Mom of two first learnt bike at 45. Then she quit her job and at 50 she is a pro on the road
Growing up in a world where dreams were dictated by laws and tradition,
Mandeep Merwah
never imagined she'd one day ride a motorcycle across
Indian highways
, wind in her hair and freedom in her heart. Born into a conservative environment where riding a bike was not just frowned upon but illegal for women, Mandeep grew up dreaming of leather jackets and winding terrains she could never ride through. But today, at 50, she's not only a biker—she's a
Guinness World Record
holder, an artist, a mentor, and a symbol of liberation for women chasing long-buried dreams.
In an interview with
Humans of Bombay
, Mandeep shared how her story began when her family migrated to the Middle East from India when she was just four years old. As a child, she was mesmerized by TV races, where bikers in leather jackets carved paths through unexplored terrains. But for women in the region during the 1980s, biking wasn't just frowned upon—it was outright illegal. 'My free-spirited nature was held back, and although I dreamt of riding, I knew that wish could never become a reality,' she recalled.
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Still, driven by curiosity, she once disguised herself as a man just to ride pillion on a friend's bike. The thrill she felt as the bike gained speed was a momentary rebellion, a taste of freedom she wouldn't forget.
Unable to pursue biking, Mandeep channeled her creativity elsewhere. She nurtured her artistic spirit and became a graphic designer, slowly building a successful career in advertising. After getting married, raising children, and becoming a household name in the Middle East's creative circuits, she longed for something more—something hers. 'After four decades in the Middle East, I craved a new life altogether,' she said.
That life awaited her in India.
At 45, Mandeep took a leap of faith and moved back to India with her family. Surrounded by new friendships and a supportive
biking community
, she finally voiced a desire she had silenced for too long: 'I want to learn to ride.' And she did—on a Royal Enfield Bullet, no less. 'The feeling of riding was indescribable; I felt liberated as I accelerated ahead,' she said.
Her transformation was more than personal—it became communal. Mandeep began riding across India with fellow bikers, not just exploring its landscapes but advocating for road safety along the way. When people questioned her—'Iss umar mein kya zarurat hein?'—she held her ground, backed by the unwavering support of her family.
In 2016, she turned her passion into purpose by starting to train others, especially women, to ride. 'I was surprised at how many women in their late 50s showed interest!' she said. Their stories echoed her own, rooted in years of suppression and a burning desire to break free. Whether it was proving their families wrong or just rediscovering their own strength, Mandeep was there to help them take the handlebars of their own lives.
But biking is only one side of her journey. Mandeep is also a Guinness World Record holder for creating the largest
crochet blanket
in the world. Today, she's known fondly as the 'artist on a motorcycle.' On her road trips, she doesn't just ride—she connects. She stops by homes, learns stories, and leaves behind more than memories—she paints furniture, infusing them with creativity and soul. Through both yarn and engines, she threads together courage, passion, and community.
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