MAMIL - Are you one?

[velomonkey]

Middle Aged Man In Lycra - MAMIL. Are you one.

I'll give the guy a pass for the gut, but the leg hair, the baggy arm warmers, the too small helmet, colored tires :no:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2869069/Oh-shame-married-MAMIL-s-Middle-Aged-Man-Lycra.html

(Disclaimer: yes, yes, I know uber pretension, it's all in fun)

[Steve in SLO]

He may be a MAMIL, but she is definitely a DWIRD--Disapproving Woman In a Red Dress.

[merckx]

We are all punters on some level.

[bigboyblue]

S-1 (new limit on N+1)

[Llewellyn]

Sure..........it was meant to be a tongue in cheek article, but unfortunately the average Daily Mail reader is likely to read it and think it's another excuse to hate cyclists.

But as mid-life crises go, it could be a lot worse. And yep, I probably qualify as a MAMIL, but not as extreme as some.

[bluesea]

I'm well past middle age. hahaha

[texbike]

Guilty.

Funny article! :)

Texbike

[chuckroast]

Hell, I wish I looked that good....although I will grant my helmet at least fits.

[makoti]

Yeah, I likely qualify as an OGIL. Old Guy in Lycra.

[ultraman6970]

Gut and hairy legs are ok in my book, specially for retired racers or newbies in the sport, heck even colored tires are ok IMO, but the only thing I would fix in many mamil's moving around is the damm helmet fit, just like this guy.

What surprise me the most is that if you point to the helmet, many say that it was adjusted in the shop?

Damm I'm a mamil too? wow :D

[zmudshark]

Yeah, I likely qualify as an OGIL. Old Guy in Lycra.Same here, except bigger gut and more leg hair.

[christian]

I'm 38 and I bought the spandex trousers with the penthouse. Yeah, I'm in!

[Vientomas]

He may be a MAMIL, but she is definitely a DWIRD--Disapproving Woman In a Red Dress.

Nice! :banana:

[Ti Designs]

I read the article, I know the type all too well. He started to ride for fitness reasons - you couldn't ask for a better reason. Then he started watching bike porn and somewhere along the line decided that he wanted to be just like his cycling hero. Now he's trying to live some bike porn star's life, and he's not fooling anyone 'cept himself. He rides the same bike and always keeps up on the latest advances in performance, but instead of the team giving the stuff to him, he's buying it. He's always in a team kit, the bike porn stars make it look good, for them it's marketing. For him it looks ridiculous, as I'm sure his wife has told him many times.

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up, but in a sport that struggles with image, they go beyond not helping. They are perhaps the most visible part of recreational cycling, as the article hints at, you see more and more of them all the time. Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

Ride 'yer bike because you like to, ride for health reasons, ride to push your own limits - there are lots of good reasons to ride. Take a look in the mirror once in a while, if the guy looking back isn't what you expected, you may be a MAMIL.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

. . . a bit threatened, are we, Ed? :butt: :rolleyes: :p

:banana:

BBD

[allezdude]

If the guy shaved his legs, put on a blonde wig, and wore a red dress, he'd look exactly like his wife (the woman standing next to him in pic). :)

[basilic]

That guy is great. He has a chronic illness, has taken up cycling, and now enjoys 3-hr rides, cycling trips to the Pyrenees, and nice gear. How does that make him a pro wannabe? his bike is from a local company (to him), and he wears their kit for the photoshoot. And he has a sense of humor, lets his journalist wife make fun of him. It's all good.

[unterhausen]

I never really understood the "pro wannabe" charge for someone out riding a bike. What really looks ridiculous to me is the people that are afraid to wear cycling specific clothing.

All my jerseys are wool. I have too many bad memories of wool shorts to seek out the few makers of them, but I have thought about it

[Lewis Moon]

That guy is great. He has a chronic illness, has taken up cycling, and now enjoys 3-hr rides, cycling trips to the Pyrenees, and nice gear. How does that make him a pro wannabe? his bike is from a local company (to him), and he wears their kit for the photoshoot. And he has a sense of humor, lets his journalist wife make fun of him. It's all good.

This.
You know, The kit, the dreams, the culture, the emulation...it's all a part of what motivates me. If I were to distill it down to just working out for fitness, I'd probably rather go to the gym and look at the cute butts on the stair machines. Cycling is a culture, not just the sport, and not just the ride. I lost 45 lbs a couple of years back when I came back to cycling. A LOT of what motivated me was dreams of returning to racing, even though I'm really not all that good. Would I like to be as good as Wiggo? Oh hell yes. Not gonna happen. But that doesn't keep me from embarrassing myself practicing 'cross remounts in the local park, or from being a hammerhead on local rides. It's important to have wild aspirations. A sanely rational review of our lives might just kill us.
So, here's to escaping into MAMIL culture....it's a hell of a lot healthier than being a fat bastard with a bottle.

[velomonkey]

If I were to distill it down to just working out for fitness, I'd probably rather go to the gym and look at the cute butts on the stair machines. Cycling is a culture, not just the sport, and not just the ride. I lost 45 lbs a couple of years back when I came back to cycling.

Let me say, as the OP, that even though I poke a bit fun at this stuff it's all in good humor. Anyone who rides safe and wants to ride is a buddy of mine - kit, hairy legs, gut - I don't care - I will take those people any day of the week. Heck, I ride my kreitler rollers not so much to exercise, but to just feel the bike on a 20 degree day.

I will say, yes, there are the new to the sport riders who are mid-life and they race masters, have no real results, and some of them think they are know it alls. They will not shut up sometimes - yet they do things like have a seat post that is too high!!!!!

Like what makes me happy is seeing people on bikes, makes me even more happier, when they ride safe, even more happy when I get to ride with them - the most happy - when we get to ride together and I get to ride faster and further as a result!!!!

Still, he's trying so hard and the too small helmet and the colored tires :confused:

[texbike]

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up...

You are correct. We MAMILs are no more ridiculous than all of the crazed football, NASCAR, etc fans that wear jerseys and kit for their teams and totally immerse themselves in those respective cultures. I would say that our MAMIL-e- ness is better than these other wannabe pursuits in that there is actually a fitness component involved. Plus, as you have pointed out, it supports your industry. So yes, although we may assault your refined aesthetic sensibilities, you should be happy that we're around.

Sincerely,

Your Middle-Aged Forumite In Lycra

[1centaur]

The helmet's tilted too far back, but that's the only criticism from me.

Colored tires? Some people have a different sense of aesthetic balance from others. It's taste, not bad taste. On a colorful frame, black tires can bring down the look and make it look heavy footed. It's not like a car, which is so NOT colorful that black tires are pretty much the only decent aesthetic choice. Thinking that it's OK to have pink lycra and a bright, multi-hued frame but only black tires is about as self limiting as not wearing trade gear or rainbow stripes because you did not "earn" them. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, among other things. Embrace the whimsy.

[David Tollefson]

Some one up above called this woman a journalist? That's the biggest joke of all! I've seen probably a dozen of this same article, by different authors and a little different copy. The only kudos I have for any of them is the one that wrote it first. This woman? Thinly veiled jealousy trying to hide behind me-too "journalism". Doesn't get my respect.

[weisan]

When I was watching the "instructional" videos Ti-pal had put up on the web, my wife and kids commented..."er, dad, who's that guy riding his bike, is he your FRIEND?" To which, I promptly replied, "yeah, he's my pal!"

So you see...Ti pal, my family "sees" you no differently than they see me or us...MAMIL-e- ness knows no creed, race, fitness level, experience, skills, dorkiness factor etc. To the non-participatory public, we are one and the same. :D

Be proud of your clan.

Resistance is futile.

[Hawker]

Yea, the helmet has to go. And while subjective, I think the dark socks make him look even "clunkier". I own and wear dark socks occasionally, but sometimes they look better than other times.

[tumbler]

I read the article, I know the type all too well. He started to ride for fitness reasons - you couldn't ask for a better reason. Then he started watching bike porn and somewhere along the line decided that he wanted to be just like his cycling hero. Now he's trying to live some bike porn star's life, and he's not fooling anyone 'cept himself. He rides the same bike and always keeps up on the latest advances in performance, but instead of the team giving the stuff to him, he's buying it. He's always in a team kit, the bike porn stars make it look good, for them it's marketing. For him it looks ridiculous, as I'm sure his wife has told him many times.

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up, but in a sport that struggles with image, they go beyond not helping. They are perhaps the most visible part of recreational cycling, as the article hints at, you see more and more of them all the time. Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

Ride 'yer bike because you like to, ride for health reasons, ride to push your own limits - there are lots of good reasons to ride. Take a look in the mirror once in a while, if the guy looking back isn't what you expected, you may be a MAMIL.

This seems overly harsh. It's just a hobby, and like many hobbies (watches, cars, etc), can be an expensive one. Most of us are not professionals and do not *need* half the crap we spend money on. It doesn't mean that we're trying to fool anyone. We do it because it's fun, it's interesting, and because life is short. I wouldn't say that anything he's doing is so different than most of us here. I'm happy if he's happy.

[cfox]

I read the article, I know the type all too well. He started to ride for fitness reasons - you couldn't ask for a better reason. Then he started watching bike porn and somewhere along the line decided that he wanted to be just like his cycling hero. Now he's trying to live some bike porn star's life, and he's not fooling anyone 'cept himself. He rides the same bike and always keeps up on the latest advances in performance, but instead of the team giving the stuff to him, he's buying it. He's always in a team kit, the bike porn stars make it look good, for them it's marketing. For him it looks ridiculous, as I'm sure his wife has told him many times.

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up, but in a sport that struggles with image, they go beyond not helping. They are perhaps the most visible part of recreational cycling, as the article hints at, you see more and more of them all the time. Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

Ride 'yer bike because you like to, ride for health reasons, ride to push your own limits - there are lots of good reasons to ride. Take a look in the mirror once in a while, if the guy looking back isn't what you expected, you may be a MAMIL.

Did you read the article? What makes you think the guy doesn't ride to enjoy it, for health reasons, or to push his limits? What makes you think he goes around acting like an cycling expert?

What's the magic formula for an acceptable cyclist? What body weight, mileage, kit choice, equipment choice (easy there, Fred! not too nice!!) does it? Absurdly judgmental cyclists do more to damage cycling's image than the average MAMIL.

[teleguy57]

I read the article, I know the type all too well. He started to ride for fitness reasons - you couldn't ask for a better reason. Then he started watching bike porn and somewhere along the line decided that he wanted to be just like his cycling hero. Now he's trying to live some bike porn star's life, and he's not fooling anyone 'cept himself. He rides the same bike and always keeps up on the latest advances in performance, but instead of the team giving the stuff to him, he's buying it. He's always in a team kit, the bike porn stars make it look good, for them it's marketing. For him it looks ridiculous, as I'm sure his wife has told him many times.

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up, but in a sport that struggles with image, they go beyond not helping. They are perhaps the most visible part of recreational cycling, as the article hints at, you see more and more of them all the time. Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

Ride 'yer bike because you like to, ride for health reasons, ride to push your own limits - there are lots of good reasons to ride. Take a look in the mirror once in a while, if the guy looking back isn't what you expected, you may be a MAMIL.

Dang. I hope I'm not playing the expert role, but this assessment gives one pause. I am very clear that I'm not even riding at the level of the fast guys my age, much less younger fast guys who fantasize about being pros and if there's a bit of Walter Mitty in it for this 60-yr old too-fat-to-climb guy, well, there are worse things.

[marsh]

Getting some good miles in, not getting fat, having fun, buying local....
looks all good to me. You go, boy!

[bobswire]

Thankfully "they" haven't come up with a name for us of the geriatric persuasion, heck we're happy if our socks match. Comfort is the name of game as we mix and match our riding outfits.

http://i40.tinypic.com/30s8qhv.jpg

[veloduffer]

Fun article and my wife would definitely agree with all the packages coming to the house and new bikes. My wife is more accepting, as she was a cyclist too and may start riding again (she has two bikes - a Lynskey ti cross and Trek hybrid for townie/farmer market stuff).

The article did mention it was better than riding a Harley, but it's cheaper too. It's also a helluva lot cheaper than an Aston Martin Vanquish and a divorce.:p

[weightshift]

Life's too short to ride crap bikes and gear. Enjoy it!

[velomonkey]

When I was watching the "instructional" videos Ti-pal had put up on the web, my wife and kids commented..."er, dad, who's that guy riding his bike, is he your FRIEND?" To which, I promptly replied, "yeah, he's my pal!"

So you see...Ti pal, my family "sees" you no differently than they see me or us..

The only thing I would add is that I learned a long, long time ago that there was always someone faster. Under promise - over deliver. I pull up to a group ride with people I don't know - when they come calling for my Union Card I tell them "Oh I suck and this ride is on roads I don't know and I'm not from here." When I make the split, take pulls, etc, etc. and they come up to me and say "You don't suck" if I like them and they seemed cool I say "hey, thanks . . nice to meet you." If they are kinda jerks and judge people only on how hard they ride I say "Oh I suck, you just suck more." Works every time.

I'd also add, don't ever complain about customers - that just doesn't work - you can complain to other people within the same industry - great support network, but doing it outside of that, you just seem like a jerk and most people aren't good enough at what they do to be a jerk.

[sworcester]

There's a MAMIL Sports (UK?) that has had a Facebook site (and Strava now) for about 6 months

[soulspinner]

Diggin that top......now you know Im 58:eek:

[makoti]

I read the article, I know the type all too well. He started to ride for fitness reasons - you couldn't ask for a better reason. Then he started watching bike porn and somewhere along the line decided that he wanted to be just like his cycling hero. Now he's trying to live some bike porn star's life, and he's not fooling anyone 'cept himself. He rides the same bike and always keeps up on the latest advances in performance, but instead of the team giving the stuff to him, he's buying it. He's always in a team kit, the bike porn stars make it look good, for them it's marketing. For him it looks ridiculous, as I'm sure his wife has told him many times.

MAMILs help pay my salary, so I guess I should be happy they exist and shut up, but in a sport that struggles with image, they go beyond not helping. They are perhaps the most visible part of recreational cycling, as the article hints at, you see more and more of them all the time. Then the worst thing happens, they start to take on the role of cycling expert...

Ride 'yer bike because you like to, ride for health reasons, ride to push your own limits - there are lots of good reasons to ride. Take a look in the mirror once in a while, if the guy looking back isn't what you expected, you may be a MAMIL.

I wonder if the NFL, NBA, NHL, Soccer or NASCAR eat their own, too.
Why does this bother you (especially when it pays your way)? Does it equally bother you when you see an overweight, beer-swilling, fitness lacking person of either sex decked out in jerseys, jackets, and the like that "the pros" wear? People walk around in that stuff everywhere. We at least keep the silliness confined to our riding hours. Usually. It's functional, as opposed to totally fashion. Do you have the same disdain for people who buy the pricey fishing gear? The insanely expensive binoculars? Or is it something you reserve for people like you who are more into it than you?
As for being experts...compared to 98% of the world, they are. I'll take any person I can get thinking that they know cycling. Because that means they care enough to hopefully not hit me with their car.
Does he look silly? Of course he does. We all do, in one way or another.

[d_douglas]

^^^^ So true.

I am that guy. In fact, I think I need a new helmet. I gave up on shaving my legs 15 years ago (when I could ride a bike pretty fast!). Now, with two little kids and a busy work life, I am just happy to get out on my bike and pedal, lycra or not.

Who cares?!

[Joachim]

What some people write, say more about them than those they write about.

[druptight]

absurdly judgmental cyclists do more to damage cycling's image than the average mamil.

+1

[r1lee]

aside from the scrunchy face.. she aint half bad :)

[ntb1001]

What's wrong with being a mamil? ??
I raced for a long time at a very competitive level. Nowadays I enjoy watching my kids race, and I do what I can for them.
As far as me...full fledged mamil.
I pretty much am an expert on cycling. ( at least I think I am). So, what's wrong with that?? It's too bad if some hipster veggie dud dosn't like it , or me...try living the dream back in the 80's as a bike racer them come to me criticizing what I'm like now.

[weisan]

"You can come out now, it's safe..."

[OtayBW]

I think the most telling thing here is that after ~3.5 pages, I don't think I've seen a single post oogling or oggling that nice looking blonde! MAMIL....SCHMAMIL! I don't give a ratzass about how the guy or anyone else around here looks. I'll be 60 in a week and a half and I'd hit that like a high hanging curve ball! :banana: :banana: :banana:

I've build up a sufficient tolerance to the 'dispproving look' over the years that it's no problem..:banana:

What's the matter with you guys??? :confused::cool:

[Seramount]

some people look quite good in cycling kit.

some look like a clown college mascot.

the attire really isn't the problem...

[CunegoFan]

Cycling is a culture, not just the sport, and not just the ride.

It seems to be me that the rise of the MAMIL has led to the decline of the cycling culture. It used to be that when I linked up with people on the road we were part of a common fringe culture. We could talk about the racing we had done or were still doing. We could talk about our respective bikes and the history of the makers. There was a common set of experiences. Now when I meet people on the road chances are it is a middle aged yuppie who took up cycling a few years ago to lose weight and prove he "still got it.". It is cool they are riding and everything but the shared culture is little different from what I get when bumping into somebody at Williams-Sonoma

[makoti]

I think the most telling thing here is that after ~3.5 pages, I don't think I've seen a single post oogling or oggling that nice looking blonde! MAMIL....SCHMAMIL! I don't give a ratzass about how the guy or anyone else around here looks. I'll be 60 in a week and a half and I'd hit that like a high hanging curve ball! :banana: :banana: :banana:

I've build up a sufficient tolerance to the 'dispproving look' over the years that it's no problem..:banana:

What's the matter with you guys??? :confused::cool:

Must be something. I kept thinking "Does she stand that goofy ALL the time?" :)

[professerr]

The author has written with such detail and accuracy about this "abhorrent" hobby her husband has chosen that I can't help but think she loves him quite a bit.

I thought it was great.

[gemship]

Thankfully "they" haven't come up with a name for us of the geriatric persuasion, heck we're happy if our socks match. Comfort is the name of game as we mix and match our riding outfits.

http://i40.tinypic.com/30s8qhv.jpg



Dude you are the real deal! You look great, fit and ready to lock your bike up for a dozen different reasons to blend in with the rest of society. When your ready to ride on you also have the pro look unencumbered, neither "fred" or over the top I could use a support vehicle should my cranks loosen up. :cool:

[Duende]

What's wrong with being a mamil? ??
I raced for a long time at a very competitive level. Nowadays I enjoy watching my kids race, and I do what I can for them.
As far as me...full fledged mamil.
I pretty much am an expert on cycling. ( at least I think I am). So, what's wrong with that?? It's too bad if some hipster veggie dud dosn't like it , or me...try living the dream back in the 80's as a bike racer them come to me criticizing what I'm like now.

+1

Cycling has just become a popular sport. We can't all be young and perfectly fit forever.

Racing in the 80's pushing a 22lb bike with a 42-21 gear ratio up a hill. I think that gives us permanent street cred. I don't need to be no expert.

^^^^^ Nicely done Bobswire. :) I hope I look as good and as stylish as you one of these days!

[shovelhd]

What's wrong with being a mamil? ??
I raced for a long time at a very competitive level. Nowadays I enjoy watching my kids race, and I do what I can for them.
As far as me...full fledged mamil.
I pretty much am an expert on cycling. ( at least I think I am). So, what's wrong with that?? It's too bad if some hipster veggie dud dosn't like it , or me...try living the dream back in the 80's as a bike racer them come to me criticizing what I'm like now.

Her article was tongue in cheek, and I took it that way. I raced back then and I still race now, maybe this adds perspective. My wife is good about the training and racing, and long ago got over the Lycra thing. Those that bust me about it, I just show them the trophy room.

[beeatnik]

Shovelhd, I like your style.

[bluesea]

It seems to be me that the rise of the MAMIL has led to the decline of the cycling culture. It used to be that when I linked up with people on the road we were part of a common fringe culture. We could talk about the racing we had done or were still doing. We could talk about our respective bikes and the history of the makers. There was a common set of experiences. Now when I meet people on the road chances are it is a middle aged yuppie who took up cycling a few years ago to lose weight and prove he "still got it.". It is cool they are riding and everything but the shared culture is little different from what I get when bumping into somebody at Williams-Sonoma


Absolutely, cycling culture was predominantly tradition based and race oriented. The ridiculously consumer oriented bike industry as it exists today would not be here without the mamil.

[shovelhd]

Shovelhd, I like your style.

Mrs. Shovelhd would disagree with that comment, but thanks :)

[elong8]

Well, I'm 37 (38 this week) and I wear the heck out of spandex. So maybe?

[elong8]

I don't shave my legs, though.

[numbskull]

Absolutely, cycling culture was predominantly tradition based and race oriented. The ridiculously consumer oriented bike industry as it exists today would not be here without the mamil.

I think you are referring to "road racing culture" rather than "cycling culture".

I'd argue that "cycling culture" has (at least since the rise of motorized transportation) always been consumer based and fun oriented. That is why professional cyclists have a job. Local crit races and replica jerseys are just slightly different ways of enjoying the same culture. Indeed, if you prioritize professional racing in the definition of "bike culture" then you could make a very strong argument that a skilled amateur racer is just as much a wannabe as a fat guy in a replica kit. Neither are paid and both spend their money on the same stuff in the pursuit of recreation.

[Saxon]

I applaud child-like and "mid-life" enthusiasm wherever I see it. This world is too ready to beat you up if you let it. Life is short, so go out and find something fun to do! Wear what you want and ride how you want to ride. Too many people are out there ready to kill your fun and explain to you why you look/are foolish. In the spirit of the impending holiday, I say "humbug" to that! :fight:

[bluesea]

I think you are referring to "road racing culture" rather than "cycling culture".

I'd argue that "cycling culture" has (at least since the rise of motorized transportation) always been consumer based and fun oriented. That is why professional cyclists have a job. Local crit races and replica jerseys are just slightly different ways of enjoying the same culture. Indeed, if you prioritize professional racing in the definition of "bike culture" then you could make a very strong argument that a skilled amateur racer is just as much a wannabe as a fat guy in a replica kit. Neither are paid and both spend their money on the same stuff in the pursuit of recreation.


Going back to racing days in the 70's, there wasn't any other cycling culture but the race culture. Most people rode bikes almost as a toy. A bike for a little kid to ride to school was still a toy. Bikes shops were filled with prima donna employees with their silent treatments, who put there noses up to so many customers. The mamil changed that to a certain extent.

[shovelhd]

Going back to racing days in the 70's, there wasn't any other cycling culture but the race culture. Most people rode bikes almost as a toy. A bike for a little kid to ride to school was still a toy. Bikes shops were filled with prima donna employees with their silent treatments, who put there noses up to so many customers. The mamil changed that to a certain extent.

I rode around on a 5 speed drop bar bike while everybody else was on either 3 speeds or sting rays. This was late 60's early 70's.

[numbskull]

Going back to racing days in the 70's, there wasn't any other cycling culture but the race culture. Most people rode bikes almost as a toy. .

A very interesting distinction. Is a bike a tool or a toy? For that matter, what distinguishes between a tool and a toy? Fascinating.

[gdw]

"Going back to racing days in the 70's, there wasn't any other cycling culture but the race culture."

Touring was popular in the 70's and 80's. Remember Bikecentenial?

[bluesea]

I rode around on a 5 speed drop bar bike while everybody else was on either 3 speeds or sting rays. This was late 60's early 70's.

In the same period I rode a Varsity then a Super Sport, till I rode past a pro shop and had to have a green Raleigh Super Course, and made them upgrade to Nuovo. The senseless consumerism was strong, because I always regretted the non-531 rear triangle.

[Kirk007]

Great article, stupid acronymn. Why people have a penchant for labeling and criticizing and judging is beyond me. I assume we are all here because we enjoy bikes and riding them. It's fun for us right? So have fun, wear what you want, ride what you want and don't care what others think.

If someone thinks you are a mamil, poseur, fred or that you suck, well that says a lot about them and their own insecurities. Why take on that burden?

[oldpotatoe]

Great article, stupid acronymn. Why people have a penchant for labeling and criticizing and judging is beyond me. I assume we are all here because we enjoy bikes and riding them. It's fun for us right? So have fun, wear what you want, ride what you want and don't care what others think.

If someone thinks you are a mamil, poseur, fred or that you suck, well that says a lot about them and their own insecurities. Why take on that burden?

Unless you are a luddite or curmudgeon, then it's fun to fence. But I agree, I could GAS of what some of these young wipper-snappers think of me or my bike.

Now get off my lawn.

Really like the pic of the Merckx, bobswire...Local photographer, Michael Robson, writes some for Velonews, has a whole slew of those La Vie Claire jerseys from RedZinger times.

[shovelhd]

In the same period I rode a Varsity then a Super Sport, till I rode past a pro shop and had to have a green Raleigh Super Course, and made them upgrade to Nuovo. The senseless consumerism was strong, because I always regretted the non-531 rear triangle.

I couldn't afford a Varsity so I went with the Collegiate Sport. I bought it with my paper route money.

[bluesea]

I couldn't afford a Varsity so I went with the Collegiate Sport. I bought it with my paper route money.


Same here with the paper route, although I had one of the biggest routes in the city. But as far as I could tell there was no cycling culture other than in little pro shops with Merckx posters etc.

[Tandem Rider]

I started on a '71 Varsity, hay baling money. Moved up from there the same way. Here in the Midwest it was a little different, only a few "pro" shops, and it seemed that the "racers" did all kinds of riding, not just racing. Most of the dudes that I knew from racing also did the local charity rides, centuries, etc. as well as a tour every year or two.