10/02/2026
The Bike Shop was in Montréal this past week for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, and honestly, it was one of a kind experience.
There was something special about seeing a city completely embrace cycling. From the atmosphere around the races to the accessibility of the courses, the bike infrastructure, the crowds, and the energy throughout the city, Montréal felt like a place where cycling genuinely belongs, not just as a sport, but as part of everyday life. And there’s a pretty incredible piece of history behind these World Championships.
In 1974, Montréal became the first city outside Europe to host the UCI Road World Championships. The men’s road race was held around Mount Royal, with riders completing 21 laps of a 12.5-kilometer circuit for a total of 262.5 kilometers. Belgium’s Eddy Merckx took the victory, earning his third World Championship road title. Fast forward 52 years, and the World Championships returned to Montréal in 2026 having the US take the win with Brandon McNulty. The start and finish once again centered around Mount Royal, connecting this generation of riders with one of the most important chapters in cycling history. The 2026 men’s road race covered 273.7 kilometers with more than 3,800 meters of elevation gain, making for a brutally demanding course through the city. Being there in person and watching the world's best cyclists race through Montréal was an incredible opportunity. But what stood out to me just as much as the racing was the city itself.
Montréal has invested heavily in making cycling accessible. The city was designated a UCI Bike City in 2023, recognizing its commitment not only to elite cycling but also to everyday cycling infrastructure and programs. Riding and moving around the city, seeing dedicated bike lanes and so many people using bicycles as a normal part of their daily transportation, made me think about home.
It made me wonder what the Dallas–Fort Worth area could look like one day if we continued investing in connected bike infrastructure and made cycling easier and safer for more people.
Seeing Montréal firsthand was a reminder that a city can be built to accommodate both cars and bikes, and that cycling can become much more than a weekend activity. It can be transportation, community, sport, and a way to experience the city.
For The Bike Shop, being part of Montréal 2026 was more than just attending another cycling event. It was a chance to experience cycling history, witness the world championships up close, and see what a true bike city can look like.
Already looking forward to bringing some of that inspiration to life.
