Planet Rugby Forum

Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy has apologised for saying Lycra looked "awful" on anyone weighing more than 8st (49kg).

The six-time Olympic gold medallist took to Twitter to say he was "really sorry" for the comment, which he described as "tongue-in-cheek"

It followed a GQ article in which he said amateur cyclists did not have to pull on a pair of tight-fitting shorts to look good.

That led to criticism that he was "body shaming" larger cyclists.

In his article, Sir Chris said Lycra was not the most elegant material and that professional cycling gear generally looked bad on anyone heavier than 8st.
'14+stone Mamil'

He also said the desire of so-called "mamils" - middle-aged men in Lycra - to be seen in the latest high-performance Team Sky cycling kit all too often led to ridiculous results.

"Personally, I feel sorry for mamils," he wrote. "When they walk into a cafe dressed head-to-toe in Lycra, you always spot people sniggering at them."

However, in an apparent change of heart, Sir Chris said: "As a 14+stone MAMIL myself, this was a tongue-in-cheek article that wasn't meant to offend.

"I'm really sorry; reading it back it looks harsh & that wasn't my intention. Whatever ur age/build, if ur on a bike u have my respect."

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lucrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lucrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

SamShark wrote:Up north where I'm from originally you'd ordinarily use your car to show how sucessful you are.

A few of my mates now seem to want to spend £3k on a bike to ride round the park.

Shrekles wrote:Why should he have to apologise for being right? I would like to point out that every male looks f**king ridiculous in lycra. Wake up to yourselves you tossers.

croyals wrote:I have no idea why someone would spend £200 on a pair of lycra shorts when, for what they're doing, a normal pair of sports shorts for a tenner would do the same job.

croyals wrote:I have no idea why someone would spend £200 on a pair of lycra shorts when, for what they're doing, a normal pair of sports shorts for a tenner would do the same job.

SamShark wrote:Up north where I'm from originally you'd ordinarily use your car to show how sucessful you are.

A few of my mates now seem to want to spend £3k on a bike to ride round the park.

Sandstorm wrote:It's not the arse that's the problem, it's the meat and two veg that comes through the door of the coffee shop first.

croyals wrote:I have no idea why someone would spend £200 on a pair of lycra shorts when, for what they're doing, a normal pair of sports shorts for a tenner would do the same job.

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lucrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

Nolanator wrote:Do normal lycra undershorts that you buy for a tenner work as well as really expensive cycling branded stuff?

Gospel wrote:Who gives a fudge what someone else is wearing when they're riding a bike? You lot sound like a bunch of old women down the hair salon.

I live out in the sticks down a single lane road slap bang in the middle of a popular cycling route and I just think 'fair-play big lad' when some lycra clad lard arse is grinding his big-ring to try and keep up with the sexy young things in front. If spending £200 on ill-fitting shorts is the excuse people need to do strenuous exercise then it's a good thing IMO.

JM2K6 wrote:

croyals wrote:I have no idea why someone would spend £200 on a pair of lycra shorts when, for what they're doing, a normal pair of sports shorts for a tenner would do the same job.

I tried a normal pair of sports shorts for cycling and very very quickly moved on to lycra. It's not a fashion statement.

Bullettyme wrote:

Nolanator wrote:Do normal lycra undershorts that you buy for a tenner work as well as really expensive cycling branded stuff?

They (both cheap and expensive) usually have a chamois (fancy padding) as well. I've bought shorts for a tenner, or bib shorts for twenty, and they've been perfectly functional and I haven't chafed. I don't have any expensive stuff to really compare it to though. Maybe they feel nicer but I doubt it.

JM2K6 wrote:

croyals wrote:I have no idea why someone would spend £200 on a pair of lycra shorts when, for what they're doing, a normal pair of sports shorts for a tenner would do the same job.

I tried a normal pair of sports shorts for cycling and very very quickly moved on to lycra. It's not a fashion statement.

Bullettyme wrote:

Nolanator wrote:Do normal lycra undershorts that you buy for a tenner work as well as really expensive cycling branded stuff?

They (both cheap and expensive) usually have a chamois (fancy padding) as well. I've bought shorts for a tenner, or bib shorts for twenty, and they've been perfectly functional and I haven't chafed. I don't have any expensive stuff to really compare it to though. Maybe they feel nicer but I doubt it.

Nolanator wrote:

Bullettyme wrote:

Nolanator wrote:Do normal lycra undershorts that you buy for a tenner work as well as really expensive cycling branded stuff?

They (both cheap and expensive) usually have a chamois (fancy padding) as well. I've bought shorts for a tenner, or bib shorts for twenty, and they've been perfectly functional and I haven't chafed. I don't have any expensive stuff to really compare it to though. Maybe they feel nicer but I doubt it.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the crotch padding in proper cycling shorts. Presume that starts to make a difference when you're in a low profile saddle for hours.

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lycrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

Bullettyme wrote:

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lucrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

As someone who got into the sport this year it's insane the type of money you can drop, which isn't going to make much difference to your performance.

You see old dudes, with the latest gear; oakleys (€100+), premium branded bib shorts and jersey (€400+), top end helmet (€200+), top end Shimano shoes (€200+), Garmin (€100+). And that's before you get into their bikes which would be generally well into the thousands with fkn tribars and all the works.

All for commuting or going out for 2 or 3 hours on a weekend.

EDIT: I agree with some of the stuff above though, you need Lycra shorts and a decent jersey, but you don't have to be spending hundreds on it.

theo wrote:

Duff Paddy wrote:The mamil market is highly lucrative. These eejits think nothing of spending €200+ on a pair of castelli cycling shorts. It is bonkers. A sport designed to part middle class men from their disposable income.

Taking over from golf.

It is daft. The cost of the clothing is just bonkers.

With regards to Chris Hoy - he has nothing to apologise for.

Mullet 2 wrote:I have a bigger problem at the moment with grown men who seem to carry school bags everywhere these days.

Work, rugby matches etc.

Bullettyme wrote:I was conservative there, it's true. Power meter and Garmin will set you back €400+.

ukjim wrote:its not like he has his own brand of clothing or anything to flog...

Gospel wrote:Who gives a fudge what someone else is wearing when they're riding a bike? You lot sound like a bunch of old women down the hair salon.

I live out in the sticks down a single lane road slap bang in the middle of a popular cycling route and I just think 'fair-play big lad' when some lycra clad lard arse is grinding his big-ring to try and keep up with the sexy young things in front. If spending £200 on ill-fitting shorts is the excuse people need to do strenuous exercise then it's a good thing IMO.

Crash_12 wrote:

Gospel wrote:Who gives a fudge what someone else is wearing when they're riding a bike? You lot sound like a bunch of old women down the hair salon.

I live out in the sticks down a single lane road slap bang in the middle of a popular cycling route and I just think 'fair-play big lad' when some lycra clad lard arse is grinding his big-ring to try and keep up with the sexy young things in front. If spending £200 on ill-fitting shorts is the excuse people need to do strenuous exercise then it's a good thing IMO.

The thing is he's been attacked by the type of idiots who sport #FatPride hashtags, endlessly blog about the heroics of being overweight and thus castigate dissenters as “fat shamers”.

Meanwhile men women are now fatter than ever.