The motorcycle industry is changing, and Ride with Norman Reedus is proving just that. The motorcycle tourism industry is worth over $85 billion.
Reedus has successfully created a show that embraces what it’s really like to travel and ride. Viewers get to see him get dirty, hang out with friends, and visit hole-in-the-wall spots.
The refreshing and realistic approach has us addicted. For those who haven’t seen the show, we’ve listed our favorite highlights from all three seasons to help everyone get caught up.
Who is Norman Reedus?
Born in Hollywood, FL Reedus began his career as a model and made his film debut in 1997. He is best known for his character of Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead.
Fans may also recognize him from the cult classic The Boondock Saints as Murphy MacManus. He also appeared in Blade II, American Gangster, and Deuces Wild.
In 2016 he combined his passion for motorcycles with his Hollywood career to create the show Ride with Norman Reedus. The show follows the star as he explores local biker culture and celebrates motorcycle enthusiasts.
His History with Motorcycles
Long before he was landing Hollywood roles, Norman developed a love of motorcycles. In his twenties, his passion grew as he appreciated the solitude and quiet that riding afforded him.
Even today with his busy career he treasures those times when he can get out on the road and away from the noise. He’s been known to say that he does his best thinking while wearing a helmet. That it gives him an opportunity to be alone with his thoughts.
Bikes
He saved up, and his first bike was a Buell X1 Lightning. It appealed to him for it’s more “Harley” feel.
But he’s owned other motorcycle brands too. Today his collection includes a
Where to Catch the Show
The show currently airs on AMC on Sundays at midnight. But the show is also viewable on Amazon Prime, AMC’s website, DirecTV, or YouTube.
Season 1
The first season aired in 2016 and had six episodes. The season featured a mix of famous faces, friends of Norman, and a custom bike builder.
This season has more of a gearhead feel to it. Throughout the episodes, they focus on the bikes, who made them, and the parts that went into them.
Imogen Lehtonen
The show starts strong with one of the best rides in the United States. Viewers get to join Reedus with one of his good friends and jewelry designer, Imogen Lehtonen.
Can we just say Reedus has the perfect voiceover voice? It’s soothing and low key, making him enjoyable to listen to throughout the episodes.
We love this episode because it takes cameras along on one of the best rides in America. The Pacific Coast Highway starts in LA and stretches 400 miles ending in Santa Cruz. Scenery includes cliffs, beaches, and forests as they ride along the highway with Reedus.
Viewers also get to see how the electric bikes of the future work as Reedus checks out the new Zero bike.
Jason Paul Michaels
For those that ride, they know Tail of the Dragon, one of the best rides in the world for motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and a “must do” as a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Nothing is more humbling than standing at the top of a mountain looking out over the valley. While some may not be familiar with his guest, Jason Paul Michaels, they’ll be drooling over the ride.
Peter Fonda
The season finishes out strong with one of the most famous motorcycle riders out there, Peter Fonda. For those who haven’t seen Easy Rider, they are missing out on one of the most iconic motorcycle movies.
Fonda and Reedus take an epic ride through the Everglades, stopping off in Miami, and then finishing with the Seven Mile Bridge and Key West. These happen to be Fonda’s old stomping grounds.
The two embrace Florida culture by eating gator, trying hogfish, and learning how to roll cigars. The Florida Keys are known as one of the places with the best weather for riderswith a high number of sunny days each year.
Season 2
The second season aired in 2017 and also had six episodes. This season featured the familiar faces of Mario Batali and Dave Chappelle. Norman’s son also makes an appearance in an episode.
Season two embraced the fan enthusiasm and growing popularity of the show.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Season two takes us to Spain and Reedus’ old stomping ground in Sitges. Viewers get to watch the pair on a Triumph Tiger XCx and a Brixton BX 125 as they make their way across the Spanish countryside.
We love that the show embraces all motorcycle lovers by meeting up with Alicia Sonosa. She was the first Spanish woman to ride a motorcycle around the world.
Dave Chappelle
In this episode, viewers spend more time laughing than focusing on the road. But this isn’t all about superficial laughs. The pair take a moment to go oystering and visit the first school for freed slaves.
At the end of the episode, viewers get to see what Chappelle does best. Motorcycles and a comedy show, what could be better?
Mario Batali
How about Reedus and famed chef Mario Batali taking on the streets of New York City? Now don’t judge too quickly; this episode is more about the culture than the scenic ride.
Viewers get to watch the pair eat a pizza flight. Then follow Reedus as he gets a weird leaf beating spa treatment and buy a suit.
Season 3
Season three started in February of 2019 and has five episodes. Season three steps up the game with the likes of Andrew Lincoln, Les Claypool, and Marilyn Manson.
This is the season where everything really comes together. All caution is thrown to the wind as the motorcycles, food, and culture are fully embraced.
Andrew Lincoln
Finally a combination of all things awesome! Reedus’ costars from the walking Dead make appearances throughout the third season. Starting off we get the pleasure of watching Reedus and Lincoln cruise around London.
It’s a little bit of motorcycle cruise and a little bit of a history lesson.
Ian Anderson
We didn’t know that legendary musician from the band Jethro Tull is Andrew Lincoln’s father in law? We loved the down-home family aspect of watching the group ride around the muddy farm.
Then viewers get to watch these rough and tumble guys sit down in Anderson’s beautiful English country home and sip tea.
Elspeth Beard
A lot of the episodes feature celebrities, but not this one. This episode is about the die-hard real-deal riders. Beard is the first woman to ride around the world.
To make this enormous feat even more impressive, she did it in 1982 when cell phones weren’t a thing. That’s 35,000 miles of riding!
What’s so inspiring about her story is that at that time, motorcycle culture wasn’t supportive of women. In fact, many publications told her to stay home. Thankfully women are more embraced by the motorcycle industry today.
She ignored them and went on to accomplish her goal. Take a lesson from her story and don’t let anyone put a damper on plans for an epic motorcycle journey.
Marilyn Manson
How about seeing legendary rocker Marilyn Manson ride around in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle ridden by Norman Reedus? It sounds a bit comical, right?
We love that viewers get to see a different side of Manson, one that is more real than his stage persona. The pair cruise through Nashville eating at a legendary fried chicken spot and make friends with the locals.
Sean Patrick Flannery
The Boondock Saints boys are back together! This episode hasn’t aired yet, and we can barely contain our excitement!
The pair will ride through the Lonestar state and visit tattoo artist Oliver Peck. Peck is legendary in the tattoo industry for his old school-style tattoos. He is recognizable from his time on the show Ink Master.
Watch Ride with Norman Reedus
This is not one of those perfectly manicured motorcycle shows with a host that has their hair and makeup coifed before filming. Ride with Norman Reedus keeps it real and as true motorcycle enthusiasts, we can appreciate the authenticity.
For those that love to ride or just dream of riding, this show lets viewers live vicariously through Reedus and his friends. Some episodes show epic scenery, others teach something, and others show some cool spots to check out.
Check out our suggestions for the best biker bars in America that you need to check out.
