The Ridley E-ASTR has now been around for about a year, and more and more cycling enthusiasts are discovering what this assisted gravel bike has to offer. The reactions after a first test ride have been remarkably positive. That was certainly the case for Griet Wouters from the Belgian Kempen region, who rediscovered her love of cycling thanks to the bike. “Thanks to the E-ASTR, I can finally go riding with my husband again,” she says. “He has much stronger legs than I do, but thanks to the motor we can stay together and both get a great workout. For me, it makes a world of difference.”

One of the most common prejudices about e-bikes is that they're not ‘real’ bikes. Griet recognises that way of thinking all too well. “To be honest, I initially thought: this isn't going to be for me,” she laughs. “I regularly ride with friends who are at a higher level than I am, so I joined them with a bit of fear.” That doubt quickly disappeared. After just a few kilometres, she realised her assumptions were wrong. “I lose a lot of energy constantly accelerating after corners and obstacles. That's when I end up out of breath. The E-ASTR gives me a little push at speeds below 25 km/h, and once I'm up to speed, I can comfortably keep up with my friends.”

What stayed with her most after that first ride was how she felt afterwards. “I came home feeling satisfied. I'd never ridden that hard before, yet I still had that familiar ‘tired but fulfilled’ feeling you get after exercising. The assistance doesn't take away the effort, but it does take away the frustrating parts.”

According to Griet, the strength of the E-ASTR lies in how subtle the assistance feels. The TQ motor gives her just that little bit of extra support exactly when she needs it, without ever feeling unnatural.

“I never had the feeling that a motor was pulling me uphill,” she explains. “After 30 kilometres I was genuinely tired, but it was such a relief to have support at speeds below 25 km/h.” She compares it to previous experiences with an electric bike. “I once owned an electric city bike that sometimes went too fast, forcing me to stop pedalling. That's not the case with the E-ASTR. It only gives you that little extra when you really need it.”

With renewed confidence, Griet travelled to Girona, a region renowned as a true gravel paradise and home to The Traka. Together with her partner, she headed out on several rides across the area's challenging terrain.

“You have to know that I don't have a technical riding background,” she says. “In Catalonia you're constantly dealing with rough rocks and tricky roots, so that's already a challenge for me. On the descents I definitely lose a few metres.” But on the climbs, the story was completely different. “To my great delight, I found myself waiting for my husband on the climbs,” she says with a smile.

That experience not only boosted her confidence, but also gave her the motivation to keep pushing her own limits. She felt stronger, without it ever feeling forced.

After dealing with a herniated disc, which caused her to lose fitness and muscle strength, cycling was no longer something Griet looked forward to. “Cycling had become a challenge,” she says. “Now I actually look forward to every kilometre on the bike.” That renewed enthusiasm has also sparked new ambitions. “During Strada Campina, I really felt like taking part.” She draws inspiration from Mérida Miller, who encourages people to be proud of their own achievements. “And I think: she's absolutely right.”

Still, she doesn't feel the need to travel far. “It doesn't have to be Girona. You can already find beautiful gravel routes in the Hageland or the Ardennes.” The most important thing is that the joy has returned and that every ride is once again something to look forward to.

For Griet, the impact of the E-ASTR goes beyond her own performance. It has also brought her closer to the people around her again. “It had been seven years since my husband and I cycled together this often,” she says. “Even my youngest son seems to have caught the cycling bug. If the E-ASTR means we can spend so much more time riding together, then I can only be grateful.”