“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver
Venturing on long motorbike tours, writing, and having a dog – these are the dreams I have for my life. I’m working on them.
A friend once told me, “Eva, you are an encourager.” This sentence means a lot to me. I love helping people discover what makes them happy – and to encourage them to make it come true.
So, if anything you read from me – be it in my books or in the texts below – inspires you, go for it!
And let me know how you’re doing – I’d be delighted to hear from you!
About me
- born in Germany in 1975
- “wasted on normal life” since solo-touring the US in 2017 on my motorbike
- freelance author since 2020
- dog-addicted (is there anything more important?
podcast-interview – ARR Adventure Rider Podcast (May ’26)
“Once upon a Bike – beyond the Highways.
A Six-Month Solo Motorcycle Adventure across the USA”
with 65 photos
Before
Breathe, Eva, breathe. Everything’s fine.
I’m at Bremerhaven’s container terminal—feeling small and lost between the cargo ships, containers, and forklifts.
“Hey, lady, don’t you worry, we’ll take good care of her!” I try hard to give the dockworker beside me a thankful and confident smile. Then I turn away and take a last look at Josi before tears and mascara blur my vision. Freed from all my luggage, my motorbike is parked safely in a big storage hall. I never expected that without her, I’d feel so lonely so quickly.
Ever since I was fifteen, I’ve wanted to ride a motorcycle. I soon added touring the US—on my own bike if possible—to my bucket list. However, it took twenty-two years for spare money and spare time to come together. At the age of thirty-seven, I got my license and bought Josi, a BMW F650GS: a perfect, robust, and, of course, beautiful travel bike. Now, two years later, we will finally conquer the States.
Readers on Once upon a Bike
- »An inspirational and insightful read for anyone interested in adventure, motorcycling, or the idea of finding oneself through travel.«
- »This is not a postcard journey.«
- »A road trip full of lightness, depth, and subtle humour.«
- Witty and with depth, Eva Strehler recounts moments of freedom, challenges, and the courage to set off alone as a woman. A book for motorcycle enthusiasts, US enthusiasts, and travel aficionados—and everyone who dreams of their own solo adventure
In 2024, I travelled east with my wonderful dog, Polly. My destination was the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. Along the way, Polly would have all the freedom and all the space in the world to romp around.
It worked out – but in a way I never expected.
You don’t want to wait for the book to be published?
No problem— get the first extracts via email!
Between Farewells and a New Beginning
Big step: I’ve just given notice on my apartment; I’m moving to England. I know, that’s not far away and not all that different. Although there’s probably a lot more…
Call it by its name – about a feeling
How is it that there is no word for a feeling that everyone knows? How is it that there is no word for a feeling that everyone knows? For the…
Why Books Mustn’t Be Left Waiting
On the Quiet Logic of Unread Shelves: It’s Not Hoarding If It’s Books Buying and reading: Separate Worlds There is this misunderstanding between readers and non-readers: that people buy books…
NL +++ Georgia +++ Birthday +++ When nothing at all happens +++
Dear friends, (I still have to set up the newsletter program that will address you individually—everything is in flux…), Here’s the new newsletter! I was thrilled that you all enjoyed…