“Dads Army” Launceston

Around 1990, two guys by the name of Ian Bell and Chris Bishop decided to go for a ride after a rather long break from the bike and thought they needed to start getting fit again.

Over a period of time, other riders started to join them including a new rider at that time, Ian Fenton along with Tom Sawyer who had recently returned from racing six day races professionally in Europe.

Once again the journey down along Rosevears to the to the infamous “Fish Shop” and beyond if they had the time started again.

Originally they gathered at Mc Bain Cycles in Paterson Street (later to be Rik Sloane Cycles) and somehow the group seemed to adopt the name “Dads Army” which has stuck until today.

At about the same time there was another group of well known professional riders who would leave Youngtown each Sunday to train out and around the Longford area. They eventually joined those guys, several of which were  Australian and State champions. Names like Greame Hodskiss, Kenny and Graeme Gilmore, Derry McCormack, Peter Quill, Tim Heath to name a few.

Dads Army these days is rather large bunch of riders with diverse backgrounds and ages and is a great starting point to become familiar with riding in a bunch formation and to generally gain confidence and experience on the bike.

You will soon know if do something “wrong” but just take it as a lesson and heed the advice. Safety and attention by each individual rider in the bunch is paramount in the interests of all.

DADS ARMY RIDES:

SATURDAY:  Leave Riverside Pub 8-00 am > West Tamar> Rosevears

SUNDAY:  Leave IGA Supermarket 8-00 am > Longford Evandale City

During Daylight saving various groups ride on Tuesday and Thursday nights

If you are interested in joining Dads Army ring

 

Ian Bell on 0400 667681