It’s hard to imagine what those lads thought around that pub table a few years back, but you can bet they hadn’t expected the Beast to be where it is today. One of the most anticipated and biggest events in the North of England. A huge and well respected fundraiser for the Great North Air Ambulance Services (GNAAs). “Let’s give something back” was the gist of the conversation amongst mates. This year, the Beast wants to break the £100,000 mark. This would be most fitting when the Forestry Commission itself is celebrating 100 years.
645 riders signed
up last year
Let’s put into context why the Beast has chosen the GNAAs to support. Mountain biking as we all know can be a dangerous sport, and often takes us to remote and difficult places to reach, and this is why services like GNAAs are called in to support us when we run into serious trouble. It’s not uncommon to see the helicopter flying over or into Hamsterley Forest. That’s why, around the table post ride, a group of mates chose to launch the Beast. Running a service like GNAAs doesn’t come cheap. It’s therefore important to remember that servicing one of the helicopters wouldn’t leave much change from 1 million pounds. But not only that each time a patient is treated by the amazing team, they have a better chance of survival, but again this costs in the region of £4000 per casualty. They have consultant medics onboard who have the skills to treat patients onsite and even induce COMA in order to help save patients from the most serious of injuries. You hear people asking why such a valuable service in the North of England is run by charity, and you only have to listen to the CEO Graeme Pickering to understand that it’s about being independent from government rules and regulations, and being able to provide an astonishingly superb service.
Always time and energy to pose for the camera
The 2019 Hamsterley Beast is now promising to be bigger and better again, there will be a twist, but my lips are sealed for now. We can however say that riders will be riding where they have never ridden before and amongst fresh virgin trails. The date for your diaries will be the whole weekend of 11th & 12th of May 2019. Saturday it will all kick off with food, beers, demos and a few select stalls. Camping will be available for the Saturday night and entertainment will be provided by local bands with Friday Street returning by popular demand. Again, the Beast will kick off early on the Sunday morning with 3 different challenges. Firstly a young rider only 10-12 mile challenge, then a 20 mile and 40 mile challenge ride. There’ll be a group of select event photographers volunteering and donating the profits to the Beast again for 2019.
The Beast has become more of a Bike Festival
To sign up head over to the British Cycling site. To follow the Beast and keep up to date with the latest information you should head over to the Beast’s Facebook Page or the official website here Kids can enter the Mini Beast for £15 (Adults £35) and the main events are £35.
Make 2019 huge, lets smash £100,000 total raised.
