Fred (Phred?)
 

I think I am one...but I don't know for sure. What does the word mean? And what is its origin?

Wiki has an article on it :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29

A.

T600 riders are Freds

I have updated the Wiki article to reflect that there is a strong correlation between 5,000+ posts on BF and Fredery.
Is recumbentry a disqualifier?

Ha ha, seriously this article has links to BF in the references section, LOL:)

Aren't all recumbent riders actually Freds by default??? ;)

/Running away....

Adam

^Run uphill. Make it harder for him to catch you.;)

The uphill will become a downhill at some point..........

In the eyes of some of those wannabe racers, recumbent riders are Lower than Fred.
In reality, it's difficult to pretend to be part of a breakaway on a stage of the TDF when riding a 'bent - especially the uphill parts of a mountain stage!

"The main two definitions used for the term are actually completely contradictory." Wikipedia

That explains it.

Personally I embrace my Fredlyness... I am a self described Utility/City bike Fred. I ride in regular street clothing, upright setting position, panniers on the back, cooler on the rack, and a big ole smile on my face... :D
Riding my classic 1980's Fuji Mixte. It just don't get any better than that to me. If that's being a Fred, count me in all day long. :thumb:

Is it really that tough on uphills? I wouldn't mind one myself if I could afford one, a Catrike trike in particular.

I'm probably a Fred on my commuter as well. I wear a mix of biking and regular clothes, I have a bar extender with two lights, a computer, a GPS bracket, AirZounds, two lights on the back rack and two panniers, and... OMG a kickstand!!! :D

Adam

Ah, the silly human brains' need to categorize, homogenize and differentiate for the sake of efficiency.

I think though the Wikipedia definition sums it up....but what am I?

I own;

a 1985 steel bike, bought at Sport Experts for $300, that I use to ride to work = Fred.

and 3 others all the way up to a .....

Cervelo RS, but don't race = Pouser.

So, would that make me a "Frouser"? or maybe a "Pred"?

Oh.
My.
Gawd.

I hate you. Who the hell let you in here?!

if you are from joisey, being a fred is a step up for you. :innocent:

I'm not sure that I am slower uphill than I was on the hybrids I rode for 13 years prior to getting 'bent.
But, I am not fast uphill and I feel slow in comparison to downhill. Going downhill on a 'bent is exceedingly fast and fun. Same kind of thrill you get riding a tandem downhill.

Haven't done any serious hillclimbing on my LWB - we'll see how that goes when Spring comes.

Advantage of a Catrike would be that there is no way to lose balance and go over when climbing a steep hill very slowly.

This is a Phred.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/Phred.jpg

He was a Viet Cong in the comic strip Doonesbury, and has since become a businessman.

It's not known if Phred rode a bicycle, though the Viet Cong did make extensive use of bicycles during the war.

But... I like my kickstand... :cry:

No mirror??!!

Well, maybe...but at least we always have people waiting on us to pump our gasoline!

Nope. I'm a non believer in mirrors for city riding. My head is constantly moving around and my peripheral vision is the key. I've gotten so good at this that when I walk on crowded streets I have my head tilted forward a bit and I scan my surroundings using peripheral vision and people can't keep up with me because they constantly bump into others while I "navigate" smoothly:) They say I'm weird like that.

I also rely on hearing a lot, I have very sensitive hearing, maybe oversensitive, perhaps that's why I'm against headphones. I can hear sounds others around me can't. I can also locate sound sources more accurately than others. I'm pro helmets though ;)

On a road bike, on rural rides yes, I'd wear a helmet mounted mirror.

Adam

From my experience here, the Commuter Forum thinks Fred is quite cool, the Road Forum thinks Fred is ultradork. They're probably both right.

Actually, if the reference is to Fred Birchmore, be proud. Cycling around the world is an amazing accomplishment for anyone. He apparently was a fine athlete and has remained physically active throughout his life (he celebrated his 98th birthday in November). http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/...29877510.shtml

The original Fred and his bike, which is on permanent display at the Smithsonian.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=135572

"Fred" predates "phred" by decades.

The ph spelling in reference to cyclists seems to have been popularized by the many fine bicycling mailing lists hosted on phred.org, including the bicycle touring mailing list, surely one of the densest packs of freds ever assembled. But phred.org is actually named for the Doonesbury character from the 70s, and had that name before any bike lists were hosted there.

WTF! You like your.....!

Look, don't even talk to me ok? People might think I'm a Phred. Stand over there....further....furrrrther.....no further.....more.....keep going....a little more....

I think I am a Fred, no issues with that.

Just added turn signals.

The path of the righteous commuter is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish cager and the tyranny of evil roadies. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the newbie cyclist through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the builder of ridiculously bright DIY halogen bicycle lights. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brother commuter. And you will know I am the Fred when I lay my vengeance upon thee

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...ictionFred.jpg