Freds?

[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.

[shootingstar]

... I came there from work... street clothes and my Xtracycle. Everybody else (which I don't think is that common) was pretty much lycra kit and sleek road bike ... I figured I could find the video if they put it online and say "Find the Fred!!!" Since the previous week's ride had been in brutal winds and people had said they'd gone out too fast, the pace was slow enough for me to spend time in the lead, too

There goes Freda on video.

[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.)

[Crankin]

Why anyone would ride in the dark without lights/reflective gear is beyond me.
I saw it all of the time in the city, where it is well lit. About half of the riders had a flashing rear blinkie, but that's it. Maybe they would change their minds if they tried to ride where I live and there's very few streetlights.
I have a Fred bike and a road bike... I do have a very nice light for my road bike, which is easy to put on and off. It's only on when I have planned a "dark" ride. I also have a very cool and sleek Planet Bike rear blinkie that I have been complimented on by many, including the owner of the LBS. My Jamis Coda, on the other hand, has a light, a computer, rack, pannier, fenders, campus style pedals, and I think the dork disc is still on there. That is one thing I would like to take off.
A couple of weeks ago, DH and I rode to get coffee in town. We were both dressed in "city" type cycling clothes, although we had our spd compatible shoes on. When we were leaving and unlocking our bikes, another couple rode up on road bikes; you could see they were looking down on us as "Freds," although they were the ones I would put in that category. Huge bags on their road bikes, 2 mirrors, and some funky clothing.
Each bike has its purpose!

[owlice]

Why anyone would ride in the dark without lights/reflective gear is beyond me.
I saw it all of the time in the city, where it is well lit. About half of the riders had a flashing rear blinkie, but that's it. Maybe they would change their minds if they tried to ride where I live and there's very few streetlights.

No they wouldn't, because I am riding through woods at night, and people still don't have lights/reflective gear, whether they are in the city or in the suburbs. And the park that's in the city limits is large enough and wild enough to have coyotes. Amazes me that people ride without lights in the dark (and it's dark in the woods, believe me!!).

[Grog]

I think you'll be okay Bethany. Don't worry about it and just go riding! You have the right gear and the right bike, now go and have fun.

[Bethany1]

No worries at all..LOL. I just didn't know some people categorized riders in such a demeaning way.

[wackyjacky1]

Ha ha, I crack up every time I see the phrase "dork disk." Something about it just makes me laugh.

I'm definitely a Fred, I guess. I have a dork disk, front and rear lights, a rear rack for carrying my stuff, and, yes, a reflective vest for when I ride to work in the mornings.

[emily_in_nc]

Signs I am a (happy) Fred:

* My bike has a rack
* My bike has fenders
* My bike is a folder with 20" wheels and not-so-narrow tires
* I ride in Keen Commuter sandals
* I have a visor on my helmet
* I use a Take-a-Look mirror on my sunglasses
* I have a handlebar-mounted "Halt" holder
* I have an airhorn on my bike (Triple bonus score!)

But...I don't have a dork disk.

[Xrayted]

I have the plastic pie plate on my road bike and I'm leaving it there. My name is...

X

thankyouverymuch and I ride a bicycle that I paid for, upkeep, adjust and I'll do what I want. Besides, if you have a bad derail, say from a stick or other object, it could break or throw your chain through your spokes and rip them all out on that side. I've seen it happen. With the disk, usually the chain just gets stuck down between. It's a pain to dig out but the alternative is much worse. My dork disk stays. I've had enough surgery in my lifetime and I can't respoke and true a wheel to save my life.

[WindingRoad]

Uh oh, I think I'm a Fred. I LOVE down tube shifters, fenders, racks, panniers, blinky lights and old steel bikes!

Oh darn then there is the blinky helmet Catrin just gave me! Dang it! I'm definitely a Fred, sigh.