mamil

Acronym of middle-aged man in Lycra, a previously non-athletic man, between 35 and 50, who has taken up cycling seriously for health and/or social reasons.

‘We have just been overtaken by a M.A.M.I.L.’ Karen pointed to the cyclist that was now far in the distance. ‘What is a MAMIL?’ ‘It's a Middle Aged Man In Lycra. That is what happens to lots of middle aged men, they decide to take up cycling and wear lycra, which is not the most fetching look on a middle aged man.’

Cycling has created the phenomenon of the MAMIL—Middle-Aged Men In Lycra—because it's enjoyable, it's accessible and it's easy to take up. All you need to know is how to ride a bike.

Acronym of middle-aged matron in Lycra, a female equivalent.

Alternative letter-case form of MAMIL.

And ladies, if you have a man at home taking an unusual interest in how you shave your legs, you may have a Mamil in the making too.

In other words, we Mamils are pathetic creatures, cramming our spreading midriffs into unsightly spandex sports gear and spending unfeasible sums of money on custom-made carbon-fibre racing bikes.