Lachlan Morton’s Epic Journey: Cycling Around Australia Against All Odds

“It feels like a lifetime I’ve been out here,” reflects Lachlan Morton, his body worn from countless hours pedaling on the sprawling roads of Australia. Though it has only been about a month since he embarked on his ambitious journey from his hometown of Port Macquarie, aiming to circumnavigate the country in record time, the challenges he has faced make it feel much longer.

Morton is on track to cover over 8,800 miles (14,200 kilometers) and break the existing record of 37 days, 20 hours, and 45 minutes set by David Alley in 2011. As he nears the completion of this extraordinary feat, he has braved fierce headwinds, extreme temperatures, hazardous traffic, and even survived a harrowing encounter with a kangaroo, all while cycling for up to 18 hours a day, only pausing to eat, sleep, and mentally recharge.

“You finish a day with a great sense of accomplishment and relief, and then you’re asleep within 20 minutes,” Morton tells CNN Sport. “Before you know it, you wake up and it’s back to zero. It’s tough.”

By Saturday, he expects to return to Port Macquarie, signaling the end of an immense test of endurance and determination that has pushed him to the limits of his physical and mental capabilities. “Rainy days and long stretches against headwinds are probably the most challenging,” he shares. “Spending 17 or 18 hours pedaling straight into the wind can be maddening.”

Morton describes the mental struggles that accompany such a grueling endeavor. “It’s very loud. You can easily convince yourself that it’s a conspiracy against you. Reminding yourself that you’re just on a bike ride becomes crucial,” he explains.

This is no ordinary bike ride. Morton often begins his days at midnight, having gone to bed at 5 p.m. the previous evening. These early starts allow him to escape the searing heat of northern Australia while also avoiding dangerous traffic from heavy trucks. He finds that cycling at night makes him more visible on the road.

“Completing the route and not getting run over has been a challenge in itself,” he adds, with a hint of humor.

Sleep remains a top priority for Morton, who aims for at least six hours a night. His support crew, including his childhood coach, a masseuse, a bike mechanic, and his wife Rachel, have been instrumental in his journey.

To successfully complete a lap around Australia, Morton must cover at least 14,200 kilometers while passing through at least six designated cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Despite the physical pain and discomfort that come with the challenge, Morton finds that the mental strain of solitude on the road is the biggest hurdle.

“Walking is difficult first thing in the morning, and the first couple of hours on the bike are tough, too,” he admits. “But once I get going, my body generally feels good. It’s the mental aspect that tests my resolve. The monotony can be challenging, especially when you’re pedaling in one direction for 16 hours, thinking of ways to make it more enjoyable.”

Morton is no stranger to high-stakes cycling. He has competed in prestigious road races like the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, but his path has also included unique endurance challenges. In 2021, he completed every stage of the Tour de France under his own power, arriving in Paris five days ahead of the main peloton. The following year, he cycled from Munich to the Polish-Ukrainian border in a 42-hour push, raising over $250,000 for Ukrainian refugees.

However, cycling around Australia presents its own unique set of challenges due to the country’s vast, remote landscapes. “Just grasping how immense it is has been mind-blowing,” Morton states.

In addition to nearly colliding with a kangaroo—“I almost went over the handlebars; it was a very close call”—he has faced snakes on the Nullarbor Plain and enjoyed the enchanting sounds of birds at sunrise and sunset.

When it comes to nutrition, Morton’s strategy is simple: he eats whatever he craves. This could range from sandwiches and eggs to muffins and cookies, washed down with about six cups of coffee daily. “On some days, I’d eat up to half as much as on others, depending on how I felt,” he explains. “It’s wild how much food I can consume when I’m hungry.”

His journey is supported by the EF Education–EasyPost team, which has been documenting his adventure on social media. Morton has also surpassed his fundraising goal of 100,000 Australian dollars (about $68,500) for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which provides resources for Indigenous children in remote communities.

Cycling hundreds of miles daily for a month feels like just another chapter for Morton, a cyclist eager to push the limits of his sport and explore life beyond the confines of a competitive peloton. “The experiences you can have on a bike are remarkable,” he reflects. “I don’t value one experience over another. It’s all part of the journey.”