Ep.12 - How a Charity Ride Across Siberia Became Compass Expeditions: Jerry Cook’s Adventure Story

<p>Jerry Cook, co‑founder and CEO of <b>Compass Expeditions</b>, joins us for a deep, honest, and often surprising conversation about how one charity ride across Siberia sparked a global adventure motorcycle touring company.</p><p></p><p>Jerry takes us back to the moment he and Mick McDonald met Cathy Maclean, whose fight with Friedreich’s Ataxia inspired the first fundraising ride — a journey so ambitious it changed the trajectory of their lives. From those early days to launching Compass Expeditions in 2007, Jerry shares the human stories, the serendipity, and the purpose that shaped the company’s DNA.</p><p></p><p>We dive into Jerry’s most unforgettable global riding moments: the pinch‑yourself landscapes, the wild experiences you couldn’t plan, the cultural interactions that stay with you forever, and the hilarious moments that bonded riders from all over the world.</p><p></p><p>Jerry also lifts the curtain on what it <i>really</i> takes to run a motorcycle tour company — the logistics, the safety decisions, the team culture, the unpredictable challenges, and the feedback that gives him goosebumps. He reflects on the near‑collapse during COVID‑19, how Compass survived, and how the experience reshaped his view of business and life.</p>