Comments on: The ‘Fat Blokes in Lycra’ Club

By: KNIGHTWAKER

KNIGHTWAKER — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:34:30 +0000

Well I don’t know much about wearing Lycra/spanx pants or bike shorts, the only thing I do know is that they are pretty comfortable I do have a gut and trying very hard to lose it, I usually wear them and use shorts or basketball pants in top of them but it still feels unnatural and don’t take me wrong, I am not some kind of a nudist pacifist I tried wearing some spanx to the gym when you hardly see any soul, and the two workers from the place didn’t made any comments about the only thing they said was…those look good on you. I obviously asked if they were ok. They definitely said that it was great and that it takes some courage to wear something like that specially when men tend to use loose clothing.

When I wear them I usually wear a loose shirt to cover my parts even though I use undergarments beneath them.

I don’t know what would your opinion be of some guy or as you guys refer to us (blokes, chunky, fat…etc…) walks into the gym wearing this kind of outfit Lycra/ Spanx shorts or pants and a loose shirt to the gym during peak hours I really want to know your opinion on this…

Is like a friend of mine which happens to be my trainer said “When you go and exercise or to go to work you don’t dress to impress, or to go on a date as long as you’re comfortable with yourself its all that matters”. I am not the kind of guys that pays attention to somebody else’s comments anyway but I want to hear yours since you guys are taking about it!

Thank you in advance and all of you have a great weekend.

By: Sarah Love

Sarah Love — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:49 +0000

It’s interesting because clubs and groups do form. As I am reading this post and hearing all of the what are commonly termed as “inside jokes” I realize that even on here this club has it’s own language.

Families have this, you might say “he’s pulling an uncle mike” and all the people in the family will roll their eyes.

When I worked at McDonald’s they would say “10 piece nuggets on register one” if there was a hot woman customer on register one.

The bike club might talk about how they greased themselves up to get into the spandex and called it “sliding into the suit” like “yeah Bert’s not here today cause he broke his leg sliding into the suit.” and all the members would cringe as they remembered sliding into there own suits that morning.

The biggest thing to remember is that when you grow up it is nice to let people into the club and part of that is by giving people a club dictionary.

By: Jules

Jules — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:16:39 +0000

I must say, Craig, I really feel part of the ‘ironman club’ now, even before I have lined up at the swim start of my first race. But I’ve entered. I’m committed. And just by being out on the road, training, I’m meeting and connecting with people who do ironman. And I really do connect with them. We are definitely a ‘breed of our own.’ Not everyone can do ironman. It takes a special person to just contemplate doing one. I can’t wait to get to NZ and meet hundreds of other ironman competitors from across the world. IM NZ was the first international ironman event. I think that’s pretty cool that I’ve chosen that as my first. It was going to be IM WA 2009, but that fizzled.

I’m getting a bit of attention with my new bike. I feel a bit special! “That looks like a new bike” one rider said as he rode alongside me on Wednesday. “Yes – just got it on Saturday.” I love my new bike. It may not be an ARGON or a SPECIALIZED or whatever other top ‘brand name’ there is out there but I don’t care. You don’t need to spend $15K on a bike. I love her. And, she’s red. Red goes faster! I’m expending way more calories on my bike than you ever will on your [motor]bike Ha ha

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:10:40 +0000

hahah all these comments make me laugh, and you too Craig
i liked this post! in essence you’re totally right! I’ve been paying attention to this type of things lately and its kind of funny to see the things that people use to identify themselves as a group..

By: Dodi

Dodi — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:26:53 +0000

OK I have to agree with Leanne–nothing nicer than staring at the peloton (which is what the main group of cyclists in a cycling race is called) or anyone in the race from behind…all those nice, toned butts (or bums as you call them) and legs in lycra! There is also padding in said lycra that protects the bits between the legs as well as the butt from pain and damage from hours in that rock hard saddle that is on those very costly bikes (you pay enough…you’d think they’d give you a bit of comfort!). Not to mention clothing not bunching up and freedom of movement.
Speaking of the reason why to get a higher end one–I owned a cheapie and it was torturous to ride. It did not fit my body at all. I tried several of them and they were heavy, clunky, shifted like crap and uncomfortable in so many ways. Knock the price up a few hundred (or thousand if your budget allows) and you get a machine that is lightweight, shifts like a dream, and basically becomes an extension of your legs (though that seat is still terrible). I now own a couple of mid priced ones and the difference is phenomenal. It makes me understand why people buy bikes and they sit in their garages, gathering cobwebs. My cheapie did, but my nicer ones don’t.
I do believe in the comfort and good feelings that come from a group. My group does quilting.

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:08:50 +0000

I came back to say Craig gets a pass from me for using the F-word, only because:
He has a very constructive agenda.
I guess I’m overthinking but I really had to figure out why his use of the word never offended me. I thought I was becoming a sheep or a groupie before I resolved it in my head.
Ok. my name is Lisa and I’m a Craig Harper groupie.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:05:22 +0000

I back the Fat Cyclist on that one, on the one hand we had on the blog that said it’s ok no one will notice if CJ slips into the gym wearing appalling 80′s gym gear, but it is not ok to have a gut over some bike shorts. Seriously, this is not about offence, each to their own view, but I do see some hypocrisy in writing one week it is ok for women to wear what they want and no one will care but not men, god forbid you don’t look like a Home and Away or Armani model or you can kiss career and marriage goodbye. Agree with you FC totally. Wendy totally agree with you as well.

Lyrca bike pants and speedos on the overweight male seem very offensive to many but it is really not anyone’s business, it is about comfort to the exercise not what a bunch of purists think. It’s simple – don’t look. And also think as I said in an early post we are all battling the hump so what would you rather see: blokes peddling to get fit in bike pants or stubbies and singlet with beer and chips in front of TV.

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:28:18 +0000

Hey “Fat Cyclist,”
It’s not You, it’s just the Suit!
You’re right in my case, I couldn’t compete with your riding ability. (it’s a bone dysplasia that keeps me off the bike.)
To me, “fat” is the real F-word, I try not to get offended when I hear it. (even tho I’m thin, it just sounds so hurtful)
So if you don’t hold it against me for chiming in on the lycra thing I’ll forgive you for calling yourself fat.
XXX

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:11:22 +0000

Whoa, back up there, did I hear you say you’re not married? So that motivational beach hut office space is built for one. Mmm………
Seriously tho, where I live bike riding is huge, and so is the lycra, but it’s kinda like a uniform and I respect that. To me it shows that you’re keen and devoted to what you do. When I first started going to the gym/personal trainer I didn’t so much as own a pair of track pants. So I went and bought some work out gear from the sports shop and it just helped to get me into the right head space, and I kinda felt proud to be wearing it. 14 months later I just rock up as daggy as, but it was an initiation process. Good on em I say…..And so you haven’t thought about giving up those army shorts in case that’s whats holding you back, mmm some more……….

By: littlejohn

littlejohn — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:24:38 +0000

A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”

The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!” The teacher praised the student, saying, “You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do.”

The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path.” The teacher commended the student, “Your eyes are open and you see the world.”

The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo.” The teacher gave praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”

The fourth student answered, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings.” The teacher was pleased and said, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”

The fifth student retorted, “I ride so as my belly does not become big like yours!” The master laughed, “Craig, if you sit too long lecturing from the sofa in your thatched hut, you too will get big belly like me and have many disciples!”

The sixth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, “I am your disciple.”