- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
New Forest SportiveBad news for MAMILs - 1 in 3 think cyclists should ditch Lycra before turning 40, says British Heart Federation survey (+ infographic)
Nearly one in three people believe that cyclists should ditch Lycra before they turn 40, according to a new survey from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) - bad news for so called MAMILs (middle aged men in Lycra). The charity has also launched a partnership with British Cycling aimed at getting more people to ride bikes.
One of the aims of the partnership between the BHF and British Cycling is to help cyclists develop their skills and improve their confidence on the bike, and by joining the organisation via the charity’s website members will gain access to training materials, as well as other benefits. The BHF will receive a £4 donation for each person who joins.
Stewart Kellett, recreation and partnerships director at British Cycling, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BHF to get more people pedalling, not only to improve their health but also to power research to raise vital funds to tackle the UK’s single biggest killer, coronary heart disease.
“Together with the BHF, we are hoping to inspire people the length and breadth of the country to saddle up to help improve their fitness and overall heart health as well as helping further a truly worthy cause.
“By becoming a British Cycling Member, cyclists will have access to training material to get them in tip-top shape for their upcoming ride. We also have a number of training rides available to BHF supporters to get them ready for any cycling challenge.”
Shoshanna Goodman, cycling project manager at the BHF, added: “Our partnership with British Cycling will provide our supporters with additional guidance and expertise to help them build their confidence and prepare for one of our bike rides.
“Each year around 60,000 cyclists get on their bike for us and challenge themselves on road, off-road, overnight or overseas, raising approximately £5million for life-saving research.
“Cycling is a fantastic way to keep your heart healthy and by taking on a ride for us, not only will you be keeping fit but you will be helping us fund life-saving research.”
The BHF and Santander, which sponsors the charity’s fundraising cycling events, including the London to Brighton Bike Ride, surveyed 2,000 people to find out their views on fitness and cycling.
They found that mechanics are the most physically active profession, exercising on average four days a week, but bankers who are keenest about cycling for leisure, with 87 per cent doing so.
Lycra’s biggest detractors were found in the beauty industry, with workers in that sector saying no-one beyond the age of 27 should wear it – bad news for the likes of Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Teachers turned out to be more MAMIL friendly, although even they said that 44 should be the upper age limit for donning tight fitting gear.
There are more results from the survey in the infographic below.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- Raptorman 1 hour 7 min ago
Franklin is out of touch with reality in the world of road cycling. The number of people killed or ending up in emergency rooms, the existence of...
- NickJP 1 hour 7 min ago
The review says "tapered head tube", but the photos accompanying it clearly show that the head tube is not tapered.
- mark1a 3 hours 9 min ago
Well... as it happens, I have the Bosch EasyPump. I bought it a year ago with some Christmas gift money. Its main use is on my van which doesn't...
- eburtthebike 3 hours 58 min ago
"...as mayor aims to bring “credibility” to active travel initiatives...."...
- Simon E 6 hours 10 min ago
I do too. It's a 'real world' read fill of people doing real world riding instead of a glossy lightweight brochure for spenders and dreamers....
- FionaJJ 6 hours 56 min ago
Exactly. I won't lie, I did quite enjoy pointing out that the reason olive oil had got so much more expensive was because of the droughts in the...
- chrisonabike 10 hours 22 min ago
What about all the computer misuse? Stop with the downloading already!
- brooksby 10 hours 45 min ago
"Professional Triangle tire Punctured tire Nail for Spike Anti-Theft car Safety Emergency car" Sorry, but WHAT??
- HollisJ 12 hours 39 min ago
Have you seen the size of Micras these days? Now, it it were a Micra from the 80s...
Add new comment
78 comments
They can piss off. I'll wear what I want, thank you.
IMO overweight people can do what they want too, it's for me to judge whether they look 'good' in lycra. If nothing else, every extra MAMIL on the road is hopefully one more educated driver. That's far more important than how they look.
These and the comment about the beauty industry reminds me of yesterday's article about Jo Rowsell and body image. Every eyebrow plucking, botox injecting, waxing or tanning outfit wants to make you feel insecure so they can screw money out of you. They're just leeches, like people in advertising. F**k them all.
Absolutely spot on. Not interested in healthy, just the facade... I could go on.
Oops. Just re-read this and I meant that it's not for me to judge! Sorry if anyone misunderstood.
More than 2 out of 3 people don't think cyclists should ditch Lycra at 40.
The 'infrogram' doesn't work for me on either Firefox or IE 11, probably doing something horrible PC security-wise.
I think the guidelines should be more weight-related.
Why *do* fat people try to squeeze themselves into Lycra? It never fails to both amaze and revolt me. Don't they have access to a mirror or something?
Because it's stretchy and helps them do the hobby they love.
Because it’s comfortable. I am sorry you are revolted by it I can think of a lot more deserving things for you to be revolted by.
Perhaps they just don't care whether you're revolted by them or not and just want to wear what they want without being judged.
Sorry I disagree I am 80 repeat 80 and wear Lycra shorts, they are very comfortable and I look good. I am not fat and overweight!
Congratulations your comment is as pointless and quite frankly as shite as the survey itself.
At 54 I'm far less saggy than the majority of 'beauty' sector workers I have seen. Don't get me started on the teenaged muffin tops you see hanging around towns nowadays.
As someone past the MAMIL age, who still regularly wears lycra, I find the whole agist lycra debate to be facile. What we should really be talking about is a restriction on wearing anything tight fitting past a certain % of body fat. That will reduce the over stuffed sausage effect in all walks of life not just cycling. It's not about age!!!!!
Theres nothing better than the sight of an older person or out of shape person blasting about keeping fit, keep wearing the lycra, I salute you inspirational characters, stay epic !
When I'm in my 40's (long way to go yet), I hope that I still look fantastic in Lycra. Seeing the old boys in Lycra still going strong on their in their senior years riding their immaculate bikes fills me with hope.
Hang on, so over 40 is now "over the hill"? I thought all the dividers for middle-aged/old/etc, were moving up/older...
Or is it just that "the people" think that people over 40 are a bit too saggy?
Like mrmo said, lycra is a functional material for those that wear it, in particular circumstances. I don't think anyone wears it just to look good (and, I've never worn it).
Yawn... let's see what lame PR story we can come up with, from a survey, to get some coverage.
What would be great is highlighting how much money over 40's raise for the charity and the excellent work that is derived from the donations.
(i'm still 39 though)
as someone who has just turned 40 I have no interest in ditching lycra, why would I? it does the job after all. What do they suggest plus fours and a cloth cap?
Cycling isn't about fashion for me, so not really bothered about what is right and what is wrong.
Yet more bad news for Chris Horner...
Why is it "Bad News" ?
Pages