On Getting Dropped by a Fred
#26
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
So I met my buddy on my afternoon commute yesterday and we decided that a 40 mile loop on such a beautiful day would be just the thing for loosening up sore legs after the previous day’s intervals. We’re tooling along soaking up the rays when we hear a whooping “How yaaa doin’?!?!” on our left. Overtaking us is this bike covered with more gadgets than I could even assess with a single glance, piloted by a rider clad in knee high red wool socks, a helmet from 1976, and a long salt and pepper beard blowing horizontally across his face. He drops in ahead of us so fast that I looked down to make sure I hadn’t flatted.
As I see him become smaller and smaller on the road ahead of us, his t-shirt fluttering madly in the wind, I smiled to myself and took pleasure in sharing the joys of such a wonderful pastime.
As I see him become smaller and smaller on the road ahead of us, his t-shirt fluttering madly in the wind, I smiled to myself and took pleasure in sharing the joys of such a wonderful pastime.
#27
Nope, I’m making a conscious effort this year to keep my recovery rides truly recovery. Last season we’d start our recovery rides off slow, and before you know it we’re averaging 23 MPH trying to pursue everything on two wheels.
I guess you just have to expect to return with a bruised ego anytime you go out for a recovery ride.
I guess you just have to expect to return with a bruised ego anytime you go out for a recovery ride.
#28
aka Phil Jungels
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,234
Likes: 91
From: North Aurora, IL
Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp
#31
Who farted?
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V
Nope, I’m making a conscious effort this year to keep my recovery rides truly recovery. Last season we’d start our recovery rides off slow, and before you know it we’re averaging 23 MPH trying to pursue everything on two wheels.
I guess you just have to expect to return with a bruised ego anytime you go out for a recovery ride.
I guess you just have to expect to return with a bruised ego anytime you go out for a recovery ride.
My first thought was "I want to be able to climb like her."
#32
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Middle of the desert
Just to put it into perspective: Eddy Merckx's hour record was at 7,550 feet, indoors, in ideal conditions and he went 30.72mph for just one hour. (I choose Eddy because he rode on a standard road bike, not a tri or in "superman" position)
This guy did 26.67mph for 3 hours and 45 minutes, presumably outdoors, much closer to sea level (ie, much more wind resistance)
So without getting into the nitty-gritty, this guy put out almost the exact same effort, for 3.75 times as long.
#34
I think a true Fred has to be completely oblivious about all of this crap. They (correctly) think that anyone on a bike is just a cyclist. Freds do have the power of turning fellow cyclists into poseurs by dropping them, though.
#35
While I won't say that that's untrue, anyone that puts that time down on a solo 100 mile ride is a top caliber professional rider, and one who likely would have won multiple "Grand Tours," especially if he was in the racing scene and would have had at least some exposure. I dunno, maybe it was a one of those super tailwind days in a great plains state...but it's mighty hard to believe.
Just to put it into perspective: Eddy Merckx's hour record was at 7,550 feet, indoors, in ideal conditions and he went 30.72mph for just one hour. (I choose Eddy because he rode on a standard road bike, not a tri or in "superman" position)
This guy did 26.67mph for 3 hours and 45 minutes, presumably outdoors, much closer to sea level (ie, much more wind resistance)
So without getting into the nitty-gritty, this guy put out almost the exact same effort, for 3.75 times as long.
Just to put it into perspective: Eddy Merckx's hour record was at 7,550 feet, indoors, in ideal conditions and he went 30.72mph for just one hour. (I choose Eddy because he rode on a standard road bike, not a tri or in "superman" position)
This guy did 26.67mph for 3 hours and 45 minutes, presumably outdoors, much closer to sea level (ie, much more wind resistance)
So without getting into the nitty-gritty, this guy put out almost the exact same effort, for 3.75 times as long.
I didn't say sea level or no tailwind. Neither did I say no aerobars (I am not sure on that one) It was in AZ where the elevation was probably nearly 6k and I am guessing tailwind yes. I believe him. He has no reason to lie about it since his legs prove it. It is also a personal record and not something he did all the time. The Merckx comparison is worthless. Do the correct math. Power to overcome drag is proportional to the cube of velocity.
By the way, you might consider looking up 100 mile time trials in Britain which are consistently won by people with even better times. None of them are on the pro tour AFAIK.
#36
It makes you wonder if dudes like this do so well because they don't get wrapped up in all the BS and just go ride. While you're crunching the numbers on a lighter wheel set, he's riding. While you're debating on whether you should really by inflating your tires to 120 PSI vs. 110 PSI, he's riding. While you’re on BF dissin’ other people’s bikes, he’s riding. You get the picture.
#38
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
Bikes: Isaac Impulse, Litespeed Solano, Mongoose Bosberg, Trek 5500, (recently sold Litespeed Classic, Scott Speedster Flat bar)
Not that I tend to agree with Busta often, but I agree. If that guy could cruise like that on a tank, imagine what he'd do on a 15lb bike. Unless his name is actually Fred, then you are more of a "Fred" than he is.
#39
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 7
From: Off the back lol
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix and Giant AnthemX
Ive been dropped by a mtb'er who didnt have a road bike in a charity ride.
Im good with it tho.
Im good with it tho.
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 395
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Bikes: Trek 5000
I was on a business trip to Seattle and the hotel was next to a great bike trail. I wanted to ride but was not prepared. The guy at the front desk of the hotel that rented me a POS Steel, beach cruiser and mentioned a town where the bike path started. That town was about 20 miles away. So i got on the trail wearing a helmet that looked like a mushroom on my head, a light jacket, casual shorts and black socks with casual shoes. I was a sight to see. I came around a turn and had two guys on carbon Canondales in front of me. I busted my @ss to catch up to them. As I passed them, I mentioned i started back at the first town and asked how far does the trail goes? Also, is there a limit on how fast you're supposed to go on the trail? With that, I took off and the chase was on! I bust a gut keeping the pace but finally succumbed to the steel and rolling hills. The guys on the Canondales kept up but were spent. I spoke with them as we slowed. I found out they were really from the first town I mentioned and were much relieved when I told them I was on the trail for minutes before passing them. They said that they could not let a Fred drop them!!! I was the poser...but a Fred Poser.
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 2
From: Oz
Bikes: lots... even a Raleigh twenty !!!
After years of leg shaving and racing in the highest grades in Masters comps.........I AM NOW A FRED.
And at my first bunch ride after recovering from a serious accident I turned up on an old steel frame flat bar bike...yuck blue, no decals etc etc....AND hairy legs
. As I used to ride with the elite guys, this bunch was a step or two back, so most of them didn't know me. I must have looked like an utter FRED, but by the end of the ride they knew THIS FRED CAN RIDE
And at my first bunch ride after recovering from a serious accident I turned up on an old steel frame flat bar bike...yuck blue, no decals etc etc....AND hairy legs
. As I used to ride with the elite guys, this bunch was a step or two back, so most of them didn't know me. I must have looked like an utter FRED, but by the end of the ride they knew THIS FRED CAN RIDE
#43
#44
Administrator



Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 34,329
Likes: 8,481
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
It makes you wonder if dudes like this do so well because they don't get wrapped up in all the BS and just go ride. While you're crunching the numbers on a lighter wheel set, he's riding. While you're debating on whether you should really by inflating your tires to 120 PSI vs. 110 PSI, he's riding. While you’re on BF dissin’ other people’s bikes, he’s riding. You get the picture.
On the other side of the coin. I know a gent (a good guy) who laid down 12 grand or more on a Colnago wirh Super Record, Bora Ultras, the whole fricken nine right down to the carbon seat. If he rides 1000 miles this year, it will be one for the books.
But hey, that's him.
But hey, that's him.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#45
All-round nice guy.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Bikes: Kish road bike, Seven mtb, Marinoni road and track bikes.
Michael Hutchinson's record setting time for the 100 mile TT in the UK is 3hrs 23 minutes. Michael is the holder of many TT records.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Hutchinson
Woops, Kevin Dawson's record of 3:22.45 the same year that Hutch got the record is the fastest that I can find on the CTT site.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Hutchinson
Woops, Kevin Dawson's record of 3:22.45 the same year that Hutch got the record is the fastest that I can find on the CTT site.
Last edited by Mike T.; 04-04-09 at 10:00 AM.
#47
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 723
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From: My family and I -- wife and two young children -- live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Bikes: TST ti 'cross bike (commuter); Guru ti road bike; recumbent; Airnimal Chameleon folding racing bike
I ride a big hill (around here it is called a mountain but it's some 1600 feet, not 4500 like the North Shore mountains) at the end of a moderately long ride. Riding up it on a clear day in the fall I got passed by a 50 year old guy on an old '80s mountain bike set up as a commuter bike, with fenders and a rack (holding his briefcase). I am rarely passed on this hill, which I ride all the time, and I frequently pass all kinds of riders. This guy blew past me like I was mired in quicksand. I thought I'd catch him on a short flatter stretch and then at least match him on the next steep part. But all that happened was he receded in the distance. I've never seen anyone ride up that hill like that, not even my buddies, and my regular training partner's a triathlete and trailrunner.
#48
I ride a big hill (around here it is called a mountain but it's some 1600 feet, not 4500 like the North Shore mountains) at the end of a moderately long ride. Riding up it on a clear day in the fall I got passed by a 50 year old guy on an old '80s mountain bike set up as a commuter bike, with fenders and a rack (holding his briefcase). I am rarely passed on this hill, which I ride all the time, and I frequently pass all kinds of riders. This guy blew past me like I was mired in quicksand. I thought I'd catch him on a short flatter stretch and then at least match him on the next steep part. But all that happened was he receded in the distance. I've never seen anyone ride up that hill like that, not even my buddies, and my regular training partner's a triathlete and trailrunner.
#49
On the other side of the coin. I know a gent (a good guy) who laid down 12 grand or more on a Colnago wirh Super Record, Bora Ultras, the whole fricken nine right down to the carbon seat. If he rides 1000 miles this year, it will be one for the books.
But hey, that's him.
But hey, that's him.
I went to the shop yesterday to pick up my new bike. We started talking about this Colnago. I asked how much it was. He said around 11 grand. Then. THEN!!!!!!
he said the guy laid it down a couple days ago booking into a corner. A car was coming and he Conan'd the brakes, bounced his read tire, and bit it hard. He broke his collarbone and scuffed his ride pretty bad. The guy had it all of two weeks.
Man that sux, bad.
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville/Decatur/Florence Alabama
Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Fuji S10S (X2), Jamis Coda





