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

[winjim]

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

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Damned feminists! Taking over MAMIL website!

Goodness me, whatever next, white rappers?

Still, it's good to see a positive website proud to use the name MAMIL. For too long that name has been used to subjugate my people, and only by reclaiming it can we remove the negative connotations and turn it into a term of empowerment.

MWA - MAMILs with attitudes.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

I am only a cyclist when on my bike, it doesn't count when I am on the toilet, driving a car, or cutting the grass. (other activities are available) And I couldn't care a rats arse what category I am put in, or if anyone judges me by the bike I own

 

[rugby bloke]

Its strange how cycling seems to be picked out for ridicule based on the clothes that are worn, yet these are the clothes appropriate to the activity. I feel myself and my fellow skiers look pretty ridiculous in our skiing kit yet that we have not being given our very own term of abuse. Like wise when I run out for my Vets rugby team us 40 and 50 somethings look very silly in skin tight rugby shirts and several yards of strapping around every limb.

 

[jefmcg]

Its strange how cycling seems to be picked out for ridicule based on the clothes that are worn.

I'm going to argue again it's descriptive. The negative connotations are in the ear of the beholder.

We all see these groups of riders on the road, largely over 30 and many much older than that, almost entirely male, on excellent road bikes designed for elite racing, kitted out in appropriate clothing. We could spend a paragraph explaining who we mean, or we could say "MAMIL"

We didn't need a special word for it, when they used to play golf. "Golfers" are so similar to each other in the vast majority, that the word already encompasses middle aged, white, affluent etc etc (yeah, there are golfers who don't match that, but most of them do).

 

[Dogtrousers]

I am only a cyclist when on my bike, it doesn't count when I am on the toilet, driving a car, or cutting the grass. (other activities are available) And I couldn't care a rats arse what category I am put in, or if anyone judges me by the bike I own

Ah, I know your sort. You're in category 17b, "categorisation deniers"

 

[Dogtrousers]

We all see these groups of riders on the road, largely over 30 and many much older than that, almost entirely male, on excellent road bikes designed for elite racing, kitted out in appropriate clothing. We could spend a paragraph explaining who we mean, or we could say "MAMIL"

I don't.

Perhaps I ride in the wrong places. Perhaps I'm just unobservant. Or perhaps the whole concept has been blown out of proportion by hack journalists desperate for something to write about, and cyclechatters desperate for something to bellyache about.

 

[Dayvo]

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

Hmm, despite (and unfortunately) not being on the bike at present, you fail to omit not wearing lycra. Hopefully that was an oversight on your part, and not that you're lycra-clad at home in the evenings.

 

[snorri]

Its strange how cycling seems to be picked out for ridicule based on the clothes that are worn, yet these are the clothes appropriate to the activity. I feel myself and my fellow skiers look pretty ridiculous in our skiing kit yet that we have not being given our very own term of abuse. Like wise when I run out for my Vets rugby team us 40 and 50 somethings look very silly in skin tight rugby shirts and several yards of strapping around every limb.

It's not really so strange when you consider that cycle sport is unique in that part of the sporting activity regularly takes place in areas frequented by the general public. People are relaxed regarding sporting apparel being worn in sporting arenas, on the mountains, in or on the sea, but not on the High Street.

 

[steve50]

Quite

I don't.

Perhaps I ride in the wrong places. Perhaps I'm just unobservant. Or perhaps the whole concept has been blown out of proportion by hack journalists desperate for something to write about, and cyclechatters desperate for something to bellyache about.

I can't believe anyone would want to take a light hearted thread so seriously, life is far too short to get serious over a little bit of banter about a made up name.
enjoy your easter eggs and then enjoy burning off those calories all you mamil on bikes

C'mon gents, it's been a very light hearted thread which the majority of us appear to have enjoyed contributing to, there is absolutely no need to take it seriously, it is quite refreshing to see other forum members joining in the banter and poking a little fun at each other, as above life is too damn short to get serious about something as trivial as a made up name.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

I'm going to argue again it's descriptive. The negative connotations are in the ear of the beholder.

We all see these groups of riders on the road, largely over 30 and many much older than that, almost entirely male, on excellent road bikes designed for elite racing, kitted out in appropriate clothing. We could spend a paragraph explaining who we mean, or we could say "MAMIL"

We didn't need a special word for it, when they used to play golf. "Golfers" are so similar to each other in the vast majority, that the word already encompasses middle aged, white, affluent etc etc (yeah, there are golfers who don't match that, but most of them do).

Well i am aghast, I am almost 60, wear lycra and play golf. Perhaps I should just get a one way ticket to Switzerland and give all my toys away, but no I am quite happy eating too much meat, drinking too much Beer, Cider and anything else I can find, and not worrying about being categorised other than 17b of course

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

C'mon gents, it's been a very light hearted thread which the majority of us appear to have enjoyed contributing to, there is absolutely no need to take it seriously, it is quite refreshing to see other forum members joining in the banter and poking a little fun at each other, as above life is too damn short to get serious about something as trivial as a made up name.

Life's a serious business @steve50












Just not for me

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

We all see these groups of riders on the road, largely over 30 and many much older than that, almost entirely male, on excellent road bikes designed for elite racing, kitted out in appropriate clothing. We could spend a paragraph explaining who we mean, or we could say "MAMIL"

If you knew anything about it you'd know that most over 30 sports riders are riding bikes that are designed for sportives not elite racing. They have lower gears, a more forgiving ride, and a less stretched position.

 

[jefmcg]

If you knew anything about it you'd know that most over 30 sports riders are riding bikes that are designed for sportives not elite racing. They have lower gears, a more forgiving ride, and a less stretched position.

Thanks for the illustration of the sort of paragraphs that can be avoided by simply writing "mamil".

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Mamil: male over 40, drop bar shiny road bike, skinny tyres, replica club kit, clippess pedals, aero helmet, expensive shades, weekend rider, lot's of LYCRA.
Find him on a sportive, on a weekend club run, commuting to work if it's a nice day. Never on a Monday, but, 'cause he needs to drive in with a change of clothes first.
Non mamil: male over 40, sensible tourer style bike, at least 35c tyres, nondescript outdoor gear, flat or caged pedals, rides in any weather, will have at least a pannier, probably a Brooks saddle.
Find him leading a CTC or Sky ride, on tour, or getting up that hill faster than riders half his age.

 

[winjim]

If you knew anything about it you'd know that most over 30 sports riders are riding bikes that are designed for sportives not elite racing. They have lower gears, a more forgiving ride, and a less stretched position.

Pretend race bikes for pretend racing.

Which is fine, it's fun to pretend sometimes.