Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in a gym." - Bill Nye, the Science Guy
Who is Fred?
Does Fred have a friend Frank?
Cycling Advocacy and Education Articles by Fred
What is a Fred?
From Glossary of Biking Terms and Slang
- fred
- 1) n. a person who spends a lot of money on his bike and clothing, but still can't ride. "What a fred -- too much Lycra and titanium and not enough skill." Synonym for poser. Occasionally called a "barney".
- 2) n. a person who has a mishmash of old gear, does't care at all about technology or fashion, didn't race or follow racing, etc. Often identified by chainring marks on white calf socks. Used by "serious" roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable "freds" drop the "serious" roadies on hills because the "serious" guys were really posers. This term is from road touring and, according to popular myth, "Fred" was a well-known grumpy old touring rider, who really was named Fred.
- see also: chainring tattoo, rookie mark, idiot lever, O.D., off the back, pokes, poser, retro-grouch, schmooz, spike, tea party, techno-weenie, tricked out, Ugly Greek Jerseys, weight-weenie and winky
You might be a Fred if: You put your helmet on backwards, and don't notice.
You might be a Fred if: You went to change a flat tire, and ended up with your cluster apart in your hands.
Send your favorite Fred stories to fred@recyclers.org, if we like them we may publish them to this page.