Free Ride

“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“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“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] vivid chronicle of her global adventures and a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life on the road.” –ADV Pulse“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”[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

Noraly Schoenmaker is the creator of Itchy Boots, a YouTube channel with more than two 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.