Theme Ride Thursday: Papa Palooza, A Father’s Day Extravaganza Ride

The third Sunday in June is Father’s Day, and we’re tipping our cycling caps to all the amazing dads, uncles, grandpas, brothers, and stepdads who’ve shaped our lives. Whether your dad was your role model, your cheerleader, or the master of dad jokes, we’ve got a song to honor him.

We’ve pulled together a Father’s Day bucket playlist of 150 songs celebrating fatherhood in all its forms—from classic hits by James Brown, George Michael, and Madonna to newer tracks like Sia’s and Meghan Trainor’s playful “Dance Like Your Daddy.”

Note: You’ll notice that many songs about fathers lean toward country—and they tend to be more emotional, reflective, or mellow in energy. That’s the nature of the genre: storytelling, heartfelt lyrics, and a slower tempo. If country music isn’t your usual vibe (or your riders’), consider sprinkling in just a few of these tracks to honor the dads in your classes—or even your own father—without going full-on country. Incorporating a few of these heartfelt tributes into your ride can still create a meaningful moment while maintaining your ride’s overall flow.

Build your own ride using the bucket playlist, or grab Fern’s ready-to-go 60-minute Express Profile, Papa Palooza: A Father’s Day Extravaganza. This profile blends climbs with cadence and resistance surges, all set to songs about fathers, families, and the people who raise us.

And since it wouldn’t be Father’s Day without a groan-worthy dad joke…
Q: What does a bicycle call its dad?
A: Pop-cycle. 😄

Wheelie Good Dads: Standout Songs for Your Father’s Day Ride

Below are a few standout tracks from our Father’s Day bucket playlist, complete with suggested uses in your class.

Mr. Mom, Lonestar, 3:28, 86 bpm
A lighthearted look at a dad stepping into full-time parenting after losing his job. Use it for a moderate to hard flat—fun lyrics, steady beat, and a tip of the hat to multitasking parents everywhere.
💡 Also great for Mother’s Day!

Song for Dad, Keith Urban, 3:56, 125 bpm
A heartfelt tribute to a father who wasn’t perfect, but did his best. Keith reflects on the man he’s become—and the ways he’s more like his dad than he realized. Try it as a moderate, steady climb.

Family Man, Fleetwood Mac, 4:07, 124 bpm
A smooth groove for a gentle climb. This one’s about the guy who holds it all together at home.

A Father’s Love (The Only Way He Knew How), Bucky Covington, 3:18, 90 bpm
This touching country ballad tells the story of a dad who shows love through quiet actions rather than words. Use it for a high-cadence interval at 90 rpm while encouraging riders to reflect on the lyrics. It’s an emotional yet energizing addition to your Father’s Day playlist.

They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore, Loretta Lynn, 2:17, 106 bpm
A classic country nod to a one-of-a-kind father. Ideal for a recovery track—dissociate from the beat and let your riders settle in at their preferred moderate cadence.

Closing Time, Semisonic, 4:34, 93 bpm
Use this high-energy track for a longer threshold interval at 92 rpm. It’s upbeat and driving, making it one of the few father-themed songs with solid intensity. While it’s often mistaken for a bar-closing anthem, songwriter Dan Wilson revealed it’s actually about the birth of his child and the transition into fatherhood. The line “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” takes on a whole new meaning in that light, perfect for honoring new dads or reflecting on the changes fatherhood brings.

Dance With My Father, Luther Vandross, 4:26, 
A deeply emotional song about love and loss. It’s a perfect cool-down that invites reflection.

Forever Young, Rod Stewart, 4:05, 102 bpm
This one hits right in the heart. Inspired by Rod’s own children, it’s ideal for a fast, moderate flat—or use it for leg surges during the chorus. Cue your riders to accelerate on the repeated lyrics “forever young” and the instrumental bridge at 1:43–2:30 (47s) and 3:08–3:50 (42s).

Bein’ a Dad, Chris Janson, 3:45, n/a bpm
A joyful tribute to the everyday moments that make fatherhood so special. While it could work as a cool-down, it really shines as a post-ride track—a feel-good sendoff that leaves your riders smiling as they stretch or wipe down their bikes. Perfect for ending class on a warm, uplifting note.

Love Without End, Amen, George Strait, 3:07, 88 bpm
The perfect warm-up to set the vibe for your Father’s Day ride. This classic country tune tells a generational story of fatherly love—first from a dad to his son, and later from that son to his own child. The chorus reminds us that a father’s love isn’t earned—it’s unconditional: “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end, amen.”