Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000-Mile Motorcycle Journey that Changed My Life by Noraly SchoenmakerSynopsis: “By the YouTube sensation with more than two million followers, the inspiring account of a woman in her thirties 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 thirty-something geologist living in the Netherlands when she learned that her live-in partner had been having a long-term affair. Suddenly without a place to stay, she decided to quit her job and jet off to India in search of a new beginning. 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. She first rode 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 Turkmenistan 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 civilisation. But through her travels, she discovered the true beauty of the world – the kindness of its people, the simplicity of its open spaces, as well as her own inner strength. In spirit of The Motorcycle Diaries and Wild, this 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.”

My Review

I loved this memoir from new-to-me Dutch author, and You Tuber, Noraly Schoenmaker. 

I loved following Noraly’s journey across Asia as a solo motorcyclist. I couldn’t help but be impressed by her bravery at riding solo, especially through Central Asia and the Middle East. Even though she couldn’t speak the local languages she managed to make herself understood, as she accepted hospitality and help from local people.

This was one of those books that I enjoyed Googling all the different places she travelled through, some of which were stunning. It’s a shame there weren’t any photos, but as I was reading an ebook it was easy enough to jump between the book and the images on the internet.

I started reading this just to myself, but I ended up reading it out loud to my husband so we could both enjoy together. Definitely a book to be shared with others.

Highly recommended if you enjoy travel writing or just want to do some armchair travel. 

Thanks so much to NetGalley and August, Canelo for my digital copy