MAMILs: Why Middle-Aged Men in Lycra Deserve More Respect
MAMILs aren’t just clichés in spandex. Most are everyday guys changing the cycling world for the better — quietly, consistently, and with heart. I remember the first time someone jokingly called me a “MAMIL” — a middle-aged man in lycra. I laughed it off, but it stuck with me. Was I really becoming one of those guys people rolled their eyes at? Truth is, I’ve been riding a long time. I didn’t buy a bike just to chase a midlife crisis. I ride because it grounds me. Because it’s where I feel most like myself. And yes, I wear the gear — because after 50 miles in the saddle, comfort beats cool every time. The term “MAMIL” might make people snicker, but for me and a lot of other older riders, the jersey and padded shorts aren’t about image — they’re about function, freedom, and staying active when the world says you’re supposed to slow down. I’ll take that label if it means I’m still out there riding. The MAMIL — Middle-Aged Men in Lycra. A term coined with a chuckle and often delivered wi...
