Vocabulary question

[Eden]

The legend that I heard is that "Fred" was this guy who would show up at the local fast group ride on an old beater bike, with tennis shoes on, ripped up shorts and knees scraped from his last crash, etc. No one really liked to have Fred around - he was a dork and he didn't shower often enough, but the really really frustrating thing about Fred was that he could hang with the A group without any problems.

So a "Fred" became a derogatory term for people who aren't cool - they don't have all the latest gear, fanciest bike, hairy legs, whatever, but watch out for Fred, cause he just might dust you.....

I've also heard chainring marks on the calf refered to as Freds

[Lise]

I know how to shift. I just don't know which is called "down" and which is "up" shifting. Is it "down" shifting to make it easier for the wheels to go around, and "up" shifting when you have to work harder? This maybe the dumbest question yet in this thread!

[Eden]

I know how to shift. I just don't know which is called "down" and which is "up" shifting. Is it "down" shifting to make it easier for the wheels to go around, and "up" shifting when you have to work harder? This maybe the dumbest question yet in this thread!

Warning I think I may actually confuse this matter more!

I think that it may actually depend on what "bike generation" you belong to. I have always thought of shifting up as going to a harder gear and down as to an easier gear. Mind you I started with down tube shifters and if you moved the shifter up you went to a harder gear and down to an easier gear.

With integrated shifters you are now essentially shifing sideways rather than up and down. Now I've heard at least one person referring to shifting up as up to a larger ring on the rear cluster, which is an easier gear, and vice versa.

In any case this is just speculation - maybe the up and down designations spring from gear ratios? or something else all together. Most of the people that I know refer to shifting up as going to a harder gear and down to an easier one and its the odd one out that uses it the other way around.

[bcipam]

I know how to shift. I just don't know which is called "down" and which is "up" shifting. Is it "down" shifting to make it easier for the wheels to go around, and "up" shifting when you have to work harder? This maybe the dumbest question yet in this thread!

Generally when someone says "down" they mean make it easier and "up" means harder - ie you shift up to sprint and down to climb.

And yes I started out way back when with down tube shifters. I will never go back to those! Ugh!

[SnappyPix]

Originally Posted by Lise
I know how to shift. I just don't know which is called "down" and which is "up" shifting. Is it "down" shifting to make it easier for the wheels to go around, and "up" shifting when you have to work harder? This maybe the dumbest question yet in this thread!

I always remember it by the expression "top gear". When I'm in my top gear, I'm flying on the flat and in my biggest chainring at the front - changing up to top gear means it's getting harder, changing down means it's getting easier.
Works for me, but has probably confused everyone else!

[SnappyPix]

I think that 'bidon' (water bottle) is used in English (as opposed to American).

Unless this is used in pure racing circles, I must admit that I've never heard water bottles referred to as bidons in general conversation in the UK.

Incidentally, found this very good site with a glossary of terms:
http://www.torelli.com/raceinfo/glossary.html

[arnaew]

[QUOTE=SnappyPix]Unless this is used in pure racing circles, I must admit that I've never heard water bottles referred to as bidons in general conversation in the UK.

Bidon is very commonly used in Australia. And here, we also tend to bonk in private. If you know what I mean.
A

[profàvélo]

[QUOTE=arnaew]

Unless this is used in pure racing circles, I must admit that I've never heard water bottles referred to as bidons in general conversation in the UK.

Bidon is very commonly used in Australia. And here, we also tend to bonk in private. If you know what I mean.
A

I almost died laughing when one of my riding buddies claimed, in all seriousness, that she had boinked on a long ride. I wanted to ask how she had managed such a feat, but instead, I just said, "Um, I think you mean 'bonk'..."

[profàvélo]

Unless this is used in pure racing circles, I must admit that I've never heard water bottles referred to as bidons in general conversation in the UK.

Incidentally, found this very good site with a glossary of terms:
http://www.torelli.com/raceinfo/glossary.html

It was used in a book (_French Revolutions_) written by a British guy, definitely not a racer, so that's what made me think it might be generally used there. Oh, well...

[Quillfred]

[QUOTE=Eden

So a "Fred" became a derogatory term for people who aren't cool - they don't have all the latest gear, fanciest bike, hairy legs, whatever, but watch out for Fred, cause he just might dust you.....[/QUOTE]


Well, as a QuillFRED, I can relate to most of that--still waiting to dust the "A"s

I actually find it kind of cool when I get dusted my a nerdy-looking guy with jeans on, a beater bike, etc. Reminds me of a good pool hustler. I might add that I've still plenty of momentum to gain. I did have a younger patient set me straight re: not wearing team jerseys if you're not a member, or nowhere near being a member.

[RoadRaven]

I have never heard of "bidon" before - but my partner has - says it is used all the time in tour de France coverage (shows how closely I listen to the commentators, huh?) - apparently its a French word??

[Duck on Wheels]

I did have a younger patient set me straight re: not wearing team jerseys if you're not a member, or nowhere near being a member.

Well then why do they friggin' sell them if we're not supposed to wear them?!?!?! Just to separate out us dummies who don't know enough not to break the "rules"?

I think my unobtainable but worth-striving-for goal will be to become a Fredwina the Athena.

[DirtDiva]

Rotflmao!!!

[KnottedYet]

Oh! Oh! We need team jerseys that say that!

(if it's an imaginary team, are we allowed to wear the jerseys? What would Style Man say?)

[Duck on Wheels]

Oh! Oh! We need team jerseys that say that!

(if it's an imaginary team, are we allowed to wear the jerseys? What would Style Man say?)

That say what? The Fredwina Athena Phantasy Bike Club? I'd buy one. Hey, Trek420 -- you following this thread? And if so, any ideas for the graphics?