Roadside Treasures

I see a lot of stuff on the side of the road while riding my bike.  Sometimes, I even stop to pick it up...sometimes.

Those things include:

• Remote Control
• Laptop TV Tuner Card
• Cell phone
• Cyclocross tire and tube
• Pants and a bag of bagels

I can't say I've ever kept the things I've found.  In the case of the cell phone, it was ran over, and the battery was missing.  I put in one of my own batteries, and used the phone book to call the owner.  She came and got the phone, and was irritated I didn't include the battery and battery cover.  After that, I usually just leave things in the ditch now.

There's a thread on the OBRA mailing list right now, people sending in things they've found.  It's pretty amusing:

• Michael B. Found an iPod, nobody claimed on craig's list lost and found
• Ivan M. found a plaid blazer
• Steve L. found a cheapish diamond engagement ring
• Brian E. finds music CDs on every ride, 12 in one spot once.  Also a drill, and a pair of Oakley sunglasses.  However, his "best find ever" was a bundle of 25 hacksaw blades.
• Dan H. found various tools (lots of them), knives (one thrown at him), and a sharp shooter medal.

I didn't realize we cyclists are such scavengers of the roadside.  A few months ago, I saw a big roll of duct tape on the side of the road.  "Oh, neat," I said, "Duct tape."  I rode on by without stopping.  Sure enough, on my way back, I saw a cyclist on the other side of the road, big roll of duct tape in hand.  Haha.

What have YOU found on the side of the road?  I know you've done it, so you might as well come clean.