Journalist Ian Tucker reflects on the rise of the "MAMIL" (middle-aged man in Lycra) after Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the 50-year-old governor of Turkey's Ardahan province, was sacked this month for posting videos of himself cycling in a snug red top and black tights. The dismissal sparked political mockery, with one MP suggesting he be given a fig leaf, while roughly 10,000 people signed a petition calling for his reinstatement, highlighting the enduring debate over whether tight cycling attire is acceptable outside a sporting context.

Tucker, a 58-year-old self-described MAMIL, uses the episode to recount his own journey into cycling in his early 40s after a running injury, and how he gradually accumulated an extensive Lycra wardrobe, from padded shorts to jerseys, gilets and arm warmers. Despite his sympathy for the ousted governor, he concludes that Lycra is best confined to the saddle rather than everyday or official life, drawing on his experiences cycling long distances including London to Manchester and Munich to Venice.