Ep. 211 ~ Jacob Ashton, World Tour | DOOM | ETS

In this three-part episode of Bikes or Death, host Patrick sits down with renowned bike tourer and ultra-endurance cyclist Jacob Ashton to explore his extraordinary 120,000-mile, 108-country journey that spanned six continents since 2016. Ashton recounts the raw realities of self-supported, hitchhiking-free touring—navigating language barriers, surviving two emergency surgeries (in South Africa and Tajikistan), and enduring near-misses with law enforcement in Egypt and the Sinai. He shares his frugal lifestyle, averaging just $16–$20 per day through wild camping, simple meals, and fuel-efficient cooking. The conversation delves into his recent racing performances at Doom 2026 and East Texas Showdown, where he overcame mechanical failures, poor tire choices, illness, and mental fatigue to finish 43rd at Doom and 6th at ETS despite riding a full-suspension mountain bike ill-suited for gravel. Ashton reflects on the emotional toll of long-distance cycling, including depression and burnout, while emphasizing that completion—regardless of placement—is a profound personal victory. The final segment reveals harrowing encounters with massive, aggressive livestock guardian dogs in Eastern Turkey and Central Asia, which nearly endangered him during rides, and highlights his self-published memoir, 'My First Year Bikepacking Through the Americas Until the Road Ends,' available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. He also promotes his upcoming Substack blog and encourages listeners to engage with the bikepacking community through events like the Sea Otter bikepacking campout and Ride Your Damn Bike Fest, with a 20% discount code provided.