There was a turning point in “Itchy Boots” Noraly Schoenmaker’s life when the routine of her old world, built around scientific studies and a steady job, fell away. A geologist by training, she traveled enough in her early work to know the world’s adventure travel possibilities. After a personal crisis, she made a big decision. She sold her possessions, bought a motorbike, and set out to see the world. That decision became the making of Itchy Boots.
A New Road Begun
Noraly’s journey as Itchy Boots began in 2018, when she committed to full time travel. With her first motorcycle, a Royal Enfield Himalayan she named Basanti, she set off from India and rode across Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Oman. Eventually, she worked her way back home through Iran, Central Asia, and Turkey. The trip covered more than 36,000 kilometres across over 25 countries.
Rather than return to her scientific career, Noraly stuck with what travel taught her. Life on the road, messy, unpredictable, and breathtaking, offered something she could never find back home. She began documenting her rides, encounters, highs, and lows. That became the Itchy Boots YouTube channel and later, her book Free Ride: Heartbreak, Courage, and the 20,000 Mile Motorcycle Journey That Changed My Life.
The Roads She’s Taken
Over the years. Itchy Boots Noraly rode over 100K miles on six different motorbikes. Among her most memorable rides are the full journey from Patagonia to Alaska. There were also desert crossings in Africa, high mountain passes, and countries many adventure riders would never dare to visit.
When the COVID pandemic closed borders and grounded travelers, Noraly adapted. She explored southern Africa, riding across Namibia and Zimbabwe. Those journeys gave her audience a glimpse into remote national parks, wildlife encounters, and the strength it takes to keep going in uncertain times.
Where She Is Now
In 2025 Noraly is deep into Season 8 of Itchy Boots, which promises to be one of her boldest adventures so far. She prepared a retro Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré with upgraded suspension, lighting, and luggage. Starting in Istanbul, her new ride carries her on a ranging journey that pushes her skills and stamina. Right now, she’s in Pakistan!
So far, her audience grew to nearly 2.9 million YouTube subscribers, and her videos were viewed hundreds of millions of times. Her book, Free Ride was published in multiple languages, bringing her story to readers far beyond sitting in front of a screen.
Why Her Story Inspires
It’s not just the places she rides through or the miles she covers that inspire people. Folks seem fascinated by the transformation behind it. A scientist who felt out of place in her old life re-invented herself into someone who lives a life of freedom filled with uncertainty.
For those who dream of breaking away and chasing the unknown, Itchy Boots Noraly seems to prove that hitting the road helps people discover the real person inside. If you haven’t read her book or watched her channel, and you’re an adventure traveler at heart, then you might be missing out on the inspiration you need to get off the beaten track.
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