Meet biker Gul Panag! Says women in her family have been riding bikes since 1975

Gul Panag has always charted her own course. Seen in films such as Dor, Dhoop and Manorama Six Feet Under, and series like The Family Man and Paatal Lok, the actress is known for unconventional choices. But beyond the arc lights lies another enduring passion — motorcycles. For Gul, riding is not a hobby or a statement; it is a philosophy, a discipline and a way of life shaped by freedom and responsibility in equal measure.Elaborating on her relationship with her machines, she shares, “Every bike I own represents a milestone – a phase in life. I’m not someone who gives my bikes names, but I do feel there’s a symbiotic relationship. The bike is tuned to me, and I’m tuned to it. There’s a rhythm, a mutual understanding.” Her first bike was a Bottle Green Royal Enfield Electra 350 – “cast iron engine, kick start, proper old-school feel.” Today, her dream machine is the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, a motorcycle synonymous with long-distance adventure touring.‘I like to reach my destination before dark’As a prominent woman rider, Gul is often asked about safety. Her response is unequivocal. “Honestly, I think all riders need to think about the same safety considerations – regardless of gender. Given the condition of our roads and the attitude of many drivers, where scant regard is sometimes paid to two-wheelers, you have to be alert. I like to reach my destination before dark. It’s not fun changing a flat tyre or dealing with a breakdown in the dark. Or falling into a ditch or an open manhole. I prefer setting out early and reaching with enough daylight left. And I like riding with a few people. It’s always good to have someone watching out for you.”‘The sense of empowerment I felt was something else’In a candid conversation, she traces her journey from a college student in Patiala to a seasoned rider who has traversed some of India’s most demanding terrains. “The first moment that sparked my curiosity was riding my cousin’s Bullet 350 when I was in college in Patiala. Until then, I was riding a Kinetic Honda to college, so I was familiar with balance and being on two wheels. But the sense of empowerment and freedom I felt on that bike was something else entirely. I’ve never looked back since that day.” That first ride, she says, was transformative — turning curiosity into commitment almost instantly. ‘The sense of empowerment I felt was something else’In a candid conversation, she traces her journey from a college student in Patiala to a seasoned rider who has traversed some of India’s most demanding terrains. “The first moment that sparked my curiosity was riding my cousin’s Bullet 350 when I was in college in Patiala. Until then, I was riding a Kinetic Honda to college, so I was familiar with balance and being on two wheels. But the sense of empowerment and freedom I felt on that bike was something else entirely. I’ve never looked back since that day.” That first ride, she says, was transformative — turning curiosity into commitment almost instantly.‘Women in my family have been riding bikes since 1975’While many women riders today form organised groups, Gul’s riding community has always been close to home. “Women in my family have been riding bikes since 1975. My dad’s sister rode a bike. I grew up seeing her daughters ride bikes to college. Since so many people in my family ride, we have always had our own gang – my brother, my husband, his brother, cousins.” As a result, she says, she has “never really participated in an organised women-only ride. Ours is more of an organic gang. But I would love to try a women’s ride sometime.”Remembering her memorable ridesHer first long ride in 2007 remains etched in memory, a demanding journey through Uttarakhand to Wan. “Getting there from Delhi meant navigating the chaotic highway to Haridwar – not exactly conducive to leisure riding. The roads weren’t what they are today. It was fairly long, exhausting and physically demanding because of the number of hours in the saddle. The bigger challenge was mental. I had never before experienced that sustained state of hyper-alertness for a long duration. On shorter rides, vigilance doesn’t tax you. On a long ride, being in that constant fight-or-flight mode – watching out for trucks, distracted drivers, sudden lane changes – takes real mental stamina. It taught me that endurance isn’t just physical. It’s mental.”Recounting one of her early road trips, from Delhi to Leh in 2002, Gul says, “The roads were practically non-existent. There was barely any infrastructure along the way, and even stopping for a cup of tea wasn’t easy. ”Her most recent ride, from Mysore to Ooty two years ago, offered a stark contrast. “Beautiful roads, great elevation changes – a completely different riding experience. It’s interesting to see how much both infrastructure and riding culture have evolved,” she says.