to think it's ok to wear lycra

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I see this constantly on social media, including MN. Whenever a discussion starts about cyclists people start using phrases like "lycra wearing" as an insult.

I cycle for pleasure and commuting, not for speed, and I wear lycra/cycling clothing because it's the most sensible option. Padded shorts or leggings because 30 miles on a bike is painful without them. A cycling top because of the pockets in the back for phone, keys, wallet etc. Plus the tops are breathable. I'm an overweight woman in my 50s so I'm not doing it for fashion purposes but because it's the most practical option.

However wearing lycra seems to be a complete no-no according to non cyclists. I was on a FB page yesterday where a horse rider was (quite rightly) complaining about cyclists not knowing how to approach horses on the road. She then made a disparaging remark about "the lycra-wearing brigade". No one criticises horse riders for wearing jodhpurs and riding boots.

Surely with most sports or exercise you wear what is most suitable? So if you go swimming you wear a swimming costume, if you play football you wear kit, so why the dislike of cyclists wearing cycle clothing?

It’s what you do while you’re wearing the Lycra that becomes the problem. Where we are the cyclists wearing Lycra are much more likely to act selfishly on a shared cycle and pedestrian path. Not all people wearing Lycra behave in that way.

It means, compared to the people going slowly or with a child or two. Don’t think I made that clear.

I think it's more that a lot of people dislike cyclists for their behaviour so make fun of the clothes. It would happen with any fabric.

You must know they are referring to a certain subset of cyclists usually known as MAMILSs - if you are not one of those with the attitude that goes with it, then don't worry about it as it's not you that is being spoken about using the code word 'lycra'.

I was told by a dog walker, that it was great to be out before ‘the Lycra brigade’ arrived. And there’s me, in my sweaty Betty’s .
It’s just another form of othering and seems to come from people who don’t do much exercise.
It identifies you as part of a tribe that doesn’t include them, and for some reason that upsets them.

Totally agree. I’m an overweight nearly forty year old. I do ballet weekly. I much prefer wearing a leotard as that is the most efficient costume to dance in. Is it flattering, no. Am I comfortable, yes.

Lycra is awesome stuff. Get the quality right and it holds in the wobble for optimum body shaping.
I spend half my walking life in running gear. Civilian clothing is so over-rated

As pp said, it's just standard othering. Said by people who have experienced cyclists behaving poorly (eg. Red light jumping), or who think cyclists have behaved poorly (eg. Riding in the primary position).

Personally, I think I behave better in lycra as I'm more in the cycling mindset. It's also comfier, more durable, weather suitable and generally practical.

Don't let it get to you and enjoy your cycling. Most of those who criticise cyclists would never actually do anything to hurt one, and those that would certainly won't listen to reason on an Internet forum.

I guess it is all part of the general hatred towards all cyclists. Which is weird because, as both a driver and a cyclist, I see much more poor and dangerous behaviour from motorists than cyclists.

I just don't know why wearing lycra is such a crime. Fair enough to be angry about poor behaviour from road users, whether drivers or cyclists, but to associate it with clothing which is worn by almost everyone who rides a bike is to basically say that all cyclists behave badly on the road.

Which is weird because, as both a driver and a cyclist, I see much more poor and dangerous behaviour from motorists than cyclists
But that's the point, you are both do you understand both sides. Most are not and don't have a clue what it is like to cycle on the road.

I took up road cycling in my 40s. I used to get the annoyance of cyclists blocking the roads and yes, the occasional ones acting like they own the road. But being a cyclist now, I can say that these pale compared to the complete car drivers assholes who think cyclists have to right to the roads and that it therefore gives them the right to put cyclists in danger to express their frustration.

I still get the frustration of getting stuck for a few minutes behind one cyclist after another but I appreciate that they are as entitled as he to be on that road, and therefore just have to accept the trip will take a bit longer.

Ironically, there wouldn't be such road rage if people got on their bikes and the nation would be much healthier for it.

@BogRollBOGOF

Lycra is awesome stuff. Get the quality right and it holds in the wobble for optimum body shaping. I spend half my walking life in running gear. Civilian clothing is so over-rated

Damn right.

The thing is there are two sorts of cyclists. People who cycle for transport (Lycra optional) and the ones who are cycling for sport/speed, where they wear their Lycra. In Dutch these are 2 different words!

I dont think the sport cyclists even be on shared paths, everyone would be happier. No more than a racing car on a normal road or sprinters training up and down the street. But because we do this so badly in the UK there are no clear paths or rules on giving way/sharing space. We just have a good whinge.

You can wear what you need to but may need to cultivate a cutting/humorous response depending on how nice you feel. Don't get me started on bells.

Sorry I may have invented a different question and answered it need my coffee this morning.

@notmenono You missed a group. We cycle for pleasure. Not speed. And not to go anywhere in particular.

Just for the pleasure of being out in the lanes in fresh air with the birds singing and no traffic noise.

Yesterday morning for example. Bliss. Wearing padded Lycra cycling shorts and an old gap sweatshirt.

I guess it is all part of the general hatred towards all cyclists. Which is weird because, as both a driver and a cyclist, I see much more poor and dangerous behaviour from motorists than cyclists.

As a pedestrian, I see much more dangerous behaviour from cyclists. Motorists don't generally mount the pavement, zoom over pedestrian crossings, or travel with headphones in.

But that doesn't have anything to do with my feelings towards lycra!

[quote Mintjulia]@notmenono You missed a group. We cycle for pleasure. Not speed. And not to go anywhere in particular.

Just for the pleasure of being out in the lanes in fresh air with the birds singing and no traffic noise.

Yesterday morning for example. Bliss. Wearing padded Lycra cycling shorts and an old gap sweatshirt. [/quote]
Exactly! I will happily cycle 30-40 miles for pleasure with a cake stop along the way. No racing, no timing myself. But I'm.not doing it in inappropriate clothing!

I cycle and run regularly for exercise and I wonder what people think is suitable to wear for sport if not kycra? Actually, on looking at the labels on some of my sports gear, it's a mix of nylon with spandex or ekastene, the higher the level of elastene, the more stretchy the item. Which is good.

I put this, question once before on here and was told by one poster that apparently, you should wear baggy jogging bottoms instead! It's bizarre - it's like someone with no school qualifications telling a novel prize winning scientist how to write a thesis.

As for the hatred of cyclists - only in Britain, where driving a mile to the local shop while being at risk from type 2 diabetes due to over eating and lack of exercise is frowned upon.

Did I miss the memo? I thought "ActiveWear" was very in fashion. Is it now "So 2017" or summat?

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-fashion-expert-guide-to-activewear-pm6q6t2zb

It’s the attitude that’s often connected with Lycra-clad cyclists. The ‘get out of my way!’ thing as they zoom along with no heed for anyone else.

I used to hate them, because of the number that would whizz along a path shared with pedestrians in our local park - expecting everyone including old people, deaf people, little kids on tricycles and dogs - including old and possibly deaf dogs - to get the hell out of their way.
I heard of at least one dog that was killed by one of them.

There is a more or less parallel perimeter road for them to use but that has a 20 mph limit, so they preferred to speed on the path.
There is now a 5 mph limit on that path but a few still use it as a racetrack.

There is a more or less parallel perimeter road for them to use but that has a 20 mph limit
Speed limits don't apply to cyclists, or indeed horse users.

You must know that nobody means you when they refer to the Lycra brigade? There is a large subset of cyclists who try to dominate the roads when following their hobby. Very few pedestrians or drivers are keen on these people for very obvious reasons.

You pottering along on a bike ride? No problem.

A couple of decades ago, horse riders were being lambasted for being on the roads and there were lots of comments about them wearing 'stupid clothes' much in the same vein as cyclists wearing lycra get nowadays.

I cycle for fitness/pleasure/sometimes speed just to challenge myself. I wear Lycra because, like EmmaGrundyForPM its the most comfortable and practical thing to wear.

I try very very hard NOT to be a dick on a bike - I always wait at red lights, cycle on the road rather than shared paths ikf I'm going faster than 10mph, always thank cars who have had to wait/slow down for me, always thank those who pass leaving plenty of room ( I do sometimes shout at cars who merely skim past so close I could touch them but these are thankfully few and far between round here). If cycling with a friend, we always go single file when a motorist is behind and try to keep the pace up so they aren't slowed down too much. We always take our rubbish home whether inner tubes or gel packs.
Am I forgiven for wearing Lycra?!!

Matild The Cat - not all women "potter along" when cycling. It isn't a division between men and women. Some of us women quite like doing triathlons and we have to train fast on what's available to us.

Dare I say it - this cult of moving slowly isn't that great either. There was a recent medical report which associated slow movement with increased risk of early death and its much healthier to get into the habit of moving briskly, whether you are sporty or not. It's very frustrating to get stick behind slow moving (but perfectly able) people who have no spatial awareness and who block your way - whether that be at the supermarket or on a shared use path. Most of us speedy movers are too polite, and too busy, to make a fuss over it or moan about it on mumsnet.

It definately isn't something that should be glorified - it's just another induction of how low levels of general fitness are in this country, and how they have become normalised.

but... aren't the truly anti-social riders the young men in ordinary clothes scrambling on/off pavement on rubbish bikes in urban places (I have vivid memories of being swarmed on Oxford St in London). They might wear hoodies pulled up over face with a passenger clinging in back, standing on the BMX wheel bars. They ride BMX bikes with tiny wheels at night with no lighting, in dark clothes, and pop out of the shadows across busy roads -- makes me feel like I'm in a Jakarta slum they care so little about road rules or personal safety.

I guess i'm one of the Lycra louts because I've never seen anyone in Lycra doing the kind of stuff I'm describing from the young guys (in ordinary clothes) on BMXs.

I see plenty of shit cycling behaviour from people wearing ordinary clothes. Every autumn when the next influx of freshers arrive in town from other countries with different road rules.
The Lycra clad brigade are usually visible in the dark and obeying the rules , students not so much.
Except for one Deliveroo rider who nearly took me out riding hell for leather on the pavement and then called me (middle aged woman with a walking stick) a fucking cunt when I objected 🙄