I first met Rod Smallwood and Alex Milas in around 2014 as we were putting together plans for Legacy of the Beast. Rod “suggested I might like to take part” in HMT III, and I’ve been a dedicated disciple of the Heavy Metal Truants ever since. What started as a one-off challenge quickly became a yearly tradition — equal parts pain, pride, and purpose.

This year, in true Spinal Tap spirit, I’m going up to eleven with my 11th consecutive ride, and every year reinforces why we do this. When you attend the cheque-giving ceremonies and hear directly from the kids and charities we support — Childline, Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins, and Save the Children — walking away is now simply not an option.

HMT XIII: Ride Day the 13th — instead of running from the horror of a 150+ mile cycle ride, we’re pedalling straight into it. 150+ miles, three days, and one mission: raise as much as we can for the kids who need it most.

As always, thanks for your support and riding with us in spirit!