Thighs of Steel started in 2016 as a hair-brained scheme with zero budget. Now, it's exactly the same.

What has grown is the community of diverse cyclists, united by a common cause. It is the passion of each individual that has enabled us to raise an incredible £450,000 (Jan/2021) for Grassroots refugee projects across Europe, frequently going way above the £500 sponsorship expectation. Check out here where the money is going! It is with these individuals that the multitude of memories are kept. Below you can explore images and quotes from the 2016 and 2017 rides. 

"Prepare for the most exhilarating week of your life. Full of adventure, emotion and utter exhaustion. You will test your stamina, mental strength and push yourself further than you thought possible. Definitely a worthwhile endeavour, made possible by team work and camaraderie. My proudest achievement so far!"

Sof Calzone, 2016/2018

"After joining TOS for a leg in 2016, I have been hooked ever since and think you’d be pushed to find a more fulfilling adventure that brings people together for the love of adventure, cycling and creating a better world."

Majeeda Goodall, 2017

"On the 600km from Paris to Lyon I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of, about the kindness of strangers and the joy of new friends. It also gave me a great opportunity to talk to friends and family about the refugee crisis, and to ensure that it stays in the front of people's minds."

Mary Stevens, 2017

"We slept on beaches and in churchyards and next to lakes. We cycled lots of miles. We drank lots of water. We cycled more up lots of mountains. We met wonderful people. We saw beautiful views. We cycled more. We sweat buckets, we cried a bit, and we laughed a lot. We raised lots of money for an incredible place that's providing across many levels to those who have very few options. Thighs of Steel - an absolute life changer."

Bean Downes, 2017

"Savage uphill struggles, freewheeling voluptuous descents, torrential rains and the hot unrelenting sun on your back. It's a journey into the generosity and hospitality of strangers, into the hearts and homes of so many gentle people. The idea behind Thighs of Steel is beautiful and elegant in its simplicity."

​Cosmo Murray, 2017

"We had all come for the same reason which brought us together amazingly quickly. The core group of riders that helped organise and facilitate the whole experience all had the same “can do” attitude and that seemed to instil huge amounts of confidence in the entire group. 100% the most enjoyable and satisfying group experience of my life, so thank you all for being a part of it!"

Dan Ballinger, 2017

"I volunteered at Khora for a few weeks last year, and I knew after I left I wanted to continue to help in some way. I didn’t know at the time that would mean cycling up and over the Alps, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made.  Lycra stuffed with croissants, supported by a fantastic bunch of people and motivated by one hell of a cause. At the end I was bruised, burnt, and absolutely beaming from ear to ear!"

Iona Shaw, 2017

"Thighs of Steel was a challenge unlike any I had taken on before. I really pushed myself physically. Even so, I was satisfied that the money we had been raising was going to such a well deserving organisation like Khora, and that kept me focused. There were tears, sore bums, celebratory swims, delirious laughter, unplanned obstacles, early mornings, extreme heat and plenty of adventure.

​It was one of the most memorable weeks I have ever had. I learnt a lot about myself whilst helping an incredible cause and making lots of new friends. Meeting kind local people who offered their land for us to camp on, filled up our endless water bottles and offered us fruit for our journey was the best part. I can’t wait for this year's cycle!"

Roya Fraser, 2017

"Having visited Khora’s centre in Athens I can honestly say this was one of the most worthwhile endeavours I have ever been a part of. 
The experiences are unforgettable, the people are delightful and the cause is important. It's worth every drop of sweat, aching muscle and second breakfast. Be a part of this. I dare you."

​Kate Lamb, 2016

"Riding through Italy was undoubtedly the best week of my 2016! It blew my mind how a bunch of strangers thrown together could bond so deeply and so immediately. Unending positivity, generosity and hilarity ensued as we pedalled and ate our way through the most stunning and varied landscapes. Utterly joyous and one of the most supportive environments I have ever been in. I can't wait for 2017!"

Eibhlin Priestley, 2016

"Pretty much the best week of my life."

Alex Keeley, 2016

Talk Migration was an event in May 2019. 45 people came together with representatives from over 5 refugee projects in the UK to discuss refugee rights, the situation as it stands and look at the different action projects took.
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Talk Migration was a space to be able to learn, discuss and explore refugee rights, with the support and knowledge of people who work in the field everyday.

Photos from Talk Migration May 5th 2019
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Who was involved at Talk Migration? ​

Help refugees 

Help Refugees is a refugee charity with minimum overheads and maximum impact. 94% of their fundraised money goes straight to the projects. Help Refugees have representatives on the ground across Europe to make sure the money is given quickly to the projects that need it the most. They pride themselves on pioneering a new movement in humanitarian aid that is fast, flexible and transparent. Since 2015 they’ve raised £10 million, helping around 722,500 people in 12 different countries.  All fundraised money from Talk Migration is going to Help Refugees to help them support grassroots refugee projects. ​

Indigo volunteers

Indigo Volunteers focus on connecting projects with volunteers with no fees for anyone involved. There are many issues with fee paying volunteering, including projects being unable to access volunteers, volunteers being unable to find projects, irresponsible volunteering (e.g. doing a job a local person could be employed to do) and corruption (e.g. Corrupt companies and individuals, in the knowledge people will pay substantial fees, set up fake orphanages, often with children who are not orphans, or worse, have been trafficked or bought to pose as orphans.). Indigo Volunteers tackles this by asking for no fees from anyone and handpicking projects that need help, ensuring that they are genuine and that they get the kind of volunteers that will be most useful to them. For the volunteer it also ensures that their time and skills will be assessed and they will be recommended to a project where they can really make a difference.

end deportations

End Deportations is a collective campaign calling for the abolition of deportations and detention centres. They focus on preventing deportation charter flights because they are the hardest form of deportation to resist individually. The Stansted 15 are a group of 15 human rights activists from End Deportations, who in March 2017 attached themselves to a plane about to carry out a mass deportation to Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. ​

detention action // freed voices

Detention Action supports people in immigration detention and campaigns for detention reform. They support people held at Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres and people held under immigration powers in London prisons. They provide emotional and practical support to detainees by connecting them with legal aid, having volunteer prison visitors and run a freephone advice line people can call. They also campaign against indefinite detention, asking for a strict 28 day time limit and the expansion of community based alternatives. As part of Detention Action they run a project called Freed Voices, this is a group of experts-by-experience of detention. Free Voices speak out as experts on detention to directly challenge the mainstream misconceptions around it and demand change.