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-   -   Are you a MAMIL? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/901772-you-mamil.html)

RidingMatthew 07-17-13 08:34 AM


Originally Posted by sci_femme (Post 15858334)
MAWIL inflicting her derriere on unsuspecting public and not giving a rodent's posterior about it.


that made me laugh out loud. nice post haha

tjspiel 07-17-13 08:49 AM

Before answering I'd just like to know if there are places that offer senior discounts on bike shorts?

arsprod 07-17-13 11:49 AM


Originally Posted by Rick@OCRR (Post 15859912)
Yep, that's me too. 63 this year so for sure not middle aged! Although, commuting wise, I wear lycra shorts under my baggy (mountain bike) shorts so as not to distress folks while I'm on the Metro train. I wear a T-Shirt on top, so (only when I'm commuting) I'm kind of a closet OMIL.

I guess that makes me a COMIL (Closet Old Man In Lycra).

Rick / OCRR

+1 on COMIL. I wear lycra under other clothing. What you youngins' forget is that after 50, age exacerbates the effects of gravity so walking into the grocery store in lycra might be considered public indecency. And while I love my bicycles, if I could buy a Ferrari or other exotic car I'd do it in a heartbeat!

Whodat 07-20-13 06:01 AM

MAMIL and proud of it. Until the weather gets cool commuting in work clothes just isn't feasible.

wilfried 07-20-13 10:59 AM

Nope, no lycra. In fact, my coworker has a signed contract, that if I show up in spandex, he has the right to shoot me.

Currently, my commuterwear is cargo shorts and a some sort of moisture-wicking t-shirt. My commute is only three miles, but then this is also what I wear when I ride 30 or 40. When the weather gets cooler I'll wear street clothes.

alhedges 07-20-13 11:05 AM

MAMISHTSC (Middle Aged Man in Stealth High-Tech Street Clothes) [pronounced Mamish-tsk]: MUSA Nylon shorts, wicking underwear from Ex Officio, wool tee-shirt or other wicking tee-shirt, wicking polo, or short sleeved seersucker shirt. Usually Keen sandals.

megalowmatt 07-20-13 11:33 AM

For the commute it's shorts & a polo/button shirt.

For long rides where speed & exercise is the primary focus, then yeah it's lycra all the way.

Bent Bill 07-20-13 11:48 AM

mtb underwear liners with cargo shorts and a vented short sleeve shirt
not that I care what spandex/lycra looks like on me
I just cant stand tight fitting clothes
I have two pairs of pearl izumi Pro shorts that I never wear unless nothing else is clean

Reynolds 07-22-13 02:22 PM

OMIL here at 62, but only for training/group rides. I wear jeans for commuting.

RaleighSport 07-22-13 02:58 PM

I'm just a wee bit too young to be a MAMIL but I hope to be one some day ;)

GeoKrpan 07-23-13 09:22 AM

The picture of fredness - middle aged, Primal jersey, helmet mirror, safety yellow jacket, Trapper John MD moustache and beard.

Booger1 07-23-13 09:46 AM

I'm N.O.R.M.A.L........Neurotic ORnery Male Against Lycra.....:)

subwoofer 07-23-13 10:06 AM

At the moment I only meet one of the requirements for a MAMIL, so no.

I am all for Lycra regulation. It should be the sign of a 'pro' rider, or otherwise highly qualified rider, you know, a badge of honour you have to earn. Not for the common man or woman.

rebel1916 07-23-13 11:08 AM


Originally Posted by Booger1 (Post 15879780)
I'm N.O.R.M.A.L........Neurotic ORnery Male Against Lycra.....:)

There is nothing normal about disdaining gear designed for your sport. It's like someone who climbs mountains in Tevas. Sure it can be done, but why?

rebel1916 07-23-13 11:10 AM


Originally Posted by subwoofer (Post 15879843)
At the moment I only meet one of the requirements for a MAMIL, so no.

I am all for Lycra regulation. It should be the sign of a 'pro' rider, or otherwise highly qualified rider, you know, a badge of honour you have to earn. Not for the common man or woman.

Yeah, and HS football players shouldn't get to wear cleats, swimmers shouldn't wear speedos, and hockey players shouldn't wear big bulky sweaters. Gotta sign a pro contract for that. Ridiculous.

Erick L 07-23-13 11:34 AM

Lycra when I'm fighting crime, no capes.

RaleighSport 07-23-13 11:48 AM


Originally Posted by subwoofer (Post 15879843)
At the moment I only meet one of the requirements for a MAMIL, so no.

I am all for Lycra regulation. It should be the sign of a 'pro' rider, or otherwise highly qualified rider, you know, a badge of honour you have to earn. Not for the common man or woman.

Sure it isn't more of a body type privilege?

rebel1916 07-23-13 12:00 PM


Originally Posted by RaleighSport (Post 15880281)
Sure it isn't more of a body type privilege?

Actually, our fuller figured brothers and sisters deserve the chafing free comfort that is Lycra more than anyone. Wear it with pride!

RaleighSport 07-23-13 12:19 PM


Originally Posted by rebel1916 (Post 15880329)
Actually, our fuller figured brothers and sisters deserve the chafing free comfort that is Lycra more than anyone. Wear it with pride!

I agree but was playing along with subwoofer ;)

RidingMatthew 07-23-13 02:04 PM

i forwarded the article to my wife and she said I was not middle aged and she said "I looked good in my lycra. Keep riding":love:

arsprod 07-24-13 07:01 AM


Originally Posted by rebel1916 (Post 15880329)
Actually, our fuller figured brothers and sisters deserve the chafing free comfort that is Lycra more than anyone. Wear it with pride!

Right, they deserve the comfort - and I deserve the right not to have to see them wearing they're comfortable, ill fitting, bulging in places not necessarily bulgable, lycra clothing. I include myself in this latter category and choose not to inflict that pain on others. I'll continue to wear my lycra covertly, under my cool, old guy baggy shorts

Rick@OCRR 07-24-13 08:10 AM

Just for fun this morning I rode my commute in full Lycra with no baggy mountain bike shorts or T-Shirt to cover up my Lycra-ness. Of course I couldn't tell what folks were thinking while I was on the Metro train, but no one said anything or laughed out loud . . . so that's good! All the other bike commuters on the train were dressed in street clothes but even they didn't make any comments.

So, really, not that different coming out of the "Hidden Lycra" metaphorical closet! I was an OMIL for sure and not a COMIL.

Rick / OCRR

caloso 07-24-13 08:14 AM

I combine commuting with training (most amateur racers I know do too), so most days at least one of the commute legs is in team kit. Can't guarantee that it's this season's or even that it matches, but it depends on the laundry status.

tjspiel 07-24-13 08:40 AM


Originally Posted by arsprod (Post 15883157)
Right, they deserve the comfort - and I deserve the right not to have to see them wearing they're comfortable, ill fitting, bulging in places not necessarily bulgable, lycra clothing. I include myself in this latter category and choose not to inflict that pain on others. I'll continue to wear my lycra covertly, under my cool, old guy baggy shorts

Sorry, there are all sorts of fashion choices others make that the rest of us have to deal with. Yesterday I walked by a man who had almost no hair left except a couple of tufts on either side of his head. He chose to dye them bright purple.

Other than being quite memorable I don't think it really impacted my day at all so more power to him. If it did, that says more about me than him.

Booger1 07-24-13 09:34 AM

If you ride as hard as you can,pouring off sweat,hour after hour on your commute,then Lycra makes sense.....I don't race to work/store and back.

Lycra is not a fashion choice,it's made to do a specific job,like a wetsuit...Greasy clothes and tatoos while riding a Harley are a fashion choice.


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