What's a Fred?

[bikerchic]

Well interesting thread but I'm not going to get into the "to greet or not to greet" aspect of it since basically it's a personal choice IMHO and for myself some days I'm more friendlier than others.....

I just thought I would share this with you if you missed it on google because it's rather informative:

http://www.bicyclesource.com/bicycling_glossary#poser

Enjoy and just ride I rather suspect if any of yous needed help on the road/trail or path a fellow cyclist or two would stop and make sure you're okay at least that's what I choose to believe but then again I believe I will win the lottery SOON too.

Ride on and keep the rubber side down!

[Ana]

I just thought I would share this with you if you missed it on google because it's rather informative:

http://www.bicyclesource.com/bicycling_glossary#poser

Strange how the definition of "fred" is both people who have nice gear without skill and people who don't have nice gear, regardless of whether or not they have skill...

It seems as though they are trying to define an acceptable cyclist into a very narrow category.

I, too, dislike the elitist attitude of some cyclists. I used to think about why people don't wave back a lot but I have just decided that I am the kind of person who likes to wave to others, regardless of whether or not they wave back Sometimes I wonder if guys wave back (or don't) because I'm a woman. I like my bike and I like cycling so I'm probably just going to do what I always do: do what I love and not worry about what other people think

[wildhawk]

I like my bike and I like cycling so I'm probably just going to do what I always do: do what I love and not worry about what other people think

Well said Ana!

[lph]

I like my bike and I like cycling so I'm probably just going to do what I always do: do what I love and not worry about what other people think

Well said! I'm honestly not trying to be snarky here - but this is what I intend to do too, cycle the way I love, and not worry that other people may think me elitist or unfriendly.

Re Norwegians ignoring their fellow men: I passed a guy obviously fixing his bike yesterday morning, slowed down and called out "got everything you need?" Well, in norwegian, of course.

He stared at me like I was barking mad.

[Geonz]

I've skimmed these posts noting it's the same "are they uppity or not?" argument ... ah, perceptions!!!

Let me at least suggest that assuming that somebody is thinking uppity thoughts is every bit as judgmental as what the other party is being accused of.... and ... it seems to me it's built-in self-negativity... which shouldn't be blamed on others.

Now, my perception's tinged by dealing with a student or two today who have a pervasive habit of perceiving *everything* as a negative view of them, ... but even if it's true, then, the best revenge is *not* to let it bug you!

[Trek420]

Re Norwegians ignoring their fellow men: I passed a guy obviously fixing his bike yesterday morning, slowed down and called out "got everything you need?" Well, in norwegian, of course.

He stared at me like I was barking mad.

Norwegians are very friendly. I was there was during the winter Olympics. They were always rushing up to me asking "Are du ok?" as I lay there in the snow on my back waving my feet in the air like a turtle turned upside down.

I kept slipping, sliding and then flipping over backwards in the snow even with the metal grippy things on my feet.

[beccaB]

as far as greetings, I get a little wave or a nod from the other cyclists, but not usually anything verbal. The young guys riding the fast motorcycles(rice rockets, my husband calls them, which is probably politically incorrect)usually wave to me, and I'm not unfriendly at all, but it is a little weird because they are so fast they're not really there if I blink!

[gingerale]

I'm so definitely a Fred. lol

As for saying hello, I usually do a small wave or say hello. I've had a few act like I wasn't even around but most always say hello back. But you know who I've noticed ALWAYS wave at me? The motorcycle guys! LOL

[VeloVT]

I don't always wave, nor do I always, in every situation, say something when passing (but I'm VERY conservative about passing on my bike, and will sit behind someone for a long time until the perfect passing conditions come along, maybe more than I should).

But I always, always, aways slow and ask someone if they are OK if it looks like they might be having a mechanical problem. I have fixed flats for strangers with my own tubes on more than one occasion, and if they ask if they can buy the tube, or whatever, I say no. I figure it's good karma. Sometime I might get caught without a tube. Amazing how many people who ride bikes can't fix flats though. It's really worth learning.

[Mr. Bloom]

Norwegians are very friendly.

My Norwegian mechanic is very friendly to me...I was 15% of his income last year! He smiles and waves at me everytime he drives past me on my bike rides (and is very careful not to hit me on my bike)

My favorite lbs guy is actually named "Fred"...no end to the irony in that one...

[SouthernBelle]

Their acknowledgement may be so subtle that you aren't catching it. Single fingers, down-lows (how one should always wave to motorcyclists), nods, eye contact.

[Crankin]

Fujichants, I'm with you. I love my cycling wardrobe; it's another chance to buy clothes! Seriously, since I bought my hybrid, it is another chance for me to buy different types of cycling clothes. And of course Lisa (bad influence) has brought me over to the dark side with the wool stuff. I never even knew I already had a pair of Ibex pants for winter sports until I went on the wool thread.
I am probably a Fred of the nice bike/matched clothes/no skill variety, but hey, I figure 2-3K miles a year for the past 4 years buys me something. Along with those 20% grades I climbed at 5 mph.