‘Unsightly’ bulges begone – New Zealand hotel bans cyclists in Lycra

Not everyone is blessed with the physique of a pro cyclist, but that doesn’t stop many of us from wearing Lycra. It’s comfy, it wicks sweat well and it doesn’t flap about when you’re in the saddle. But a hotelier on New Zealand’s South Island has decided that the sight of a cyclist in Lycra shorts is more than his customers should be forced to endure.

The Plough Hotel in the town of Rangiora has decided that Lycra cycling shorts show off “unsightly bumps and bulges” and so it’s banned anyone wearing them in an effort to “raise standards”, reports the Guardian. A sign placed outside the café reads: “The bicycle is a beautiful object but they should never have invented lycra! No lycra shorts allowed please.”

The hotel’s co-owner Mike Saunders is quoted as saying: “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.”

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Muddy boots welcome

The sign outside Rangiora’s Plough Hotel (Mike Saunders)

Controversially, though, muddy football boots and tracksuit pants are still welcome at the Plough. You can also settle down to a delicious breakfast wearing flip flops, should you wish.

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