Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - what the heck is a fred?

Sorry, this has probably been covered in past posts at length, but unfortunately the search feature isn't very useful in finding them.

What the heck does the term "fred" really mean? I see it used disparagingly across the board, to describe people who do not fit any one category or stereotype. I find it highly confusing...

See Pcad :p:D. It's a name given to a person who spends a lot of money on his bike and clothing, but still can't ride. This is the official answer from the snob road bike dictionary.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362275

Not clad in spandex--typically a utility cyclist and likely able to pedal up the side of El Capitan with a week's worth of groceries in the basket.

Clad in spandex--a posuer who drove to the coffee shop in full kit, with his all carbon rig on the roof rack of his SUV.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362275

Not clad in spandex--typically a utility cyclist and likely able to pedal up the side of El Capitan with a week's worth of groceries in the basket.

Clad in spandex--a posuer who drove to the coffee shop in full kit, with his all carbon rig on the roof rack of his SUV.

The most comprehensive and complete 'Fred Thread' in BF history. Read the whole thing. It's worth it.:)

The perfect companion to a Barney.

I wear normal pants, with the bottoms tucked into combat boots while I ride (on plain platforms). I wear a Fedora while I'm riding. And I use an LED mini mag lite duct taped to the handlebars as a headlight when I need one.


Does this mean I'm a fred?

^^you're an oldschool Fred.

A picture paints a thousand words ;)

I embrace my Fredness :D Old school steel bike, light on the helmet and everything ;)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/UP2/UpperPeninsulaII076.jpg

Now, from everything I read, if you embrace your fredness, then you aren't a fred.

"Fred A. Birchmore...Biked around the world way back in the day...including inadvertently winning a bike race while touring Italy"

That's a classic!

humph....I think we are all freds at one point:)

The guy over on the right is a "Fred". All the rest are roadies. I too embrace my FREDness for the time being. (Psst! I am the FRED in the picture!) Oh yeah....the guy in the sandals with socks is in civies!


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/PATH_photos/IMG_1425.jpg

What the heck does the term "fred" really mean?

A picture is worth a thousand words. The key to Fredness is to wear or use by choice something incredibly 'un-roadie' while riding, preferably homemade or rigged with zip-ties, duct tape, or the like. As illustration, I present the King of Fredness, Neil Frederic Fein, and his use of welder's goggles as cycling glasses:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2006/2053095261_5329266a33.jpg

I am a Fred and didn't know it. Back rack with plastic crate bungied on (red blinkie attached)...and high powered $19 DIY headlight (thanks instructables.com. Great for commuting at night). Biked to lunch last friday, and saw 2 other MTB-ers there. One turned to the other and said, "That's what you need for your bike!" Being oblivious and naieve (sp) I didn't realize I was being mocked.

Don't care though...function over form for me any day! Actually have been looking for a better rack that is big enough to do the milk crate thing. Aslo have started useing a reflector vest during the evening commute over my yellow Fleece jacket. (Yes I ride in my regular clothes too.)

Now I know it's looked down on...I'm almost tempted to remove rack and light before any group rides to avoid MORE ridicule. (humph)

Must post a pic soon.

A picture is worth a thousand words. The key to Fredness is to wear or use by choice something incredibly 'un-roadie' while riding, preferably homemade or rigged with zip-ties, duct tape, or the like. As illustration, I present the King of Fredness, Neil Frederic Fein, and his use of welder's goggles as cycling glasses:


Hey I used some welding glasses for a while. They allowed me to see, keep stuff out of my eyes and were pretty light. In fact I wore them until I got some true riding glasses with the replaceable lenses for my birthday.

Now, from everything I read, if you embrace your fredness, then you aren't a fred.

"Fred A. Birchmore...Biked around the world way back in the day...including inadvertently winning a bike race while touring Italy"

That's a classic!

Fred was touring Italy in the Tuscany region. While traveling from one town to another he noticed he kept passing "...little fellas on nice bikes peddling like hell and wearing numbers on their backs", something he had not seen before. When he reached the hill town, the entire village was gathered in the central piazza; they hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded him around, as he had just won the race.

Did someone do a really weird crash? It looks like everyone's saying "How the heck did he/she do that?"

The guy over on the right is a "Fred". All the rest are roadies. I too embrace my FREDness for the time being. (Psst! I am the FRED in the picture!) Oh yeah....the guy in the sandals with socks is in civies!


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/PATH_photos/IMG_1425.jpg

Actually we were listening to a little speech by our bike club Pres. about the resultsof the time trials going on that day!:D

I am a utility bike type Fred… I never knew that until I started hanging around on BF. Soon I will be a vintage bike Fred, because I am restoring an old (85) Fuji Mixte. Personally I embrace my Fredlyness, and celebrate it every time I ride…

Cogito Fred ergo sum Fredlyness… :D

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=362275

Not clad in spandex--typically a utility cyclist and likely able to pedal up the side of El Capitan with a week's worth of groceries in the basket.

Clad in spandex--a posuer who drove to the coffee shop in full kit, with his all carbon rig on the roof rack of his SUV.

AllenG... that is the most concise definition I've seen. Perfect.

Hey I used some welding glasses for a while. They allowed me to see, keep stuff out of my eyes and were pretty light. In fact I wore them until I got some true riding glasses with the replaceable lenses for my birthday.

My buddy Fred, err, Neil F. F., is hardcore. Even if Lance Armstrong personally chose cycling glasses for him, I doubt he'd use them.

I am a Fred and didn't know it. Back rack with plastic crate bungied on (red blinkie attached)...and high powered $19 DIY headlight (thanks instructables.com. Great for commuting at night). Biked to lunch last friday, and saw 2 other MTB-ers there. One turned to the other and said, "That's what you need for your bike!" Being oblivious and naieve (sp) I didn't realize I was being mocked.

Don't care though...function over form for me any day! Actually have been looking for a better rack that is big enough to do the milk crate thing. Aslo have started useing a reflector vest during the evening commute over my yellow Fleece jacket. (Yes I ride in my regular clothes too.)

Now I know it's looked down on...I'm almost tempted to remove rack and light before any group rides to avoid MORE ridicule. (humph)

Must post a pic soon.

If anyone ever gives you a hard time about having a milk crate tied to your rack, remind them that Floyd Landis used to have one on the back of his bike.

I am a Fred and didn't know it. Back rack with plastic crate bungied on (red blinkie attached)...and high powered $19 DIY headlight (thanks instructables.com. Great for commuting at night). Biked to lunch last friday, and saw 2 other MTB-ers there. One turned to the other and said, "That's what you need for your bike!" Being oblivious and naieve (sp) I didn't realize I was being mocked.

Don't care though...function over form for me any day! Actually have been looking for a better rack that is big enough to do the milk crate thing. Aslo have started useing a reflector vest during the evening commute over my yellow Fleece jacket. (Yes I ride in my regular clothes too.)

Now I know it's looked down on...I'm almost tempted to remove rack and light before any group rides to avoid MORE ridicule. (humph)

Must post a pic soon.

The crates aren't always the best way to carry stuff, a set of panniers, or rack bags are good for stuff that will fit in the bags (which actually hold quite a bit), and a couple of plastic grocery bags or better waterproof stuff sacks (from a camping store), can be used to keep stuff that needs to stay dry, dry...... The biggest problem with the crates, isn't the fredness, it's the fact it puts the load up high, so if the load is heavy, it affects your centre of gravity, and can result in instability and an unplanned dismount.:eek::cry::mad:...... Leave the rack on the bike, but remove the crate for group rides, or replace the crate with panniers.

People laugh when they see my fenders too, until it rains, and they get that dirty, muddy, oily stripe down their back, and mine is nice and clean, then they ask where they can get a set:D.....

As for clothes, on a warm summer day, you will find me in a running shirt and bike shorts, spring/fall that can be supplemented with all kinds of fred like stuff from my closet. :rolleyes:

Does this mean I am a Freda?

Wilma......................................?

;)
Does this mean I am a Freda?

I admit it, I'm a FRED in my cotton t-shirt. Well some consider it a cotton t-shirt but I see it as my BigDog 'Who's yer Daddy' team kit!:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/MrB.jpg

Fred is the guy on the 43-lb no-name junker bike , smoking, wearing an old knit cap , cut off jeans, button-down plaid shirt and just droped you and your group of high tech roadie friends whilst out on your weekly training ride....

....and yes, I know that I spelled dropped as "droped".....I felt a nod to our old buddy ryanF was appropriate. :)

Finally got Pictures:

Me after losing 20 lbs.
http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/3/2/l322054812.jpg

My Specialized Hardrock Hardtail (older gen)
http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/7/6/l763444448.jpg

My burgeoning Fredish Construction techniques (no milk crate though). Includes Plastic basket, pvc pipe (for blinkie mount), and various zip ties & Bungees. I'm looking for a bolt on rack now that will sit lower.
http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/4/3/l430669007.jpg

Low Tech DIY Halogen Headlight next to High Tech Computer. 15 bucks and kicks out some respectable light.
http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/1/1/l119328706.jpg

I'd like to have panniers (need that new rack) and/or a trailer to haul groceries and stuff too.