The thighs crew live for adventure and we're driven by creating a fairer world
So we cycle really far and raise money for grassroots refugee projects
So we cycle really far and raise money for grassroots refugee projects
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PUBLIC STATEMENT OF APOLOGY
Since getting back from Athens we've been in a facilitated process with Yvonne Blake from Migrants Organising for Rights & Empowerment to resolve an incident that occurred just before this year's ride. This statement, developed in partnership with Yvonne and friends, sets out what happened. The deadline to sign up for our Glasgow-Athens ride was 14 May. Without thinking through the implications, we extended the deadline, reduced the entry fee and advertised the last places to volunteers at solidarity projects in the UK. At the time we believed this would increase access to the ride. We were wrong: we had not considered the many other barriers that our ride presents. We also did not recognise that the shortened time frame would make it very difficult for our team to work with individuals to give equal access to participation. In July 2023 Yvonne contacted us, expressing interest in joining the ride from Bristol to Paris. In conversation with one of the Thighs team, Yvonne raised concerns about some of the logistics and organisation of the ride. She filled in our signup form, paid the entry fee and we added her to the ride Whatsapp group. The next day Yvonne asked if Thighs of Steel could support her through her French visa application process, help that we quickly realised we were unable and unequipped to provide. She started the process of applying for a travel visa, without supporting documentation from Thighs of Steel. In conversation with another of the Thighs team, Yvonne raised further concerns about the ride. The concerns raised and the visa application process highlighted pre-ride and on-ride legal responsibilities that we had not foreseen and not prepared for. As a result, we made the decision that, even if Yvonne was successful in her visa application, we were unable to facilitate her participation in the short time frame before the ride began. We communicated this decision to Yvonne and refunded the entry fee. We recognise that our decision was taken only after Yvonne had put a lot of time and effort into joining the ride. This reactive way of organising caused Yvonne harm and we are sincerely sorry for the harm and distress we caused. |
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Thighs of Steel was set up to fundraise in support of solidarity projects run by and run for people on the move and those experiencing forced migration. Despite our intentions, our ride design and application processes contributed to the historic marginalisation of the communities that our fundraising supports and we are truly sorry for that. We are now taking accountability by changing the way we operate so that we don't cause people harm in the future. This public statement is the first step in a transformation of the way we work. Such a significant transitional moment requires significant time and energy, therefore we will not be running a UK to Athens ride in 2024. Thighs of Steel is now 7 years old and we have grown a lot since our beginnings as a small group of volunteers who decided to go on a bike ride to raise funds for a community centre in Athens. This year has shown us where we need radical growth and our first goal for 2024 is to commission an advisory group including people with lived experience of migration to work with us in becoming a more inclusive organisation. Together, we look forward to developing more exciting and more inclusive rides in 2024 and beyond. Two of the thighs team have been tasked with planning and developing the what, how, who of our new inclusion advisory group. In February, our goal is to move forward with the recruitment of the advisory group, who will report back with their recommendations in the following months. We don't want to rush this process because we are convinced that, with open ears, minds and hearts, Thighs of Steel can grow something new and wonderful. We are so grateful for all the support, commitment and community that you have shown to us and to each other over the years and we promise that you will be the first to know our future plans. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions, want to get involved, or just want to say hello, then please message. We'd love to hear from you! |
🚴 WE DID IT 💨
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"One of the best things I've ever done. Combining adventure and challenge with forming new connections and building community, united by shared values of standing in solidarity with refugees and displaced people. "
Philippa, 2022 |
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Every year, we get on our bikes and cycle really far.
This summer, 101 steely-thighed cyclists rode 5,344km and climbed more than 6 Everests in an 8-week relay through 11 different countries from Glasgow to Athens. Our rides are a wild adventure of pedals, paddles, punctures and porridge, where we get through every challenge together and the next borek is only a ride away. This was the SIXTH time we cycled to Athens and we massively appreciate your support! |
All our cyclists passionately fundraise for grassroots refugee projects via our charity partner, MASS Action.
In 2023 thighs cyclists raised over £100,000 and since 2016 we've raised over £760,000 for organisations that prioritise dignity, community and flexibility. We're proud that a lot of that money goes on the boring essentials that no other funding body will support - rent, bills and maintenance. It's our way of building a fairer world - starting today. |
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Your kinda jam? NOW recruiting bright-eyed cyclist wannabes and gottabes!
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In 2021, the Thighs fam created the world's largest bike-powered GPS art: a 2,208km ride that literally makes Refugees Welcome
Not just a pretty picture, our cyclists raised £81,428 for grassroots refugee support projects via Choose Love
We also made a big noise in the mainstream media (BBC, Sky News - even The S*n wrote something nice) and had 100s of positive conversations about migration with generous strangers |
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There's more to Britain than government policy and headlines: we can all show the world that refugees are welcome here
