THE MERIDA EX, presented by Shimano 3-day enduro - going out with a bang

All good things must come to an end – and so it is with the MERIDA EX Enduro, presented by Shimano. After ten instalments and a decade of doing multi-day enduro racing in its own inimitable style, the 2026 edition was the final one, but it went out in style.

With just 80 race spots available, split between pairs and solo riders, the EX has always been an intimate event, with entrants who start out as total strangers on the first day ending up with solid riding buddies by the third and final day’s outing.

That’s the beauty of the event; much like the discipline of enduro itself, it’s about much more than just racing a bike against the clock. It’s about visiting a stunning location and riding trails that you’d never discover normally, the adrenaline from hitting techy trails at speed and the taste of lactic acid from effort, and on-trail camaraderie that grows into lifelong friendships.

Some people have found their regular riding crews after staying in touch after the event, and others make it an annual pilgrimage with theirs. We’re almost surprised there hasn’t been an EX wedding – well, that we know of. There’s something about spending your days riding bikes and your evenings hanging out with like-minded folk

This year was an all-time edition of the race; the weather played along perfectly with late-summer sunshine, and the predicted huge rainstorm on Sunday somehow magically parted around the little corner of Exmoor where the race was, keeping the trails in prime conditions. And what trails they were. Seeing the buzz riders got after crossing the finish line after sending it blind down a fresh loamer was almost as much fun as riding it.

This little corner of the UK might lack huge mountains, but it makes up for it with a densely packed and well-maintained trail network that offers everything from steep and rocky tech fests to primo flowing singletrack between the trees, while the fact that many of these are on private land means they’re free from braking bumps and ruts – well, that and the hard work of the trail crew.

One key feature of the EX is how we look after people – once you’re here, everything is included. Proper breakfast and coffee to start, a lunch stop with butties and more out on the hill, snacks for when you get back and a proper dinner in the evening – all courtesy of Luffy and his crew. Just as well, because after a 2,000m day, appetites do get up.

Riders are also free to get stuck into as much liquid refreshment as they can handle, something helped by event sponsor Bristol Beer Factory, though in a nod to local custom there was also plenty of Exmoor Gold cider to be found as well – plus non-alcoholic drinks. The Clear Head alcohol-free beer has been increasingly popular each year.

Drink preference hasn’t been the only thing that’s changed in the ten years since the EX started – this year almost 40% of the field was on an e-bike, versus a big fat zero for the first edition. Salty commenters can make of that what they will, but at this event everyone rubs along just fine – though being overtaken on some of the savage climbs by e-bikers merrily chatting away should really grate.

We’ve also stepped up the entertainment each year too, with 2026 introducing a special dual-slalom stage to finish the day on Saturday, courtesy of Exmoor Adventures, giving ample opportunity for heckling fellow racers before some live music and a sit-down dinner, with black jacket table service carried out by the crew. Don’t get that at a UCI EDR, do you?

So, while the EX might be gone for now, the 2026 edition proved that spirit of the event is still strong, bowing out on a high and living on in the memories and friendships it’s created in a decade of racing, riding and having fun. To everyone that’s raced it over the years, the many people who have helped out as staff or even if you’ve just followed along at home – thanks. It’s been quite the ride.

The MERIDA EX Enduro presented by Shimano has been made possible thanks to the help from our sponsors:

MERIDA BIKES
Merida Bicycles UK
Shimano
Race Face
Birzman
National Trust
Ride Guard
Bristol Beer Factory
Exmoor Adventures

Results
Open Male
1st: Myles Baldwin – Dirtworks bikes
2nd: Lewis Brown – Unplugged Racing & MERIDA BIKES
3rd: Joe Varndell – Merida / Michelin

Vets Male
1st: Kevin Cook – Unplugged Racing
2nd: Guy Chandler – The Guide Companion
3rd: Alex Bayne – Muddy Bikers

Grand Vets Male
1st: Tom Smith – The Guide Companion
2nd: Ian Sanders – Stif Mountain Bikes
3rd: Chris Schroder – Epic Rides Wales

E-Bike Male
1st: Sam Shucksmith – Whyte Bikes
2nd: Tobias Pantling – Ace Bicycles
3rd: Jim Kahane – Team GROM

E-Bike Female
1st: Nicola Bennett – Pinned TV
2nd: Sophie Halhead
3rd: Joanna Fox

Pairs
1st: Ian Pidgeon & Phil Gray – The OC
2nd: Ed Napier & Mark Hooper – The OC
3rd: David Blackadder & Russ Aspden

Pairs E-Bike
1st: Oliver Medcalf & Dave Valler
2nd: Andy Woolley & Chris Sullivan – Team GROM
3rd: Eif Richards & Jason Morgan – Crychan Crew

You can find the full results here and the extensive image gallery here.