Quote Originally Posted by Bluetree View Post
Since he's all dressed to ride (but can't or won't) how about calling him Fred?

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.
For some reason I'm reminded of this.

My boy and I went to the Tulsa Zoo sometime this summer, and in the park surrounding the zoo there was a Senior Olympics time trial going on. We only noticed about 20 riders total. We walked down to the finish to see about it. There was a peloton of about 7 that made a few laps while we were walking, and then a few here or there, but there was this one guy riding alone...

He was completely white-headed, and his hair was long, and his beard was at least 8 inches and streaming down to a point and blowing back in the wind. He was riding a mountain bike. He was skinny and tanned and wrinkled and sitting upright with his elbows out and pedaling like the wind. And he was wearing denim bib overalls with a flannel shirt and high top Converse All-Stars.

He was quite a sight, that I shall never forget!

I made sure to check the age requirements for Senior Olympics, too (50). Looks like they were about my speed.

Karen