From being a fan of one of the most talented and versatile actor Gul Panag, to being her fellow cyclist; this blog encapsulates my close encounter with a celebrity aka a humble and friendly human being. From Spokes to Smiles, cycling with Gul Panag at Mulshi lake in Pune organized by Magucho and supported by Hero Lectro electric bicycles brought together like-minded people for a wholesome experience leaving participants with lifetime memories.
How did I connect with Gul Panag:
It was somewhere in the month of July 2022, when the Instagram algorithm displayed a post by Gul Panag on my timeline. She was on an epic multi-day Manali-Leh cycling expedition. Impressive! Her captions on the post described her journey very well and as a reader and cycling enthusiast, it nourished my mind and soul. I followed her immediately and she returned the gesture as we shared a common interest in cycling. Since then, we have been exchanging appreciation through Instagram messenger and acknowledging each other’s cycling trips through likes and comments.
For my international audience who are reading this blog, let me introduce Gul Panag to you. Gul is a well-known actor in Bollywood and has worked on several films. Her career began from modeling and at a young age she was crowned Miss India in 1999 and represented India at Miss Universe in the same year. Gul has wide ranging interests – from adventure sports to filmmaking and photography; and social activism to politics. She is a certified pilot, a motor biker, a half-marathon runner and loves the outdoors.
In an exclusive interview with Pedal and Tring Tring, Gul said that her interest in cycling developed after admiring her father’s commitment to cycling routine. Under his guidance, she could explore and feel the innumerable benefits that cycling offered. Thereafter, it was no stopping for her, and she involved herself in several cycling and off-roading adventures.
Last minute registration with Let’s Magucho:
The acronym ‘MAGUCHO’ stands for Making a Good Choice! It’s a term coined by the founder’s, Gul Panag, and her partner Rishi, to guide their son to do the right things. So, Let’s Magucho means ‘Let’s Make a Good Choice’.
With my busy schedule, I was in two-minds whether I should enroll for this event or not since we had to travel from Mumbai to Pune specially for this event. I discussed this opportunity with my friend Rohit Mahadev and just two days before the registrations closed, we enrolled ourselves. This plan turned out to be one of the best decisions because the exposure we got was fantastic.
Exchanging Greetings with Gul Panag:
The ride was supposed to start from 4 Seasons resort on 4th Feb’24. So, Rohit and I checked-in a day prior and made ourselves comfortable. The morning arrived and we were planning our video shoot and things to cover in the event and waiting for other participants to join. Gul Panag entered and greeted us with a big smile, dimples on her cheeks and respect in her eyes. For a moment, I was frozen and couldn’t react. She introduced us to her partner Rishi and the conversation started. Soon, ten other participants joined, and we sat down for a pre-ride briefing over breakfast. Gul Panag made a formal introduction about Let’s Magucho, where unique experiences, adventure, travel, and community converge in shared celebrations. Magucho is also about experiences unburdened by ownership as told by the speaker. The custom curated ride had only ten seats and we were the lucky ones to feature in it.
The briefing continued and was taken over by Rishi who spelled out the route, ride conditions, weather, safety measures, hydration points, the support vehicles and using electric bicycles.
Electrifying experience on Hero Lectro electric Bicycles:
The next leg of briefing was all about using electric bicycles which Hero Lectro had organized for us. The representatives from Hero gave a brief demo about the bikes’ functionality and how to ride them for a smoother ride experience. We picked up our bikes and went for a short test ride, adjusted the saddle height, tested the brakes and were good to roll on the road.
Inspired by Gul’s persona, few poetic thoughts appeared in my mind which I am sharing here:
Gul Sangh Cycle Yatra!
(Hindi Version)
Kaltak jo khwaboon mein basti thi,
Woh aaj haqeeqat mein mujse milne aai,
Jiska barso se tha intezaar,
Woh mulakaat cycle k do paiyoo ne karvaiye,
Khilta hua chera aur madhur awaaz mein kiya salaam,
Woh Gul hain Jinki mehek se khil utha vatika aur udyan,
Kabhi gulab, kabhi champa aur kabhi chameli jaisi dikhthi hain,
Woh Gul hain jo har dil mein chupke rehti hain,
Gul se hamein prerpna milti hain ki sadah hasoon, muskurao aur khushiyaa baton,
Jeevan ki yaatra mein badteh chalo,
Magucho k sangh judho aur Gul se milo,
Badi zindagi ki rakti hain chahat,
Kabhi aasmaan mein udti, toh kabhi dharti par daudti hain,
Karadoon vyaktiyoon ko deti hain sahas,
Gul apni raah khud chunti hain,
Gul k saath cycle yatra karne ka bharpoor anand aaya,
Aur garv hain hamein bharat ki beti par,
Karte hain hum sab Gul par naaz!
Gul ek guldasta hain sakaratmak soch ka,
Abhimaan hain humein Gul aur naari shakti ka.
Author: Vijay Malhotra
A Cycling Journey With Gul!
(English Translation)
The desire that once lived in my dreams,
Today, came to meet me in reality,
The one I had been waiting for years,
That meeting was made possible by the two wheels of a cycle,
With a smiling face and a melodious voice, she greeted me,
She is Gul, whose fragrance fills the garden and the park,
Sometimes she looks like a rose, sometimes like lei flowers, and sometimes like a jasmine,
She is Gul who lives quietly in every heart,
Gul inspires us to smile, laugh, and spread happiness,
Let us move forward in the journey of life,
Join the experience of Magucho and meet Gul,
Gul is full of life and aspirations,
Sometimes she flies in the sky and sometimes she runs on the ground,
She gives courage to individuals,
Gul creates her own path.
It was a great pleasure to cycle with Gul,
And we are proud of the daughter of India,
We all admire Gul!
Gul is a bouquet of positive thinking,
We take pride in Gul’s achievements and women’s power.
Author: Vijay Malhotra
Two Wheels and One Dream – Cycling with Gul Panag:
It was time for our 22 km long epic journey to commence from 4 Seasons Resort. We were assigned our positions by Rishi and instructed to ride in a single file as the roads were narrow and shared with vehicles. The ride commenced with the chant of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ (a holy chant in chorus done as a prayer to lord Ganesha for our safety and success).
We pedaled on a slight gradient upward and thereafter it was all flat. The pedal-assist bikes made it easy, and we kept rolling until one of the participants had a flat tyre. His bike was replaced, and we continued our voyage till the first pit stop for a scenic view of Mulshi Lake. The set-up was already in place with tables and chairs served with sandwiches and refreshing lime juice to beat the heat. We had plenty of chatter and went on to record testimonials of riders.
Rohit took out his selfie-stick for a group picture with Mulshi lake in the background. Everyone had their own take on the ride so far and with Gul Panag personally involved, the fun element was high. Personally, I feel that she is highly energetic, enthusiastic, with great spirit and leadership qualities.
The bikes which were parked in a row were ready for the next segment. We pedaled pass through the rustic dry trees on one side and with a lake view on the other. Malnourished stray dogs watched us as we moved through a compact street pedaling within the white lines. The next stop was at a small hill apt for a group photo. Rohit’s selfie-stick emerged yet again and captured us in a perfect frame.
Led by Gul Panag, we said our prayers outside a temple with sixty seconds of silence and our eyes shut. Our convoy continued towards another photography point which had a big signboard ‘We Love Tamhini’. By this time Rohit’s selfie-stick was already in demand and we were honored to have us captured by him.
The last stop of the ride was at the beautiful Mulshi Lake. The sun was at its peak with our shades on. We rolled on to the brown-muddy gravel path and stopped next to the tip of Mulshi Lake. The photo session began with our creative outburst trying innovative poses with the Hero Lectro Ebikes. We also got a chance to test ride the mat black, sturdy looking high performance ‘Hero Viking’ which is yet to be launched in the market. Contented and happy, the dream ride with Gul Panag culminated at Mulshi Lake with a Thank You to the organizers and Hero Lectro support staff who took care of us. The bikes were packed and loaded on the tempo for a return journey.
Post-Ride Celebrations:
From Mulshi lake, we boarded a bus and arrived at Afita – Away From it All. The property belongs to Gul Panag and Rishi; and he gave us a tour of the sustainable practices that the property follows in terms of using solar energy, water sewage treatment plants and solid-waste management. We were glad that we could be a part of a sustainable tourism experience.
Next, we bonded over home cooked delicious lunch where conversations flowed with a warmth and respect for the host Gul Panag. She made us comfortable in her house and allowed us to use facilities such as toilets, WiFi and her balcony which had a good view.
Gul Panag was caring and friendly throughout the curated tour by Magucho and even gave us her precious time to shoot a short interview with her which you must have watched in the above video.
Finally, the moment arrived to say goodbye to everyone with our bus ready to take us back to Pune city center. Gul Panag and Rishi accompanied us till the bus and emotions were exchanged with a final goodbye.
Top experience on the top gear with Gul Panag:
Gul’s passion for cycling is infectious, and her determination to advocate for a fitter, more sustainable future is truly inspiring. Through her stories and experiences, she’s reminded us that cycling isn’t just about the destination, it’s about the journey itself – the sweat, the camaraderie, the wind in your hair, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with pushing your limits.
I hope this blog has motivated you to consider your own two-wheeled adventure. As Gul says, “Anyone can cycle!” It’s a simple activity that can have a profound impact on your health, your happiness, and the environment. There’s always a new adventure waiting for you at the next bend.
Signing-off in her words “Zindagi lambi nahi, badi honi chahiye” (Life shouldn’t be long, it should be big – a famous dialogue from Hindi Movie ‘Anand’).
Coming up next, blogs and videos about my visit to Indore – the cleanest city of India.
- Exclusive Interview with Sumit Khatri, the owner of ‘The Perfect Bike’ – a premium bike shop in Indore.
- Scott Coffee Ride – Indore Edition.
- Travelogue: Exploring the famous tourist sites of Indore and the most visited flavorful street food destination ‘Sarafa Bazaar’ on a MYBYK.
- This would be followed by updates from the Giant GRC Ride 2024.
- And more action from my Cycling Tour in Vietnam, so subscribe if you haven’t yet.
Photo credits: Rohit Mahadev, Lets’ Magucho and Participants
Video Courtesy: GR8 Photography by Rohit Mahadev
You might also like to read: STEFAN VOORMANS: PUSHING BOUNDARIES WITH HAND CYCLING
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai
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