Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

On Getting Dropped by a Fred

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

On Getting Dropped by a Fred

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-03-09 | 01:35 PM
  #26  
Ka_Jun's Avatar
Who farted?
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Originally Posted by Thunder Dan
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.
Dude, that's awesome. You didn't pursue?
Ka_Jun is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 01:42 PM
  #27  
Thunder Dan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Ka_Jun
Dude, that's awesome. You didn't pursue?
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.
Thunder Dan is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 01:51 PM
  #28  
Wanderer's Avatar
aka Phil Jungels
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,234
Likes: 91
From: North Aurora, IL

Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp

Originally Posted by coasting
what the hell is a fred? and what is a poseur? BF has confused me. i don't know who to make fun of anymore.
A poseur is a phony bicyclist.

A Fred is anyone the poseurs don't think is cool......
Wanderer is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 01:53 PM
  #29  
Still can't climb
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
Originally Posted by Wanderer
A poseur is a phony bicyclist.

A Fred is anyone the poseurs don't think is cool......
so i'm a fred poseur. everything is making sense now
coasting is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 01:55 PM
  #30  
Thunder Dan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by coasting
so i'm a fred poseur. everything is making sense now
Jesus, you guys are making my head hurt.
Thunder Dan is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 01:57 PM
  #31  
Ka_Jun's Avatar
Who farted?
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Originally Posted by Thunder Dan
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.
Fair enough. Last time this happened to me was on a fire road climb, I had bonked and a female XC rider flew past me like a bat outta hell. Awesome, really. My first thought was "I want to be able to climb like her."
Ka_Jun is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 02:13 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Middle of the desert
Originally Posted by Grumpy McTrumpy
In his peak training years he was riding 500 miles a week and winning all the time.
His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
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.
fantom1 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 02:21 PM
  #33  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,840
Likes: 0
B.S. on every post in this thread.
MDcatV is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 03:10 PM
  #34  
Ratfish's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Męlée Island
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.
Ratfish is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 03:43 PM
  #35  
Grumpy McTrumpy's Avatar
gmt
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,509
Likes: 3
From: Binghamton, NY
Originally Posted by fantom1
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.

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.
Grumpy McTrumpy is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 05:51 PM
  #36  
DScott's Avatar
It's ALL base...
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,716
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Thunder Dan
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.
He picked his parents well, I'd say.
DScott is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 05:53 PM
  #37  
Grumpy McTrumpy's Avatar
gmt
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,509
Likes: 3
From: Binghamton, NY
Originally Posted by DScott
He picked his parents well, I'd say.

Both I and his wife would agree with that. Some guys are just freaks.
Grumpy McTrumpy is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 06:09 PM
  #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.
Originally Posted by BustaQuad
I'm sorry, but anyone who drops me is, by definition, not a Fred.
Lazyrider is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 07:29 PM
  #39  
C_Heath's Avatar
Its Freakin HammerTime!!!
20 Anniversary
 
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.
__________________
Originally Posted by rousseau
I don't like any other exercise or sports, really.
....

https://www.xxcycle.com/logo_w150h100/bmc.jpg
C_Heath is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 07:55 PM
  #40  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg, IL

Bikes: Trek 5000

Originally Posted by Mike T.
The sneakers were planted on plain plastic pedals and the ultimate insult was the arm of the kickstand pointing back in a way that yelled an accusing "poser!" aimed at me.
.
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.
RJBTrek is offline  
Reply
Old 04-03-09 | 09:36 PM
  #41  
stevegor's Avatar
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
stevegor is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 09:31 AM
  #42  
tdreyer1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City

Bikes: Specialized Awol Elite



sorry, this happens to me too.
tdreyer1 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 09:40 AM
  #43  
gabdy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 0

Bikes: Trek, Giant, PoS

Originally Posted by Grumpy McTrumpy

His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
Originally Posted by kimconyc
That's just ridiculous, wind, hill, or whatnot.
My maths sux, but isn't that TdF bunch pace? Let alone solo pace.
__________________
Courage
Skill
gabdy is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 09:55 AM
  #44  
BillyD's Avatar
Administrator
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 34,329
Likes: 8,481
From: Hudson Valley, NY

Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92

Originally Posted by Thunder Dan
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.
Originally Posted by Bob Ross
Make that a sticky.
Agreed.



Originally Posted by substructure
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.
Nothing wrong with that either.
__________________
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
BillyD is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 09:55 AM
  #45  
Mike T.'s Avatar
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.

Last edited by Mike T.; 04-04-09 at 10:00 AM.
Mike T. is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 09:56 AM
  #46  
Thunder Dan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MDcatV
B.S. on every post in this thread.
Except the OP of course.
Thunder Dan is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 11:40 AM
  #47  
tkehler's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
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.
tkehler is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 11:51 AM
  #48  
Randochap's Avatar
Recovering mentalist
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 2
From: On the Edge

Bikes: Too many

Originally Posted by tkehler
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.
Probably a BC Randonneurs member getting in some after-work training on his commuter.
Randochap is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 12:02 PM
  #49  
substructure's Avatar
RustyTainte
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,340
Likes: 0
From: 28012

Bikes: zilch

Originally Posted by substructure
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.


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.
substructure is offline  
Reply
Old 04-04-09 | 03:33 PM
  #50  
Bearonabike's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville/Decatur/Florence Alabama

Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Fuji S10S (X2), Jamis Coda

Originally Posted by Ka_Jun
Fair enough. Last time this happened to me was on a fire road climb, I had bonked and a female XC rider flew past me like a bat outta hell. Awesome, really. My first thought was "I want to be able to climb her."
Fixed
Bearonabike is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.