Bikers' Bookshelf

“You’re not too old. It’s not too late. The only thing in the way is the story you keep telling yourself.” — Louisa Swaden

What can a motorbike teach us about living with courage, clarity, and purpose? Quite a lot, as it turns out.
The Stoic Rider: Philosophy in Motion is an unconventional motorcycle memoir that blends Stoic philosophy with real-world experience from the open road. Part inspirational gift book, part field guide for the soul, it’s a call to meet life – like the road – head-on.

Louisa Swaden, writer, land speed record holder, and voice behind The Existential Biker, weaves together the visceral world of motorcycle racing, adventure motorcycling, and timeless Stoic ideas to explore how we face fear, find stillness, and forge a life of meaning. From the vast silence of Death Valley to the salt flats of Bonneville, her story traces a journey not just across landscapes – but into the self.

This is not just a book for bikers, it’s a philosophical companion for seekers, questioners, women who ride, and anyone navigating uncertainty, fear, and change. Whether you’re gripping handlebars or steering your life through unknown terrain, The Stoic Rider offers insight, honesty, and wry defiance to help you move forward with resilience, intention, and integrity.
Each chapter explores a Stoic theme—like Amor Fati, Memento Mori, and The Obstacle Is the Way – paired with vivid, real-life riding experiences that bring these ancient ideas vividly to life.

With dry English wit, hard-won insights, and poetic defiance, Louisa reflects on:

• How resilience is built by embracing obstacles, not avoiding them
• The power of loving your fate, even when the path is uncertain
• Finding stillness in motion and clarity in the chaos
• Aligning your actions with your deepest values and riding with intention
• The courage it takes to dismantle the social self and reconnect with your true self
• What it means to live with virtue in a world full of noise and distraction

The Stoic Rider is a compelling reminder that the journey doesn’t begin once you feel ready. It begins when you start.
This book is an invitation to stop waiting and start living – because time doesn’t hand out second chances. If you’re ready to meet life and yourself at full throttle, hit “Buy Now” and begin your ride.

Time is precious. Don’t waste the ride.