On Getting Dropped by a Fred
04-03-09 | 10:28 AM
#1
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On Getting Dropped by a Fred
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.
Last edited by Thunder Dan; 04-03-09 at 10:34 AM.
04-03-09 | 10:52 AM
#2
All-round nice guy.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 448
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From: Ontario Canada
Bikes: Kish road bike, Seven mtb, Marinoni road and track bikes.
You're lucky. At least you weren't going flat out when this happened. I was - on two occasions. Both times I was on my carbon wonder mountain bike. The last time it happened I was doing hill repeats for mtb racing at a ski area. I was doing the repeats on the hilltop access road on a hot, quiet, mid-week afternoon. I was maxed out, 1/2 way up the climb when I heard crunching gravel behind me. I was impressed as I was quite a good climber at the time.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
04-03-09 | 10:57 AM
#3
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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You're lucky. At least you weren't going flat out when this happened. I was - on two occasions. Both times I was on my carbon wonder mountain bike. The last time it happened I was doing hill repeats for mtb racing at a ski area. I was doing the repeats on the hilltop access road on a hot, quiet, mid-week afternoon. I was maxed out, 1/2 way up the climb when I heard crunching gravel behind me. I was impressed as I was quite a good climber at the time.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
04-03-09 | 11:10 AM
#6
gmt
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,509
Likes: 3
From: Binghamton, NY
The fastest guy that I have ridden with extensively is sort of this way. Never has shaved his legs. Always wears a white t-shirt instead of a cycling jersey. Rides a 90s cannondale with downtube shifters and old helmet. (Although I heard that he finally bought a new bike now that he has moved back west).
Anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that he is anything but a fearsome presence will soon find out they are dead wrong. In his peak training years he was riding 500 miles a week and winning all the time. Sometimes I think he was just trying to fool the roadies into thinking he was just a goofball, because his M.O. was to enter long races, break away early, and never be seen again. If they don't take you seriously, then they are more likely to give you more of a gap.
His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
Anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that he is anything but a fearsome presence will soon find out they are dead wrong. In his peak training years he was riding 500 miles a week and winning all the time. Sometimes I think he was just trying to fool the roadies into thinking he was just a goofball, because his M.O. was to enter long races, break away early, and never be seen again. If they don't take you seriously, then they are more likely to give you more of a gap.
His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
04-03-09 | 11:15 AM
#8
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The fastest guy that I have ridden with extensively is sort of this way. Never has shaved his legs. Always wears a white t-shirt instead of a cycling jersey. Rides a 90s cannondale with downtube shifters and old helmet. (Although I heard that he finally bought a new bike now that he has moved back west).
Anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that he is anything but a fearsome presence will soon find out they are dead wrong. In his peak training years he was riding 500 miles a week and winning all the time. Sometimes I think he was just trying to fool the roadies into thinking he was just a goofball, because his M.O. was to enter long races, break away early, and never be seen again. If they don't take you seriously, then they are more likely to give you more of a gap.
His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
Anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that he is anything but a fearsome presence will soon find out they are dead wrong. In his peak training years he was riding 500 miles a week and winning all the time. Sometimes I think he was just trying to fool the roadies into thinking he was just a goofball, because his M.O. was to enter long races, break away early, and never be seen again. If they don't take you seriously, then they are more likely to give you more of a gap.
His best 100 mile solo time is 3:45.
04-03-09 | 11:20 AM
#9
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.
04-03-09 | 11:22 AM
#10
Seńor Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R380 Ti | 2011 Hampsten Travelissimo Gran Paradiso Ti | 2001 De Rosa Neo Primato - Batik Del Monte, Genius | 1991 Eddy Merckx - Motorola, TSX
04-03-09 | 11:23 AM
#11
Thread Starter
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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.
04-03-09 | 11:24 AM
#12
Seńor Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 14
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey R380 Ti | 2011 Hampsten Travelissimo Gran Paradiso Ti | 2001 De Rosa Neo Primato - Batik Del Monte, Genius | 1991 Eddy Merckx - Motorola, TSX
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.
04-03-09 | 11:26 AM
#13
Most people who buy super-cars (talking >$200,000 not something like a BMW M5 or a 911 turbo) don't drive them all that much because they have more than 1. There are others (I know someone personally), who use them as daily drivers. It's one thing to be a hater and another to be fortunate enough to enjoy something like that.
I ain't no hater. On any account.
BTW . Just saw your sig.
04-03-09 | 11:32 AM
#15
en fuego
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,685
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From: Davenport, IA
Bikes: Trek Madone 3.1
I think it was my 2nd ride this year, but this guy came around me and he was wearing a pair of Dickie's carpenter jeans and he was down in his clip on aero bars wearing a backpack. I chuckled. I wasn't humbled because I'm not a fast rider, just amused..or maybe even entertained!
04-03-09 | 11:55 AM
#16
Recreational Commuter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 5
From: Central Ohio
Bikes: One brand-less build-up, and a Connondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc. A nicer bike than I need, but it was a good deal, so... ;-)
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.
04-03-09 | 12:02 PM
#17
Still can't climb
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,024
Likes: 6
From: Limey in Taiwan
he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
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.
04-03-09 | 12:05 PM
#18
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-03-09 | 12:06 PM
#19
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Your mirror is your friend.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-03-09 | 12:07 PM
#20
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Joined: Nov 2008
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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.
You're lucky. At least you weren't going flat out when this happened. I was - on two occasions. Both times I was on my carbon wonder mountain bike. The last time it happened I was doing hill repeats for mtb racing at a ski area. I was doing the repeats on the hilltop access road on a hot, quiet, mid-week afternoon. I was maxed out, 1/2 way up the climb when I heard crunching gravel behind me. I was impressed as I was quite a good climber at the time.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
He came gliding past me and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it - he was dressed in a wife-beater white vest, flappy nylon shorts, '80s helmet, knee-length socks and sneakers. 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.
That guy had something that money couldn't buy nor training achieve.
Any questions?
04-03-09 | 12:22 PM
#22
your god hates me
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 3,566
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
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.
Make that a sticky.
04-03-09 | 12:24 PM
#23
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