The Hamsterley Beast is a mountain bike ride based at Hamsterley Forest. Established in 2015 with the aim of raising funds to support the Great North Air Ambulance Service, the first event attracted over 150 riders.

The 2016 event sold out and saw over 350 riders descend on the forest to tackle the beast and raise an incredible £17,500 for the charity.

As always, the mission statement is "let’s go bigger" and this year with the support of the Forestry Commission, the event entries is capped at 500.

In the space of just one year the Beast has become the forests biggest and most talked about event with riders travelling from all over the country to take part. The whole organising team is extremely proud and passionate about the event and what it stands for, not only in terms of the charity supported but also as an event in its own right.

All funds raised from this event will go towards the Great North Air Ambulance Service.