OK, I will be the dork and ask. Who and or what the heck is a Fred?
04-14-09, 01:16 PM
#52
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had a motorist called me Indiana Jones one time at a stop light. Is that "Fred" for non cyclists?
04-14-09, 01:26 PM
#54
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-14-09, 01:29 PM
#55
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-14-09, 01:39 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: upstate NY (eastern side)
Posts: 600
Bikes: giant ATX 760, Falcon Road Bike (ss) custom marinoni tourismo (full dresser) ,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
HMM,
MANY are the descriptions of the dreaded FRED>
as commuters we all (at least most im sure ) have some fred attributes.
My idea of a typical FRED is the person on a Bike typicaly wearing a snorkel parka (cold weather) unlaced work boots and having a cigerette going at the same time and is on the side walks and not in any kind of hurry.
the guy with the motorcycle helmet and car battery in a basket keeping the landing lights lit with the trinkets hes picked up along the road.
the 23 year old on the MUP at 7am on a much too small BMX with the seat way too low (standing while pedaling ) with a shirt tied around his waist heading somewhere in no real hurry
the tell tale PX 10 with the handlebars turned upside down and a milk crate tied on the rear filled with empty cans/bottles.
thats my take its not a bad thing Just Freddin!!!
although I have to admit even though Im pimpin a custom full dressed touring ride I get plenty of odd looks from the Poseurs and TDF look alikes.
"John"
MANY are the descriptions of the dreaded FRED>
as commuters we all (at least most im sure ) have some fred attributes.
My idea of a typical FRED is the person on a Bike typicaly wearing a snorkel parka (cold weather) unlaced work boots and having a cigerette going at the same time and is on the side walks and not in any kind of hurry.
the guy with the motorcycle helmet and car battery in a basket keeping the landing lights lit with the trinkets hes picked up along the road.
the 23 year old on the MUP at 7am on a much too small BMX with the seat way too low (standing while pedaling ) with a shirt tied around his waist heading somewhere in no real hurry
the tell tale PX 10 with the handlebars turned upside down and a milk crate tied on the rear filled with empty cans/bottles.
thats my take its not a bad thing Just Freddin!!!
although I have to admit even though Im pimpin a custom full dressed touring ride I get plenty of odd looks from the Poseurs and TDF look alikes.
"John"
Last edited by JOHN J; 04-15-09 at 08:32 AM.
04-14-09, 02:07 PM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,509
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'm seeing the Fred as the ultimate in simplicity. Someone who is being his or herself. A person, not a poser or a Lance, but someone who is just out chill'n on two wheels. A Fred would be in flip-flops during summer and might even be sport'n a cold beer where the water bottle ought to go.
04-14-09, 02:51 PM
#58
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
HMM,
MANY are the descriptions of the dreaded FRED>
as commuters we all (at least most im sure ) have some fred attributes.
My idea of a typical FRED is the person on a Bike typicaly wearing a snorkel parka (cold weather) unlaced work boots and having a cigerette going at the same time and is on the side walks and not in any kind of hurry.
the guy with the motorcycle helmet and car battery in a basket keeping the landing lights lit with the trinkets hes picked up along the road.
the 23 year old on the MUP at 7am on a much too small BMX with the seat way too low (standing while pedaling ) with a shirt tied around his waist heading somewhere in no real hurry
the tell tale PX 10 with the handlebars turned upside down and a milk crate tied on the rear filled with empty cans/bottles.
thats my take its not a bad thing Just Freddin!!!
although I have to admit even though Im pimpin a custom full dressed touring ride I get plenty of odd looks from the Posers and TDF look alikes.
"John"
MANY are the descriptions of the dreaded FRED>
as commuters we all (at least most im sure ) have some fred attributes.
My idea of a typical FRED is the person on a Bike typicaly wearing a snorkel parka (cold weather) unlaced work boots and having a cigerette going at the same time and is on the side walks and not in any kind of hurry.
the guy with the motorcycle helmet and car battery in a basket keeping the landing lights lit with the trinkets hes picked up along the road.
the 23 year old on the MUP at 7am on a much too small BMX with the seat way too low (standing while pedaling ) with a shirt tied around his waist heading somewhere in no real hurry
the tell tale PX 10 with the handlebars turned upside down and a milk crate tied on the rear filled with empty cans/bottles.
thats my take its not a bad thing Just Freddin!!!
although I have to admit even though Im pimpin a custom full dressed touring ride I get plenty of odd looks from the Posers and TDF look alikes.
"John"
04-14-09, 05:04 PM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 135
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i told my friend that i am entering into a race and wearing my jeans and he called me a fred. but i dont think i am. that guy is goofy
04-14-09, 06:46 PM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
You may be a Fred... but none of us will ever be THE Fred.
The Fred was Fred Birchmore from Athens, Georgia... an adventurer who rode his single speed bicycle around the world back in the mid 1930's. (Extra credit for anyone who knows why he named his bike "Bucephalus"). During his bike trip, he was reputed to be the first white man to make it out of Afghanistan alive since Marco Polo. He also hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Inca Trail in Peru both solo.
One of his most famous incidents came in South America during his bicycle circumnavigation. He apparently was penniless and starving out in the jungle... until he came upon a huge snake. He killed and ate the snake, skinned it and sold the skin at a village for enough cash to get him further down the road. Check Amazon for the books that he wrote about his adventures.
His marks still show in his hometown of Athens, GA in a massive stone wall that he built by hand when Fred was in his 70's... a wall 14 feet high in some places and dug 4 feet into the ground.
Here's to Fred:
The Fred was Fred Birchmore from Athens, Georgia... an adventurer who rode his single speed bicycle around the world back in the mid 1930's. (Extra credit for anyone who knows why he named his bike "Bucephalus"). During his bike trip, he was reputed to be the first white man to make it out of Afghanistan alive since Marco Polo. He also hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Inca Trail in Peru both solo.
One of his most famous incidents came in South America during his bicycle circumnavigation. He apparently was penniless and starving out in the jungle... until he came upon a huge snake. He killed and ate the snake, skinned it and sold the skin at a village for enough cash to get him further down the road. Check Amazon for the books that he wrote about his adventures.
His marks still show in his hometown of Athens, GA in a massive stone wall that he built by hand when Fred was in his 70's... a wall 14 feet high in some places and dug 4 feet into the ground.
Here's to Fred:
Birchmore Trail Day
Join Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division staff and Memorial Park staff for the 9th Annual Birchmore Trail Day event. Meet the famous Fred Birchmore, hike the trail for a prize and enjoy activities such as leaf rubbings and face painting.
Date: May 17 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Birchmore Trail
Join Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division staff and Memorial Park staff for the 9th Annual Birchmore Trail Day event. Meet the famous Fred Birchmore, hike the trail for a prize and enjoy activities such as leaf rubbings and face painting.
Date: May 17 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Birchmore Trail
https://www.onlineathens.com/stories/...70721041.shtml
The other day Claude Felton, Georgia's director of sports information, asked me who was the Bulldogs' oldest living athlete.
"Fred Birchmore," I quickly answered. "He's nearly 96, born Nov. 29, 1911 on Dougherty Street just a block from the First Methodist Church where he grew up and still directs the singing in his Sunday school group."
Furthermore, Birchmore gets up every morning and walks 3 miles or more to keep his legs in shape. Later in the day, he swims at the Athens YMCA. And get this - he also can still walk on his hands.
"Fred Birchmore," I quickly answered. "He's nearly 96, born Nov. 29, 1911 on Dougherty Street just a block from the First Methodist Church where he grew up and still directs the singing in his Sunday school group."
Furthermore, Birchmore gets up every morning and walks 3 miles or more to keep his legs in shape. Later in the day, he swims at the Athens YMCA. And get this - he also can still walk on his hands.
04-14-09, 06:54 PM
#63
Dinosaur on wheels
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: 'sconsin
Posts: 101
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport Triple, 1970's Peugot, Schwinn World
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-14-09, 10:01 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 113
Bikes: Trek 820, Soon a Trek FX 7.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-14-09, 10:59 PM
#67
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Now can I ask what the heck a "cager" is? Hey, I am on a roll here and need to catch up to you guys
04-14-09, 11:08 PM
#69
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Downtown Detroit, Mi.
Posts: 781
Bikes: Surly LHT, 94 Cannondale track bike, 80's Cannondale track bike, 60's Raleigh 5 speed, 1888 Eldridge wood wheel track bike and my old 76 DG BMX from when I was a kid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
04-14-09, 11:24 PM
#70
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: staten island ny
Posts: 3
Bikes: several multi speeds
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
two tone hair girl
Hi To Whom it May Concern, The picture of the girl is heavenly, only wish I had the age to be able to pursue such a lass. She looks so natural so composed so totally confident that it's awe inspiring just to behold her simple yet magnetic quality. Thank whomever posted the wonderful vision of youth at the waters edge in all of her tranquility, beautifully captured............glen
04-15-09, 05:49 AM
#73
Decrepit Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 309
Bikes: 2003 Trek 520, 1996 Trek 370, 1996 Bianchi Osprey, too many others.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi To Whom it May Concern, The picture of the girl is heavenly, only wish I had the age to be able to pursue such a lass. She looks so natural so composed so totally confident that it's awe inspiring just to behold her simple yet magnetic quality. Thank whomever posted the wonderful vision of youth at the waters edge in all of her tranquility, beautifully captured............glen
04-15-09, 05:50 AM
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,096
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well now, I feel bad. I recently used "Fred" as an insult to another BF'r in regards to a particularly heated subject: gun control. After reading Fred's story, I have to say, that I'm quite impressed with Fred and now see the term as complimentary: adventurous, self-sufficient, cyclist, etc. I should apologize to the other BF'r as well as to Fred. My apologies. I'm intereseted in reading his book, may check Ebay. Rock and Rock, Fred.
04-15-09, 06:00 AM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,509
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Well now, I feel bad. I recently used "Fred" as an insult to another BF'r in regards to a particularly heated subject: gun control. After reading Fred's story, I have to say, that I'm quite impressed with Fred and now see the term as complimentary: adventurous, self-sufficient, cyclist, etc. I should apologize to the other BF'r as well as to Fred. My apologies. I'm intereseted in reading his book, may check Ebay. Rock and Rock, Fred.