Freds?

[grey]

Well, I still have the dork disk on my road bike. It's not huge so I don't care... I also have a mtb saddle on my bike - it's shaped right, lightweight... and has a fox on it. I also have the super-bright DiNotte lights and a rearview mirror. And when I ride alone, I wear screaming yellow or orange. Bite me.

I have a name for cyclists without lights but it's not Fred and it's not nice.

Probably the same as what I called the lady I saw riding her bike in the fast lane of a 4-way highway today. No, she wasn't fast. No, she wasn't turning. No, she wasn't in the middle of the lane, she was close to the double yellow line. No mirrors, no lights, five cars all piled up behind her. I was driving the opposite direction and changed myself to the slow lane. But she had a helmet, and was smiling.

[Velocivixen]

The female version of a "Fred" is a "Wilma". I understand it to be the one who buys a super expensive bike (way beyond their riding abilities), and ALL THE GEAR you can think of to go with it, trying to look like they "belong", when in fact they have very little in the way of biking skill or technique. They are just trying way too hard. They're "wannabes".

I don't think they're the ones who are actually trying, but look like dorks. Not sure what they're called.

[tprevost]

The female version of a "Fred" is a "Wilma". I understand it to be the one who buys a super expensive bike (way beyond their riding abilities), and ALL THE GEAR you can think of to go with it, trying to look like they "belong", when in fact they have very little in the way of biking skill or technique. They are just trying way too hard. They're "wannabes".

I don't think they're the ones who are actually trying, but look like dorks. Not sure what they're called.

That's not a Fred, those peeps are Posers ... All the bling but nothing to back it up...

[luv2climb]

Just so nobody thinks I was making fun of Freds, I am a Fred for the most part. I don't own any high-end bikes, I have tons of LED lights front and rear, reflectors, mirrors (two on my Worksman Port-O-Trike), kickstands on both my folding bikes and my Trek 7000 hybrid, and racks and rack trunks on my newest folding bike and the Trek. I also have large seat bags on my road bike and Specialized Sirrus hybrid.

I also wear a Take-A-Look eyeglass mirror when riding the road bike, Sirrus, or folding bikes (the only bikes in my fleet that don't have mirrors on the handlebars).

I have bells on all my bikes too. Even the road bike.

[Velocivixen]

Accd. to Wikipedia it depends on what region you live in regarding the use & meaning of the term "Fred". Personally I haven't actually heard anyone use it and I could care less.

I've got kick stand, fenders, rack, bell, handle bar rear view mirror, bike computer, rear view mirror on my helmet, head light and two blinky tail lights! And this is all on my leisure bike!!! I love it and that's all that matters.

[smilingcat]

Fred and Wilma. Reference is from The Flintstones. So a guy could also be a Barney.

The circle of riders I rode with, these terms were derogatory and demeaning.

Poser was a person dressed to look like they were in full kit (racing outfit to look like they belonged to a club/team).

Fred has multiple meanings and I think all of them have been mentioned. The source of the term "Fred" seems to have multiple sources as well.

If you wish to apply the term to yourself, please use "Wilma".

Happy riding!!

[owlice]

Kickstand, rack, bell, bike computer, headlight on the bike, headlight on the helmet, blinky tail light, lights in my spokes, light on my front cables, sometimes EL wire on the bike, and yes, a hi-visibility safety vest, too, when I ride in the evening (and remember to grab it). People see me coming, for sure; no trail ninja here. People can call me Wilma if they'd like, so long as they also call me seen.

And I swear one of these days I'm going to buy a bunch of little lights and hand them out to people walking/running/riding in the dark who aren't wearing anything reflective/glowing/lighted. Lights and bells are safety requirements, as are helmets and gloves, and when I see people without them, I think uncharitable thoughts. (When I see parents with kids who don't have helmets [the kids], I think... well, never mind, but you can probably guess.)