Virtual Event
1st June to 13th June 2025
Go the distance however you choose
Physical Event
11th, 12th & 13th June 2025
Join the road crew, cycling the full original challenge distance over 3 days
Click here for full details of the physical ride
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking part in a charity challenge is a big commitment and we want to make sure you’re fully prepared. Here’s a round up of our most frequently asked questions.
Signing Up
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE?
We welcome people from all age groups. Participants have been aged between 18-70+ and have travelled from all corners of the globe to join us.
WHO TAKES PART?
Everyone who signs up for HMT charity challenges has two things in common – a love of metal and the desire to help those less fortunate. People from all walks of life take part which makes for an interesting and diverse group of fellow participants. Most people who sign up for the first time don’t know anyone else beforehand: by the end, you’ll be part of a brother and sisterhood that spans the globe!
HOW FIT AND HEALTHY DO I HAVE TO BE?
You will need to undertake regular physical training in the weeks leading up to the event. choose the level of challenge that you undertake. If 175 miles of cycling is enough of a challenge for you, then stick with it. If 1000 miles is more your speed, then good luck!! The idea is to push yourself and of course, push those donations.
HOW MANY PEOPLE TAKE PART?
For The Virtual Ride, there is no maximum limit- In 2020, our first Virtual ride had just under 400 people from over 35 countries taking part. We actively support you getting to know fellow riders through our social channels, and we’ll also host Livestreamed HMTV shows on Youtube for you to get to know us and of the larger characters involved and the all important charities.
Fundraising
Heavy Metal Truants was established in 2013 to fundraise for four charities who support services to children in the UK: Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, ChildLine/NSPCC, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Save the Children. All fundraising goes through The Truants Foundation and is split equally between the four charities.
WHAT FUNDRAISING HELP WILL I RECEIVE?
Raising funds is one of the toughest parts of a charity challenge. However, it is possible to reach and even exceed the sponsorship target as many participants have proved. Here on the Heavy Metal Truants’ website there are ideas to give you some inspiration. Our core of regular participants can also offer you their top tips.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN’T RAISE THE SPONSORSHIP MONEY?
For the virtual ride, there is no minimum level, but of course we hope you’ll raise as much as possible to support our children’s charities.
HOW MUCH OF THE MONEY I RAISE WILL DIRECTLY HELP THE CHARITY?
Physical – Charity challenges incur costs for travel, accommodation, food, staff etc., the registration fee contributes towards these costs, the balance is covered by your sponsorship funds unless you choose to cover the balance personally and all funds raised above this will go directly to support the four charities.
For the Virtual event, there are no challenge costs incurred so 100% of your fundraising will reach the charities.
WHAT IF MY SPONSORS THINK MY CHALLENGE IS A HOLIDAY?
The challenge of taking part starts months before departure due to the fundraising and
training involved. Once on the challenge the physical exertion of cycling long distances and being in the saddle for up to 8 hours a day is not to be under-estimated, particularly if you’re doing it around working hours as many of our HMTs do. The experience is often outside most people’s comfort zone. However, the personal satisfaction of overcoming these physical and emotional barriers and benefiting the charities we support is fantastic.
About Heavy Metal Truants
OUR HISTORY
Since 2013, Heavy Metal Truants (HMT) has been a force to be reckoned with in the world of charity, uniting metal-heads, bands, and industry icons to raise over £1.3 million for children’s charities. From Monster Rock Auctions to sizzling Heavy Metal Curries, our fundraising groove never stops.
Our iconic annual 150-mile cycle ride from London to the sacred heavy metal realm of Castle Donington and Download festival in June is our ultimate pilgrimage!
Even a pandemic couldn’t silence our roar or keep us off our bikes. In 2020, when Download Festival had to hit the brakes, we didn’t miss a beat. We went virtual, welcoming walkers, runners, and epic stretch targets for cyclists worldwide. The spirit caught fire, and it became our biggest event ever. In 2021, we broke the £1 million milestone. In 2022 we added £160k to our total, 2023 brought in another £151k, and last year we smashed £167k, bringing our overall fundraising total to a staggering £1,526,500! Now – we’re revving up for HMTXII!
Our chosen charities, champions for children and young people, need our support more than ever. That’s why we’re rallying metal-heads worldwide to join us in the name of heavy metal once again!
Every year has a theme and choosing the theme for our 13th year needed very little consideration. Get ready for HMTXIII: Ride Day the 13th! We swear we saw something in the woods on the way there last year.. Let’s go find out- what’s the worst that could happen? The only way to find out would be to join us…
HOW IT WORKS:
Between 1st-13th June we invite you to enter the annals of Heavy Metal Truants fame with challenges from cycling, walking, running, and more. We support both digital and physical challenges, and all proceeds from your fundraising will go to Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline, Nordoff & Robbins and Save the Children: not even wars stop these charities so we keep going too – join us. We’re not the messiahs, but we can make a difference.
Participation in the digital challenges is free: sign up, log into Strava, and get sweating once we’ve begun our challenge in June. Participation in the physical challenge – a three-day cycle to from London to Download Festival in June, costs £600 (starting with a £105 deposit). 100% of this registration fee will go toward paying for all costs associated with the ride — things like food, hotels, medical and medical and mechanical support, and a hire bike if you need one. You’ll also gain a guest pass to Download Festival for the full weekend!
Any questions? Read our FAQ! Otherwise, sign up today!