Does being called a "Fred" offend/irriate you?
02-24-11, 10:22 PM
#1
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Does being called a "Fred" offend/irriate you?
I'm curious about what commuters think about being referred to by others as "Fred" - I know the history of the term, and pretty much every sport/hobby has its own derisive terms, but Freditude has evolved to a certain extent and, we'll, I kinda like being referred to as a "Fred" when I'm rolling along on my commuter with bags full, and lights a'blinkin, mirror firmly attached to my left sunglass temple ...
So, what do you think? Offended, pissed, or smug sense of pride? After all, it's more about what one group of cyclists thinks about another ...
Don't even ask about flyfishermen, and their cutesy names for anglers from other states . ..
So, what do you think? Offended, pissed, or smug sense of pride? After all, it's more about what one group of cyclists thinks about another ...
Don't even ask about flyfishermen, and their cutesy names for anglers from other states . ..
02-24-11, 10:26 PM
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I'll be a Fred any day. I have the red panniers on a green bike and wear a red helmet. I've got the take a look mirror on my glasses and I ride with either tennis shoes in the summer and Gortex hikers in the wetter times of the year. I wear cargo pants that the legs zip off in the summer and when its cold I've got some REI Headwinds and my jacket doesn't match either. My bike has a kickstand too so thats really Freddy. Am I a Fred? I hope so. Oh yeah I don't give a rip that most of my co-workers think I'm nuts. I rather fancy the thought of being not like most of them, you know out of shape. What do ya use to catch a fly? Flypaper 
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(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
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Last edited by stringbreaker; 02-25-11 at 06:56 PM.
02-24-11, 10:37 PM
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A roadie once reffered to me as a 'fred' once. I blew by him on a hill. Anyway I don't consider it obnoxious in and of itself, afterall aren't freds the most truly serious cyclists. Everyone else rides for sport.
02-24-11, 10:55 PM
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Say it long, say it loud. "I'm a Fred and I'm proud!" 
I know that "Fred" has two meanings. A cyclist who pays no attention to the dress code and can blow you away, and a poseur. From study, I'm pretty sure that the first definition is the original as the background story is more solid. I've read of at least two cyclists actually named Fred who could be the prototype for the concept. Fred Birchmore and Freddie Hoffman.
I think that Roadies just invented the second meaning trying to eliminate the original concept.
I know that "Fred" has two meanings. A cyclist who pays no attention to the dress code and can blow you away, and a poseur. From study, I'm pretty sure that the first definition is the original as the background story is more solid. I've read of at least two cyclists actually named Fred who could be the prototype for the concept. Fred Birchmore and Freddie Hoffman.
I think that Roadies just invented the second meaning trying to eliminate the original concept.
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Last edited by Artkansas; 02-24-11 at 11:14 PM.
02-24-11, 11:00 PM
#5
You gonna eat that?
No one calls me a Fred. Non-cyclists don't know the term.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
02-24-11, 11:04 PM
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My co-worker/riding bud told me my bike is looking "decidedly Fred-like!" after I installed white carbon bar ends on my new risers (but then, I also had 2 headlights on it at that time, too). I bristled just the tiniest bit, but blew it off. I've ridden through most of the winter, he hasn't been out of his apartment complex on his bike since before Halloween!
(BTW -- the 2nd headlight, a 61-LED, 10" long x 1-1/4" wide tubular affair, was a strict DIY thing; 1 LED provides flashlight-like illumination from the end, the other 60 are in a grid along the side.... The mount broke when I was trying to adjust it off my new carbon brake lever.)
(BTW -- the 2nd headlight, a 61-LED, 10" long x 1-1/4" wide tubular affair, was a strict DIY thing; 1 LED provides flashlight-like illumination from the end, the other 60 are in a grid along the side.... The mount broke when I was trying to adjust it off my new carbon brake lever.)
02-24-11, 11:43 PM
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I'm a Fred when I commute. I'm a Road Gladiator when I ride for fitness.
Last edited by 531phile; 02-24-11 at 11:51 PM.
02-24-11, 11:46 PM
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Btw, I was just thinking the other day that it's been a while since there has been a Fred discussion 'round here. Glad to see it.
02-24-11, 11:56 PM
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I was trying to explain "Fred" to a fellow cyclist. It's an inexact term. We used to have a different term for it back in the day, but I don't remember it. Back then, there was a stereotype of slightly overweight, sansabelt short wearing cyclists that could probably be considered to be poseurs.
02-25-11, 12:09 AM
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I really don't care what people call me, in fact I'm sure I get called worse on a daily basis.
That's one of the benefits of advancing maturity, Not really caring what other people think about you.
That's one of the benefits of advancing maturity, Not really caring what other people think about you.
02-25-11, 12:30 AM
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I've never been called a fred.. I probably wouldn't care if it happened, although, I doubt it will since I don't look like your typical 'fred'
02-25-11, 03:49 AM
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I don't mind it. Especially when used by a poseur or a tridork.
02-25-11, 05:58 AM
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I've never been called that AFAIK, but I agree with the previous posters who've said they'd either be proud or would not care. Thinking about it now, I'd consider 'poseur' or 'roadie' to have much more negative connotations than 'fred', as they seem to imply a much more recreational style/manner, and conjure images of roof-racked bicycles (at least in my prejudiced mind).
02-25-11, 06:31 AM
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If a roadie has ever called me a fred I wouldn't know, I wouldn't have heard it because of the i-pod..... and if they did, so what? I really couldn't care less.
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Last edited by Cyclaholic; 02-25-11 at 06:35 AM.
02-25-11, 06:33 AM
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I rather be Fred than Barney. Ha ha. However it will hard for them to call me Fred uless there is a term for women. Freddy? Fredda? Wilma?
02-25-11, 06:45 AM
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Who called me a Fred?
02-25-11, 07:03 AM
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....l(BTW -- the 2nd headlight, a 61-LED, 10" long x 1-1/4" wide tubular affair, was a strict DIY thing; 1 LED provides flashlight-like illumination from the end, the other 60 are in a grid along the side.... The mount broke when I was trying to adjust it off my new carbon brake lever.)
02-25-11, 07:05 AM
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02-25-11, 07:07 AM
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I don't know what Fred means but there is an expression from my childhood that starts "Stick and stones..." that would appear to apply here.
02-25-11, 07:10 AM
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Pedaled too far.
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Fred Birchmore
Freddie Hoffman.
Perhaps flying a flag while you ride should be included in the definition of Fred.
Freddie Hoffman.
Perhaps flying a flag while you ride should be included in the definition of Fred.
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Last edited by Artkansas; 02-25-11 at 11:10 AM.