The Heavy Metal Truants announce virtual Download Festival charity bike ride
YOU can take part!
Last updated 11th May 2020
Every June for the past eight years, The Heavy Metal Truants have embarked on a gruelling three-day, 175-mile charity bike ride from London to the hallowed turf of Donington Park for the start of Download Festival.
Founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and journalist Alexander Milas, The Heavy Metal Truants cycling troop features rock lovers from all walks of life including fans, industry figures and even band members.
Thanks to their heroic biking endeavours, to date The Heavy Metal Truants have raised a phenomenal £681,500 for the children’s charities Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins and Childline.
Despite the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, The Heavy Metal Truants’ charity ride will go ahead this year… virtually!
With absolutely no restrictions on numbers or location, The Eighth Of Spades virtual ride is a truly global event and registration is completely free.
Riders have from Monday 1st June to Friday 12th June to complete the 175 ride – equivalent from riding from London’s Hammersmith to Castle Donington – and it can be on anything with a pedal that that you can track with the freely available Strava mileage logging app.
This can include actual bikes, trainers, hand bikes or simple exercise bikes. All miles must be logged on Strava and all riders must register via the HMT website in order to raise funds.
Head to the Heavy Metal Truants website for more details and to register.
Alongside Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins and Childline, this year The Heavy Metal Truants also welcome Save The Children as the fourth international charity beneficiary.
"We were heartbroken to see Download festival cancel, a decision which we of course fully support," says Alexander Milas. "We weren't happy to sit on the side-lines either, particular when the needs of these charities are now greater than ever, so we got planning - this is the metal way."
Rod Smallwood adds: "Metal is all about community. Today we're calling on that community to help the most vulnerable among in the name of metal and these four incredible children's charities. On yer bikes!"
The Heavy Metal Truants have enjoyed the backing and personal support of a vast array of legendary artists over the years, including Iron Maiden, The Who, Slipknot, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, KISS, Def Leppard, and Queen.
This year the Truants are thrilled to announce that Thunder's Luke Morley is already confirmed to join the ride and they expect many more to come.
Don’t forget that Download TV comes to your homes via Download’s social channels (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube) for one weekend only from 12th to 14th June 2020.
Download TV will feature special interviews, unseen performances, exclusive footage, and so much more, in the hope of recreating the weekend from the safety of your own homes. The full line-up will be announced very soon!