[Closed] Oh the shame of being married to a MAMIL (that's a Middle Aged Man In Lycra)

I have road raced since I was about 13, I have always cycled and still do some racing. I wore cycling clothes then and I still do now, am I having a mid-life crisis?

Once the media give something a BS name like 'mamil' or 'lycra lout' it proliferates. I find it all a bit cringeworthy.

I would rather the bloke in the article was out riding his bike than sitting in a car, if people want to take the piss out of him then that is their shortcoming.

Although it's "satan's own newspaper" (must be true cos Stephen Fry said so) there's more insight into the "real life world of aspirational cyclists" in that article than a whole shelf of bike mags....

Mamil is in the Oxford English Dictionary now you know

soar faced old bag - no wonder he wants to spend hours away!

If it's a light-hearted, positive piece about hobby cycling in a reactionary daily newspaper then that's a good thing.

Unfortunately I'll have to go by you guys' comments because I still ain't gonna click.

Don't read the wail but sounds ok. Of course it misses the fact that MAMILS who stick to cycling are just not good enough swimmers to be triathletes!!! Total immersion anyone.......? 😉

Although I reckons tri obsession peaked about 3 years ago and was replaced by baggy shorts and dropper posts.

Unfortunately I'll have to go by you guys' comments because I still ain't gonna click.

Took the bait and clicked. Can confirm it is a positive, light hearted piece, even funny in bits. Maybe all articles in the Mail will be like this one day 😉

Even Jessica, eight-going-on-18, was genuinely interested in racing a bike until recently, when she started to prefer my Zumba and dance classes.

Pot, kettle, etc... 🙂 There are few things more ridiculous than middle-aged ladies going full Zumba...

[img] [/img]

I think I need to enrol in a zumba class

That reads too much like it was written by a cyclist, all the right 'humour' points are in there. In reality she wouldn't know that much detail.

And he's punching well above his weight.

She has cankles and his legs are very hairy for a roadie

"The difference is, I make this look good.' 8)

MAMIL of more than 25 years lycra (and some of the kit looks like it),

BTW, he's an amateur, you aren't a proper MAMIL until you've been to a school open evening in club kit 😳 - I did have a pair of "emergency trousers" the second time.

He must be on here. The middle class is ripping oot them. Bets on owning an Audi an a Orange 5?

I'm reckoning that article is entirely fabrication. In the pics he looks like his cap should have a little helicopter rotor on the top, and he has a very, shall we say, simple look on his face.

The whole article bangs on about how silly cycling is, with a couple of lines saying, 'oh and by the way, he does all this cycling despite having been diagnosed with MS 10 years ago' which is far more article worthy than saying how childish stuff like N+1 is.

Rant over, as you were...

not good enough swimmers to be triathletes

What and ruin a good bike ride?

I've dicked around on bikes since I was 3ish. I love being outdoors. Maybe I should grow up and sit in pubs for pub lunches and walk round shopping centres at weekends. Thats grown up.

It does get deluded/crisis though when you hit your 40's and race even though you at best will only hit 40th etc place 😉

Whats the point- give up.

God I love my wife, she's far from perfect, but at least she's not [i]Jennie from Surrey[/i]...

For My sins I clicked on through and attempted to read it, the posed pictures, the generally annoying tone of it all... TBH Yeah he does looks like a bit of a Gormless fool, a stereotypical [i]"New golfer"[/i] as the pictures and his missus' words present him, but he's happened on cycling as a means to stop him A- getting any fatter, B- having to spend so much time with that nightmarish, scowling, miserable, judgemental cow who's happy to ridicule her husband in click-bait for the mail... So well done Fella.

Pfft. He's an amateur. Look how hairy his legs are!

yunki - Member

I think I need to enrol in a zumba class

Stand at the back, you'll be surprised how soon you firm up 😀

If you take offence at an article like that you really need to have a word with yourself

Man face?

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Oh the shame of being married to a MAMIL (that's a Middle Aged Man In Lycra)
Jennie Price from Surrey is a cycling widow
Her husband Richard's transformation began five years ago
To get fit, he bought a road bike but soon became obsessed
Now he spends hours in the saddle
He has also spent a fortune on bikes, cycling clothing and gadgets
By JENNIE PRICE FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 19:19 EST, 10 December 2014 | UPDATED: 04:44 EST, 11 December 2014

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Standing in the sunshine, chatting with my friends in the park on a lovely Saturday morning, I could not have been more content.
Then I caught a glimpse of garish pink and DayGlo yellow. In an instant, my mood was shattered as a voice gasped: 'Dear God, Jennie. Is that your husband?'
And there he was, walking towards us in an outfit even Daniel Craig would struggle to pull off. In fact waddling would be a more apt description, as his cycling shoes made walking all but impossible.
Scroll down for video
Cycle of despair: Jennie Price and her husband Richard with his £2,000 bike
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Cycle of despair: Jennie Price and her husband Richard with his £2,000 bike
Yet, as I stood there mortified, Richard had a smile as broad as the Thames. For my darling husband is a MAMIL, and had just returned from his ritual Saturday bike ride.
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'What is a MAMIL?' I hear you cry. Well, as of last week you need look no further than the Oxford Dictionary to find out. It stands for a Middle Aged Man In Lycra.
The definition is 'a middle-aged man who is a very keen road cyclist, typically one who rides an expensive bike and wears the type of clothing associated with professional cyclists'.
Crisis: Richard's mid-life crisis is entirely his choice, says Jennie who says it has turned her into a weekend widow rapidly turning grey as she watches money drain from their joint account
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Crisis: Richard's mid-life crisis is entirely his choice, says Jennie who says it has turned her into a weekend widow rapidly turning grey as she watches money drain from their joint account
You will have seen them. Their numbers are swelling at an alarming rate, thanks to Tour de France winners Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome — men I would admire but for my husband's desire to emulate them.
As professional sportsmen, it is their job to dress in ridiculous clothes and spend endless hours in the saddle. But Richard's mid-life crisis is entirely his choice, and has turned me into a weekend widow rapidly turning grey as I watch money drain from our joint account more quickly than a Mark Cavendish sprint.
For those fortunate enough to have normal husbands, allow me to elaborate. Being a MAMIL is about much more than squeezing your ample frame into tight lycra.
MAMIL hero: The men all want to be like Tour De France winner Bradley Wiggins
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MAMIL hero: The men all want to be like Tour De France winner Bradley Wiggins
This means boring dinner parties into silence with endless chat about bikes, spending long hours of family time out 'training', embarrassing your children walking around the house in bib shorts (think a mankini with padding around the nether regions) and paying eye-watering sums for obscure items of kit.
Richard's transformation into a MAMIL began five years ago when, to get fit, he bought a road bike. At first, he wore a sensible pair of shorts and a loose-fitting jersey.
But then the buying began in earnest. New wheels (the old ones were slowing him down, apparently), a pair of cycling shoes, then another pair, then a 'quicker' helmet, then a personal trainer to help him shed the pounds and improve his 'power to weight ratio'.
Transformation: Richard's evolution into a MAMIL began five years ago when, to get fit, he bought a road bike
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Transformation: Richard's evolution into a MAMIL began five years ago when, to get fit, he bought a road bike
The clothes grew tighter, the cost escalated as he bought a cycling computer (a glorified satnav), which at £500 cost almost as much as his bike, and £250 sunglasses (they have gaps in the lenses to stop them steaming up — but if you sweat as much as Richard, they steam up anyway).
Now our weekends have been taken over by cycling. For MAMILs do not simply go on an hour-long run out. Rides regularly last three hours or more, while in the spring and summer they disappear for days to ride in 'sportive' events.
My husband, like so many of his friends, is a fanatic. He buys an average of one bike a year, each more expensive than the last. His first was a relatively meagre £800, that he sold two years on for £200.
Emulating their idols: Jennie's husband and his friends go on cycling trips abroad so they can cycle routes taken by professionals like Chris Froome, pictured right
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Emulating their idols: Jennie's husband and his friends go on cycling trips abroad so they can cycle routes taken by professionals like Chris Froome, pictured right
Chris Froome: an inspiration to 'MAMILs' everywhere

Today, he has three: a day-to-day 'workhorse' (£1,000), a steel 'winter trainer' (£850) and a custom-built, red, white and blue road bike (£2,000 — his name is painted on the frame).
Then there are the clothes, gadgets and 'sports nutrition'. Tools, inner tubes, tyres, wheels, hats, gloves (summer, autumn, winter and spring versions), shoes (waterproof for the winter, lightweight for the summer), overshoes, arm warmers, leg warmers, lights, pumps, pedals and saddles... the list is endless.
Every week another mysterious package arrives, with the latest waterproof jersey or a vintage cycling cap of a type once worn by one of his increasingly obscure heroes.
Spending: Jennie says every week another mysterious package arrives, with the latest waterproof jersey or a vintage cycling cap of a type once worn by one of his increasingly obscure heroes
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Spending: Jennie says every week another mysterious package arrives, with the latest waterproof jersey or a vintage cycling cap of a type once worn by one of his increasingly obscure heroes
At night in bed, he reads Cycling Weekly or autobiographies of surly-looking Belgians. He has also been agonising over whether to shave his legs or not, although the only reason he can give me for doing so is 'the pros do it'.
Even when it rains we get no respite. Rather than miss a ride he sets up rollers (a treadmill for bikes) in the kitchen and scares the dog witless by riding on the spot for a noisy hour.
Then there are the foreign trips. We live in the Surrey Hills — one of the best cycling spots in the country. Box Hill, where the Olympic road race was held, is a local climb and the Tour of Britain passes through every year.
All the gear, no idea: Jennie's husband as much kit as Mark Cavendish but cycling is not his career
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All the gear, no idea: Jennie's husband as much kit as Mark Cavendish but cycling is not his career
The one thing we don't have is a mountain. So a couple of times a year Richard and his MAMIL pals pack their bikes into protective boxes (£500) and fly to the Pyrenees or the Alps, for a weekend emulating their professional cycling idols.
It may drive me to distraction, but I must admit I admire his dedication. Our son, James, six, certainly looks up to him and wants a road bike, too.
Even Jessica, eight-going-on-18, was genuinely interested in racing a bike until recently, when she started to prefer my Zumba and dance classes.
For a man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago, Richard is impressively active
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For a man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago, Richard is impressively active
Both ride well and have picked up a love of exercise from Richard and me.
For a man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago, Richard is impressively active. Within a year of taking up cycling he rode from London to Paris and this summer did the Etape du Tour — a mountain stage of the Tour de France, in appalling weather.
As mid-life crises go it could be a lot worse. I am far happier my 41-year-old husband is out riding a pushbike with a bunch of other men than zooming around on a Harley-Davidson and chasing girls half his age.
I also take comfort from the fact I am not alone. In our circle of friends, six of the husbands have taken up cycling .
They are putting this passion to good use, too. Next May they will take part in a charity cycle ride from Guildford to Bordeaux in aid of The Fountain Centre, a local cancer charity.
Being a MAMIL, like all mid-life crises means acting like little boys. As 11-year-olds do, they have their in-jokes, asserting the perfect number of bikes to own is N + 1 (N is the number of bikes you have already).
Another formula, which shows they are not entirely stupid, is S – 1 (S is the number of bikes that will prompt your wife to demand a separation).
In Richard's case, he seems to have taken heed to the latter — he used to have two more than now (a mountain bike and a Brompton folding cycle).
Of course, he hankers for more. Recently, he has been wittering on about carbon and titanium frames, in the hope of boring me into submission.
I humour him up to a point, but on one issue I will not budge. Since that day in the park Richard is banned from attending any social occasion dressed in lycra — on pain of his bike being sent to the tip.
Would I really follow through with the threat? Just try me.

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Edit... after reading tomhoward's comment above I Just went back and read to the end, where she eventually tells us that He's got MS as well as being a reasonably committed cyclist... Right there you go the key point of the whole article gets missed in amongst all the patter for the target DM audience that makes up the preceding 90% of it... Shame.

Naomi Webb, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1 hour ago

"When dating I refused to date a man who was into biking for good reason"

howsyourdad1 - Member

Naomi Webb, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1 hour ago

"When dating I refused to date a man who was into biking for good reason"

wonder what his good reason for biking was? 🙂

I just enjoy it 😉

cookeaa - Member

but he's happened on cycling as a means to stop him A- getting any fatter, B- having to spend so much time with that nightmarish, scowling, miserable, judgemental cow who's happy to ridicule her husband in click-bait for the mail... So well done Fella.

+1.

She comes across as a right sour mare.....

I'm with falloffalot on this - amazing how tbe internet has narrowed some peoples perceptions of the world and removed their sense of humour.

She comes across as a right sour mare.....

Knowing a couple of people who've come out the wrong side of a DM 'article' she could well be the loveliest person you'll ever meet and still be portrayed as she has been in that article... The DM puts together what they want to portray and then pieces together reality around it to get what they want.

Wonder if he's on Strava with any KOMs? (King Of Moaner)

I've dicked around on bikes since I was 3ish. I love being outdoors. Maybe I should grow up and sit in pubs for pub lunches and walk round shopping centres at weekends. Thats grown up.

+1. The whole "midlife crisis" thing grinds my gears. It just implies the proper thing to do is to stop doing things you like when you get older. Guff.

Naomi Webb, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1 hour ago

"When dating I refused to date a man who was into biking for good reason"

She probably couldn't handle his impressive sexual stamina.

DezB

There's a LOT of photos of her accompanying the article. I've decided I'll keep her company while he's out being a roadie

would def bang

Is that the same as I just said but in 14 year old speak?

I'm not sure, I couldn't work out whether you wanted to sex her up or braid her hair.

Jeezo! What's he done to deserve her? Slagging off hour partner in a national paper?

It can't be real DM's article. No mention about Polish immigrants and Islamic terrorists.

The whole "midlife crisis" thing grinds my gears.

The biggest shame come from being published in the Daily Mail.

Daft bint.

Good on him for pursuing his hobby after an MS diagnosis. As said elsewhere, I suspect the article is a silly DM take on the situation rather than reality. My missus is happy that I keep fit (and vice versa).

Paul (proud lycra wearer)

Looks pretty tame by DM standards, unlike a few of the comments placed after.

Few points:

He's wearing pink -- I wouldn't so I can see her point on that one
He turned up at a function in his kit -- As above
He doesn't ride in the rain -- Wuss
He rides despite MS -- [s]Wuss[/s]
He's riding for charity -- Thumbs up
He's inspired the kids -- More thumbs up

Overall, incredibly balanced and positive by DM standards.

I like the idea being pushed that £2000 is an "expensive road bike" 😆

I like the idea being pushed that £2000 is an "expensive road bike"

Great comment near the top now.

mikey82, London, United Kingdom, 3 minutes ago

Don't really care about your story, lady, all I care about is that you return Pat Sharp's hair

I've possibly coined a new term to describe her...

MAMILF

I don't get what the issue is with middle aged men wearing appropriate clothing for whatever activity they are engaing in.

I don't get what the issue is with middle aged men wearing appropriate clothing for whatever activity they are engaing in.

slowoldman - Member

I don't get what the issue is with middle aged men wearing appropriate clothing for whatever activity they are engaing in.

he should bin the bike and start boozing and chasing women.
surely that is more acceptable?

The chap in the picture isn't doing himself any favours with that pink cartoon-like top and the cap. Anyone would think it was staged.

How long is the bloody head tube on that bike! Is he actually 8ft tall and that's an XXXL?

Not sure the sour puss look does her any favours either.
Anyone would think it was staged.

Not sure the sour puss look does her any favours either.
Anyone would think it was staged.

Judging by the way she's crossing her legs in all the photos she probably needed a wee, hence the sour puss face.

Yet no-one bats an eyelid at people wearing football shirts to gawp at the telly/go shopping/go to the pub/etc...

No I don't get it either but it's the way it is.

*CFH may be along in a minute to say it's not allowed at his club, but you know what I mean

Good on him for pursuing his hobby after an MS diagnosis. As said elsewhere, I suspect the article is a silly DM take on the situation rather than reality.

A friend ended up the subject of one of these articles. The original "we want to do an article on (insert worthy subject here)" and the eventual headline bore absolutely no relation. It's entirley possible she was interviewed for an article about 'my husbands got MS and still cycles a lot, isn't he great", the interviewer slipped in a questions about cycling kit looking a bit daft, does he mention n+1 bikes, have your friends ever seen him in cycling kit, got a few yes', and wrote the article on those.

Judging by the way she's crossing her legs in all the photos she probably needed a wee

She seems to have the furrowed brow of someone a little consitpated .

The chap in the picture isn't doing himself any favours with that pink cartoon-like top and the cap.

Do see a few Windy Milla riders when I'm riding around Surrey, not sure why some people find them so appealing though.

It's entirley possible she was interviewed for an article about 'my husbands got MS and still cycles a lot, isn't he great", the interviewer slipped in a questions about cycling kit looking a bit daft, does he mention n+1 bikes, have your friends ever seen him in cycling kit, got a few yes', and wrote the article on those.

Yeah, this probably. Also they've probably got 200 pics of her looking happy but chose the scowly one.

Do see a few Windy Milla riders when I'm riding around Surrey, not sure why some people find them so appealing though.

Agree. They may not be open-mould frames painted up by some banksy wannabee, Hoxton bonnet wearing, lumbersexual graphic designer but they do a good impression that they are.

Two things in particular: 1. The font: 2. Deliberate misspelling. AARGH.

Whilst she may have been misrepresented in the article, I don't think they've airbrushed her seriously miserable boat race. More power to him for putting up with MS and her. No wonder wearing pink lycra isn't a biggie.

Yeah, this probably. Also they've probably got 200 pics of her looking happy but chose the scowly one

There's way more than one!

I think he's been telling porkies - a WM frame doesn't start under £2k (they're repainted Sarto frames). so that's actually more like a £3.5k bike...

I've possibly coined a new term to describe her...

MAMILF

^^^ this! 😆

I think he's been telling porkies

don't give the game away! 😉

I think the thing for me is that its a not terribly nicely written article, potentially destroying marriage happiness due to click-bait daily mail editing and an idiot wife allowing herself to be used by them for no real reason and an even more idiot husband for letting himself be ridiculed in that manner. I must say, he does look a bit dim, like a Labrador with its tongue hanging out.

This article is a set up. Can you imagine this woman actually contacting DM with her [u]problem[/u]? And I don't believe they had known each other before the photo session...

And I don't believe they had known each other before the photo session...

He's a Daily Mail journo too - had you not realised?