MAMILs deter would-be cyclists says adventurer Mark Beaumont

If you take out the bit about Lycra-clad weekend warriors then what he is saying is more acceptable, though not necessarily correct.

I find it hard to believe that anyone in a major city who sees hundreds of people commuting to work each day would leap to the conclusion that cycling was all about competition.

It's also in line with the initiative he was promoting which seems like a good idea - connecting people and groups in specific locations for social rides.

But the bit about the lycra was unfortunate to say the least, and sadly helps to reinforce the marginalisation and victimisation of cyclists promoted by many newspapers, and the Daily Mail.

Alas, there isn't the money or the will to build any sensible infrastructure in this country.

I think that the guy touches some nerve here...

He doesn't criticise anyone, just states the obvious fact that the image of overweight middle aged guys dressing unnecesarily in overly tight clothes doesn't make a good advert for cycling in general.

It is great that there are middle aged men out there keeping fit, reducing the burden on the NHS and being a more productive person at home and at work. It's great that they encourage their families to cycle. I am put off playing golf by all the middle aged men in funny jumpers with paunches waddling around the countryside but it wouldn't stop me playing if I wanted to.

I have attended a talk by Mark. I don't dislike the man, he is doing what he wants to do. He did train with BC before his Africa jaunt so it is a little disingenuous of him to say that competitive cyclists put people off. I do feel he does like looking in the mirror though. Each to their own.

I spent some time cycling around London and chatting with him today. He's very down to earth, and I feel that the Journo involved has spun what he actually said, to create a reaction. He is very plain speaking, calls a spade a spade, but I don't believe he'd intentionally insult anyone.

Surprised by the negative reaction in most of the comments here, I think a lot of people are missing his point by a wide margin. He's pretty clearly saying pretty much the same as CanAmSteve, isnt he? And I think that makes a lot of sense. He's not slagging MAMILs off as far as I can see.

And whether or not Beaumont competes or wears lycra is entirely beside the point. I wear lycra and like to put in a bit of effort when I ride. I also think the perception that that's what cycling is all about is not helpful in terms of getting people out using bikes as transport in regular clothes. It's not complicated.

And whether or not there are bigger factors in why people don't cycle much doesn't mean that this isn't one too. It's part of the bigger picture.

The main factors involved in encouraging people to cycle more are infrastructure and driver attitude.

Anyone who thinks that what other people wear to go cycling is a significant factor in putting off new cyclists has failed to think logically.

and don't forget Miss Sturgeon's latest announcement to waste a few more millions on another referendum. Imagine the infrastructure we could have in Scotland if we didn't just keep frittering cash away on pointless political aims.

I think my Lycra covered ass is really quite intimidating. Just sayin'.

"those who take cycling too seriously and think that it is all about competition"

... from the guy who competes by riding around the world faster than other people.

He has a point but it's the golfers on bikes as opposed to reaching a certain age and wearing lycra.

The ones that look at other bikes with disdain, think they are better than you abd are generally a bunch of wankers!

Did the Manchester 100 yesterday and there was a sizeable loo queue at one stop. 3 blokes in front talking utter bollocks about equipment and Strava all wearing a 'club' top. A 4th rider in the same disgusting purple atire decided to ignore myself and 2 or 3 behind and q jump.

Utter tossers the lot of em!

Why mention the mamils, the 'weekend warriors', the perception of men competing at all? This is not what put people off cycling to work, or leisure cycling at the weekend. It *might* put some people off joining a club, but he's not advocating cycling clubs here, is he?!

The phrase MAMIL is a light hearted term to describe the rise in popularity of road cycling - and a good thing it is too.

Having achieved all he has, he's exactly the type of person these 'mamils' look up to. I wonder if there is some kind of weird snobbery behind these comments? That these people, despite all their gear and enthusiasm, are not as good as he is? HE didn't need a club to get into the sport, HE didn't become a 'weekend warrior', HE 's a proper endurance cyclist breaking world records...

Well said Mr Beaumont.
The image created by cycle sport and club cycling is the heavy cross that those promoting cycling for transport in the UK have to bear.

http://thebikeshow.net/the-gospel-according-to-st-grant/

Worth a listen.

I think people who may have even the slightest urge to start cycling are probably intelligent enough to realise that there's a lot more to cycling than roadies on expensive racing bikes. Many will remember what they did on their bikes as children and have no trouble finding a bike that's suitable for a bit of general riding in comfort. With some luck they'll even find that you can ride for a few hours (or a few days) without needing padded lycra shorts.

Also look at the current resurgence of touring and 'adventure' bikes for evidence that cycling just isn't all about racing.

Best not to get upset about anything written in the media. Misquotes and spin abounds.

You know what really puts people off cycling?

This massive pile of geekery from the frustrated engineer spods;
http://road.cc/content/feature/164006-how-clean-and-lube-your-bikes-chain

I commuted for years on a touring bike but was put off lycra, road cycling and clubs because of the bunch that passes through my town on a Saturday or the cyclists who sit in the local cafes on a Sunday talking too loud.

Then I discovered I could commute faster on a road bike and that there were plenty of others who do this and ride for pleasure without doing any of the above.

With a wide range of clothing and styles of bike, as far as I am concerned, the only reason stopping people cycling is their own will power.

And a final point.... I wear merino.

Just to put aside the lycra discussion.

The other aspect noted is that of competition - one of the things which has surprised me over the last year (when I have taken up competitive cycling) is that most people don't take part in competition - I'm a member of a club and go on club rides etc. but of the people who go on them, hardly any of them actually compete - most of those that do compete ride time trials, and a tiny fraction of them road race - less than 20 out of a fairly large club (200+ members I think) - so if it's the competitive ones putting people off, then they are doing so from their tiny numbers of people.

While amused by the photo of Mark in his Lycra talking about not wearing Lycra, i think he has a point that those involved sometimes fail to realise.

I commute to work, mountain bike and road ride and I wear Lycra a lot of the time.

When you are interested in an activity, you look at those you see carrying out the activity as a signpost. In the UK many of these people who cycle wear cycle gear, ride flashy bikes and go very quickly. Therefore it can be intimidating to those who want to give it a go. And yes, maybe it shouldn't be enough to put people off but sometimes it.

I spent two weeks cycling in Holland this year. The approach to cycling is so different there. There are people in Lycra but only those who are doing it for sport. Most people wear normal clothes. Bike shops are not full racks of jerseys and bib shorts. They have useful things like baskets, pumps, kickstands and bells. If you want specialist bike clothing, you go to specialist shop. This means people believe you can cycle in normal clothes, which of course they can.

I also think there is a lot of snobbery in cycling in the UK that puts some off. On my commute, I say hello to those I meet. The majority of these people are other commuters and say hi back. At the weekend though, many other roadies ignore greetings, particularly if I am not on my road bike. Even if I am, I am often ignored. Is it because I am on the wrong bike or wearing the wrong kit?

The solution? Get to the point where cycling is so normal, everyone does it irrespective of body shape, bike or clothing. How to get there? Ask Holland.