banerjek

Shortly after turning onto the highway during my commute home yesterday, I was surprised to find a commuter I didn't know close behind. Although he didn't overtake me, he was no wheel sucker -- he shadowed me from a few feet back rather than riding my wheel as if to assess what kind of rider I was.

When he neither gained nor lost ground after a couple miles, I became curious about my new friend. I went ahead and accelerated to full 20 mile Fred TT speed which is the fastest pace I could maintain for the rest of my trip. He stayed with me including on inclines which is where I normally lose people if I'm putting in much effort.

After 8 miles, I got really intrigued because any destination he'd logically be headed to would require him to ride at least 20 miles which meant that he could also hold my Fred TT speed for a long time. I thought I knew all the cyclists in our area on this particular stretch who could do that, so I eased up just a bit so I could meet him.

Turns out that he was a mystery rider I occasionally see year 'round who was taking the long way home (i.e. this dude probably rides more than me). I've seen him a few times before, in the dark during winter storms and had wondered where the 'eff that rider was going when turning off the highway onto that road by the dump since there no homes for miles.

As we reached his turnoff, he called out "Ride safe. Ride fast," and we parted ways. Ren, if you're crazy enough to hang out in the 41, it was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope we ride together again sometime.

Seattle Forrest

How do you know he was a Fred?

Jay-W

How romantic.

vespoli

10 Wheels

Twins.......

ahsposo 

Dadgum! I'm getting all gooey!

banerjek

Very friendly, Take-A-Look mirror, dressed for visibility even in daylight, very effective but non OCP setup, giant seatpost carrier (for his work stuff), homebrew lighting setup, interested in knowing what kind of battery packs I used, commutes long distances any time of year in anything.

Definitely a dude after my own heart. Except for the seatpost carrier -- even I must draw the line somewhere.

Velo Vol 

I didn't realize this was a love story.

rjones28 

Good post.

Bioluminescence

That's awesome.

Muffin Man

whats a fred... O_o
forgive me im pretty new...

snowman40

Hang on....beep!



this aughta be good.

More to the point though...Typically, a Fred is someone who doesn't care what others think of his/her ride. He/she is function over form. To some extent we are all "Freds" some are more Fredly than others. I am a Fred when it comes to my choice of shirts, but that is because jerseys are pretty damn expensive.

Muffin Man

oooooohhhhhhh ok that makes more sense. ive been trying to figure out what it meant from the context from other threads, but that hasnt really worked... someone should make a thread on all the terminology typically used around here. or is that already existing...?

KiddSisko

A cycling bromance. Had me one of those the other day across the final 20 of my 60 mile ride. I spotted him ahead of me chugging up a slope, but as I approached on the descent he rounded a bend and disappeared. We met at a long stop light a few miles away. A retired teamster (beer hauler) since the age of 52, at 62 he was a monster on the bike. That's all he does, and it showed with how he could accelerate on a climb. I got schooled big-time.

guadzilla

Cos he (mystery rider) engaged in conversation with banerjek - true roadies only sneer. Or yell. And most damning: he said farewell before leaving (which is pretty much the same as waving).

Machka 

It exists.

FXjohn

whatever happened to "the knave" series?

Max C.

"Fred" is a new one for me and I think I like it... but... You mean I can't be a fred on my $2000 CF Road bike while wearing a camo Ninja gi and flipping everyone off? Damn...

I like my $10 "Don't Hit Me I'm a Cyclist"-Orange running/cycling shirt from Target/No-name bike/manners better anyways.

Marauder9

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29

banerjek

This is true. But you need multiple points of information because there are roadies in training who do Freddish things and Fred Road Nazi sympathasizers.

For example, members of the uni cycling team who use a portion of my route for training do wave, and the only person I've encountered who *doesn't* wave is this guy that often rides my same route the opposite direction as me. He is also the only one that rides a touring setup adequate for a cross country trip rather than a racing bike with the bare minimum. He is a prof at a uni close to my house.

surgeonstone

The Utterly Inspiring Tales of Fredly Copperthwait. Men in the Company of Men, Doing Manly Things. Chapter2, I am Passed by a Fred.
Seriously, nice story and well told.

DrPete 

In all seriousness, though, this is what cycling in the real world SHOULD be about. I've met some great people with whom the only thing I have in common is cycling. Luckily out there in the world people aren't all hung up on judging people by the color of bar tape they choose. Here's hoping that stays right where it belongs--on BF.

surgeonstone

I'm a fred on my 7000 dollar Merlin. It's often the wrapping of the package that denotes a true fred. I think as well, a degree of fredliness awaits us all as we age(58) and persist with this hobby/sport. Past the teens and 20's, who of us really gives a rats ass what others think of us and it is this mind set that allows the inner fred to emerge. Yoda was a fred, Buddha was a fred, Christ was a fred.....it's a noble calling.

guadzilla

I need to consult my Road Nazi guide, but I was pretty certain that as a Roadie, the only other cyclist I am allowed to acknowledge is another roadie, and that too with the slightest of nods (Pai Mei style).

Uni cyclists dont count - kids these days lack discipline anyway. The touring setup guy is interesting - perhaps there is a hierarchy within Fred as well?

Bioluminescence

Is nodding to someone like waving...?