ADVERTISING FEATURE
A family business Bates Bike in Ramsgate is a historic name in the cycling world.
And the store marks its 100th year next month.
The bike shop - located for the first 60 years at 145 Forest Road, Hurstville - was initiated by Bruce Ford.
Ron Bates - a keen cyclist and administrator with St George Cycling - took over the reins in the 1950s.
Ron Bates had raced with St George before enlisting with the RAAF and spending six years on active duty during the Second World War.
His love of cycling never waned and after war duties were over he was back racing and then administering the club, becoming president for several years.
Taking over from Bruce Ford, a long-standing mentor, was a natural progression.
It was not long before Ron began building his own bike brand, Royal Star, which was favoured by many Olympic cyclists.
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Bates Bikes was very much a family concern with Ron's four sons all playing a part in the development of the business.
Brad Bates was the longest serving member of the Bates clan and carried on the business from Ron before Phill took the reins in 1993.
He has maintained the business, moving initially from Hurstville to Carlton on the highway for nearly seven years, before finding its new home this year at Ramsgate.
Apart from overseeing the business Phill Bates AM and Citizen of the Year in 2000, has dedicated much of his time to charitable organisations, including the Cancer Care Lodge, the Prostate Cancer Institute and the expansion of the St George Cancer Care Centre.
Bates has staged large international cycling events over 40 years and been club president of St George for the past 26 years.
A life member of Cycling Australia, his club and NSW, Bates is delighted to have his nephew Chris Sutton, a professional star, take over the management of the bike shop.
"Bates Bikes has always prided itself on delivering the best results for our clients," Mr Bates said.
"And - along with the experienced and friendly staff - it is always great to have someone of Chris Sutton's experience passing on the knowledge they have attained in cycling."
Bates Bikes has always provided the full range of bicycles, from scooters and bikes for the three-year-olds, through to BMX, comfort bikes, mountain bikes and top end road and triathlon bikes, as well as the top of the range electric bikes from Giant Bicycles.
Bates Bikes is at 274 Rocky Point Road, Ramsgate and is open seven days a week. For details you can phone 9529 0001.