Men in Lycra could soon be outnumbering men on the links on holiday, following a rise in the popularity of cycling breaks at the expense of golfing trips.

The trend has been highlighted in a World Travel Market (WTM) report in association with Euromonitor International, which said that many males of a certain age are swapping golf clubs for bikes, creating the rise of ‘Mamils’ (Middle Aged Men in Lycra).

The trend is particularly seen in the US, where the popularity of golf is declining while the number of cycling enthusiasts is growing.

American destinations such as Oregon are positioning themselves as cycle-friendly for tourists as well as residents, with research showing that visitors to the state who stay overnight spend 20 per cent more than the average traveller.

The report was released as WTM opened in London last week, where it was announced that the restoration of a dramatic cliff-face attraction in Northern Ireland is expected to open before the end of this year.

The Gobbins Cliff Path in County Antrim was a much-visited spot in the early 20th century and was said to be more popular than the county’s famous Giant’s Causeway.

Also at WTM, it was announced that 18m-high sculptures of kids TV character Shaun the Sheep will be displayed in Bristol during July and August 2015 to raise money for sick children.