Now that's some deep stuff ... as in "Put on your waders" deep stuff ...

It is this kind of highly intellectual yet still deeply soulful philosophical exploration that brings me back to BF day after day.

I am among geniuses and true seekers of the true truth.

Ah, but see: I read Grant's book (Even though I think he's a weeny) without regard to whether doing so would make me a fred, or diminish my status as a fred. I just do as I please. Now true, I would rather identify as a fred [Do we get to choose whether to use the roadie or the MTB bathroom?] but I don't do anything special to achieve my fredliness. As anybody who knows me would testify, it just comes naturally to me.

And being the maverick that I am, I think that even if there were other freds here where i live and ride, I would still be different enough to not be associated with them.

In fact, I'm not even sure what really constitues being a fred. But I do know, that if real freds were followers, I would be their leader! -Or perhaps this guy: (I even own the same bike!)

I haven't seen such a display of intellectualism since the last defense as to why disc brakes don't belong on road bikes!

What would be the fishing equivalent of a fred? What ever it is, I used to be it, until I realized that it wasn't fishing that I liked, but rather just being around the water/boats. (If you lived in NYC in the 80's, you might have seen me with my rod & reel and tackle box, and bucket with caught fish in it, on the subway....)

I prefer flowing with the Way:

Five students of a Zen master was back from the market on their bicycles. As they dismounted, their master asked : Why are you riding your bicycles ?”
Each of them came up with different answers to their master’s query.
The first student said “It is the bicycle that is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that my back has escaped the pain of bearing the weight”
The master was glad and said : ” You are a smart boy. When you become old you will be saved of a hunch back unlike me”
The second student had a different answer. ” I love to have my eyes over the trees and the sprawling fields as I go riding”
The teacher commended : “You have your eyes open and you see the world”
The third disciple came up with yet a different answer : ” When I ride I am content to chant ‘nam myoho renge kyo'”
The master spoke words of appreciation ” Your mind will roll with ease like a newly trued wheel”
The fourth disciple said : “Riding my bicycle in live in perfect harmony of things”
The pleased master said ” You are actually riding the golden path of non-harming or non violence”
The fifth student said ” I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle”
The master walked up to him and sat at his feet and said “I am your disciple!”

Yes, but upon returning to earth after composing one these messages,

I guess none of my ancestors were there, or one of the responses would have been "I ride because I really suck at running".

hey, how can you quote me twice on the same post and once out of context?

Rivendell's market is affluent, but it's a place for great ideas - and it goes back to the 90s Bridgestone models and catalogs. (If you search through Sheldon's Bridgestone catalog database, you can find articles on moustache bars, half-step gearing, friction shifting in an indexed age, scads of mechanical, preparation and riding tips.) Grant writes great copy, and it's all fun reading. The bike rags coined Retrogrouch for him personally. Retrogrouch = Fred.

Some of their stuff are better deals than you can find anywhere else (shop smart), and both Nitto and DiaCompe Ene have added components to their lines from Grant's bright ideas. Also their sadly discontinued MUSA shorts and knickers are the best ever made. I can't live without MUSA pants for lounging around the house in winter. Grant couldn't sell them at retail asking price - they all sell out on closeout and with monthly coupons, and he described them as the most successful bad business decision in his history. I think I bought one pair retail, one on sale, and all my others 2nd hand on RBW Owners Bunch google group.

While you could call making a vintage steel bike fully utilitarian as Fredizing it, over there, they call it Rivizing it.



They also have a lot of nice touches for finishing out a bike, like quality cork grips, and brass ferrules for cable housings.

Cabin fever? I was simply joking about my Surly Ogre, which is a steel, no suspension, "mountain bike," with plenty of brazeons for touring. Lighten up please!

et tu? I was joking. Surly is definitely Fred
no scowling emoticon (you didn't see the word fun in my post?)
I rode 32 mi today - it's clear sunny and 60s

Fred's are typically the bane of the cycling communities existence. They are wheel sucking, overweight, mirror wearing wanna be's that don't know how to ride in a pace line but try to butt their way in and always end up mucking the darn thing up. They are also responsible for wrecks, blow thru stop signs and are weak riders who get dropped like sacks of potatoes anytime the road goes up.

Being an ostentatious Bike Snob AND self styled Fred is Serious Business.

you keep forgetting Fred's don't care what you think..where do I send your two cents badger..errrrrr jaggrin I mean..

Not amusing.

If you've something to say to me, say it straight; suggesting that someone on here is using a sock puppet or is otherwise to be identified with another poster is not on, sweetums, unless you have some evidence -- which you don't because there isn't any. You might want to review the Forum rules.

I've no idea who "jaggrin" is, nor do I care.

you're right, I have no proof, I apologize for hurting your feelings,, where can I mail you a trophy for being such a good sport?

You confusing me with someone else and being totally wrong is a classic Fred move. You probably struggle to produce 150 watts on the bike and 85 on the IQ meter.

In my old neighborhood was/is a Japanese Fred. He rides an 80's mountain bike while wearing 90's denim-colored cycling shorts, Oakley Frog glasses, toe clips and straps which are very clipped or strapped, a loud radio which plays 50's American doo-wop music, and a basket in the front for his three Chihuahuas. He and his Chihuahuas can be seen on his bike every day, weather permitting.

Keep it under control, kids.

And here you are.....go figure...


I get crossed up when two similar types begin waving their high and mighty flags, you all sound the same to me after a fashion. You're not upset because I did not offer you a trophy I hope.

I was going to say, What do you expect in California? Then I realized you are that guy from Japan.

Suddenly your story becomes very, very scary.

No need for a trophy. Your total ineptitude and wrongful post that will live in infamy is enough of a trophy for me. Now go pack up your generic jersey and black bib shorts so tomorrow you can go and get dropped when you attempt to glom onto a stronger rider.

This was a good thread ... for a while.

seriously? Freds don't wear generic jerseys or bibs..haven't you learned anything? I insist..a trophy for striking back so decisively. I give up...lol


still a good thread...my apologies for engaging the rhetoric, back to Fred....

You guys have the wrong definition of a Fred. A Fred is not someone riding around on a 1980 Bianchi steel framed bike with a loud jersey, sipping on expresso with no care in the world. A Fred is not a commuter, is not guy on a fixie riding around in the city.

If you want to see Fred's, go to any charity bike ride. They are called Fred Fests for a reason. They are the guys with the generic jerseys, mirror on the helmet, alligator arms on the bike because of a poor bike fit who when the ride starts try and hang with the lead group, sucking wheels, not pulling through and getting spit out the back after 10 miles. They have poor bike handling skills, spend more time at the rest stop than riding, gain 10 pounds a year in spite of riding because they know nothing about calories in / calories out and are constant wheel suckers who don't understand riding etiquette.

Not sure for certain, but whatever it is, Rowan will hate your guts!