Readers Rig: Nathan Jones - Around the world he goes

Readers Rig is a series of articles that showcases bikepacking kits from riders around the world. Be it long rides or short, races or slogs, everyone has their own unique set up. We hope you enjoy these rigs and maybe pick up a thing or two to add to your set up.

I first got into bikepacking with the divide in 2010 before having a bit of an epiphany, going full roadie, and creating the Trans Am Bike Race. After that was done, I questioned whether to head back to the dirt, or “go bigger”. I ended up going bigger and will race solo around the world crossing Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada. I depart February 11th with a flight from Halifax to Lisbon where I will begin pedaling roughly 18,000 miles for around 3 and a half months. Also worth noting I’ll be dipping into the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race to cross Australia with nearly 100 other racers.

Getting there, Lakeview here I come. #steensmazama
A photo posted by Ride Yr Bike (@rideyrbike) on Jul 11, 2016 at 7:02am PDT

Racing around the planet is something I’ve dreamed of doing since I heard rumours of a global event in 2010. I’m supported by my friends, family and my work through my bike shop (cult) brand Ride Yr Bike. I’d like to say thanks to folks like Mike Hall and Juliana for inspiring so many to push themselves further and another thanks to everyone who helps get me there.

Bike Build: Soma Double Cross Disc 62cm, Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Tubeless, Shimano 105 drivetrain

Bike Bags: All Revelate Designs

Frame Bag: Electronics and lithiums in Lezyne bags, spare gloves, room for food/bladder
Seat Bag: Sleeping bag/bivy, rain and synthetic jackets
Front Top Tube: Multi-too, MP3 player, and GPS
Rear Top Tube: the chain, bolts, patch kit, chemical hand warmers
Feed Bags: Therm-a-rest roll fits nicely in one feed bag, synthetic vest and warmers go in the other, stuffed with more chemical warmers, a spare cable, and cheap sunglasses.

Clothing: Louis Garneau bibs and jerseys, DeFeet warmers, Pearl Izumi MTB shoes with covers, Glacier Glove Ice Bay gloves, puffy vest and polyester shell, Outdoor Research Primaloft Vest, LG Proof Gloves, Defeet Duragloves, Craft Thermal Multigrip Glove, Endura Hummvee Waterproof Pants, Craft Rain Jacket, Mammut Eigerjoch Light Jacket, DeFeet socks, all clothing 100% synthetic materials

Sleep System: Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 32, SOL Escape Bivy, Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-lite

Extra Gear: 2x 64GB micro SD cards contain 32 GB music and 10GB maps with an MP3 player and a spare phone with no service. Google phone with international service. Navigation with Garmin Etrex 20, 2x Spot Trace for maximum dot watch. Mike Hall’s very own Lezyne pump taken on his own race around the world. 26,800 mAh iDaye cache battery, 3 tubes, 4 patch kits, Tri-flow, 10 speed chain, tire lever, seat post bolts, presta adapters, Crank Brothers multitool, sleeping pad patch kit, 40 ultimate lithium AAA and AA