what is a fred?
09-09-12 | 08:41 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 353
I'm not young but a couple of years ago I met a man that was definitely older than me.
I can't remember how we started talking bikes but this guy tells me - I believed every word of it looking at at his wiry old body and deeply tanned face - that he gets up in the morning and gets on a beach cruiser style bike and will ride for hours and when he's tired find a telephone at a convenience store or wherever (no cell phone mind you) and call his wife to come pick him and the bike up. No plan, no bike clothes or shoes, no nothing. Just rides until he can't.
This is a real Fred.
I like Fred.
I can't remember how we started talking bikes but this guy tells me - I believed every word of it looking at at his wiry old body and deeply tanned face - that he gets up in the morning and gets on a beach cruiser style bike and will ride for hours and when he's tired find a telephone at a convenience store or wherever (no cell phone mind you) and call his wife to come pick him and the bike up. No plan, no bike clothes or shoes, no nothing. Just rides until he can't.
This is a real Fred.
I like Fred.
09-10-12 | 05:06 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 5
From: Erie Penna.
The original Fred was in no way a poser.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...the-World.html
Fred passed away earlier this year at age 100.
https://onlineathens.com/local-news/2...hmore-dies-100
More on the origin of “Fred”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_(bicycling)
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...the-World.html
Fred passed away earlier this year at age 100.
https://onlineathens.com/local-news/2...hmore-dies-100
More on the origin of “Fred”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_(bicycling)
09-12-12 | 11:04 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Bikes: '09 Giant Boulder SE
so "Fred" is a term created by elitist asshats that ride road bikes and tricked out in colorful jersey that is used for ppl like me that rides for fun, leisure or in somecases, cause I'm too damn lazy to walk, so I carry the stuff with me on my bike?
A cpl weeks ago, I took my kids fishing. My wife called me Indiana Jones because I had my tackle bag bungie corded to my rack and 3 full length fishing poles strapped to my back with rope. She calls me that or MacGyver because of my jerry rigging. I tell her, when theres a will, I'll find a way.
A cpl weeks ago, I took my kids fishing. My wife called me Indiana Jones because I had my tackle bag bungie corded to my rack and 3 full length fishing poles strapped to my back with rope. She calls me that or MacGyver because of my jerry rigging. I tell her, when theres a will, I'll find a way.
09-12-12 | 12:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Bikes: Kona Dew
As mentioned above... Fred Birchmore was one amazing dude. If that's the origin of the term Fred then I would be proud to have it applied to me and then have to say I don't deserve the title. Sure, I have fenders and lights and I strap a milk crate to the rack for a basket, but that doesn't come close to making me a true Fred!
And then there's this Fred... https://miles4melanoma.com/freddiehoffman/ I consider him pretty amazing too!
And then there's this Fred... https://miles4melanoma.com/freddiehoffman/ I consider him pretty amazing too!
09-12-12 | 01:18 PM
#31
Fast for a sloth
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins
Bikes: Some
It's not worth taking offense. I think of the term Fred to mean a person who won't be predictable while riding in a group. These folks are often easy to spot because they don't conform to the conventions of the subset of the sport that uses the term Fred. The merit is an act of self preservation, not elitism.
09-12-12 | 01:25 PM
#32
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
I think the term is evolving much the way "geek" did. Started out as a derisive term and is now becoming a badge of pride.
09-12-12 | 08:07 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Brompton M6R, Salsa Mukluk II, Trek 7500, Raliegh fixie, 3 SS cruisers, JC Higgins Color Flow, Junker Flying Jet, KHS F20-A, Worksman trike
The original Fred was in no way a poser.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...the-World.html
Fred passed away earlier this year at age 100.
https://onlineathens.com/local-news/2...hmore-dies-100
More on the origin of “Fred”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_(bicycling)
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...the-World.html
Fred passed away earlier this year at age 100.
https://onlineathens.com/local-news/2...hmore-dies-100
More on the origin of “Fred”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_(bicycling)
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