plow, I grab them. Spring is one of the best times to find stuff as the snowbanks melt and uncover the winters collection.
I once found a plastic container of new brake rotors and calipers, must have fell off a parts delivery truck. Some other guy stopped and grabbed them in a car.
A Dominos pizza hot bag. Dropped it off and got a free pizza.
One of the oddest things was 4 new full gallons of coleman fuel. I will never need to buy it ever again.
Tools - lots, mostly cheap screw drivers and combo wrenches but some scores - a complete set of craftsman reversible ratcheting combos W/foam holder, a couple snap on impact swivel sockets, a 1/2" milwaukee corded drill, a arborist grade pole saw.
Cash - I don't stop for change unless it's at a light but folding money I do, biggest was a $20, in River Hills one of our richest suburbs.
People having sex on the trail - One bent over on a MC, the other standing in the middle of the trail and being orally active. Both incidents were within 20 yards of each other, but right where there is a spur to the trail from a Walmart.
Lots of animals as my main commute trail is along a river. Deer, turkeys, coyotes, foxes, herons, ducks, turtles, muskrats, beavers along along with the usual rabbits etc.
In spring lots of fiberglass snow plow markers. Because I plow, I grab them. Spring is one of the best times to find stuff as the snowbanks melt and uncover the winters collection.
I once found a plastic container of new brake rotors and calipers, must have fell off a parts delivery truck. Some other guy stopped and grabbed them in a car.
A Dominos pizza hot bag. Dropped it off and got a free pizza.
One of the oddest things was 4 new full gallons of coleman fuel. I will never need to buy it ever again.
#74
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,825 Times
in
1,709 Posts
DD
#75
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,345
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
Wanted to find a pic of King Richard on a bike, but could only come up with this:
Would a have been a snap to ID on this rig.
Would a have been a snap to ID on this rig.