Fred Behavior Observation #32
01-09-07, 06:20 AM
#51
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Point well taken. As I indicated in my original post, unfortunately all sports (like society) have their hierarchies and some at the high end tend to look down on the others, which ironically make up the VAST majority of their sport. I've been on both ends of the spectrum . . . "back in the day" as they say I was a Div. I scholarship athlete at an ACC school. Not in cycling, obviously. I never remember looking down on the guys that weren't as accomplished as me, and like you allude to, there were plenty better than me, too. I think some of the better cyclists don't seem to understand that the weaker riders can learn so much from them (again, I applaud you for mentioning that in your post, too). For myself, I know when I stop at the coffee shop I'll take a look at the bikes these guys ride, how they're setup, what they carry with them, etc. I guess the best thing I can do is keep working at it and maybe one day this "Fred" that these guys drop will come up beside them again saying "on your left." Well, at least I can dream . . .
01-09-07, 07:11 AM
#52
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Originally Posted by Smoothie104
I think he meant Freds who show up to the slow social rides, beat people to the line who aren't even trying, raise their arms when they do it, but pass on the actual fast competitive rides, and have no interest in racing when the USCF events come around.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-09-07, 07:13 AM
#53
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Originally Posted by patentcad
>>I think the real "Freds" are the guys who treat the Saturday club rides like they're in the TDF.<<
Is that what you really think? This would include some of the fastest guys in the NY City amateur 35+ vets field, including the guy who won the Spring Series points in 2006, the guy who finished 2nd in the 40+ RR @ Bear Mtn recently and another guy who was the NY State 40+ TT champ for 3 years running. And those are the old guys.....Maybe they'll listen to you. We can't get them to slow down.
Is that what you really think? This would include some of the fastest guys in the NY City amateur 35+ vets field, including the guy who won the Spring Series points in 2006, the guy who finished 2nd in the 40+ RR @ Bear Mtn recently and another guy who was the NY State 40+ TT champ for 3 years running. And those are the old guys.....Maybe they'll listen to you. We can't get them to slow down.
I wasn't saying that the group you were in didn't consist of fast and experienced cyclists. I was saying that races and training rides are two totally different animals.
For all you know your so-called "Fred" could have been doing 10-minute intervals as part of his training program. You ever hear the saying: "Race your strengths, train your weaknesses."?
You criticize this "Fred" for staying out in the wind too long and not conserving his energy for the end.
Great advice for a real race.
But it wasn't a real race (although, apparently it was a race in your mind).
I'm sure all the top DS's tell their team pros to stay out of the wind and conserve their energy on training rides.
Bob
01-09-07, 07:19 AM
#54
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>> I was saying that races and training rides are two totally different animals.<<
I see. Come up to Nyack, NY some Sunday in May, do this ride, and let me know what you think. Again, I'll be sure to tell the animals that Bobby Lex says 'it's not a race'. That should mellow things out a bit.
In my considerable experience, if you have more than 3 or 4 USCF racers and a telephone pole up ahead on any given weekend, you have a race. Particularly on rides like this one. Hey, maybe this is just a NY thing, but I sort of doubt it.
Walmart now carries Fredcedrin, so I think we're all set.
I see. Come up to Nyack, NY some Sunday in May, do this ride, and let me know what you think. Again, I'll be sure to tell the animals that Bobby Lex says 'it's not a race'. That should mellow things out a bit.
In my considerable experience, if you have more than 3 or 4 USCF racers and a telephone pole up ahead on any given weekend, you have a race. Particularly on rides like this one. Hey, maybe this is just a NY thing, but I sort of doubt it.
Walmart now carries Fredcedrin, so I think we're all set.
Last edited by patentcad; 01-09-07 at 07:29 AM.
01-09-07, 07:22 AM
#55
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Originally Posted by chipcom
That'd be me, I troll MS150's and Tour de Cures across the nation so I can out sprint little girls on their Barbie bikes. I recently discovered Boy/Girl Scout Bike Rodeos, which now gives me the opportunity to earn the coveted triple crown of dickheadedness.
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So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
01-09-07, 07:43 AM
#56
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When I started riding again two years ago after a 5 year layoff and a 40lb. weight gain, little girls on Barbie bikes were dumping me on Cul de Sac climbs. Now on a good day I can hang with them.
01-09-07, 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
When I started riding again two years ago after a 5 year layoff and a 40lb. weight gain, little girls on Barbie bikes were dumping me on Cul de Sac climbs. Now on a good day I can hang with them.
You sir, are a CYCLING GOD! We're not worthy!
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-09-07, 08:28 AM
#58
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Originally Posted by chipcom
You sir, are a CYCLING GOD! We're not worthy!
Once again, this reminds me of my favorite cartoon strip of all time (Wizard of Id):
Rodney: 'Sire, Sire, the peasants are revolting!'
King (After a pause): 'Aren't they though?'
I've been looking for a reprint of that strip for a while. I read it when I was in high school in the early 1970's.
01-09-07, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
No you are not.
Once again, this reminds me of my favorite cartoon strip of all time (Wizard of Id):
Rodney: 'Sire, Sire, the peasants are revolting!'
King (After a pause): 'Aren't they though?'
I've been looking for a reprint of that strip for a while. I read it when I was in high school in the early 1970's.
Once again, this reminds me of my favorite cartoon strip of all time (Wizard of Id):
Rodney: 'Sire, Sire, the peasants are revolting!'
King (After a pause): 'Aren't they though?'
I've been looking for a reprint of that strip for a while. I read it when I was in high school in the early 1970's.
and here's a link to where you can buy the book:
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...49124037&nsa=1
01-09-07, 08:42 AM
#60
Peloton Shelter Dog
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by botto
p - time for you to buy 'google for dummy's'
and here's a link to where you can buy the book:
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...49124037&nsa=1
and here's a link to where you can buy the book:
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Sear...49124037&nsa=1
01-09-07, 09:00 AM
#62
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Originally Posted by dbduke
If that group ride is so prestigious why not make it invitation only.
01-09-07, 09:43 AM
#63
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Originally Posted by ed073
condense to 4 lines, pls.
no one's gonna read all that.
no one's gonna read all that.
01-09-07, 09:53 AM
#64
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Freds generally wear perfectly matching UCI team kits. As was this one. I was the one wearing an old jersey from one former local racing team and shorts from another.
01-09-07, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
They didn't even invite me and I've been doing it since 1989. Besides any ride that would have me along isn't probably worth your time.
01-09-07, 02:28 PM
#66
Peloton Shelter Dog
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Originally Posted by dbduke
OK i will bite. We know he dresses like your definition of a Fred. You knew he was strong. There were plenty of champion wheels that knew the groups rules. Somehow you chose his wheel. Sounds like your experience failed you on this one.
I subsequently un-chose it.
I take it back, you can't come on the Nyack ride. But why would you want to?
Like it's up to me. I can't even get my friggin dog to listen to me. You can come out anytime and ride me off your wheel.
Last edited by patentcad; 01-09-07 at 03:29 PM.
01-09-07, 03:53 PM
#67
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Originally Posted by botto
Radio Usage
The rule for radio usage during races has been clarified to eliminate
the possibility of riders wearing audio playback devices (Walkmans, MP3
players, etc…) during a race.
The rule for radio usage during races has been clarified to eliminate
the possibility of riders wearing audio playback devices (Walkmans, MP3
players, etc…) during a race.
Freds don't race. Racers who call other racers Freds, ...are Freds.
01-09-07, 04:16 PM
#68
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Racers who call racers who call other racers Freds are turbo-Freds.
But wait. What if the guy who you called a Fred isn't a racer after all? THEN what?
This is getting too complicated for my bike weenie brain.
I want that new Apple cellphone. That has this cool touchscreen interface. I want to try to make conference calls in the paceline @ 30mph while listening to the built in iPod and watching a video simultaneosly. With the ultimate goal of figuring out how to do all this during a USCF event without being detected.
But wait. What if the guy who you called a Fred isn't a racer after all? THEN what?
This is getting too complicated for my bike weenie brain.
I want that new Apple cellphone. That has this cool touchscreen interface. I want to try to make conference calls in the paceline @ 30mph while listening to the built in iPod and watching a video simultaneosly. With the ultimate goal of figuring out how to do all this during a USCF event without being detected.
01-09-07, 04:38 PM
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I was on a recent group ride and the rider next to me did 'god knows what' and turned 90 degrees into my path, which obviously resulted in me t-boning him. A few minutes later another rider rode up next to me and apologized and told me that he was new and they had kind of taken him under their wing. My response was "it happens" because it does. If you ride in a group you are at the mercy of the vagaries of other riders. They may do stupid things or things that you wouldn't do, but that's what happens when you ride in a group. Every rider occassionaly does something a bit dumb or unexpected.
01-09-07, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by marcelinyc
you are all freds. this is ****in boring
01-10-07, 12:38 AM
#73
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Originally Posted by ed073
condense to 4 lines, pls.
no one's gonna read all that.
no one's gonna read all that.
Other riders get pissed at Fred. Pull Fred pull.
Fred gets tired too quickly. See Fred pant.
Fred drops off the back. See Fred bonk.
01-10-07, 04:54 AM
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Originally Posted by patentcad
I have to admit that after two years back doing this again I'm more annoyed by the silly elitist racer bull**** than the Fredosity -
And that's why many have this "attitude" (this is as good as I am going to get, I am bitter, but I am better than you so I'll show/tell you)...I've ridden with world class racers. They don't act like this.
It does not cost anything to be nice to people.
Last edited by roadwarrior; 01-10-07 at 05:00 AM.
01-10-07, 06:29 AM
#75
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Originally Posted by roadwarrior
The problem is they are not elite. If they were elite, they'd get free bikes, and get paid a lot of money to ride them.
And that's why many have this "attitude" (this is as good as I am going to get, I am bitter, but I am better than you so I'll show/tell you)...I've ridden with world class racers. They don't act like this.
It does not cost anything to be nice to people.
And that's why many have this "attitude" (this is as good as I am going to get, I am bitter, but I am better than you so I'll show/tell you)...I've ridden with world class racers. They don't act like this.
It does not cost anything to be nice to people.
All this talk about 'Fred behavior' isn't intended as elitism - although it surely comes off that way to some people. I understand that. It's simply observations of the differences between the way non-racers ride in comparison to guys that race all the time. Not better, not worse, just DIFFERENT. But it's fun to bring up here in part because it pisses so many people off. And what better topic for a forum like this one than something that's potentially controversial?
You all need something to do. It's JANUARY : ).