How to be a Fred?

[Eden]

I think the white cotton socks thing is talking about wearing regular white cotton knee socks - pulled all of the way up to the knee of course.

[pooks]

Oh yeah, that would be it with the socks. They did mention "chain tattoos" on white socks, which would mean the socks would be high on the calf, right?

I bought wicking athletic socks that are low on the ankle. Close one!

And I guess I'm okay with my helmet. I chose it because for the price, it seemed to have the best ventilation. It's a MTB helmet, I was told, but I didn't care about that.

So is it okay to coordinate socks, shorts, jerseys or does that make you look like the equivalent of a "snow bunny?"

[Veronica]

Wear what you like and is comfortable.

If you feel like coordinating - go ahead, but don't feel compelled if it's not you.

I've been on a pink thing lately. Pink helmet, I almost bought some pink sunglasses in Utah. I just bought rose colored mountain biking shoes... but I wear it all on an orange bike, which right now has totally mismatched wheels. The rear tire is a 27 and is rainbow colored. The front is still one of my "go fast" wheels with a 23.

Just ride.

V.

[DrBee]

I'm with you on this one Veronica. Just dress how you want and ride.

If you want a full dose of endless descriptions and critiques of Fredness, go to bikeforums. It comes up frequently over there.

[pooks]

Thanks -- I don't mind bucking the trends and blazing my own trail. I just prefer to know when I'm doing it.

You know how it goes -- you decide to wear jeans to a party even though you know most people will be biz-casual, is different than doing it unawares!

[Duck on Wheels]

Thanks -- I don't mind bucking the trends and blazing my own trail. I just prefer to know when I'm doing it.

You know how it goes -- you decide to wear jeans to a party even though you know most people will be biz-casual, is different than doing it unawares!

Exakkly. And since my dream is to be a Fredwina Athena, it's good to know how to do it. The Fredwina part is readily achievable, I think. Athena takes some work, since it means keeping up on the road in spite of the extra pounds. I passed a woman today who was having an Athena workout -- of goddess-like dimensions, AND hauling her 3-year-old in a trailer, AND spinning up hills into the wind. When I finally caught up with her, instead of calling out "on your left" I puffed and said "I'm having enough trouble pulling just myself into this wind." "Thanks!" she replied, "Now I don't feel so bad." Glad I could be of encouragement.

[Quillfred]

Ahemmm

Let's just say "many are called but few are chosen".