Actress Gul Panag's Life Defined by Two Wheels

Gul Panag, an actress recognized for her roles in films like 'Dor' and series such as 'The Family Man', identifies strongly with motorcycles, viewing riding as a personal philosophy and a way of life. She describes a symbiotic relationship with her bikes, each representing a life milestone. Her initial riding experience was on a bottle green Royal Enfield Electra 350, a traditional model, and her current aspiration is the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, a motorcycle suited for extensive touring.

Panag stresses that safety considerations for motorcycle riders are universal, irrespective of gender, especially given road conditions and driver attitudes in India. She prefers to ride with others and aims to reach destinations before dark to avoid the risks associated with breakdowns or poor visibility at night. The empowerment and sense of freedom she first felt riding a cousin's Bullet 350 in college in Patiala transformed her curiosity into a lifelong commitment.

Her family has a history of women riding bikes since 1975, forming an informal riding group with family members rather than organized women-only rides. Early long rides, such as a challenging journey to Uttarakhand in 2007, taught her about sustained mental endurance beyond physical stamina. Comparing past road conditions from a 2002 Delhi to Leh trip to a more recent Mysore to Ooty ride, she observes significant evolution in both infrastructure and riding culture.