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OPINION
Why I can’t wait to be a fully evolved MAMIL
Mon, Nov 18, 2024 17:22
30
2024-orbea-orca-m10iltd-pwr-riding-4Last week, I spent more time going to a shop to pick up a wheel that I couldn’t get to seal than I did in the saddle. The longest ride I have managed in the last year is 40 miles, and every single day I can look out of my window and see my favourite climb in the UK, which I manage to do roughly once per month.
It is why I can completely empathise with a certain Tom Hanks, who says that 35 is the worst age: “Your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down, your bones start wearing off [and] you stand differently”, he said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “You no longer are able to spring up off a couch.”
I’d have to agree with Mr Hanks. I have just passed 35, and can unequivocally say two things that people under 30 would see as opposed to one another:
1. I am in the worst shape of my life
2. I enjoy my time on the bike more than I ever have
I know that my age means I am already defined as a Middle-Aged Man in Lycra - or MAMIL - to many, and for people in the comments section of the Daily Mail, MAMILs have been people to mock and laugh at for decades. “Oh the shame of being married to a MAMIL (that's a Middle Aged Man In Lycra)” was an article written 10 years ago.
> 20 of the most hysterical Daily Mail anti-cycling headlines
It’s a bit of throwaway banter journalism, a man posing with an ‘expensive bike’ and a woman looking frustrated. It’s meant to be harmless, but ultimately it’s saying that if you’re over a certain age and you’re a keen cyclist, then you are figure of fun.
Unfortunately, this banter has become pretty synonymous. It feeds into the narrative that somebody choosing to ride a bike doesn’t need to be taken seriously, which then impacts behaviours towards cyclists on the road; however, I don’t see MAMILs as figures of fun. As a busy dad in his mid-30s, they’re very much an aspiration.
Your mid-30s are that time when many of us will have young children. It’s when you may have a large mortgage, and it’s when you start having more responsibilities at work. It is also the time when your metabolism seems to disappear, and the time you have to yourself to exercise shrinks dramatically.
That’s me. I am bang in the middle of that right now with two kids aged four and one, a large mortgage for the house I had to move to because my small flat was no longer big enough, and the word ‘senior’ suddenly appearing in front of my 9-5 job title. My metabolism hasn’t so much started to decline, more gone full cannonball into an empty swimming pool too.
So at the moment, trying to get into any kind shape that makes me look like I did at 30 is almost unachievable. The dream is just to have the time to potentially get into that shape again. When I can dedicate the time to getting genuinely fit again, when I can spend an entire Saturday morning on a ride, and when I can dedicate some time every week to physical self-improvement will be milestone.
We live in a bizarre society that seems to celebrate mocking others for trying to improve themselves, with a commentary of ‘you’re not professional, why are you dressed like one?’ showing complete ignorance of how any sport works. If I were to play football in a pair of jeans and loafers rather than the proper kit, people would look at me like I was insane. If I cycle in the best kit for it, I get told that I’m an embarrassment.
I actually cannot wait until I am a fully-fledged MAMIL. Not for anything outward facing or to look for external acceptance, but because it will be the point at which I know I have got through the difficult middle, and beginning to come out the other side.
George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between.
Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.
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30 comments
Can definitely relate to this. I got to the age of 38 and was seriously unfit, to the extent that I was laid up in bed with a bad back every other weekend.
I discovered that if I could get myself onto my old neglected mountain bike, riding it actually helped relieve the pain and strengthen my core. That was 15 years ago, I am still overweight, would still like to ride more, but I can do more with the family because I am moderately fit, and reasonably healthy.
Definitely recognise this! I'm 41 with a 5 year old and am now starting to see the possibility of riding more again, but Strava tells me I have clocked up just 14 rides (commutes and school runs excluded) in 2024. This may not be something you can / want to do, but during these early years I got back into running. I found that a 30-60 min run (once I'd built up to it after many years away) felt like worthwhile exercise and headspace, whereas I would have wanted 2-3 hrs on the bike, which felt unfair on my wife.
More seriously, the vast majority of my cycling is my 14 miles each way commute or my ride to Selhurst Park, which I do in normal looking (but some cycling specific clothing) plus popping to the shops/ferrying children on my cargo bike. That keeps me at a pretty good level of fitness for my periodic longer rides (occasional weekday mornings; plus fairly regular 100 miles rides to and from the family caravan in the New Forest) which I do in full MAMIL mode (I have to accept that 54 is middle aged).
Don't be a MAMIL, be more more like Russ from Path Less Pedalled, or Jack Thurston of Lost Lanes.......
Yo don't have to wear lycra when cycling......
Yeah, and people going for a run don't need to wear proper running kit...
Or completely give up.... and buy a emtb, which will break within 12 months, so you can lounge on the sofa guilt free 👍
No you don't, but if you are going to cycle a decent distance and/or aim for decent speeds, lycra is undoubtedly the most practical and comfortable material to wear.
Don't be like the Daily Mail, perpetuating this bollocks about what your clothes are made from...
I got fed up with my work trousers wearing out on the bum and being fine elsewhere. The final straw was catching the inside leg on the saddle and ripping a large hole.
Exactly. A gentleman wears a Savile Row suit for cycling from the office to the parked Jaaaaag. Why would you even wear lycra? We all know it doesn't work with cufflinks. (OK, that suit creates additional draaag - but isn't 50mph enough? Do we really always need to go at 52mph?) :: irony off.
35 is nowhere near middle aged!
I didn't get my first drop handled road bike until I was 38.
I didn't get my first BIKE until I was 40.
Gosh, I thought I was a late comer to this
I didn't get my first road bike until I was 47 and my kids were past that "intensive" phase I remember oh so well. Not that I would have wanted otherwise but no way did I have time for a serious MAMIL hobby until then. I had to give up cricket because I was falling asleep in the pavilion!! Don't worry, George, it'll all come back...
I only tried my first drop handlebarred road bike about a month ago (I'm 53 and three quarters) and I hated it (but that's a whole different story…).
George - if it's any consolation/inspiration, I'm 44 with a large mortgage, two girls aged 5 and 7, and I'm in the best shape of my life - fitter than I was at 18, but then i drink very little (my late 20s/early 30s was the worst for this), have a very good diet and try to exercise most days.
I only manage one ride a week (i don't work Wednesdays as this was my child care day for the last six years), and it's allowed me to rediscover my love of road cycling.
My motivation to keep fit is the big weekend gravel ride events I go to every couple of months.
Despite my age I don't actually feel like a mamil!
I like the spirit!
Anyways, There are things that are far worse than being a MAMIL, and that never stopped these people from boldly doing what they do: MAMIPORSCHE, MAMICLUB, MAWISUV, MAWISHOPPINGFRENCY, MAMWYW...
MAMILs are cool - trying to stay fit and healthy and enjoying a day out.
I very often wish there were more MAWILs, though. Not really slim any longer? Not as fit as when twenty? Moms? But healthy, spirited and managing and enjoying life?! Very cute!
People's opinion is not much different if you are in Lycra or not. Personally I don't wear Lycra I didn't wear special cycling kit when I was 8 and I am not going to start now. I am quite specific about what I do wear so it doesn't flap about.
Just had a new hip and I think I am ready to get back on my collection of over 40 year old bicycles. I have had 12 weeks of staring at them and for the previous 11 months it hurt to ride more than 5 miles. I could have started riding sooner if I had set them to be a lot more sit up and beg but somehow that would have been all wrong and the physio and consultant have said do not rush the healing process as we want the new joint to work perfectly for 25+ years. So I am facing a long slog to get back to cycling along at a decent pace, still will not wear Lycra, a pair of skinny chinos and slim fit shirt will do fine.
The World will still take the piss but you know what? let them. It is incentive make sure you pass them not the other way about. It is still a thrill to head off on an adventure and come home a few hours later with a grin and a bit of pride in oneself and your trusty two wheeled companion that has excelled itself once again.
That 60 mile hilly ride to Cheddar and back across Mendips in cold and damp weather, is going to be much more pleasant in well designed technical clothing instead of jeans and fleece/T shirt. I've done both.
I really wouldn't wear jeans especially on a bike, bad news in the wet uncomfortable on a saddle and cold. Chords are OK completed quite a few 50 mile rides in those but chinos work really well.
I did a century ride in 2023 for charity in a shirt and tie and chinos. Lots of stops at Churches to sign in so properly attired, quite comfortable. Mind you it was 32 degrees centigrade that day a bit warm, I drank about 6 litres. Took me longer than planned. Definitely not fast but I managed it in 8 hours in total visited 20 or so Churches about 4 minutes stopped per Church. I do wear two pairs of boxer shorts under the chinos to make sure the fabric against me is not moving on any ride over 50 miles. I do have a winter cycling fleece a bit Lycra and a cycling nylon rain jacket and a pair of cycling gloves for Winter and Spring.
Major or minor?
This is so very true! I talk as someone just coming out of the other side (kids are 17/19, mortgage is under control), though I still struggle with time to a degree. Back then though, the thought of getting out on the bike other than an occasional Sunday silly o'clock ride was unthinkable. All I would say is Zwift is your friend. I wish it haf been around when I was where you are now. Good luck!
We should be grateful to MAMILs for reducing the tax burden needed for the NHS.
Obesity costs the NHS around £6.5 billion annually. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases cost sizeable sums, too. However, cycling reduces these conditions and costs—the more people cycle, the less financial burden for the NHS.
The NHS would need far less funding if every middle aged person were a cyclist.
What's the climb?
🤣🤣🤣
It was a serious question - always looking for potential new climbs to try out, if George's local one is his favourite climb in the UK I'd like to check it out!
Porlock toll road has to be the best climb in the UK. Steady gradient, stunning sea views, limited traffic, exmoor ponies, woods, bends, tick, tick, tick...but not to be confused with A39 climb that it avoids, that's a different beast altogether!
Done that one, albeit quite some time ago. I agree, it's an absolute stunner. I did it on a touring bike fully loaded with tent, food et cetera, I'd love to go back and have a crack at it on my road bike.
Foxcote Hill in Ilmington - it's steep, it's not too long, and once you get to the top you can see the for miles across the Cotswolds. Stunning.
Thank you – added to the Wish List!