I need help- am I a Fred?
02-17-09 | 03:08 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Mojave 2008 Specialized Roubaix Elite
I need help- am I a Fred?
i just came to the conclusion that I might be a fred- how can I know for sure? is there anything i can
do to not be a Fred?
do to not be a Fred?
02-17-09 | 03:11 PM
#3
No I'm Not a Pirate!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: The middle of somewhere in Indiana
02-17-09 | 04:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 523
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From: Monterey Bay area, California
Bikes: Terratrike Tour, recumbent tadpole tricycle.
What's wrong with being a Fred? You already ride a bike, people will say things regardless. :O
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What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
02-17-09 | 05:10 PM
#11
Elemental Child
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 232
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From: Minnesoter
Bikes: 1989 Schwinn World workhorse, 1979 Trek Summer Bike, 1995 Schwinn Moab that never gets ridden
02-17-09 | 07:40 PM
#12
Ha ha HA! Me likey bikey!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Bikes: Trek 7.2 FX
Why wouldn't you want to be a Fred? Freds are the coolest of all the cyclists. We ride the coolest bikes, wear the coolest clothes, have the brightest lights, look the sexiest, and cause the most traffic jams. Sounds like a winning combo to me. 
02-17-09 | 08:04 PM
#13
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Well, if you don't like being a fred, I gots my pocket knife here, we can make you a doris!
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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
02-17-09 | 08:13 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 05 Trek 5200, 07 Trek 520, 99 GT Karakoram, 08 Surly 1X1
You can be in great company.
02-17-09 | 08:22 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NZ
Bikes: More than 1, but, less than S-1
Face it! To someone out there, you're a Fred. This only matters, if you care. Whether you care or not, either way you're going to be a Fred. So, get over it. Go riding!
__________________
Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.
Birth Certificate, Passport, Marriage License Driver's License and Residency Permit all say I'm a Fred. I guess there's no denying it.
02-17-09 | 09:49 PM
#19
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
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What was it that brought you to this conclusion, by the way? Perhaps divulging that could shed some light on your dilemma. Light makes little Fred cockroaches scurry for the comforting shelter of flannel shirts and cargo shorts.
02-17-09 | 10:12 PM
#21
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
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From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
02-17-09 | 10:17 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
embrace your inner fred.
there's no shame in having too many rear blinkies, being capt. dashboard, having a helmet mirror, or being covered head to toe in reflective safety colours.
there's no shame in having too many rear blinkies, being capt. dashboard, having a helmet mirror, or being covered head to toe in reflective safety colours.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
02-17-09 | 10:32 PM
#23
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Joined: Dec 2005
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No bike racks.
No more than 1 small headlamp and only if riding in the dark.
No headlight on helmet except in 12-24 hour off road bike race.
No casual clothes - Bike specific clothes only must be color coordinated.
No flapping clothes in the wind or loose clothes.
You must sacrifice comfort to lightness and aerodynamics.
Willing to be cold on the bike in cool weather to maintain that total road racer look.
No more than 1 small seat bag, only on training rides or commutes.
A small backpack or messenger bag may be allowable for a fast commute as long as it is reasonably light and form fitting.
700cc bike with drop bars only.
Chopped flat bars or bull horns OK if on a fixie set up like a track bike.
If you are on a fixie you can probably dress like a messenger without being a Fred if you know how.
Flat bar mountain bike on off road trails only.
no reflective tape all over bike or helmet.
small reflective accents OK on bike clothes if tastefully done. As in part of the manufacturer design.
Few or no reflectors on bike.
Clipless pedals and serious cycling shoes only.
Road helmet only on road bike, even in winter.
Thick winter hat under helmet is a big no-no. Must be form fitting and stealth looking.
If it's really cold you can't ride because you would have too dress I little like Fred.
This list is by no means conclusive, exclusive or all inclusive.
There are some who say that "Fred" is a state of mind and that the outer choices are only a reflection of the inner Fred. So only you can decide how much Fred you are going to be.
Last edited by Hezz; 02-17-09 at 10:53 PM.
02-18-09 | 08:17 AM
#25
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Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Mojave 2008 Specialized Roubaix Elite
perhaps i'm not a fred afterall-nothing i own is color coordinated and i don't wear cycling team gear to pretend i'm lance. i do however own a carbon bike.
people at work though do give me a hard time. especially when they see my bike parked in my office next to my filing cabinet. i've even had the air let out of tires. i think the ridicule is more a function of them feeling uncomfortable knowing that a 40 year old father of 2 with cystic fibrosis can pedal 40 miles back and forth to work while they can't seem to get off the couch and walk their dog for 10 minutes. thanks for the enlightenment. you're all right, who cares
people at work though do give me a hard time. especially when they see my bike parked in my office next to my filing cabinet. i've even had the air let out of tires. i think the ridicule is more a function of them feeling uncomfortable knowing that a 40 year old father of 2 with cystic fibrosis can pedal 40 miles back and forth to work while they can't seem to get off the couch and walk their dog for 10 minutes. thanks for the enlightenment. you're all right, who cares
