BIKE Magazine September 2026

September has always felt like cycling’s month of reflection and renewal. The biggest races of the season are reaching their conclusions, riders are carrying the accumulated fatigue of a long campaign, and many of us are looking ahead to our own autumn adventures. It is a time when cycling reveals its extraordinary range, from the world’s grandest sporting stages to the quiet lanes and gravel tracks that keep us all coming back for another ride.

This issue captures that diversity better than any I can remember.

The road season reaches one of its defining moments with the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, where more than 1,000 athletes from over 80 nations will compete for cycling’s most coveted rainbow jerseys. The city returns to the centre of the cycling world more than half a century after hosting the first World Championships ever held outside Europe. As we look ahead to the racing on the demanding Mount Royal circuit, we explore the events and storylines that will shape a remarkable month for the sport. 

Closer to home, the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men 2026 once again brings elite racing directly to British roads. From the cobbled climb of Michaelgate in Lincoln to the rolling terrain of the Scottish Borders, the race reminds us that some of cycling’s greatest spectacles remain free to watch from the roadside. 

Yet cycling is about far more than professional competition. One theme running through this issue is exploration. Our feature on the FVG Bike Trail in north-eastern Italy celebrates the growing appeal of self-supported riding, where success is measured not by finishing position but by experiences collected along the way. The route through Friuli Venezia Giulia combines challenging riding, remarkable history and unforgettable regional food, reminding us that a bicycle remains one of the most rewarding ways to understand a place. 

Adventure continues in Nepal, where mountain biking becomes a gateway to Himalayan landscapes, ancient monasteries and communities rarely seen by conventional visitors. From the forests of the Everest region to the dramatic terrain of Lower Mustang, it is a story that perfectly captures the transformative power of travelling by bike. 

For those inspired by competition, our report from the Swiss Epic demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required in high-level mountain bike stage racing. Weather disruption, tactical battles and extraordinary performances combined to create one of the year’s most compelling off-road contests. 

You’ll also find the latest gear and product news, from Sidi’s new Wire 3 road shoe to Tailfin’s colourful expansion of its bikepacking range, alongside stories of innovation closer to home, including our visit to Bristol-based Starling Cycles. 

What links every page of this issue is the idea that cycling rewards curiosity. Whether you are chasing a personal best, planning a bikepacking escape, watching the world’s best riders battle for a rainbow jersey or simply enjoying a quiet Sunday morning ride, there is always another road to explore.

Enjoy the issue, ride safely, and make the most of those precious autumn miles.

Nick Branxton

Editor, BIKE Magazine