This is why you should have gone to The Merida EX Enduro

Those who know things know that The Merida Ex is probably the best enduro experience currently available in the UK. Next year then..?

The Merida Ex Enduro press release:

THE MERIDA EX ENDURO presented by Shimano: Race Report

THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano is an enduro mountain bike race like few others. With 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 in Exmoor, South West of England, it’s a serious challenge for even the fittest rider or racer.

However, its true charm lies in the fact that it’s open to just 80 entrants each year, helping riders forge an intimate bond with each other as the race progresses – and because each and every one of them is looked after from start to finish with hospitality that’s second to none.

Whether it’s the copious amounts of free food from Luffy and crew catered from morning to night, unlimited drinks in the evening, or the special surprise entertainment that’s laid on each year, there’s a good reason why it’s been called “one to put on your bucket list” by the mountain bike press and has a hardcore crew of devotees that come back year after year.

This year’s edition was amongst the most challenging thanks to the changeable weather of Exmoor National Park, with slick and often soggy conditions testing the bike handling and resolve of even the most hardy riders.

Friday opened with a selection of singletrack delights to warm the riders up for the coming days, but the Exposure Lights Night Riding Stages meant the fun didn’t stop just because the sun had gone down. After a first day of hard graft, the riders rolled across the final stage and straight to a BBQ in the intimate setting of Horner Farm – complete with DJ spinning some tunes and liquid refreshment courtesy of Bristol Beer Factory.

Saturday is the big dog of the event, with 1700m of climbing to get done and ten stages to race – happily the rain eased off, so it was just some slipping and sliding that they had to contend with. If spirits were flagging half time, they were raised with our classic vintage tea stop at half time, allowing riders to top up on tea served from real china while tucking into scones with jam and cream – plus a sandwich or five.

After drifting and dabbing on through the rest of the stages, the Saturday night dinner was a special one – with the marshals and organisers giving them table service at a sit-down meal. For those that had got bored of sitting down, the night’s entertainment also included a proper roller racing setup, with the keen sending their cadence and heart rates sky high in search of glory.

While Sunday offered a little more liquid sunshine, the end was in sight, and despite being a chunky day in its own right, the riders flew around, once again powered by scones and jam – though with the infamous Vominator climb adding a sting to the tail of the day, some may have regretted too much clotted cream…

With all the riding done and nothing left except to say goodbye to old friends and new and head home, it was game over for another event. This year’s crew got through each day with a smile on their faces and came back ready for more each morning, whether they were leading the pack or just there for the laughs – which is truly the spirit of the event.

Thanks to all the riders this year and our sponsors for making it possible:

MERIDA BIKES
Merida Bicycles UK
Shimano MTB
Exposure Lights
Race Face
Bontrager
National Trust
Bristol Beer Factory

The Merida Ex Enduro 2024 Results

Open Female

1. Rachael Gurney
2. Amy Jones
3. Natasha Litherland

Open Male

1. Luke Teare
2. Nick Horsley
3. Luke Paterson

Vets Male

1. Guy Chandler
2. David Valler
3. Stuart Brereton

Grand Vets Male

1. Mick Kirkman
2. Graham Sheldon
3. Ian Sanders

E-Bike

1. Sam Shucksmith
2. Simon Wakely
3. Liam Mason

Full results can be found here: theex2024

You can find out more about THE MERIDA EX over on the-ex.co.uk

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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