Specialized Turbo Tero E bike.

Is this Sue, only faster? 

What was it I wonder back in November '21 about riding an E- bike that made me think my identity as a cyclist was about to change? That was when Specialized UK generously loaned New Forest Off Road Club two Turbo Tero 3.0 E-bikes and I became the very fortunate main guardian of one of them.

Was it a feeling of ‘cheating’ in some way ? Not ‘pure’ biking because of the pedal assist from a battery and motor? 

Or was it having to accept the inevitable ageing process that means I’m no longer as young and fit or strong as when I cycled up every hill from Land’s End to John O’Groats and around Iceland on a Dawes Galaxy road bike in my 30’s and now I would need more help to do that? 

Because I have always loved the physicality of cycling, the effort needed to push the pedals reminding me I’m alive and helping release all those feel good endorphins. 

Or was there possibly another reason lurking…was it that I was just too much in love with my Surly Bridge Club, a bike I bought with money from my Mum and Dad after they died a couple of years ago, to allow myself to ride another bike and neglect one with so much emotional attachment? Are you emotionally attached to your bike?

Specialized’s marketing describes the Turbo E- bikes as “ It’s You, Only Faster”, so having ridden the E- bike now over the past 10 months or so   “ Is it (still) Sue, Only Faster” ? Or am I a completely different cyclist?

I guess the answer is to be found in knowing why I cycle?

Cycling is partly about the physical exercise for me, and especially important to my post-menopausal self to keep my heart, lungs, bones and muscles working. So, can an E- bike with ‘turbo’ power really give me a ride that will push my heart rate into moderate or vigorous activity zones, make me feel alive and challenged and help me sleep better? Because riding my Surly bike does all that.

Well….actually yes it can because you still have to pedal with pedal assist and besides the powerful ‘turbo’ mode there are ‘eco’ and ‘trail’ modes plus 9 gears and if I want to make my body work harder I can still do that. You can also turn the battery off to make it much harder. It provides some options.

I’ve also come to accept that at 60 years old I have cycled up enough hills and mountains under my own steam to allow myself the luxury of pedal assist when I want to, in the knowledge that reducing the repetitive strain that cycling creates on knees and hips will hopefully help keep them moving for some more years. 

But I also cycle for other reasons- for if it was just about exercise I could do that in a spin class. Any of these resonate with you?

*To explore new pathways and places ; to feel adventurous and curious

*To travel through the natural world ; to see detail of plants in hedgerows, to hear birdsong or to feel small amongst mountains 

*To feel the elements on my skin throughout the seasons whatever the weather, (although not too much wind, rain or sun) 

*To travel slowly (but faster than walking)

*To help move past or future thoughts in the brain to being in the present

*To achieve a state of flow where the body and bike become one, moving in tandem together across different terrain under the tyres; connecting with the ground

*To travel alone as well as share the experience with others

*To commute

Have I been able to experience all of those on the E-bike? Well.…

The Tero and I have bike packed together along the South Downs Way, exploring a new off-road route, map reading as we go. The bike has MTB capability with front suspension and 29” x 2.3” tyres and that helped enormously in mid-November to feel safe and stable up and down slippery chalk single track. And I was grateful for ‘turbo’ mode in the steepest sections and when I needed to leave the ridge to overnight accommodation below and then return steeply back onto it the next day to continue.  It is JOYFUL to go uphill without the hurt. I'm about to strap bike bags on again to tackle some of The Old Chalk Way.

We have biked miles, mostly off-road, across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire discovering new bridleways and byways as well as frequenting familiar ones. Mostly travelling alone, and enjoying the feelings of freedom that brings.  Often travelling slowly, taking in the surroundings. 

Although it can be faster, the E- bike can also do slow travel. And I’ve found that what happens is I tend to actually go further and stay out longer. The battery can last for over 45 miles. And I'll be more likely to ride more often throughout a week.

The Tero and I have been part of many New Forest Off Road Club rides, cycling alongside others on the wide gravel tracks. The beauty of being able to turn to ’turbo’ mode has enabled me to move quickly from the back of a larger group to the front if needed for smooth communication with other ride leaders, or to go back and check on a few riders if they happen to be a distance behind. The greater ease of movement up and down a large group of cyclists makes for a very sociable experience with all. 

A burst of ‘turbo’ also helps if I’m filming Club rides as I’m sometimes needing to go ahead and get a photo or two as the group passes, and then be confident I’ll be able to catch back up.

 I have been able to go on more “Speedy Gonzales”  Club rides and know that I can keep up with the pace which has opened up rides that otherwise I would not have put myself on. And I’m glad that I’ve done that, to be able to cycle with more people and to be inspired by their strength. 

I no longer commute to a workplace by bike but I have used the E bike on roads instead of a car journey to visit friends. The Tero is versatile - it travels well on road as well as off road. I like the turbo mode to move swiftly from stationary at junctions amongst traffic.

Do I feel at one with the bike? Are we like experienced dancing partners, moving in sync with each other? Not quite yet. Either we need more practice or maybe I need an E- bike with a lighter frame or a step through for my size?  

So….. “Is it Sue, Only Faster” ?  Perhaps  “It’s Sue, Only Stronger” is a better description for a cyclist who mostly enjoys taking it slowly. Although ‘Turbo’ mode is the MOST TERRIFIC FUN! 

The loan of the other Turbo Tero 3.0 E-bike has allowed those recovering from covid to get back biking for pleasure and commuting to work, those who live in hilly places to take the strain off their knees, those who carry children in a trailer to bike for longer and go further, and those who would like to keep up with others younger or speedier than themselves to do so with confidence. 

We are very grateful to Specialized UK for their continued commitment to support our mission to increase representation in the outdoors by providing guided, matriarchal experiences.

You can check out the Specialized Tero Turbo here.