Free Ride

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

De: Noraly Schoenmaker

Narrado por: Imani Jade Powers

By the YouTube sensation with two and a half 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 a long-term 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, she felt alive and free—nimble enough to trace the narrowest paths, powerful enough to travel the longest of roads.

First, she set off toward the Pacific, through the jungles of Myanmar and Thailand, then into Malaysia. Rather than satisfy her appetite for the open road, this ride only piqued it. She shipped her bike to Oman, at the base of the Arabian Peninsula, and embarked on a journey through Iran, across Tajikistan along its border with Afghanistan, over the snowy peaks of Central Asia, and into Europe, all the way back home to the Netherlands. She covered remote and utterly unfamiliar territory, broke down on impossibly steep mountains, and pushed too many miles along empty roads, farther and farther from civilization. But through her travels, she discovered the true beauty of the world, the kindness of its people, the simplicity of its open spaces, and a new and unshakable belief in her capabilities.

Free Ride is an inspiring story of self-discovery and renewal. Filled with unforgettable figures, hilarious disasters, and powerful human connections, it shows you what happens when you open your heart and let the world in.

©2025 Noraly Schoenmaker (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Raw Emotion Behind the Scenes

The book was a lot like watching a season, but with a lot more detail. It was fascinating to hear about each leg of the journey and the raw emotion behind each of those adventures. The writing is fantastic and the narrator is very talented. I hope you will write another book.

Good book!

I really enjoyed listening to this book almost as much as I enjoy watching the Itchy Boots channel. The story was interesting and the writing was excellent. Narration, too, was excellent though I couldn't help wishing it had been read by the author. 😀

Based on the scope of the story I foresee more books forthcoming. I would definitely be interested.

In the meantime, God speed.

A must read for motorcycle lovers

I have been waiting for the English version of Free Ride. It is well written and makes you want to ride into different countries

What guts!

I love all of “Itchy Boots” adventures. But this book gave me the back story of its beginnings. Beautifully written ….. can’t wait for book #2!

Felt like I was riding along the whole ride

I like that Noraly was being “real” about the whole experience! She didn’t hold back from expressing the good and challenging times and at also exposing some of her inner being. This is something that many individuals no longer do. Noraly is still very much a human trying to get through each day with such incredible stamina and positivity. Noraly’s videos on her YouTube series, (Itchy Boots) seem to go by much to fast. I eagerly wait for the next book to come out, so to continue the journey were this book left. Keep on riding Noraly.

This felt like a shared journey.

I just loved this book. The writing is completely personal, giving us a sense of place and circumstance and emotional landscape. Noraly shares her grief and hardships as well as her wonder, delight and gratitude. I will be looking for the next book. Imani lends a wonderful voice, the narration is exactly right. Well done.

Where’s Norlay

Great story and insight. We can’t wait to hear about the journey from Patigonia to Deadhorse. Only disappointment was that Noraly didn’t do the narration like on the Dutch version.

It was just like watching Noraly’s videos, but better!

It was just like watching Noraly’s videos, but better! I loved getting a peak into the mind of noraly while on the road, sharing some of her insecurities and her imposter syndrome are very relatable. My only
Problem now is waiting for her next book!

Truly Inspirational

Noraly is truly inspirational! Finding her way in this world while showing us all everything and everyone wonderful it has to offer. Such a beautiful soul.💛

Proud of you, sister!

I'm so proud of you, Noraly! Love your channel and your book. You inspire me!