Heavy Metal Truants Embark On Another “Beast Of A Ride”

On the sixth day of the sixth month, Heavy Metal Truants will embark on their sixth annual cycling pilgrimage from London to Download Festival.

A charity fundraising event co-founded in 2012 by then-Metal Hammer editor-in-chief Alexander Milas and Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, the ride – which sees approximately 40 cyclists pedalling 180 miles over three days to the sacred metal grounds of Donington and Download Festival – has to date raised £469,000 for three children’s charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline and Nordoff Robbins. The group is open to everyone and consists of fans, music-industry types and various band members, and has seen everyone from Thunder’s Luke Morley, Amon Amarth’s Johan Hegg and Trivium’s Paolo Gregoletto joining their ranks.

“It feels like yesterday that Rod invited me to one of his infamous Truants charity rides in Morocco, and the idea for the Heavy Metal Truants was born,” says Milas. “To see so many people from so many different backgrounds uniting under the banner of heavy metal to raise money for the remarkable work that these kids’ charities do is really something to behold, and to me it speaks to the fundamental community spirit that makes heavy metal more than just a genre of music – it’s a culture, and we’re so grateful to everyone who’s stepped forward to support our efforts over the years.”

This year’s Heavy Metal Truants will set off from London’s Alexandra Palace at 9am, on Wednesday, 6 June, and the public are encouraged to join to see them off. They will arrive at Download Festival on Friday, 8 June, between noon and 1pm, and will relocate to a bar soon after that.

Heavy Metal Truants also hold an annual raffle, nicknamed Beermageddon, and the Monster Rock Auction – an online rock and metal memorabilia auction which will launch again this year in July.

Click here to make a donation to this year’s ride.

Format: UK English