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ADV RidesFemale Rider Sells Everything to Ride The World Solo on a Himalayan

Female Rider Sells Everything to Ride The World Solo on a Himalayan

Dutch adventurer quits job and sells everything to follow RTW dream.

Published on 04.14.2019
Following her dream of traveling the world, Noraly Schoenmaker quit her job, sold all her possessions and hit the road solo on her trusty Royal Enfield Himalayan last December. Since she set off, Noraly has been on a continuous journey covering over 16,000 km through 7 countries with no plans to stop.

The 31-year-old Hollander is no stranger to solo adventure travel, having spent two years backpacking around the world in her 20’s. A professional geochemist, she tells us that just out of college she made good money working in the gold mining industry, which allowed her to support her free spirit as she traveled the world on two feet. After going broke on the road, she returned to the Netherlands homeless and took a new job to save money in hopes of one day returning to being a full-time explorer.

Noraly Schoenmaker Riding the world on a Royal Enfield Himalayan

Noraly Schoenmaker joined the tribe of two wheels during her work stint in the Netherlands, with a purchase of a Ducati Monster 796. “I was absolutely crazy about it,” she says, but it wasn’t until a trip to India where she spent three weeks on a rented Royal Enfield Himalayan that everything came together. “I loved riding that bike so much,” she says, “and was so devastated when I had to return it that the seed was planted for something bigger. Why not buy a motorbike in India and start riding it towards South-East Asia?”


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With that she returned to the Netherlands, quit her job of five years, and proceeded to sell her house and all her belongings, including the Ducati. Once free of her material life there, she bought a one-way ticket to Delhi and purchased her 2018 Royal Enfield Himalayan. While waiting in India to get permanent plates and registration for the Enfield, Noraly spent time learning how to perform basic maintenance and repairs on the bike.

Noraly Schoenmaker: Riding the world on a Royal Enfield Himalayan

“I like that it’s very cheap,” she says about the 411cc Himalayan, “especially when you buy it in India. It’s very light and easy to steer…it’s great for off-roading and it has relatively easy mechanics.”

Kitting out the Himalayan

Noraly says she’s “pimped” her Himalayan bit-by-bit as she travels, so far installing a leather seat cover, several custom-made protection parts (for headlight, brake fluid, side-stand, oil-cooler), a Powertronic ECU unit with a switch to choose between two maps, two 5-liter jerry cans, handlebar risers, Garmin GPS, Acerbis hand guards, engine guards, extra lights, a loud Gursewak exhaust “for me, the thrill of a riding a motorbike is in the sound,” and a horn that “sounds like a truck.”

Riding the world on a Royal Enfield Himalayan

Her factory-installed panniers are loaded with tools and oodles of spare OE parts, including a full clutch assembly. “Better to be prepared,” she says of her extensive kit, “because no matter what country you’re in you’ll always find a mechanic but you’re not likely to find spare parts.”

No plan is a good plan

Noraly set off with nothing pre-determined. “I had nothing planned and I still don’t. I’ve traveled solo for many years and I prefer it. Along the way you meet so many people that it’s hard to be lonely and I love to be able to decide on whatever it is I want to do.”

Noraly Schoenmaker - Riding the world on a Royal Enfield Himalayan
“The plains around Bagan were once dotted with 10,000 Buddhist temples, all built in the 11th and 13th century. Today some 2000 temples remain and exploring them by motorbike was the best. Small little sandy trails, leading to overgrown ancient temples – and not a single soul around!” – Noraly Schoenmaker

After departing India in December of 2018, Noraly has so far traveled through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Oman, UAE and was in Iran when we caught up with her, awaiting news of a visa for Turkmenistan. “I just plan and organize everything on the road,” she says of her loose travel style. “And because my route is not set, I can easily change it according to circumstances.” If allowed into Turkmenistan she intends to ride through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and then onto Europe.

Noraly has gained many unforgettable memories throughout her journey, but her most memorable experience so far is riding alone in the desert. “I’ve never done that before and on this journey I’ve already encountered two long stretches of desert: in Oman and Iran. There is just something about the endless sands stretching until the horizon and nobody else but you and your motorbike. I don’t think I will ever forget that feeling of my desert rides,” she says.

Riding the world on a Royal Enfield Himalayan

This newbie RTW-rider is keeping the world up to date on her adventures via her blog itchyboots.com and her YouTube channel.

Noraly also offers us a huge dose of get-over-yourself inspiration: “Don’t worry too much about the motorcycle or the right gear,” she advises. “You don’t necessarily need a huge, expensive bike to take an adventure like this. I met a traveller who rode all the way from Europe to Asia on a 125cc Honda Grom. The most important thing is: JUST GO!”

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Author: Jamie Elvidge

Jamie has been a motorcycle journalist for more than 30 years, testing the entire range of bikes for the major print magazines and specializing in adventure-travel related stories. To date she’s written and supplied photography for articles describing what it’s like to ride in all 50 states and 43 foreign countries, receiving two Lowell Thomas Society of American Travel Writer’s Awards along the way. Her most-challenging adventure yet has been riding in the 2018 GS Trophy in Mongolia as Team AusAmerica’s embedded journalist.

Author: Jamie Elvidge
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Eric Altman
Eric Altman
April 15, 2019 4:00 pm

Great story! Such an inspiration!!

Mike Adams
Mike Adams
April 16, 2019 11:08 am

Noraly’s positive attitude is infectious and Royal Enfield should be paying her for her exploits. Check out her youtube channel–you’l be glad you did.

Sal
Sal
January 3, 2021 3:38 am
Reply to  Mike Adams

Noraly has a great personality. Very upbeat and it makes watching her videos a delight. All the best to her.

Mark P
Mark P
April 16, 2019 2:06 pm

Great read! Wish I had the cojones to do what she did.

Garry shirreffs
Garry shirreffs
April 17, 2019 6:21 am

Watch her channel she is an inspiration to would be motorcyel adventurers

James Russell
James Russell
April 17, 2019 7:35 am

Noraly makes the best moto travel videos on YT and everyone else should watch what she makes and learn. Her attitude and personality makes her travels so much more enjoyable than most others. RE will sell a LOT of Himilayan’s to people who watch her channel. Now I want one too and I have too many bikes already.

Marjorie
Marjorie
April 17, 2019 11:18 am
Reply to  James Russell

I am enjoying watching Noraly tackle all the difficulties that arise- always with a smile for the camera. One of the nicest things is the lovely way she interacts with the people she meets. When she spent a night with an Iranian family she didn’t record the inside of their home – as a sign of respect! That tells us a lot about Noraly’s personality. Another reason why her videos are so good to watch – we like her!

I.sam
I.sam
April 4, 2020 1:32 pm
Reply to  Marjorie

Great explorer and great adventurer by bike what a inspiring lady
Royal Enfield should give her gratitute for every YT that she done

Albert D
Albert D
April 17, 2019 11:32 am

So much commitment! Very inspirational!

Mario P
Mario P
April 17, 2019 12:46 pm

Outstanding!

Andrewv
Andrewv
April 19, 2019 4:54 am

Love it you go!! Good luck and keep the wheeels to the pavement!

Dave Anderson
Dave Anderson
April 21, 2019 6:18 am

The little bike that could ! Has a “David meets Goliath” ring to it !

George
George
April 21, 2019 3:06 pm

After having successfully operating our retail store for 9 years. My wife and I sold 2 homes, 2 cars, and everything we owned. We ended up with a 37 foot boat, and the cloths on our backs. Oh yes lots of spare and repair parts. We sailed from Annapolis MD. to Venezuela and back. We moved very slowly. So many places so many people. You heart wonders and I honor you and your adventure. May the wind be at you back and the road as smooth as possible.

Anjali Vartak
Anjali Vartak
April 22, 2019 8:59 pm

She is truly an inspiration to all aspiring riders, more so, ladies, who encounter numerous obstacles/impediments by way of family, lack of self confidence. I follow her videos through her YouTube channel. Yes, all of us, even non bikers can learn a thing or 2 from her. Her positive demeanour regardless of the problems at hand, her humility when interacting with locals in different countries & her indefatigable spirit.
Royal Enfield should feel blessed in having her as their unamed/unofficial Brand Ambassador & should give her Royalty for all her videos headlining the Himalyan!!
Proud to be a lady who rides the same bike as her!!

Bengt
Bengt
April 23, 2019 6:23 am

I’m proud to be a man who ride the same bike as she does.
Could I only experience the World in the humble way as she does.
A little late unfortunately, but enjoying the smaller routes I am content and happy

Adv Matt
Adv Matt
May 2, 2019 5:15 am

itchyboots on Youtube is a great channel. Noraly has an infectious personality and is a joy to watch, not to mention an inspiration to travel the world.

Paul Ellison
Paul Ellison
May 4, 2019 6:33 am

Hi there, really enjoy Noraly on YouTube. Infectious smile! As we know she uploads a video every 2 days but 5 days have now elapsed. I do hope she is safe and well. Does anyone know?

Chris and Shari
Chris and Shari
June 16, 2019 8:09 am

Noraly , You girl are a true inspiration . I love your wonderful free spirit. After 15 years of not riding I bought a new Indian Vintage motorcycle. The feeling of freedom and living when riding, is second to none. When you make it to the states, make sure to ride through “Sedona Arizona” and up the switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. Awesome ride. My wife and I are located in Dallas Texas and we do have a spare room if you need it. There is Royal Enfield support here as well. Anyway, lots of love your way. Safe travels . Shari and Chris. Dallas Tx.

Jim B.
Jim B.
December 8, 2019 12:28 pm

Great read and such a cool person to write about. As always love to see someone doing it their way and proving its about the adventure and not the money spent on the bike and gear. Thanks Jamie Elvidge for a great view of her world

Krzysztof
Krzysztof
December 26, 2019 12:02 pm

Three weeks ago YT suggested me a video of her. I watched one, then next and again next and I decided to start from the very beginning. I am fascinated with her story and it’s definitely changed my POV on my journeys.

clay mays
clay mays
January 23, 2020 4:49 am

your thirst for adventure is impressive. may you have blue skies wherever you go!!

Tarak Nath Saha
Tarak Nath Saha
March 26, 2020 10:22 pm

Great,greater, greatest .. what ever I say about u becomes low,lower,lowest. So I stop !

Mr Carl Fenn
Mr Carl Fenn
April 4, 2020 4:15 pm

I watch her on you tube she is totally amazing, she is locked down in South America at the moment due to covid 19, but she has not lost her spirit.

ali cuhadar
ali cuhadar
April 9, 2020 1:54 pm

Dear Noraly,
I am a 78 year old canadian. I like your optimistic outlook, your sunny disposition and courage what takes to go around the world on a bike, I hope you’ll get out of Peru, get home safely.But if you will take advice of an old man who has been around the world (but not on a bike) your dream of going from Patagonia to Alaska you will have think long and hard. Present conditions won’t permit it.I live 50 miles from U.S border and I can tell you at present this country is the most unsafe one,but I can tell with your intrepid spirit you will undertake another project. But not on North America please.Your admiring fan
Al

deodoro constancio
deodoro constancio
April 12, 2020 7:21 pm

Live ro ride…ride ro live…you go girl…keep the great videos coming
When in Canada check out highway 93 in Alberta which goes thru the Rocky Mountains….spectacular

Stephen Eves
Stephen Eves
December 8, 2020 9:59 am

Stephen seves@kingston.net
Noraly you are as hard as burnt toast
to find? I thought you said you were at home
in the Netherlands December 7,2020
Monday went to my 3 year old Granddaughters
birthday ? not motocross that is really hard.
where is your chat area ? I looked ?

Slartibartfast
Slartibartfast
January 30, 2021 2:42 am
Reply to  Stephen Eves

This is a genius comment. So liminal and abstract. It should be photographed for her travel scrapbook, a fascinating insight, thank you !

Dave
Dave
December 19, 2021 9:42 pm

Love your YT videos,
You are so inspirational, wish you the best on your latest adventure,

Ric V
Ric V
May 2, 2022 8:23 pm

She needs to wear a blue shirt with a big “S” in front and a red cape!!…

Dennis Stewart
Dennis Stewart
July 31, 2023 10:27 pm
Reply to  Ric V

She is awesome.extremely adventurous and brave.she is certainly an inspiration.
Keep chasing your dreams.

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