Hi everyone!

It has been almost two years since the last summer of freedom – the summer filled with unlimited road trips, visiting friends and family, or attending events. For me, notably, it has been two years since all those rock and heavy metal (and other heavy minerals) souls around the world had a chance to enjoy open air festivals, like UK's premier Download Festival.

Traditionally, the Download Festival is preceded by a charity ride from London to Donington, the festival's site. The 2021 Download Festival might be cancelled again, but the ride is not! At least not in its virtual socially distanced form, and me and my husband are in! 

In 12 days, between 24th May and 4th June, we will be facing a challenge equal to the original London-Donington distance - 175 miles / 280 km. And being pretty hard-ass and all, we thought we could make it even more challenging than that. As such, during the very same timeframe, we have chosen to participate in a runners challenge as well - 35 miles / 56 km.

Why do we do all of this? We’re raising money for vulnerable children and young adults in the name of heavy metal! Since 2013 the Heavy Metal Truants have been breaking a sweat to raise funds for children’s charities. Every year has had a theme or a nickname, and this year HMT went with Nine Lives because like our feline friends, HMT has managed to survive some tricky spots and keep going. And cats rule.

Please, if you can, support us. Even the smallest donation could change the life of someone out there. And it shall certainly warm our hearts, giving us the necessary strength to carry on and conquer all the miles/kilometers ahead of us. This is our way of coping with the sadness of yet another concert-less covid-affected summer. 

Or just keep your fingers crossed! Punk rockers or not, we’re sure as hell gonna need that luck!

Thank you all!

Zu

P.S. Curious how I'm doing? Track me on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/31629554