Michael Yang

ABOUT THE BOOK

Answering the call of the open road—from Seoul to Silicon Valley to riding 40,000 life-changing miles across America

When Michael Yang bought his first motorcycle, he was a teenager who’d just moved to America. He knew little English and had few friends. Still, whenever he rode that green Yamaha, he felt more in touch with life’s possibilities. The bike was stolen a few months later, but Yang never forgot the feeling.

It wasn’t until later in life that Yang got back on a motorcycle. By then, he’d settled into Silicon Valley amidst the technology revolution; and founded, scaled, and sold a half-billion-dollar tech startup. Then, during the upheaval of the dot-com bubble burst and a few failed attempts to get new companies off the ground, Yang felt a strong pull to reengage with himself. Sensing that this mid-life crisis was an opportunity to do something fun and exciting, he revved up his bike and began riding into unfamiliar landscapes. Coming Alive on the Ride narrates more than 40,000 miles of his travels, from California’s coast to the upper reaches of Alaska, Canada’s far eastern edge, and more.

One thing about long motorcycle trips is that there’s a lot of time to think. Yang describes the unique bliss of watching the miles pass beneath two wheels as he relives moments from his past—growing up in Korea during the turbulent years after the Korean War, and moving to America as a fourteen-year-old—all the while taking in North America’s astounding scenery, from the stillness of the desert to heart-racing glimpses of a bison herds and grand mountain ranges. Somewhere along the way, it happens: Past experiences and future aspirations converge into a present discovery. This inspiring memoir is a reminder that, if we slow down and tune in our senses, adventure inspires and instructs the way nothing else can.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Yang is a Korean American author, entrepreneur, investor, and adventure motorcycle traveler. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1961, and immigrated to San Jose, California, at 14.

He founded a Silicon Valley tech startup, which was successfully acquired by a large corporation.

In his sixties, Michael began embarking on epic motorcycle journeys across North and South America. He’s ridden from Los Angeles to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on the Arctic Ocean; across North America to Newfoundland, Canada; and in South America’s Patagonia region from Osorno, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Riding through vast landscapes, Michael rediscovered values that shaped his life: perseverance, humility, gratitude, and an abiding sense of wonder.

Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science and a master’s degree in business administration from UC Berkeley, and a master’s degree in computer science from Columbia University. Michael holds a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo.

Michael lives in La Canada, California, with his wife and family. Together they share a love of travel, adventure, and purposeful-living.

TALKING POINTS

Media Angles

• Asian American Perspective: Korean immigrant success story combined with adventurous spirit challenges stereotypes. 
• Silicon Valley to Open Road: Tech entrepreneur chooses passion for adventure, freedom and exploration over continued empire-building
• Late-Bloomer Adventure: Started major motorcycle expeditions in his 60s—it’s never too late to do what excites you. Self care is not selfish.
• Philosophical Memoir: Not just a travel book, but a meditation on life, meaning, and purposeful-living
• Cross-Generational Appeal: Resonates with both mid-life seekers and young people planning their futures
• Finding Yourself Through Movement: Long-distance motorcycle travel creates unique conditions for self-reflection and personal transformation

• The Immigrant Experience & American Dream: Journey from Seoul to Silicon Valley exemplifies resilience and adaptation. Building a successful tech startup while maintaining connection to roots and values
• Mid-Life Reinvention: A “mid-life crisis” can be reframed as a mid-life opportunity for growth and discovery
• The Power of Solo Adventure: 40,000+ miles of motorcycle travel across North America’s most spectacular landscapes, from Alaska’s Arctic Ocean to Newfoundland’s eastern edge to Patagonia’s southern tip
• Timeless Values in Modern Life: Perseverance, humility, gratitude, and wonder aren’t old-fashioned—they’re essential

Key Statistics & Facts

• Over 40,000 miles traveled by motorcycle
• Routes include: LA to Prudhoe Bay (Alaska), across North America to Newfoundland, Osorno (Chile) to Ushuaia (Argentina)
• Author founded and sold a half-billion-dollar tech startup
• Immigrated to America at 14 with limited English
• Three advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and Columbia University
• Fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo
• Began epic motorcycle journeys in his sixties
• Michael is currently planning a 45-day motorcycle trip to Europe in 2026, including NordKapp in Scandinavia and the Baltic States along the Russian border.