What cyclists see, and nobody else.

[Westinghouse]

What you see when you pedal a bicycle across the continental United States.

There were items of clothing, bungee cords, hypo-needles, a kitchen sink here and there, mufflers, condoms,

a deer cut in half, dead dogs and various road kills, and at the bottom of a drainage ditch a rolled up carpet

with legs sticking out of one end. I got the hell out of there and did not look back. It was December 1984 just

east of No Trees, Texas. It was a bicycling tour from FL to CA. Even more chilling, we spent a sleepless night

in a small tent in a blizzard. I had to chip ice off the components to make them functional.

[John Nelson]

Messages written on the road are unlikely to be seen by passing cars. Near Dead Man’s Curve on Route 66 in New Mexico is this bit of wisdom on the pavement: Live the life u will remember.

[John Nettles]

The one thing I have learned is that people are not near as bad as the media makes it out to be.  People just want to raise their family in peace, be healthy, and to be left alone to lead their lives the way they see fit.  Doesn't matter what part of the world you are in, what politics, religion, etc., you believe in.  It basically boils down to these same things.

That and a bunch of dead animals, tire shreds, empty beer cans, and the way flags blow indicating if you have a tail wind or not.
Tailwinds, John

[BikePacker]

Am always seeing work gloves and shoes.... and, oh yeah, never a pair of either, just 'singles' ....
thus, no reason for me to try any on for size : ).
Most valuable item I ever came across was a wrench!
Wait! .... I did find a $5.00 bill blowin' about somewhere.
One time, when traveling Montana along the Northern Tier back in about  '09,
I kept seeing a little wooden cross every few miles.
When I picked one up and took a closer look, it offered some element of information whereby I was able to email the person who was placing the crosses .....
and I inquired, " 'what gives' with the crosses?" 
The respondent advised me that she was walking the perimeter states of the USA lower 48, had almost completed the trek, and was half way across Texas when my email reached her.

[canalligators]

Lots of hand tools, usually wrenches.  I suspect that they fall out of recently fixed cars, where the mechanic failed to put all their tools away.

One thing that started to appear in quantity last year were masks.

[HikeBikeCook]

Yes masks now for sure, but I see tons of empty "nip" bottles, so not only do we have drunks behind the wheel they litter as well. I am a small government type person, (we have a law against almost everything) but would love to see the sale of nip sized bottles outlawed, unless used as part of a sampling or promotion of a new product. They are primarily designed for one thing, to drink and drive or drink where you are not allowed putting the drinker and anyone around them in danger.

[DaveB]

Lots of hand tools, usually wrenches.  I suspect that they fall out of recently fixed cars, where the mechanic failed to put all their tools away.

One thing that started to appear in quantity last year were masks.

+1. I've also found dozens of hand tools over the years, mostly wrenches (SAE and metric) as you note but three hammers, three Vise-Grips, half a dozen screwdrivers, two tape measures, side cutters, lineman pliers, needle nose pliers, two folding knives and a Leatherman-style multi tool.  Most are cheap tools but a couple were really good like a Snap On 18mm combination wrench.

I also expect they fell off of workman's trucks or out of cars.

[canalligators]

I’ve found a lot of tools that were of little use to me, such as SAE wrenches or sockets that are un-needed duplicates of what I have.  But for some reason (randomness?), I have found three 10mm combination wrenches in the last year.  That’s a very useful tool, as I often have need for two at a time. 

Now that I’ve said that, I will probably find no useful tools for the next five years.

[hikerjer]

"The one thing I have learned is that people are not near as bad as the media makes it out to be." -- Totally agree. I've alwasys been met with nothing but curiousity and kindness when I tour except, maybe for a very few jerks in passing vehincles. It always restores my faith in the common man.

Once in Idaho I came across a new trailor hitch. Man, I could have really used that for my truck but it was a bit heavy to carry  home on my bike.  Found someone's cell phone once. Unfortunatley, it was locked so I had no way of contacting the owner. I left it at a nearby cafe.

[CoBikeJunkie]

Written on the shoulder of the road:  "TIME TRAVEL" just before seeing the sign for crossing into the Pacific Time Zone.   

[canalligators]

…I've alwasys been met with nothing but curiousity and kindness when I tour except, maybe for a very few jerks in passing vehincles. It always restores my faith in the common man.

Yesterday/today, I took an S24O to a nearby state park.  My bike was outfitted with full panniers and strapped on gear.  About five people waved, gave me a thumbs up or a friendly horn toot.  I think we trigger the imagination of some people.

[BikePacker]

I think we trigger the imagination of some people.

Have had folks tell me such was the case.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Saw about a 16" snake om the side of road during a day ride yesterday. seriously doubt a motorist would have noticed it had there been any on that road.

[BikePacker]

Oh yeah, the last post reminds me that I see turtles shufflin' cross the road from time to time.

[achainer]

All the little yellow butterflies are landing on all the yellow flowers. Help,…. I’m fading,… need more yellow…….