Why I can’t wait to be a fully evolved MAMIL

There is an increasing 'disconnect' between comments in this topic and reality. Cords are either all cotton or mostly cotton and are going to last about 10 minutes of proper cycling apart from being totally unsuited to the job. People can use 'jeans' or 'chinos' (whatever they are) if they're determined to demonstrate eccentricity and not cycling much (pairs of crappy cords lasting 3 years = not very many trips going not very far). Polyamide, or less good polyester, fabrics are infinitely more practical, weather resistant and durable and much cheaper- I already possess years worth of future cycling kit from Aldi. This seems to be a version of the topics where nutters try to convince us that disc brakes are not vastly better than rim brakes for the great majority of cyclists!

A fully 'evolved' MAMIL is an OMIL- this one has been wearing proper cycling shorts since 69, when they were some wool mixture, I think, and didn't last very long. The advent of polymers and Lycra was a great advance, so why people are proud of refusing to wear the proper cycling clothing because of what other people think is beyond me.

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......

35 is nowhere near middle aged!

I didn't get my first drop handled road bike until I was 38.

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. 

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.