I have read this thread and thought you might want to know that the ORIGINIAL FRED is from a bicycling article (can't remember the exact magazine), back in the 70's or 80's, that was written in humor about a man's journey in his personal transformation from a "man on a bike" to a "cyclist" ... it was FUNNY!! I have a friend who has the magazine and enjoys passing it around to new people in cycling ... JUST FOR FUN. So, to me, FRED is humor ... not to be taken seriously and a "general term" for those who aren't "cycling chic" -- there is a little FRED in all of us ... thank goodness!!

From the ORIGINIAL FRED ... key "FRED points" are: long white tube socks, tucked in jersey, and loose fitting/too large helmet (you know, the kind that moves on your head when you move).

So, please don't take the FRED-thing seriously ... know it started long long ago in a little bicycling magazine by an author who could laugh at himself and the cycling community .... alll good!