BIKE Magazine

1 May 2025

Dear Readers, Welcome to the May issue of Bike Magazine - a celebration of cycling’s endless power to connect, inspire, and transform. Whether you’re tackling the windswept Northumberland coast or riding through quiet lanes in the Scottish Borders, May offers the perfect moment to get back in the saddle and explore. This month, we bring you a remarkable range of stories and features that capture the soul of cycling in all its forms. In our cover feature, Jonathan and Lesley Williams document their journey from Newcastle to Edinburgh via the Coast & Castles route - a ride that weaves together historic strongholds, vast beaches, and unpredictable weather. It’s a story of perseverance, shared adventure, and the joy of slow travel. We also journey to Siberia, where a brave duo rides across a frozen Lake Baikal. With temperatures plunging below -30°C, their five-week expedition isn’t just a test of endurance, but a deep immersion in one of the world’s most starkly beautiful environments. Their reflections are both humbling and exhilarating, showing that cycling is not always about speed, but about stillness, silence, and resilience. Elsewhere, we celebrate community spirit and cycling heritage. From the nostalgia-filled Vintage Cycling Festival in Bakewell to the unveiling of the 300-mile King John Way in Lincolnshire, this issue is rich with stories of tradition reimagined and landscapes rediscovered. We also spotlight the Surrey Bike Project, an initiative using cycling to teach mechanical skills, boost confidence, and foster independence for people facing barriers to work. In gear news, we review the new LITELOK X1 Limited Edition Camo—offering top-tier security with serious style. And for those who ride with pride, the Santini X UCI Collection delivers premium performance kit infused with the legacy of world cycling’s most iconic champions. As the weather warms and the days grow longer, we hope this issue inspires you to get out there—whether that means riding 10 miles or 1,000, solo or with friends, on tarmac, trail, or frozen lake. Wherever your wheels take you, ride safe, stay curious, and enjoy the view. Don’t forget to join this year’s Photography Contest http://bike-mag.com/contest See you out there, Nick