what is a cyclist and................Are you a cyclist?

[winjim]

I've yet to see anyone checking the value of the bike before calling anyone a MAMIL. And are you telling me there's also a rule that the victim must be white ? Don't you think we should be encouraging everyone to enjoy cycling regardless of age and gender ? Or for that matter disposable income and ethnicity ?

I've never heard anybody called a MAMIL to their face as a term of abuse, but most of the folk I encounter cycling round the Peak District are rich white guys. That's sort of the definition of the term, men who are too old to join a pro team doing pretend races at the weekend on expensive bikes that are too good for them.

Where are all these so called victims getting "MAMIL!" yelled in their faces all the time?

 

[Apollonius]

Now, how do you judge the level of a bike appropriate to ability and age. I need to know this before I buy another bike. Is there a chart or something?

 

[winjim]

Now, how do you judge the level of a bike appropriate to ability and age. I need to know this before I buy another bike. Is there a chart or something?

Is the increase in performance that can be attributed to the bike greater or less than the consistency with which you yourself can ride?

 

[Apollonius]

Is the increase in performance that can be attributed to the bike greater or less than the consistency with which you yourself can ride?

Sorry, I don't understand this.

 

[steve50]

If the term mamil is descriptive of a middle aged man in lycra, what then do we call middle aged women in lycra, mawil?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

If the term mamil is descriptive of a middle aged man in lycra, what then do we call middle aged women in lycra, mawil?

I know you are joking, but that made me realize I don't actually see any women my age (53) buying a sports bike and all the kit for recreational rides.
Yes, the younger ones (up to mid 30's I guess) do, they will also join a club if they like racing.
The attire I see in my age group is sub 800 pounds bike, often flat bar, commuting gear, often just ordinary leggings and a top. Waterproofs of course always in the pannier/rucksack.
Must keep a more observant eye for the female version of the MAMIL!

 

[vickster]

That could be me...except I'm 43 and not cycling at the mo!

 

[winjim]

Sorry, I don't understand this.

You wanted to know how to judge a new bike relative to the rider's ability. Assuming you're taking speed as a performance indicator, as the MAMILs do, you need to ask yourself if any potential increase in performance would be greater than the variability in current performance. If the answer is no, then I would say the new bike is "too good", as you would not notice any improvement. This is a moot point however, as most MAMIL's bikes will never be raced.

If the term mamil is descriptive of a middle aged man in lycra, what then do we call middle aged women in lycra, mawil?

You don't call them anything since they don't really exist in the same way as MAMILs.

 

[Apollonius]

I don't actually see any women my age (53) buying a sports bike and all the kit for recreational rides.

Mrs A (much nearer to 60 than you are) and Tom (age 83)riding their Bianchi Infinitos together. It can be done. Neither are MAMILS!

 

[Apollonius]

Assuming you're taking speed as a performance indicator, as the MAMILs do

I am too old to be a MAMIL so this is not a valid assumption. Why does anyone have to justify having a nice bike in terms of its speed? Maybe they just like the colour.
There is £8000 worth of Bianchi in the picture above. Tom, a retired pork butcher, always wanted one and only now can afford it. Are you going to tell them they can't have them?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

View attachment 123056


Mrs A (much nearer to 60 than you are) and Tom (age 83)riding their Bianchi Infinitos together. It can be done. Neither are MAMILS!

That is not a MAMIL image!
This is one

 

[winjim]

I am too old to be a MAMIL so this is not a valid assumption. Why does anyone have to justify having a nice bike in terms of its speed? Maybe they just like the colour.
There is £8000 worth of Bianchi in the picture above. Tom, a retired pork butcher, always wanted one and only now can afford it. Are you going to tell them they can't have them?

We're talking about MAMILs as understood in popular culture. It matters not what bike your mate Tom rides.

 

[Apollonius]

Pat, I love the enthusiasm displayed in that picture.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Pat, I love the enthusiasm displayed in that picture.

Puah, bet I could beat him uphill

 

[jefmcg]

I googled mamil to see the hate - didn't notice it myself, though that poor fat guy in blue and pink shows up high in the image search. Interestingly two different news paper articles by different women about being married to mamils are in the first page of hits. Then I clicked this link http://www.mamilcycling.co.uk/coaching.html

Damned feminists! Taking over MAMIL website!