Following on from a post I made about activewear yesterday I thought I'd follow it up with another fashion-related post today. You can see that post here: https://steemit.com/life/@galenkp/the-miracle-clothing-for-all-occasions
Today I went for a drive in the Adelaide Hills with my wife, took a nice walk around the Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens and had a bite to eat at a nice little coffee shop. It was a nice day. On our travels we were happy to see other people enjoying a bit of sunshine on a winters' day also which included the inevitable pushbike riders.
These guys (and girls) do their best to recreate riding in the Tour de France peloton or the Giro d'Italia or some such thing.
A real peloton and serious group of lycra-lovers.
Of course critical to their overall performance whilst riding up into the hills, getting in the way of the tax-paying road traffic and callously parking their bikes all over the place at every local cafe so other patrons can't even enter the premises is...Lycra.
Yes, you know it! Lycra, that wonderfully stretchy and crevice-invading fabric loved by every push bike rider! Of course, if one happens to be riding in Le Tour or the Olympics the lightweight and aerodynamic nature of the material and subsequent suits are important to maximise performance. On the Sunday afternoon bike ride to the hills being undertaken by the 50-something overweight corporate accountant...Well, not so critical to performance I think. But super-critical to how they look...Or should I say how they think they look. Do these people own mirrors?
Having said that though, would you want to be seen out on your bike ride without your gaily coloured, sponsor-emblazoned lycra outfit that so expertly finds, and enters, every crack and crevice of your body? No way!
Here's 5 blokes showing you just how flattering lycra can be when worn correctly and crevice-encroaching reaches maximum effectiveness. These guys look pleased with their choice of outfit. Second from the right looks especially happy
What I Iove about this guys outfit is how much faster it looks with the flames on the arms...And that he's out getting active. Who said lycra can't be slimming? It's just like activewear from my post yesterday. No matter your size and shape, or level of fitness you put lycra on and BOOM, you look awesome.
Lycra isn't just limited to bike riding though. If you happen to be a rower you'll certainly want to take advantage of donning a figure-flattering lycra suit as well. Here's some Australian rowers showing off some silver medals they received for getting beaten by whomever actually won the competition by being the faster team. You can see how happy they are to be in lycra, and to have come second.
And of course, no lycra-post would be complete without going old-school to what could very-well be the birthplace of lycra; 1980's aerobic competitions! Below you'll find an excellent example of how to best to wear lycra and of course, the moves that lycra-wearing makes possible. You'll note the ever-present grin on their faces which I assume is due to their love of lycra. You'll also be able to pick up some snazzy moves as well.
And lastly, in this homage to lycra is the most excellent sport of Greco-Roman wrestling. Made famous by those amazing close-up shots in the Olympic Games coverage, these warriors battle it out for lycra-clad superiority by grappling, grasping and generally man-handling each other's bits in a bid to get the opponent to submit.
So, the next time you're thinking of a new outfit for a sporting activity, a casual outing or anything at all really, think lycra. The fabric for all occasions.
Thanks for reading
Image source's: training.fitness.com, dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3734821, velonews.com/2010/07, uskyphoto.blogspot.com.au, twitter.com/sportfail
A great movie if you want some men in tights.
Focused tics and good shots, I like the first picture @galenkp
Another hilarious post! I need to get my husband @munchell to read this!! He is cyclist but refuses to wear lycra 😂
Very well written.
I don't bike ride, well, motorbikes I do, but not push bikes. I think I'd not wear lycra also if I went push bike riding. Just on principle. I prefer my crevice's to be un-invaded. They have a term here called MAMIL. Middle aged man in lycra...Do you have that term also? Thanks for reading as always @katem. I'll check out your hubby's posts also and will throw him a follow...Just 'coz he doesn't wear lycra! ;)
Haha I've not heard that term but will definitely use it from now on!
You'll have to get some motorbike posts up there too! I've only just entered the world of motorcycling and just got my first bike.
Nice! Motorcycling is great. I I've had some great times, but also scary times on motor bikes. What bike did you get? I've had a few: Yamaha R1, R6 and Yamaha TRX750. At the moment I'm in the process of formulating a new plan. I have back problems so need something more upright than a sports bike. A triumph maybe? Not sure. Ride safe.
Ooo very nice! I've got a Honda Cbr125. I've not got my full licence yet so restricted to 125cc with L plates for now. I'm loving it though! Just slowly perfecting my skills and building some confidence on the bike at the moment :)
Cool first bike and way better than my first one. I had a Honda CB250. You know, the one the parking inspectors in the city use! Haha! ;)
Hahaah! i found most of the post interesting. Do posting new posts. Will always update on you
Much appreciated cobber! :)
This is bloody brilliant. It made my morning. I share the same sentiment towards this not so fabulous piece of 'active wear'. Like my wife, @katem said I am a cyclist but I flat out refuse to wear lycra.
It is completely over the top for the average joe, it will not make one iota of difference to your overall speed, it will just make you look like an absolute tool.
Followed and upvoted/resteemed this great post.
Thanks @munchell. I just checked out your work and clicked follow bro! Happy (non-lycra) biking! :)
Aww thank you mate, that is kind of you. No lycra biking all the way!
What a beautiful castle! Great pictures! @galenkp