Chris Hoy was a legend in Lycra and now has his own cycling clothing and bike brands. But he has a no-nonsense approach to MAMILs – middle aged men in Lycra.

Chris Hoy advice to middle aged men in Lycra  – MAMILs

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Olympic legend Chris Hoy has advised MAMILs – middle aged men in Lycra – against wearing Lycra.

Now a race car driver, he also has his own branded cycling clothing (including Lycra). And he has his own line of bikes.

In comments he may come to regret, Hoy has advised older male cyclists that Lycra should be left to others.

The six-time Olympic champion made his comments in a cycling style story for GQ magazine.

And Chris Hoy also advised against dressing in full pro kit, as well as going overboard on brands.

“Of course, it makes most cyclists look as ridiculous as an overweight football fan wearing the shirt of his favourite club for a pub five-a-side game,” he said the full pro kit cyclists.

Chris Hoy in a promotional shot for his clothing line – note the Lycra shorts…

His advice to those tempted to dress in matching expensive branded cycling clothing was spot on.

“Another common mistake is buying the most expensive cycling gear just because it is perceived as fashionable or cool,” he explained.

“For many cyclists, there is a reverse snobbery where they will look down on a rider if every item they own comes from the same brand.”

Chris Hoy also advised against white shorts, saying they were unflattering and were see-through when wet.

But it was has advice to MAMILs, who form a large part of his fan base one would think, that is generating the most headlines.

“Lycra isn’t the most elegant material you can wear,” the now-retired former track legend said.

“And professional cycling gear generally looks awful on pretty much anyone heavier than eight stone and with more than five per cent body aerodynamic fat.”

He added he felt sorry for MAMILs, especially when they walked into a cafe dressed in Lycra and people were “sniggering at them”.

However, cyclists would need to wear shorts if riding a long distance. But Hoy said shorts were also made out of other materials, and not just Lycra.

“The bottom line is that most cycling kit exists for a reason,” he said.

“The padded shorts, for example, might look silly, but if you are riding for any length of time on a small, thin saddle you are going to feel it.

“Alternatively, if you want to protect your undercarriage (and your dignity), you can wear a pair of merino wool boxer shorts with a padded insert under your clothes. They’re unobtrusive yet very comfortable.”

Chris Hoy talks hi-vis

“A lot of people think they have to wear something black. Or something Day-Glo,” he said of clothing perceived as fashionable or hi-vis.

“That isn’t the case. Decent cycling clothing today is designed with reflective strips. Or subtle detailing that is visible under streetlights or in car headlights.

“You’ll find that you can be seen just as well as you would in a builder’s fluorescent vest.”