The Ex Enduro

02/10/2024

The ‘dust’ has started to settle, and we are still looking back with a big smile on our faces at this year’s slightly more testing MERIDA BIKES / Merida Bicycles UK EX, presented by Shimano-MTB.

Once again, the team from Shimano did a sterling job keeping things going and helping immensely to make our event happen. THANKS!!!

We can’t wait to do it all over again in 2025.

More news about that soon.

24/09/2024

Another great write-up of our event, this time from the hands of the team at Mountainbike Rider Magazine.

See why MBR contributor and MERIDA BIKES / Merida Bicycles UK EX, presented by Shimano-MTB Grand Vets winner Mick Kirkman loved the three rather challenging days in the rain so much and why he generally thinks that THE EX should be on everybody's events list.

The Merida EX Enduro presented by Shimano is one of Britain’s most notorious three-day events. And as if the total of 24 stages and 4,600 metres of descending wasn’t enough, it was one of the wettest on record. That didn’t stop 80 entrants from enjoying some private trails and plenty of hospit...

18/09/2024

Always lovely to see our small event being featured on Pinkbike.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-and-race-report-the-2024-merida-ex-multi-day-enduro-race.html

Check out the little race and event report from this year's MERIDA BIKES / Merida Bicycles UK EX, presented by Shimano-MTB and add it to your bucket list for next year.

Three days of riding, a total of 24 stages and over 4,600m of descending on trails that are little known and often not open to the public.

12/09/2024

If you want to re-live some fond memories/see what you missed, the full video from THE Merida Bicycles UK EX presented by Shimano-MTB is now live on YouTube - follow our link in bio to give it a watch!

Big thanks to you all for turning up and keeping the smiles going, plus huge thanks to the people who make this happen, namely our marshal crew and event sponsors:

MERIDA BIKES
Shimano-MTB
Silverfish UK
Race Face Performance Products
Bontrager
National Trust
Bristol Beer Factory

Is it too soon to think about next year? 🧐

09/09/2024

Day two at THE Merida Bicycles UK EX presented by Shimano-MTB was a big one! With 10 stages of sinuous singletrack to get stuck into, the riders had to rise early for their big breakfast - and coffee, lots of coffee. Luckily the weather was on their side, though trail conditions definitely posed a bit of a challenge with some slipping and sliding. That provided plenty of thrills and the odd spill as they headed up a stout 1,600m of climbing, with the morning uplift boosting the descending time to a chunky 1,850m.

Tired legs deserved a proper treat for Saturday evening, so the riders had a sit-down dinner, complete with white shirt table service. It was then time for them to have some special lactic acid laden entertainment, with some roller racing. Happily, no dinners were seen again, though there was plenty of sweat! That was followed up with some live music and maybe the odd hydrating sports beer thanks to Bristol Beer Factory

📹 Joey Millward

MERIDA BIKES

09/09/2024

What a weekend that was! It was quite possibly the soggiest edition of THE Merida Bicycles UK EX presented by Shimano-MTB on record, but it didn’t get in the way of a good time!

We’ll have a full report soon, but here are the overall winners in case you were wondering - though everyone that got to the end is a winner in our eyes 🤩

Open Female
🥇Rachael Gurney
🥈Amy Jones
🥉Natasha Litherland

Open Male
🥇Luke Teare
🥈Nick Horsley
🥉Luke Paterson

Vets Male
🥇Guy Chandler
🥈David Valler
🥉Stuart Brereton

Grand Vets Male
🥇Mick Kirkman
🥈Graham Sheldon
🥉Ian Sanders

E-Bike
🥇Sam Shucksmith
🥈Simon Wakely
🥉Liam Mason

You can find the full results by following the link in our bio.

MERIDA BIKES

09/09/2024

Day one at THE Merida Bicycles UK EX presented by Shimano-MTB is done and dusted! There may have been a bit of humidity in the air, but our 80 intrepid racers got stuck into our signature mix of technical woodland trails and flat out blasting regardless of what the weather was doing. After almost 1,100m of descending, the fun wasn’t over as the sun set - it was time for some more night racing courtesy of Exposure Lights Night Stages. It got pretty wild, but the reward of a big BBQ and maybe the odd Bristol Beer Factory refreshment at the end helped our riders power through!

📹. Joey Millward

MERIDA BIKES

04/09/2024

Even a perfectly prepared bike can go awry during the three days of rugged riding and racing at THE Merida Bicycles UK EX, which is why we're very pleased that Shimano-MTB are on board once again as a title sponsor. As well as helping to make the event happen, they'll be around to help if you've got any pressing technical questions or queries about Shimano products, plus showing off some of their latest kit such as the updated EP801 drive unit. If you've got yourself and your bike in a mechanical pickle, they'll also be at the event village every day to try and help get you rolling again too!

MERIDA BIKES

01/09/2024

And so it begins. (Marking that is)

31/08/2024

In just under a week's time, we will get ready for the much-loved Exposure Lights night stages at THE MERIDA BIKES / Merida Bicycles UK EX presented by Shimano-MTB when, once again, the riders will be tackling 3 stages and finish the day with the superb after ride BBQ at Horner Farm, just meters from the finish line of the final stage...as far as we are concerned, night riding perfection. A big shout-out to Exposure Lights for their continued support - we can't wait to get things going next Friday.

Only 6 more sleeps!

23/08/2024

With just two weeks to go, it was time to send out the rider update. Anyone who has successfully registered for the event should have received the update (via email) this morning. If you have not, please contact [email protected] or check the news section of the event website (www.the-ex.co.uk).

Can't wait to see you all in Allerford.

22/08/2024

We know that a lot of you come back to the Merida Bicycles UK EX powered by Shimano-MTB year after year, but if you're fresh to the world of enduro racing, we've got a few tips that will make the event much more pleasurable!

1. Get your bike in shape!
We know the lovely lot at Shimano-MTB are on hand to help with neutral support at the event, but making sure your bike is in tip top condition before you turn up is much better than suddenly remembering you need a new chain/brake pads/fork service the night before. Do your fettling in advance and don't go sticking on untried and tested kit for race day...

2. Pace yourself!
There are some big old days at the event - three of them to be precise! Unless you're in absolute physical peak condition, it's better to go steady on the climbs to save yourself for the timed stages - and the following day. Make sure you keep fuelled up - our vintage tea stop is the ideal place to do this - and stay well hydrated - not just with what Bristol Beer Factory are bringing.

3. Look up!
We don't do practise stages here at the EX and the first time you'll be seeing the stage is when you're racing it - so called 'blind' enduro racing. It's easy to start looking at your front wheel whenn you're tired, but looking up and well ahead will mean you can anticipate where you need to brake, change gear - or use your timing dibber at the end of a stage!

4. Have fun!
The Ex isn't about winning or losing - it's about having a good time, riding your bike on great trails with like minded people then eating and drinking - and then repeating that for a couple more days. It's easy for race-stress to get the best of you, but nine times out of ten, you'll ride faster when you're more relaxed and you'll definitely enjoy it more...

16/08/2024

We've got a winner for our MERIDA BIKES Factory Experience! Congratulations and welcome to the team Pete Hennessey - you'll be riding the event in style on a freshly fettled eONE-SIXTY 875. With the latest Shimano-MTB EP801 drive unit, huge 750Wh battery and slick Linkglide drivetrain, it should make short work of Exmoor's hills and descents. No pressure Pete!

He'll also get to enjoy a load of goodies from Silverfish UK and Exposure Lights and with a mechanic on hand to tend to his every whim*, it'll make the Merida Bicycles UK EX powered by Shimano an even more luxurious affair...



* every bike setup-related whim at least...

08/08/2024

We know you lot can really drum up a thirst after a day's racing, which is why we have a selection of Bristol Beer Factory brews* on hand post-ride.

Our legendary hospitality is what helps make the event what is it - and while we know a few of you will be sat around the campfire til way past your bedtime, a big hit over the past couple of years has definitely been their Clear Head alcohol-free 0.5% IPA. It definitely beats electrolyte mixes hands down when it comes to a refeshing post-ride drink! We'll also have plenty of other options on cask or can so whatever you choose, we'll have you covered...

* plus some cider too, this is the South West after all 🍏