After a pause in 2020, THE MERIDA EX was lucky enough to return for another great helping in September 2021. While there were a few additional restrictions, they did not stop THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano STEPS from being another sell-out event and a great ‘enduro adventure’ for everybody involved.
With MERIDA Bicycles and Shimano STEPS, as well as the other supporters, continuing their involvement, THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano STEPS will return in 2022.
The 2022 event will take place on the 16-18th of September 2022 and will be based, once again, in the sleepy village of Allerford, perfectly nestled between Minehead and Porlock.
As in the years gone by, THE MERIDA EX will remain small and exclusive, with only 80 riders getting the chance to challenge themselves over three unforgettable days of mountain biking.
More than just a race, THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano STEPS is an adventure filled with punishing climbs, beautiful singletrack and stunning descents on some of the least ridden trails in the country. More than 20 timed special stages will be on the agenda, spread over approx. 110 km of riding.
Riders ride, eat and celebrate with fellow racers and are treated to the best locally sourced food and drink Exmoor has to offer all as part of the all-inclusive entry fee.
Following the overwhelming feedback from the 2021 event, the Exposure Lights’ Night Enduro’ stages will also return, providing the riders with some exhilarating night racing action followed by scrumptious food just meters from the finish line of your final night riding stage.
On top of that, THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano STEPS will feature another ‘event’ over the weekend. There will be the stand-alone (i.e. not mandatory) ‘Enduro Time Trial’ for all the early arrivals, which will take place on Thursday afternoon. This new addition will give the riders the chance to warm up for the main event, test their strength and skills, and ‘pre-race’ one of the key race stages of the weekend without all that negatively impacting their overall ranking.
DETAILS OF OUR 2022 EVENT:
The entry all-inclusive entry fee for our 2022 event is: £375
- 6-8 gravity special stages each day with dibber timing system (blind racing format – i.e. no training or inspection of the stages prior to the race)
- 35-45km of riding a day with approx. 1,500 – 2,300m climbing each
- NEW FOR 2022: Thursday afternoon stand-alone ‘Enduro Time Trial’ (further details TBC)
- Exposure Lights Friday night enduro stages
- A fully marked course
- Uplift at the start of each day
- Medical cover and marshals throughout
- On-course water stations
- (Enduro-) World-famous vintage tea stop
- Scrumptious locally sourced food and drink (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
- A free bar on-site if you fancy a few beers or ciders!
- Comfortable camping facilities, including quality showers and flushing toilets.
- Evening entertainment.
- THE EX jersey.
- Yoga classes.
- E-bike charging facilities.
- And lots more…
ENTRY DETAILS – PRE-REGISTER NOW:
As in the previous years, THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano STEPS required riders to pre-register. Only pre-registered riders will receive the necessary private entry link the day before the online entry opens (to pre-registered riders only) on the 6th of March 2022. As the event sold out in a matter of minutes, it is essential to you ‘pre-register’ via the PRE-REGISTRATION PAGE.
For further details, please check the event website www.the-ex.co.uk or contact the events team on ride@the-ex.co.uk.
A BIG THANKS!
Besides MERIDA BIKES and Shimano STEPS we are also excited to announce our event partners for 2022: National Trust, CAMS, Bontrager, CarbonCycles, DiscoBrakes, RideGuard, Bristol Beer Factory, Exposure Lights and Race Face. More to be announced soon.