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Atria Books

Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life

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Description

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. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books


Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2025


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668092492


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 91


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #50,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2 in Iran Travel Guides #6 in Motorcycles (Books) #6 in General Netherlands Travel Guides


#2 in Iran Travel Guides:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Itchy Boots’ Ride: A Journey of Freedom & Connection
“For every Itchy Boots fan who’s ever wondered: ‘What’s the story BEHIND the journey?’ – this book is your answer.” "Free Ride" is the soul behind the footage. While Noraly’s YouTube channel shows the adventure, this memoir reveals the heart of it: the quiet doubts, raw vulnerability, and emotional alchemy that transformed personal pain into purpose across 20,000 miles. Noraly masterfully blends adrenaline-soaked escapades with intimate journal-like honesty. Her narrative avoids glossy travel clichés, offering instead authentic reflections rich with humor, grit, and wonder. Basanti (her Season 1 Royal Enfield) and Dhanno (her South American Royal Enfield) cease to be mere bikes—they become symbols of rebirth, carrying her through breakdowns in Himalayan passes, Andean engine rebuilds, and Patagonian winds. What resonates most is her unflinching humanity. She doesn’t hide the hard truths: monsoons in Malaysia, four days stuck in La Higuera Bolivia because of heavy rainfall, or days stranded with Dhanno in the Atacama Desert. Yet in these trials, human kindness blazes brightest—mechanics saving Basanti in Nepali villages, strangers sheltering her in the Andes, the global fanbase willing her forward. Remember Dhanno’s Bolivia breakdown? The tears at Ushuaia? "Free Ride" gives voice to these moments, echoing classics like Wild or The Motorcycle Diaries but with Noraly’s signature wit and contemporary perspective. Each chapter is a testament to resilience; every mile, a roar of courage. Ultimately, this isn’t just a travelogue—it’s a masterclass in resilience for solo female travelers and a transformational memoir that pushes you to: * Ditch your comfort zone, * Trust your strength, * Embrace the unknown. For 2.8 million subscribers and beyond: Read this not just to relive the miles, but to reignite your own courage. As Noraly proves: sometimes you need to get lost to find yourself. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2025 by Enrique Cooper
    • A Heartbreak, a Motorcycle, and 20,000 Miles of Finding Herself
Format: Kindle
After a painful breakup, the Dutch YouTuber (better known as Itchy Boots) quits her job, flies to India, falls in love with a motorcycle named Basanti, and ends up riding more than 20,000 miles across 25 countries. She writes in a friendly, down-to-earth way, sharing the tough days, the breakdowns, the loneliness, and the surprising kindness of strangers along the way. It’s less polished travel writing and more like sitting down with a friend who’s just come home from an epic adventure. If you enjoy real stories about courage, healing, and the open road, this one’s a feel-good, inspiring read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2026 by Kentucky ADV
    • A writer was always there, all along;
Format: Kindle
A unique writer, adventurer and motorcycle rider. Reading this book gave me a new perspective on how other people think when they make choices in life, like intersections on the highway or taking a roundabout. You, get a first hand chance to read a person's mind while she points her motorcycle in a given direction and 'just goes'. From a blank slate, she writes her story, day by day, month by month. The places, people and all the joys & sorrow, one could experience, many times in vulnerable circumstances that forces one to make 'life' altering' decisions. The physical effects she would endure to enjoy the 'love of her life', motorcycles. The 'freedom' to go by yourself, wherever the road leads you. Seeing the world in its natural state, where few have journeyed. How will she be able to go forward? Will she be forced to turn back? In the back of her mind, that never is an option, yet she must weigh all options or this journey and those to come or they will cease to exist. Gut wrenching decisions, you too will make as she is filming her travels, giving you a first hand look at the obstacles before her. This book is not just about being a motorcycle adventurer, the lifestyle and the mindset one needs, to take on life, completely by yourself and to keep moving forward and not looking back. The freedom you feel, traveling out in nature, how all your troubles, simply vanish into 'thin air'. The beauty and mind numbing vistas you experience with, 'not a soul in sight'. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? HURRY, THIS WILL BE A 'LIFE ALTERING' READ AND YOUR OWN LIFE AND "WAY OF THINKING" WILL BE CHANGED FOREVER! A SECOND BOOK IS ALREADY IN THE WORKS AS SHE HAS TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD, BY FOOT AND BY BIKE. THIS BOOK WILL OUTDO HER VERY FIRST BOOK AS YOU NOW KNOW, 'HOW GOOD A WRITER, "NORALY SHOENMACHER" HAS BECOME. YOUR OWN PERSONAL VIEW OF LIFE WILL BE HELD UP AGAINST HER EXPERIENCES AND JOURNEYS. YOU WILL BE .....'ENLIGHTENED' BY A MAGNIFICIENT WRITER!!! HOW YOU THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS AND HOW PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, TRULY ARE. YOU WILL BE, AMAZED AT HOW SHE IS TREATED BY THE LOCALS IN THE FARTHEST REACHES OF HER JOURNEYS. YOU WILL BE.... "SET FREE"....AT LAST!!!! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2025 by PaulSJ
    • A Dream Come True!
Format: Kindle
I love motorcycling too, but Noraly’s adventures made me so nervous. Her courage to visit often hostile countries was amazing and her ability to communicate with people without knowing their language was very inspiring. She sees the best in people in unexpected ways and in remote places. I can’t wait to read her next book! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2026 by Jim Thomas
    • Great for travel and motorcycle fans!
Format: Audiobook
As an Itchy Boots devotee, this was a must-read (listen) for me. It was great! I do wish Norally had narrated it herself though! She has a distinctive characterful voice and I found the narrators voice and delivery slightly irritating though it didn’t ruin the story or anything.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2026 by Kenneth G. Williams
    • Itchy boots on YouTube unbelievably good
Format: Hardcover
I have become addicted to The itchy boots series on YouTube. This little girl had heartbreak and turned it into a beautiful recreation of her life. Her big blue eyes and sweet demeanor is completely enchanting. How a lone little girl rode motorcycles all over the country by herself is phenomenal. One of the most enduring parts is how the people in these desolate countries are so kind, helpful and sweet. How they go out of their way to help her and share what little they have. mj alpine or ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2026 by mj
    • “Healing in Motion: The Courage of Itchy Boots”
Format: Audiobook
Noraly Schoenmaker’s memoir, Free Ride, is a raw and riveting account of one woman’s transformation through the open road. Known to millions as the face behind the YouTube channel Itchy Boots, Noraly trades a geologist’s lab coat for a motorcycle helmet and sets off on a solo journey that spans continents, cultures, and emotional terrain. 🚀 A Journey Born of Pain and Purpose After discovering her partner’s betrayal, Noraly leaves behind her job, her home in the Netherlands, and the life she thought she’d built. What begins as escape quickly evolves into a quest for healing and rediscovery. With her Royal Enfield Himalayan—affectionately named Basanti—she rides through India, Iran, Tajikistan, and beyond, facing breakdowns, brutal weather, and breathtaking landscapes. 💡 What Makes It Shine - Emotional honesty: Noraly doesn’t sugarcoat the heartbreak or the fear. Her vulnerability is the book’s beating heart. - Grit and grace: Whether navigating treacherous mountain passes or online threats, she shows resilience and kindness. - Human connection: Strangers across borders offer help, warmth, and generosity, reminding us of the goodness in the world. 🌍 More Than a Motorcycle Memoir This isn’t just a travelogue—it’s a story of rebirth. Like Wild or The Motorcycle Diaries, Free Ride captures the magic of movement and the power of solitude. Noraly’s writing is straightforward yet evocative, and her reflections on trust, freedom, and self-worth linger long after the final page ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2025 by Cheryl
    • Loved it
Format: Hardcover
This book was so adventurous and easy to read. Also great as a companion read to watching the youtube videos from this trip.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2026 by Ginny

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