I have a confession: I used to think cycling was all about podiums, yellow jerseys, and endless laps of predictable road races. That changed the day I stumbled upon the story of Lachlan Morton.
I was scrolling through a cycling forum late one night when a post popped up about a guy riding the entire Tour de France route — unsupported, sleeping in fields, fixing his own bike, and raising money for charity. That guy was Morton.
Since then, I’ve followed his journey like a fanboy chasing roadside autographs. What hooked me wasn’t just his results, though those are impressive enough. It was his spirit.
Morton doesn’t just race; he reinvents what cycling can mean. Whether he’s setting records across Australia or tackling brutal ultra-endurance routes, he’s constantly proving that adventure, not just victory, is what keeps the wheels turning.
Who Exactly Is Lachlan Morton?
Image source- Instagram
If you’re new to the world of cycling, Lachlan Morton is an Australian gravel and road racer born on January 2, 1992.
He currently rides for EF Education–EasyPost, one of the most dynamic teams in professional cycling.
But unlike most riders who stick to the WorldTour calendar, Morton’s career reads like an explorer’s journal on wheels.
He first made waves in traditional road racing with major wins like the Tour of Utah and Tour of the Gila in 2016. He’s raced in some of the sport’s biggest events, including the Vuelta a España (2017) and the Giro d’Italia (2020).
But even then, he wasn’t content staying in the peloton lane. Morton started to carve out a different identity — one defined by ultra-distance challenges, unsupported expeditions, and rides that pushed both physical and mental limits.
That rebellious streak has turned him into something rarer than a world champion: a cult hero who’s changing how people think about what’s possible on a bike.
What Makes Lachlan Morton Different From Other Cyclists?
Most pro cyclists stick to race schedules, team strategies, and carefully calculated watts. Morton? He thrives in chaos and unpredictability. His career is packed with stories that sound more like epic travelogues than race recaps.
Take “Thereabouts” in 2014. Instead of chasing a podium, he and his brother rode 2,500 kilometers across Australia from Port Macquarie to Uluru. No team cars, no fanfare — just raw exploration. That trip didn’t earn him a trophy, but it did cement his reputation as someone who rides for more than results.
He’s also broken records on routes like the Kokopelli Trail and won brutal ultra-races like GBDuro (2019) and Badlands (2020). Even more impressive?
He once held the Everesting world record, climbing the same hill over and over until he hit the elevation of Mount Everest. If that sounds insane, that’s because it is — and it’s exactly why cycling fans can’t stop talking about him.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of his most impressive moments:
| Category | Achievement |
| Road Racing | Winner of Tour of Utah (2016) and Tour of the Gila (2016) |
| Grand Tours | Vuelta a España (2017), Giro d’Italia (2020) |
| Ultra-Endurance | 2,500 km “Thereabouts” ride across Australia (2014) |
| Major Wins | GBDuro (2019), Badlands (2020) |
| Records | Kokopelli Trail record (2020), Everesting world record (2020) |
| Legendary Feats | Alt Tour (2021), Australian Lap record (2024) |
How Did Lachlan Morton’s Alt Tour Change Cycling Forever?
The story that truly sealed Morton’s legend status was the Alt Tour in 2021. While the pros raced the Tour de France with full team support, Morton decided to ride the entire route — plus the transfers between stages — solo. No mechanics, no team buses, no hotel beds. Just him, his bike, a tent, and the open road.
He covered over 5,500 kilometers, slept outdoors, fixed his own mechanicals, and even stopped to talk with fans. More importantly, he used the challenge to raise money for World Bicycle Relief, providing bikes to people in developing countries.
By the end, he had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and captured the imagination of the cycling world.
What made the Alt Tour magical wasn’t just the distance — it was the freedom. It reminded everyone, including me, why we fell in love with cycling in the first place.
It’s not just about speed or power meters. It’s about the joy of exploration, the thrill of self-reliance, and the stories you collect along the way.
What Happened During Lachlan Morton’s Australian Lap?
Just when I thought Morton had peaked, he went and did something even wilder. In 2024, he set a new record for cycling around the entire Australian continent — over 30 days of relentless riding across deserts, coastlines, and remote towns.
The “Australian Lap” wasn’t just about bragging rights. Like many of his challenges, it was tied to something bigger.
Morton used the ride to raise awareness and funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, blending endurance with purpose.
And the feat itself was staggering: thousands of kilometers of wind, rain, isolation, and heat, all tackled with that trademark Morton grin.
This adventure cemented his place as one of the greatest ultra-distance riders of our time. It also showed how cycling can be a bridge — connecting physical challenge with social impact.
How Does Lachlan Morton Use Cycling to Make a Difference?
Here’s the thing I admire most about Morton: he’s not just riding for himself. Over and over, he’s turned his adventures into platforms for change.
His Alt Tour raised significant funds for World Bicycle Relief, providing bikes to people who rely on them for work, school, and healthcare.
His Australian Lap amplified support for Indigenous literacy. Even his record-breaking challenges often double as campaigns for causes that matter.
It’s proof that sport can do more than entertain. It can educate, inspire, and transform lives. And that’s exactly what Morton is doing — one pedal stroke at a time.
FAQs About Lachlan Morton
Q1: What team does Lachlan Morton ride for?
Lachlan Morton currently rides for EF Education–EasyPost, a UCI WorldTeam. They’re known for embracing non-traditional races and adventures, which makes them the perfect fit for Morton’s unique approach to cycling.
Q2: What is Lachlan Morton famous for?
While he’s had success in road racing, Morton is most famous for his ultra-endurance rides and adventure cycling feats. From the Alt Tour to his Australian Lap, he’s redefined what it means to be a professional cyclist.
Q3: Did Lachlan Morton ever hold a cycling world record?
Yes, he held the Everesting world record in 2020, climbing the same hill repeatedly until reaching the elevation of Mount Everest faster than anyone before him.
Q4: How does Lachlan Morton support charitable causes?
Morton uses many of his rides to raise awareness and funds for causes like World Bicycle Relief and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, proving that cycling can be a powerful tool for social change.
Riding Off Into the Horizon – And Taking Us With Him
The more I learn about Lachlan Morton, the more I realize he’s not just another name on a start list. He’s a storyteller, an adventurer, and a reminder that the best rides often start where the road ends.
He’s shown me — and countless others — that cycling doesn’t have to follow the rulebook. It can be about freedom, creativity, and doing something meaningful with your miles.
And here’s a fun twist: riders like Nathan Van Hooydonck, known for their power and precision in the peloton, represent one side of modern cycling. Morton represents the other — the side that says the world is your course, and every ride is a chance to change it.
So next time you hop on your bike, think like Lachlan. Go a little farther. Take the road less traveled. And remember: the best stories aren’t written on start lines — they’re found out there, where the adventure truly begins.
