Free Ride - by Noraly Schoenmaker (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

By the YouTube sensation with three million followers, the inspiring account of a young woman who, in a moment of personal crisis, embarked on an epic, transcontinental motorcycle ride--and along the way found a new sense of purpose.

Noraly Schoenmaker was a thirtysomething geologist living in the Netherlands when she learned that her live-in partner had been having an affair. In desperate need of a new beginning, she decided to quit her job and jet off to India. But her plans were dashed when she fell quickly and helplessly in love: with a motorcycle. Behind the handlebars of a Royal Enfield, a short tour of the Himalayas quickly morphed into an epic 20,000-mile journey. She would cover remote and utterly unfamiliar territory, break down on impossibly steep mountains, and push too many miles down empty roads. But through her travels, she discovered the true beauty and simplicity of the world's open spaces, the kindness of its people, and a newfound, unshakable belief in her capabilities.

Free Ride is a "no-frill, from-the-heart" (BBC) story of self-discovery and renewal that is filled with unforgettable figures and hilarious disasters, showing what happens when you open your heart and let the world in.

Review Quotes

"Free Ride is told with unflinching honesty, emotion, and humor. The vivid detail takes you along through the spectacular, seldom-seen parts of the world Schoenmaker traveled and puts you in her place as she encounters each challenge. You'll ask yourself, 'How would I handle this situation?'" --Ultimate Motorcyling

"Free Ride isn't a rehash of the video series. It's much more than that. . . . The writing is clean and lucid, mercifully free of travel-writing cliches ('stunning vistas' and 'breathtaking scenery') and full of insights about life on the road." --Revzilla

"[A] glimpse into the generous nature of strangers who came to [Schoenmaker's] assistance throughout her travels, particularly in those regions that many consider unsafe. . . . Heartwarming inspiration for readers seeking adventure." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] vivid chronicle of her global adventures and a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life on the road." --ADV Pulse

"A love letter to finding yourself through travel, to healing previously broken parts of yourself by getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things, and meeting new--and mostly incredibly kind--people" --RideApart

"In no-frills, from-the-heart prose, Schoenmaker crafts exhilarating evocations of rarely visited landscapes and unforgettable portraits of remote villagers and their far-off-the-beaten-path homes. . . what ultimately shines throughout this moving and inspiring account are the attributes that enable her to persevere: her optimism and openness, her determination and resilience, her ability to engage strangers and at the same time to be comfortable with herself. The truth at the heart of this pilgrimage carries a soul-widening lesson for us all: because Schoenmaker brings a warm, wonder-filled embrace to the world, the world embraces her just as fervently and fully in return." --BBC

"In no-frills, from-the-heart prose, Schoenmaker crafts exhilarating evocations of rarely visited landscapes and unforgettable portraits of remote villagers and their far-off-the-beaten-path homes. . . what ultimately shines throughout this moving and inspiring account are the attributes that enable her to persevere: her optimism and openness, her determination and resilience, her ability to engage strangers and at the same time to be comfortable with herself. The truth at the heart of this pilgrimage carries a soul-widening lesson for us all: because Schoenmaker brings a warm, wonder-filled embrace to the world, the world embraces her just as fervently and fully in return." -BBC

"Schoenmaker's grounded optimism adds poignancy to her sometimes-fraught experiences--including being catcalled in Iran--and her conversational prose mimics the feeling of receiving regular travel updates from a close friend. It adds up to an inspiring and often-thrilling ode to healing on one's own terms." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Noraly Schoenmaker is the creator of Itchy Boots, a YouTube channel with three million loyal subscribers. A motorcycling obsessive, her journeys have taken her the length of the American continent, from Argentina to Alaska; from the northernmost point of Europe to the southernmost point of Africa; and to some of the least traveled regions of the globe. Trained as a biologist and geologist, she is based in the Netherlands.