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Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 28 Jun 2014, 7:01pm
by megilleland
On Radio 4 today:

Each year thousands of Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca for sun, sea and saddles. Described by Sir Bradley Wiggins as a 'Scalextric for cyclists', we find out why the island is such a Mecca for cyclists.

Cycling in the UK is nothing like this. It can be wet, windy and cold and traffic can make riding a bike risky business. But in Mallorca the climate is perfect, the terrain is varied and drivers are considerate. We speak to self-confessed 'Mamils' - Middle-Aged Men In Lycra - about their love for cycling, and visit Mallorca to meet the riders who follow the pedals of their heroes, most notably Sir Bradley Wiggins who has a regular base on the island and trains here to prepare for his epic races.

Ahead of the Tour De France that this year begins in Yorkshire, we trace the emergence of the Mamil; we look at their bikes, their kit, their love of lycra and their motivation and discover why cycling has become the boom sport it has in the UK.

Presented and Produced by Martin Poyntz-Roberts.

Listen again here:

Re: Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 8:30am
by eileithyia
Had to smile really, all sorts of riders have Ben going to Mallorca since the early 80's that I know of, so hardly flocking on the heels of sir brad but possibly t'other way around lol

Re: Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 8:57am
by Mark1978
MAMIL has traditionally been a derogatory term. Looks like there's an attempt to reclaim it which is good!

Re: Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 3:05pm
by ChrisButch
Let's hear it for the OMILs too.

Re: Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 4:01pm
by Mick F
I'm middle aged.
I'm 61 going on 62, so being middle aged, I'm going to "die" when I'm 124.

Given Three Score Years and Ten, middle aged must be 35.

Re: Middle-Aged Men in Lycra flock to Mallorca

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 6:03pm
by bikes4two
If wikipedia is right and 80yrs is the average age, at 62 I'm too old to be a MAMIL (thankfully). an OMIL then?