Bushfires and kangaroo collisions: Morton shares rare and remarkable updates from Australia

The Australian cyclist has now reached the northwest of the country, having covered nearly six thousand kilometers in just over twelve days. That's an average distance of almost five hundred kilometers per day—quite remarkable! The update from the twelfth day highlights the various challenges Morton is facing. In Australia, wildfires are raging, forcing the ultra-cyclist to adjust his pace accordingly.

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Lachlan Morton, known for his extreme cycling challenges, is currently tackling one of his toughest yet: a 14,000-kilometer journey around almost the entire continent of Australia. He’s already completed nearly 6,000 kilometers in just over twelve days, averaging about 500 kilometers a day.

In an update shared through his team, EF Education-EasyPost, and a personal reflection in The Guardian, Morton described the harsh conditions he’s facing. From battling intense heat and fierce headwinds to riding on poor roads, he’s pushing through extreme physical and mental challenges. “It’s super tough and hard, but we’re still enjoying it. Though it’s definitely not a vacation,” Morton said.

Morton emphasized how different this challenge is compared to normal racing. “This is such an individual and mental endeavor. The physical demands are far greater, and you have to push yourself when conditions aren’t ideal—whereas in professional cycling, everything is set up to be perfect.”

Reflecting on the journey, he added: “You travel on your own power. You feel every hill, the burning sun, the wind. These are things you don’t notice when traveling other ways.” Morton has even had a run-in with a kangaroo, but his mindset remains simple: “Pedal a lot, just pedal a lot.”