Oh, New Zealand.

A hotel has banned Lycra cycling shorts. Well done.

So basically no more MAMILs (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) will be allowed to dine there as, although it appreciates cycling, it finds the “bumps and bulges” inappropriate and “unsightly”. Praise be.

In an effort to “raise dress standards” the Plough Hotel has put a sign outside:

The bicycle is a beautiful object but they should never have invented Lycra!

No Lycra shorts allowed please.

Mike Saunders, co-owner of the hotel, said:

I am not against Lycra in general, just Lycra shorts. A lot of our customers are elderly or children and they don’t need to know that much detail about the shape of somebody.

Lycra shorts are the only item of clothing I plan to ban. For now. Muddy football boots are fine. Tracksuit pants are fine. Jandels [thongs or flip flops] are fine.

So far locals have respected the fact we are trying to enforce a dress code so they can eat their meals surrounded by people wearing trousers.

Siobhan Tolhurst, an ex-employee, explained the reasons for Saunders’ lack of enthusiasm for Lycra:

I fully support Mike’s ban on Lycra. Because when the cyclists come in they do stink, they are sweaty and it is unhygienic sitting on the furniture and everyone, including little children, partaking in their post exercise demeanor.

We had a number of experiences with large men in tiny shorts and that’s not appropriate for children to see.

But a woman representing cyclists everywhere said that the ban showed “a lack of understanding”. Cry me a river. Pegasus Cycling Club chairwoman Tracy Clark continued:

There’s people in New Zealand now who have grown up disconnected from bicycles, have no understanding of what it is to get out there and ride and see the scenery, they are interested in getting in their car and driving place to place.

I think it’s just some ignorance or lack of understanding.

Personally, I agree. Obviously.

[source: theguardian]