The True Meaning of “Adventure”
Mark Scherrens, Moto Adventurer Unscripted Podcast Co-Host, joins host Heather Wilson Schiltz to talk about the early days on ADV Rider forums, paper maps and building friendships through the DOGS (Dual Sporters of Georgia).
Mark talks about the evolution of adventure motorcycling, the value of talking to locals and how social media has changed the way riders discover places. He also shares stories from working at a motorcycle dealership where he organized rides and events, co-hosting Moto Adventurer Unscripted and bringing his creative side into the industry through illustration and event shirt design.
🎧 What You’ll Hear:
• Why he believes learning in the dirt can make riders better on the street
• The early days of ADV Rider forums
• A memorable gas station encounter involving the KTM brand, Long Way Around and an unexpected fan
• Mark’s take on how adventure riding has changed over the last 20-plus years
• What dealerships can gain from hosting rides, bike nights and community events
• How Mark became co-host of Moto Adventurer Unscripted with Drew Faulkner
• Why he feels long-form podcasting can create better conversations
• Mark’s freelance illustration work
• What Mark is riding now, including his Norden 901 Expedition and upcoming BMW 1200 GSA
📲 Connect with Mark Scherrens on Instagram
🌐 Listen to Moto Adventurer Unscripted podcast at MotoAdventurer.com
🔔 Subscribe for more stories and strategies from inside the motorsports world
“If somebody tells you exactly what to expect… or worse yet, somebody posts their entire ride video getting to that fire tower and you know where every rock is on the trail, you know where the ruts are, you know where the obstacle is. Dude, why even go ride it? That guy just did it for you, you know? And so I really think that you have to work, or you should have to work for, that experience. That’s why I’m not good at following tracks and GPS routes and all that stuff. I just I would rather I go, ‘That looks cool, but that looks a little cooler.’
-Mark Scherrens, Moto Adventurer Unscripted Podcast Co-Host
“I think it’s definitely personality types in a lot of ways. Like some people love the style that you are talking about, which I feel like I am more of that person than like planning, but also there’s always a time and a place for planning too. And sometimes it’s just nice to be able to follow along.”
-Heather Wilson Schiltz, Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast Host
“Yeah, there’s no doubt about it. And there’s times like if you’re going to a completely new area, like we went and rode some of the Colorado and some of the Wyoming BDR a year or two ago… I don’t live in Wyoming. I don’t know where the good riding is. So I’ll use that as kind of like my baseline. And yeah, I might find some stuff off to the side that I decide to take instead, but at least some of the homework is there. So I can’t say that I never follow tracks or I just always have to aim my handlebars and go a different way. That’s not necessarily true, but generally that’s kind of my position on it.”
-Mark Scherrens, Moto Adventurer Unscripted Podcast Co-Host
