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Free Ride

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

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Free Ride

Written by: Noraly Schoenmaker
Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers
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About this listen

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 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. 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.

© 2025 Noraly Schoenmaker (P) 2025 DK Audio

Imani Jade Powers
is an actor, writer and singer who has narrated over 90 audiobooks. She has narrated romance, contemporary fiction, fantasy and YA. Including the likes of Ava Reid’s Lady Macbeth and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Beautiful Ones. When she is not narrating she is acting specifically on Broadway in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child.

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 travelled regions of the globe. Trained as a biologist and geologist, she is based in the Netherlands.

Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Asia Travel Writing & Commentary Women
All stars
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It's a pretty engaging and gripping story, I wish Noraly had included her American and African adventures as well. Narration could've been better, narrator butchered a few Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian names, lol anyways, i enjoyed listening. overall a good book.

Engaging journey

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This is a perfect example of how a heartfelt genuine travel adventure book should be....full of grit, passion, and honesty. Kudos! Noraly.....well done. more power to you and many more adventures too.
the narration of this novel has also been outstanding...with dramatic effects and inclusive narration...much engaging.

amazing adventure...a must for travellers

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Having seen some of these adventures in videos, I was initially skeptical of the book. However, the book reveals a perspective of the story that is above and beyond the videos.

Would have been great to hear this in the author's own voice. They are popular on YouTube and the familiar voice would have added an additional layer of authenticity to the narrative.

Authentic and from the heart

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Just listened to the first two chapters — such a treat! Almost as good as the visual ride we get on Sundays and Wednesdays. Was curious if any narrator could really capture Noraly Schoenmaker’s free spirit and exuberant positivity. Imani does a great job, but missing Noraly’s giggly charm from the YouTube channel. Hoping the audible hardcover version of Free Ride gets narrated by Noraly herself someday! 😀

great listening

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Norally’s story is inspiring. The first perhaps on account is almost filmy: with the icy cobble-pathways of the Pamirs, with bone chilling winds in her face; endless steppes in Russia; the multiple languages, sights, flavours; the smells and tastes of different lands, we were riding along with her. We could feel her anxieties, her fears and her exhilaration. But above all what stands out are the number of ordinary folks, all strangers willing to share their bed and breakfast; push her bike; help her warm up! A great story of the achievement of one human with the help of the sundry many. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go somewhere on my bike! :)

Living the life on a mobike!

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