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From a tentative throttle as a child in Kanpur to conquering some of India’s toughest mountain routes, Apurva Agnihotri ’s relationship with motorcycles is rooted in instinct, emotion and a sense of freedom. The Anupamaa actor traces it all back to a childhood moment. “I was six years old when my cousin made me sit on his bike. I could only balance and didn’t know gears. He simply said, ‘Just accelerate’. The moment I did that, I knew this is something I have to latch on to for life.”

Despite that early pull, bikes were strictly off-limits growing up. “We never had a bike at home… you know how parents are. They think motorcycles are dangerous,” he says. The dream stayed parked until marriage, when his wife, Shilpa Agnihotri, surprised him with his first superbike. “I saw this CBR600RR with a note that said, ‘What are you looking at? I’m all yours.’ I think I cried with joy.”

That gift kickstarted a serious biking journey. From the Honda CBR600RR, he upgraded to a Yamaha R1, before eventually shifting gears – literally – to more versatile machines. His current ride, the Triumph Tiger 800, remains his go-to for long-distance touring.

For him, biking isn’t about speed alone – it’s about immersion. “Doing the same journey in a car and on a motorcycle are two different experiences. On a bike, you experience life… the air hitting your face, the mountains, everything feels alive.” And that feeling, he insists, remains impossible to articulate. “That sense of freedom can’t be described. Some experiences in life can’t be put into words – they can only be experienced.”

‘Anybody who rides has to do Leh-Ladakh’
A turning point came with a close friend, actor Rajesh Khera, who introduced him to the world of endurance rides. Together, they embarked on the iconic Chandigarh-to-Leh-Ladakh journey. “It was almost a 1,000 km ride over 7 to 8 days, no proper roads, full off-roading, no railings. One mistake and you’re gone. It was tough, but it awakened something inside me.” For Apurva, Ladakh is the ultimate pilgrimage. “Anybody who rides has to do Leh-Ladakh. It’s amazing for bikers,” he says, recalling the raw beauty of the terrain and the unmatched thrill. He later rode through the scenic Kinnaur Valley as well, calling it “another incredible experience.”

‘I love quick sunrise rides towards Lonavala’
Apurva shares the roads he enjoys riding on closer to home. “Back in the day, the Mumbai-Gujarat highway run to Hotel Ahura was a favourite. Ahura is like a landmark destination for bikers. I also love the open stretches – from Mumbai to Igatpuri, Karjat, and even quick sunrise rides towards Lonavala. Mahabaleshwar, too, has been part of my riding map. We’ve done Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar and back... those rides stay with you,” he says.