In March 2023, Exoride turned thirteen, and we marked it by giving away two places on a guided shuttle day in the Valais. This page is the record of that draw.
The draw closed on 30 March 2023, so there is nothing left to enter here. What is still worth your time is the rest: what the winners actually got, and how a shuttle day works.
What was at stake
One guided shuttle day in the Valais, for two people. At the time that was worth 90 francs per person, so two places, 180 francs of riding, on the trails we pick ourselves according to the group and the conditions of the day.
Thirteen years of Exoride was the excuse. Through that whole year we ran giveaways and small surprises, one after the other, and this was the March one.
How the draw ran
It ran on Instagram and Facebook at the same time, with one entry allowed per person on each platform. Three steps on either side: follow the Exoride page, like the competition post, and tag two friends in the comments. Two friends who prefer descending to pedalling, as we put it at the time.
The draw took place on 30 March 2023 at six in the evening. The result was announced on both platforms and the winner contacted by message.
A shuttle day, in practice
This is the part that has not changed. You arrive with your bike at nine in the morning, at a meeting point in the Valais given to you when you book. The bikes go onto the trailer, and from there you do not climb again unless you want to.
Between 5,000 and 10,000 metres of descent in the day, depending on the level of the group. Up to 26 riders and their bikes per rotation. Each bike is strapped separately on the trailer, without touching its neighbour, so no scratches and no impacts, and a spare bike travels with us permanently in case something breaks badly.
We run the Bas-Valais, the central Valais, the Haut-Valais, the Vaud Alps and the neighbouring Italian valleys. Those are the zones. The trails themselves you discover on the day. If you want the full anatomy of a shuttle day, we took one apart piece by piece here.
The three formats today
Guided day, CHF 95. A Swiss Cycling certified local guide, trails chosen for the group and the conditions, a spare bike and mechanical support, riding tips and photos. This is the one we recommend, and it is what the 2023 winners rode.
Self-guided day, from CHF 45. The Exo'bus and its driver for the day, your trails, your pace, your group. CHF 35 for a half day. For groups who already know the trails and navigate by GPS.
Drop-off and logistics. One climb, a single drop point, or support for a bigger raid.
If you ride shuttles often, the Exo'Pass brings the day down: ten days, two of them free. The season runs from March to November, plus a few winter dates.
The rules of that draw, in short
For the record, here is what applied. The draw was organised by Exoride and published on the Exoride Instagram and Facebook profiles. It was in no way linked to or organised by Instagram or Facebook, who carried no responsibility for it.
It was open to anyone aged 18 or over at the time of entry. Entries only counted if the steps were followed exactly, and each person could enter once per platform for the whole duration. The prize could not be exchanged for cash.
Is your level right for a shuttle day
Shuttle days run from technical 2 out of 4 to 4 out of 4, so there is a day for the curious rider and a day for the expert, but not the same day. Our levels page places you in two minutes, and each date in the calendar carries its own level.
The next giveaways
We still run them, on Instagram and Facebook, and they are announced in our newsletter first. One newsletter a month, and CHF 5 of Exo'points when you sign up.
And in the meantime, the dates are online
Nobody has to wait for a draw to ride. The shuttle dates are online, from March to November. A departure is guaranteed as soon as the group is formed; if a day does not gather enough riders it is postponed or refunded. And if you want the bus for your own group on your own date, a day can be privatised.
Chris
