Loved it! I found a rocking pair of pliers 20 or 25 years ago on a road ride outside of Boston. A paltry haul in comparison to the swag collection upon which you had stumbled. I must say, they fit nicely in a rear pocket, no panniers required. Your magnaminity in tracking down the owners or contacting the proper authorities is not only admirable but also inspirational. Does it make me a bad person that I used them just yesterday on a bike related repair?
My family have a term "found a bucket". kudos for cycling, I will be going along and see a bucket, (or any other thing) stop and go back. My haul includes a fabulous collection of 5 gallon buckets, flower pots and mineral feed buckets. I've found dewalt tools, a jeep jack, and other variousness on Texas roads.
When I read “12mph” next to a photo of a couple of big trucks, I thought this would be an account of white-knuckled fear. Then you told the story of the wallet and reeled me in. This essay is unlike any other. Thank you!
But this stopped me for a minute: “In most parts of the world, where frugality is a hardwired instinct rather than a boutique lifestyle choice…” We in the U.S. are awfully spoiled, aren’t we?
Long ago, I lived in Southern California, and owned an old Chevy dually 4x4. One day whilst driving home, I came to an intersection that contained what eventually became almost an entire tool chest of high quality professional tools, two ladders, and various other tools. Obviously, someone in a construction truck had taken the corner too fast, and deposited all those goodies there, and that led me to ask two questions:
1. Why hadn’t the owner stopped and pick the value up?
2. Why hadn’t anyone else stopped to claim them??
I did not spend much time pondering the questions, I stopped, right there in the intersection, put on the 4-ways, and loaded all the pieces into the back of my pickup.
I even had help from some passersby, who must have thought I had been the one taking the corner too fast. I never told them, and still have the tools today.
Fun read! Of all the places you mention, Green River stood out to me. You make it seem like a nice place, but it also works best for my puzzles. I make city names into a word game and tell a little history about places. Weird hobby, I know. But now Green River, UT is high on my puzzles-to-do list.
Thanks! When you're out on the road, you learn to make do. Green River was hardly Bangkok, but compared to some of the worn-down, middle-of-nowhere towns I hit on this trip, it was actually a decent spot. You realise on a bike after a long day that all you need is a supermarket and a hotel.
I can so relate to your experience biking across America. In 1982 I petaled from Santa Cruz California to Atlantic City New Jersey.
I also found numerous treasures along the way and sent many home to my bewildered parents. Tools, some of which I still have, flashlights, clothes, hats , knives no guns, were all very common items scattered about on the parched asphalt. Meet many great people on that trip as well. I did stay a night in a place called Punkin Junction, Colorado, population six in summer, three in the winter.
This sounds like the craziest video game loot ever.
A most wonderful quirky essay.
The ultra minimalist ethos combined with the hoarder's urge to accumulate junk is an entertaining combo.
Ah yes the ammo bullets.
Lol very cool and amazing how much is out there just lying around. Makes me want to get a bike and start pedaling
Loved it! I found a rocking pair of pliers 20 or 25 years ago on a road ride outside of Boston. A paltry haul in comparison to the swag collection upon which you had stumbled. I must say, they fit nicely in a rear pocket, no panniers required. Your magnaminity in tracking down the owners or contacting the proper authorities is not only admirable but also inspirational. Does it make me a bad person that I used them just yesterday on a bike related repair?
My family have a term "found a bucket". kudos for cycling, I will be going along and see a bucket, (or any other thing) stop and go back. My haul includes a fabulous collection of 5 gallon buckets, flower pots and mineral feed buckets. I've found dewalt tools, a jeep jack, and other variousness on Texas roads.
Awesomeness 😃👊
Enjoyable post, thanks… and ride safe
Thanks!
When I read “12mph” next to a photo of a couple of big trucks, I thought this would be an account of white-knuckled fear. Then you told the story of the wallet and reeled me in. This essay is unlike any other. Thank you!
But this stopped me for a minute: “In most parts of the world, where frugality is a hardwired instinct rather than a boutique lifestyle choice…” We in the U.S. are awfully spoiled, aren’t we?
Definitely more noticeable in US, than any other country I’ve ridden in!
What an awesome read. Thank you for sharing and double thanks for getting stuff back to it's owners. You're a good human.
Thank you!
Long ago, I lived in Southern California, and owned an old Chevy dually 4x4. One day whilst driving home, I came to an intersection that contained what eventually became almost an entire tool chest of high quality professional tools, two ladders, and various other tools. Obviously, someone in a construction truck had taken the corner too fast, and deposited all those goodies there, and that led me to ask two questions:
1. Why hadn’t the owner stopped and pick the value up?
2. Why hadn’t anyone else stopped to claim them??
I did not spend much time pondering the questions, I stopped, right there in the intersection, put on the 4-ways, and loaded all the pieces into the back of my pickup.
I even had help from some passersby, who must have thought I had been the one taking the corner too fast. I never told them, and still have the tools today.
Sounds like a great haul!
Interesting & fun read.
Thanks!
Fun read! Of all the places you mention, Green River stood out to me. You make it seem like a nice place, but it also works best for my puzzles. I make city names into a word game and tell a little history about places. Weird hobby, I know. But now Green River, UT is high on my puzzles-to-do list.
Thanks! When you're out on the road, you learn to make do. Green River was hardly Bangkok, but compared to some of the worn-down, middle-of-nowhere towns I hit on this trip, it was actually a decent spot. You realise on a bike after a long day that all you need is a supermarket and a hotel.
I can so relate to your experience biking across America. In 1982 I petaled from Santa Cruz California to Atlantic City New Jersey.
I also found numerous treasures along the way and sent many home to my bewildered parents. Tools, some of which I still have, flashlights, clothes, hats , knives no guns, were all very common items scattered about on the parched asphalt. Meet many great people on that trip as well. I did stay a night in a place called Punkin Junction, Colorado, population six in summer, three in the winter.
Great read.👍
I bet that was a fun journey, I can’t wait to go back and do some more trips across the USA in a car/van, or bicycle again. Thanks for your comment!
Yes, but did you find my other glove!?
Dude, why you cycling interstate highways!!? Mad Max with a death wish!
haha gotta get that loot