Racing the Pony Express - Update

Lachlan Morton
@teamfreak16 (48500)
Denver, Colorado
October 12, 2026 4:43pm CST
Nine days ago I wrote about Australian cyclist Lachlan Morton, “Lachy,” as he is known, and his quest to beat the Pony Express record on a bicycle. Morton, who races professionally as well as attempting unique endurance quests, had announced his retirement from his American-based EF Education-Easy Post team with one last pursuit in their distinctive pink jersey: to break the record on the Pony Express Route (which essentially followed the Oregon Trail,) only while riding a bike. The Pony Express record was set delivering President Lincoln’s Inaugural Address, 7 days, 17 hours. Morton rode three different bikes during the route, depending upon terrain, but also to keep the spirit of the Pony Express going (Pony Express riders changed horses every 10 miles.) He also carried letters. Along the way, Morton met many community-minded folks that still take pride in living along the route. By the way, Lachlan Morton rode into Old Sacramento in 6 days, 21 hours, 15 minutes, beating the Lincoln record by 19 hours, 45 minutes. Well done, Lachy! Link is to a video about Morton’s retirement and quest for the Pony Express record:
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6 people like this
6 responses
@Deepizzaguy (126165)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
12 Oct
Lachlan is an amazing rider of bicycles.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Oct
Most definitely. Impressive.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (126165)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13 Oct
2 people like this
@FourWalls (89538)
• United States
22 Oct
Wow, how cool! Me, I’m celebrating walking a quarter of a mile on the Appalachian Trail.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Oct
Hey, it counts!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (131640)
• United States
12 Oct
I like people who make unusual goals. This sure qualifies as one!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Oct
I wonder how long before someone tries to break it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (390236)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Oct
Wow! Records aren't usually broken by that much. Good for him.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Oct
I know. He smashed it!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (108148)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Oct
But what surfaces did he ride on? Horses had to go over rough terrain. He was better equipped for conditions and environment than in the old days.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Oct
He had a road bike for the roads, a gravel bike for the gravel and dirt roads, and a mountain bike for the rough stuff. Although I did see video of him riding the gravel bike over some of the mountain bike terrain.
1 person likes this
@Wrexxo (10123)
•
12 Oct
Beating that record by almost 20 hours is wild, and doing it on a bike makes it even better. I love that he switched bikes to match the spirit of the Pony Express. What a way to end his run with the pink jersey, well done Lachy.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48500)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Oct
3,217 kilometers. I think I forgot to mention that. Incredible.
1 person likes this