Michael asks:
<What is the origin of the expression "Fred?" >
A few "definitions' from wreck.bike.racing:
A ~Fred~ is anyone you happen not to agree with or perhaps who does not
understand some of the finer points of cycling.
It is a derogatory term the use of which is intended to imply that the
user is a real hot-****.
OR
Someone who doesn't use google to research questions in the
rbr archive (which does bear some resemblance to Borges's Library
of Babel). Especially FAQs like this one, which has been
answered often, e.g.
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
OR
If you do not wear underwear underneath your shorts you're a Fred.
If you do not have a mirror attached to your helmet you're a Fred.
If you wear a pro jersey then you're a pro. If you wear nothing but
Performance shorts, non-bibs, you ARE a Fred (in a major way).
If you use chamois gel for a 10 mile ride and have hairy legs then
of course you're a dork... err... Fred.
If you calculate your average speed to the 100th's of kph or mph then
you ARE a Fred. Pros train by hours. Freds aim for "19.34 mph on
today's 30 mile training ride."
< a guy is running a triple when manly men only run a double, how
can the triple rider be called a poseur, since that triple is out
there to be seen? The essence of poseur is appearance.>
Again, from rec.bike.racing:
poseur is not measured by the distance he can ride. A poseur is
measured by the ratio of ego to ability.
OR