What do you need to know about THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano?
How do I enter THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano?
To enter the event, you must pre-register via our pre-registration page. Simply hop onto the page and submit your details. The entry will open on Sunday, the 2nd of March 2025, at 9 am to pre-registered riders. They will receive the private entry link (at the latest in the afternoon of the 1st of March 2025) needed to enter the event from 9 am on the 2nd of March 2025 onwards.
Should entries be available 48 hours after that date, we will make the entry page public at 9 am on the 4th of March 2025.
If you have pre-registered but you have not received the private entry link by 6 pm on the 1st of March, please email us at ride@the-ex.co.uk, so that we can supply you with the needed details.
Is there a reserve list?
Yes, there will be. As soon as the entry is full, which took around 3 minutes last time, there will be the option to add yourself to a reserve list. We can only recommend that you add your details to the list, as the chances are pretty big that you will get in nearer the event.
Cancellation policy?
If you cancel up to a month before the event, your entry fee minus £50 (handling fee) will be returned.
Alternatively, you can transfer your entry to another rider, provided you can let us know their details at least a week before the start of the event. If you have to cancel in the month leading up to the event, we will not be able to pay your entry fee back.
Can I enter on the day?
Sorry, no. THE MERIDA EX is pre-entry only and open to just 80 riders in advance.
Why does the event cost £425, and what is included?
THE MERIDA EX isn’t your usual one-day event. It’s a three-day, all-inclusive mountain bike adventure. We’ve created three days of incredible mountain biking that you couldn’t otherwise access and limited the numbers to keep it really special. We’ll put on evening entertainment, bicycle demos and an Expo area, we’ll feed you, water you and provide all the drinks. There’s even an uplift each day to start you off.
THE EX is based on providing top-level riding and going all out on every other aspect of our event, from facilities to food and from an all-inclusive bar to our uplift element. From the start, we made it our mantra not to cut corners and provide the highest possible standard at THE EX.
Included in the entry fee is:
- 6-8 gravity special stages each day with dibber timing system
- Access to private land using trails that are not available to the public outside the event
- 30-45 km of riding a day with approx. 1,500 – 2,300 m climbing each day
- Thursday afternoon warm-up ride (approx. 2 hours, 4 pm start)
- Exposure Lights Friday night enduro stages (make sure you bring your lights)
- A fully marked course
- Uplift at the start of each day
- Medical cover and marshals throughout
- On-course water/feed stations
- (Enduro-) World-famous vintage tea stop
- Scrumptious locally sourced food and drink (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
- Fantastic barista coffee made daily using our Italian coffee machine
- A free bar on-site if you fancy a few beers or ciders featuring a broad range of Bristol Beer Factory beers
- Comfortable camping facilities
- Evening entertainment
- A uniquely designed participation jersey for each rider
- Yoga classes each day
- E-bike charging facilities
- The most relaxed racing and event atmosphere around
Unfortunately, for our 2025 event, we will have to increase the entry fee to £425. This is something we have tried to avoid in the past; however, in order to make our all-inclusive event sustainable without cutting corners whilst continuing to add new and exciting elements to our programme, we have no choice other than to increase the entry fee.
Almost every cost element for our event has increased by 15-25%, and in some cases even more. It is very important to us to keep the event small as we know the low number of riders ensures our unique atmosphere, so covering costs by increasing the number of entries was not an option for us. The low participation numbers also ensures the integrity of the land we have access to. We get a lot of support from the industry and our partners have been very generous over the years, but even with their continued and sometimes increasing support, the entry fee increase is unavoidable.
We hope you understand and that this doesn’t affect the interest we’ve seen over the last few years.
What categories are available?
We have a multitude of categories at our event. Here is the list:
– OPEN (18+ years)
– VETS (40+ years)
– GRAND VETS (50+ years)
– E-BIKE (18+ years)
– PAIRS (18+ years) NEW FOR 2025
NEW FOR 2025 – PAIRS category
For 2025, we are adding a Pairs category to our event to further emphasise the social aspect of THE EX. In our Pairs category we will have two riders (both male, female or mixed) who will try to work together as a team to achieve the fastest time. The team will only have one dibber, will have to start together and their time will be taken when they have both crossed the finish line. Influenced by the fact that we all have that one buddy who shows us the perfect line and allows us to go that little bit faster by following her or his wheel, we thought that the Pairs category would be the ideal addition to our category offering. There will be a special ‘PAIRS’ button available when the online entry opens, making it quick and easy to enter the Pairs category without the risk of only half the team getting an entry.
We will do our best to run all categories, but if we don’t have sufficient numbers, we reserve the right to cancel the category and move the rider(s) to the most suitable alternative category. Once a rider has confirmed their chosen category (at signing on at the event), it can’t be changed later on.
Can I sponsor THE MERIDA EX powered by Shimano with my brand or business?
Yes, please! We’re looking for sponsors for our 2025 event right now and can offer some great opportunities to showcase your products.
Please contact us.
Where can I find results for THE MERIDA EX?
The 2024 results for THE MERIDA EX Enduro, including stage times, are online here.
What is the event postcode?
The postcode for THE MERIDA EX Enduro is TA24 8HL.
What accommodation is available?
Camping, meals and drinks (alcoholic and otherwise!) are provided in the entry fee for THE MERIDA EX. Just bring your tent, camper-van or motorhome, and you can pitch at the race village. There will be onsite toilets, showers and a comfortable, quiet, sheltered and flat field for you. Sorry, there are no electric hook-ups, but we have lots of charging points for your phone, GPS or e-bike battery.
If you’d prefer a roof over your head, Exmoor has all manner of rental accommodations within easy reach of the site. We’d prefer you to stay onsite and cheers the day’s riding, but that’s your call!
What food and drink are provided at THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano?
THE MERIDA EX is an all-inclusive event, so we’ll feed and water you for no extra cost. We’ll provide hearty breakfasts and evening meals daily with more than enough food to power you on.
A typical breakfast will include porridge, bacon/sausage/egg baps, fruit, cereal and proper coffee.
An example of an evening meal would be lasagne with jacket potato, green salad, sweet potato chips and potato salad. And Luffy’s legendary crumble and custard or fresh fruit for pudding.
There are vegetarian and vegan options available. Please let us know in advance of any other special dietary requirements.
During each day, we’ll provide the famous vintage tea stop on-course or an ‘on track’ alternative to keep you motoring on through the stages and well-fed and watered. There’s plenty of cake, sandwiches, cream tea and tea, coffee, soft drinks, water and more.
You should be well-fed throughout the event, but you may still want to pack some bars, gels and snacks to ensure you can get around each day.
The event is open from Thursday lunchtime/afternoon onwards. All food and drink will be part of the entry fee from then on.
Catering is provided by Ian Luff (Luff Bus) and friends.
What is the racing format?
THE MERIDA EX is run as an enduro race. Each day you will ride a set, waymarked route and link together several timed competition ‘stages’.
Timed stages will be predominantly downhill, and the aim is to go as fast as you can from start to finish. You’ll meet various obstacles as you race – including jumps, drops, berms, rocky sections, steep chutes etc.
The timed stages will be linked together by an un-timed route that includes climbs, descents, singletrack and lots of fun and non-competitive trails.
We will use a dibber system for timing which will be explained to you on the day.
THE MERIDA EX is ridden ‘blind’, meaning that none of the riders has the chance to pre-ride the stages, and the stages are not announced before the day’s rider briefing.
For further details on the timing equipment used and potential penalties for not following the timing regulations, please view the ‘Racing rules and regulations’ here.
What will the riding be like?
Exmoor’s riding is some of the best and most varied mountain biking in the UK. There will be 30-45 km of daily riding for three days with approx. 1,500 – 2,300 m climbing each. All of the off-road riding will be on natural, unsurfaced trails.
The trails boast a massive variety, from flat-out rocky moorland gallops to tight, technical, rooty threading. We think that we’ve designed an event that is physically tough and a good test of skill and bike handling … without making it too demanding that your average rider can’t ride it.
We haven’t had any complaints yet!
How fit do I need to be?
There will be 30-45 km of riding a day for three days with approx. 1,500 – 2,300 m climbing each. That will include several timed stages a day where you’ll be pushing hard to beat your mates.
You can expect THE MERIDA EX to be physically demanding, with long days and big climbs. There will be an uplift each day to start the day, feed stops and water stations to keep you fuelled, and our team will be on-hand to scoop you up if you decide it’s too much.
What bike should I ride?
Any well-maintained mountain bike will make it round THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano. In the past, we had hardtails, full-suspension bikes and every combination of travel, geometry and tyre shape imaginable.
Bring the bike that will get you up the big climbs and down the technical descents and that you know won’t let you down. Tubeless is strongly recommended, as are some decent, tough tyres that can take a beating on the rocks.
Besides ‘human-powered’ bikes, we also have an e-bike category. The category has been growing in popularity over the last couple of events and fits perfectly into THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano. The e-bike category will return in 2025. There will be charging facilities for your battery/batteries at the event. We offer the option to carry a 2nd battery to the feed stop and offer a ‘battery top-up’ at the feed station as well.
What clothes should I wear?
Exmoor is on the coast and is definitely ‘proper’ mountain biking. There’s plenty of exposed moorland, lots of windy cliff-tops, splashes through streams, and the weather can be as unpredictable as anywhere else in the UK.
There will be times when you’re a long way from base camp and the nearest village. We’ve booked the good weather but … nothing is guaranteed!
Wear the clothes that you would normally wear for a big day out in the hills. Sturdy, technical shorts and jerseys are recommended. Long sleeves will help with wind and snaggy bushes. A decent, packable, windproof and waterproof jacket that you can store in your bag is a must.
Full-face helmets are allowed but are not compulsory. You should wear a sturdy, well-fitting pair of knee and elbow pads on all timed stages. Good-quality mountain biking gloves are also recommended.
Goggles are welcome but please, absolutely no tear-offs.
What kit should I ride with?
A hydration pack is absolutely essential for THE MERIDA EX. You’ll need to carry everything that you will need to safely and comfortably complete a long day in the hills in changeable weather. There are feed stops each day, but they’re often mid-way through the day.
We’d recommend spare inner tubes, a pump, a good quality waterproof and windproof jacket, plenty of water, tools (Allen keys, chain tool, Powerlink) and some food to keep you going between feed stations. Powerbars and gels are recommended, but please take your litter home.
First aid staff will be onsite all weekend, but we’d recommend riders carry a First Aid kit.
A fully charged mobile phone is recommended, but the signal can be unpredictable.
What kind of lights do I need to bring for the night stages?
After their introduction in 2021, the Exposure Lights ‘night enduro stages’ will return and will take place on Friday night/evening. We have deliberately chosen some more ‘flowy’ stages for our venturing into the night. However, we still recommend bringing some powerful night-riding lights. The ideal would be a bar-mounted and helmet light. We expect the riding time to be around 1 ½ h. We also recommend a rear light to ride over and back to the venue (on public roads).
Are e-bikes welcome?
Yes, e-bikes are very welcome to ride THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano. The category constantly grows in popularity and fits perfectly into THE MERIDA EX presented by Shimano. The e-bike category will return in 2025. There will be charging facilities for your battery/batteries at the event. We offer the option to carry a 2nd battery to the feed stop and offer a ‘battery top-up’ at the feed station as well.
For any other questions, please contact us.