LACHLAN MORTON SETS NEW TOUR DIVIDE RECORD! 12Days 12hours 21minutes

[@KevinBikeTour]

Love Lachlan & EF’s alternative approach to support these riders!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Hey Josh, as one of the folks that's been in the bikepacking scene for a while, it's awesome that you're giving Lach some appreciation. One little correction though is at 7:10 it looks like you're suggesting he took a coffee hand up as proof of him receiving support. That photo, as referenced in the caption and geo tag, was in Banff before he set off. Those of us that choose to do these sorts of things with documentation know the deal on the Divide, CT etc. with film crews negating an official record, but being self reliant in the spirit of bikepacking remains important to the experience. Just cringed a bit at the suggestion of a "support crew" as it conjures images of bottle handups etc which is not accurate. Keep up the good work!

[@joshibbett]

Hey Payson, thanks for reaching out and thanks for watching the videos. Yes I’d agree there were a few points which in hindsight were not 100% clear about the nature of the film crew… me saying support crew not film crew certainly didn’t help 🤦‍♂️. But thanks for the feedback, plenty to work on with the way i present future videos.

[@oldanslo]

Plenty of riders do these events and self document without an external media crew following their every pedal stroke. And do you negate the benefit of knowing you will have friends physically with you available for moral (if not physical) support for any potential crisis?

[@vanbarrettdesign]

Thanks again for this coverage. No one else is doing this. It goes far to better highlight this great sport.

[@gttim]

He did not have support crew on the ride. He was completely self supported. He did have a camera crew. The camera crew did not give him any supplies or help. The photo you have of him by a pickup truck was at the start.

[@shredchic]

If Lachlan was lying on the side of the road unconscious no doubt he would have had support (and should have) from his media crew. But for everyone else who doesn't do this race with a media crew, it's on them to ride more carefully. It's not the same. Great elite-level feat of physicality - just not the same sport as solo self-supported bikepack racing.

[@machinesandthings7121]

The metal aspect of being alone, reliant on yourself to make decisions is significant. A camera crew is not the same a "supported" but this record should not be compared against all the other riders.

[@firsthippy]

Yep and support or not, it might be an FKT for whatever route he did (fire detours?), but it's not a Tour Divide record because it breaches the visitation rules: Visitation: Divide racing is not intended to be a spectator sport! However, route-town locals only may interact with (i.e. visit briefly, cheer on) thru-racers as they pass through their locale. Out-of-town visitation to the GDMBR mid-race from challengers' family or friends-even if only a 'loosely-planned', remote possibility for rider rendezvous-is prohibited. Item 4 FAQs @@shredchic

[@firsthippy]

He's still a beast though and I love watching these so I hope he continues to ride these routes.

[@ruudvandenhooff7703]

Couldn't he have done it 9 minutes quicker for the sake of having 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes.. 😀

[@stephenwalker9313]

😂

[@veganpotterthevegan]

He's an underachiever!!!

[@pjbeattie1]

Thats actually what I was thinking too!! LOL!

[@ianjwhitmore]

Incredible ride! Josh, thanks for these videos ... all this coverage has been great, please keep it up!

[@Bikepacking]

Mike Hall’s 2016 time of 13 days, 22 hours, and 51 minutes, which continues to stand as the self-supported course record. 2023

[@VelcorHF]

It was still an interesting ride. Looking forward to his videos coming out on it.

[@MicheleField]

Looking at the photo of Lachlan next to the Ute, if you read the EF blog in context, this photo was taken prior to setting off on his epic ride. He may have had a film crew following, but his actual ride was unsupported.

[@oscardot]

I wonder how his Rear derailleur started working miraculously.

[@chasingbirds3073]

​​@@oscardotso you're insinuating that someone fixed it for him? Unless you have evidence, stow it.

[@ryanflanagan6722]

@@oscardot It didn’t start working, he somehow shoved a spoke in it and had to “shift” it manually into only three different gears, there are pics

[@oscardot]

@@ryanflanagan6722 EF Instagram post on day 12 details the spoke shifter bodge. EF Instagram post on day 13 says rear derailleur is working normally again.

[@MarlowWhere]

​​@@oscardot It didn't? He started jamming stuff in the derailleur (I think he was using a shifter cable or a spoke to manually adjust the deraileur spring) to move the chain. He single speeded for the last 3 days...he literally says at the end of the documentary that he could have gone even faster if it weren't for that mechanical.

[@wazzup105]

You gotta love Lachlan. I remember the video of him riding the entire tour de France (including in between travel sections) when he misaligned his cleats the night before the start which gave hem knee pain. So he bought a cheap bike, took the flat pedals off of it and put them on his own expensive roadbike and rode on flip flops for the rest of the ride.. It's not about riding in perfect conditions for him.

[@waisinglee1509]

Why didn't he just buy flat pedals?

[@arminkorsos]

They didn't have just pedals and he couldn't find a bike shop close by to buy them separately @@waisinglee1509

[@RunRecoverRally]

@@waisinglee1509 He stopped at one of those basic supermarket stores that sell cheap full bikes, not parts. He tried to purchase only the pedals, but they made him purchase the whole bike.

[@waisinglee1509]

@@RunRecoverRally Thanks for clarifying!

[@wazzup105]

@@waisinglee1509 he tried, but they didn't have them and they were only willing to sell him the entire bike. It's not like he had time to order something so he had to make do with what he encountered in the store.

[@simplydebes]

In Australia, we would pronounce his name as "Locklan" or the Scottish "Lorklan". But he may prefer "Lacklan" not sure. However you say his name he is a bloody good bloke. Keep the videos coming Josh. Big fan.

[@ritchequindipan8388]

Insane and awesome ride by Lachlan Morton Got to love his rides and also for a good cause. Thank you very much again Josh for a great coverage. The insight is brilliant with your knowledge and experience of the route. Great job and keep it going Josh! 👊🏻👊🏻

[@GeekonaBike]

I call it an FTK just not the Tour Divide Race record. Same for any other bikepacking race, but especially for any of the triple crown races. That said I luv to see some competitive rider try this 6hr daily sleep/break. I'm looking at you Josh.

[@philipjohnson8444]

FKT

[@davej5639]

Lachlan smashed it either way you look at it outstanding feat. Will not matter if and when Mike Hall's record is broken officially. Mike is a Legend in the sport and always will be held as a GOAT. Not just for his records but also what he gave back to the Ultra community. Thanks Josh for all these updates loving the insights. 😎

[@jesuscruz836]

Thank you for covering this.

[@woolfel]

lachlan is one of the coolest pro cyclist today.

[@torstenfrank1856]

Since you mentioning Lachlans clean front a few times. He obviously knows his stuff. Nothing (short of full size panniers on the fork) slows you down so drastically aerodynamically as a handle bar roll.

[@joshibbett]

Plus you can add into the equation that he can ride fast enough off road to gain an even bigger aero advantage

[@linesided]

There should be supported and unsupported records for all routes like this. There's a huge difference between the two. This distinction already exists for things like the Around the World Cycling record. Regardless, it's a hell of an achievement! ed - that's a 2 liter milk carton :)

[@samuelthompson5094]

Guinness don’t recognise the difference between ‘supported’ and ‘unsupported’ for round the world records.

[@gobears6487]

Agree 👍

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

he knows every minute of his challenge he has back up for advice , emergency medical issues and pick me up morale talks . All the risk that has to be weighed up is removed .

[@fcbkoen]

Thanks for the coverage! Apparently Lachlan didn't do Koko Claims and The Wall. He did an alternative route to Fernie (through Sparwood). Are there different GDMBR routes? Because I think also Mike Hall didn't do the same route as today's Tour Divide route.

[@jaimiec93]

I love Lachlan such a beast well done, and great coverage again Josh!

[@Vincilizer]

We do not have a new record!!! Mike Hall is still the official record holder! Having „visitation“ and a media crew with you disqualified Lachlan for having the official TD record. Lachlan‘s ride was a great ride and fun to see what a guy he is. Well done Lachlan. So don’t disrespect Mike Halls record! RIP Mike!

[@dannyzuehlsdorf3697]

Lachey is a monster! Very cool

[@yumyumhungry]

Yeah I found all of Wyoming to be demoralizing. I was looking at the elevation profile and expecting to speed up, but with the mud and the wind I majorly slowed down. Fighting against a flat road and not going anywhere will make you want to quit.

[@gobears6487]

Thanks so much for this, Josh! As much as I have huge respect for Lachlan and am super impressed with his ride, you did a great job pointing out things that even I - the sincere skeptic of it being "official" - missed! I have no doubt he suffered and deserves huge kudos... the thing bothering me aside from it not being truly unsupported was that people act like he's beaten all the hundreds of other riders who've completed the TD. But so few of them are pros, or have the resources of a big pro tour team, much less a film crew. If no one is filming, ie watching, it's easier to stop. But the resources! And while all riders can use virtual help by phone etc, he is on another level, even when the support isn't physically there. So I applaud him, and I appreciate the attention now being paid to the TD... but admit I miss it being a very niche thing. Random observations: had not noticed he was on a leftie (strange choice!), as a SSer myself I think he could do with just a very few gears (too hard to do the fast stuff without)... shame about the lack of sound in that video replay but all around great breakdown. THANK YOU!

[@alethearobinson8132]

I agree. With all these"pro's" with their years of elite training will change the feeling of the TD. Won't be long before there are sponsors and money. 🤔

[@joshibbett]

I think the Tour Divide is going mainstream now… if it wasn’t before then it certainly is now. I guess it’s a good thing for the sport long term, although I’m sure plenty will argue otherwise !

[@gobears6487]

@@joshibbett hopefully someone or some people will dream up yest another long distance ride and go grass roots again... 👍

[@lydiagould3090]

Great job Lachlan,(and EF)! It looked really tough with the dreadful weather conditions. Bet he was freezing, as he's a skinny guy🥶

[@hoser7706]

He is a helluva rider doing great things for the cycling community across many disciplines. Thanks for your coverage. You too are an incredible rider and great for the adventure cycling cling-ons like myself, admiring all you folks do and accomplish. ❤

[@johnshannon]

Where can we download his gps track to see actual mileage ridden, detour, etc. on this visitation-supported ride.

[@automat8]

"Hell of a Ride!" 👍

[@robertoscian4384]

LACHLAN =SUPERMAN 🔝 Chapeau!!!!!! 💪🏻

[@keepingtherubberdown5715]

It was a camera crew.. And, to know he did it sleeping 6 hours per day everyday and riding for about 18 is awesome!! And, you are correct we all know he beat the record.

[@joshibbett]

Yep a bit of an error on my part, meant film crew… but said support crew. A subtle but significant difference

[@trivial5067]

@@joshibbett Can you add a note on top of your video? Given how much traffic this video will get, better to clarify for his sake!

[@Wds__99]

I say give Lachlan the record. I think we all know that even with the ‘support’ of camera crew, he could smash the record.

[@jonpoon3896]

Don’t care if it’s official or not. We know what he’s done. It’s the best athletic performance done on the route. Film crew or not, it would’ve been the same speed. I’d rather celebrate what he’s done. Too many people using Mike Hall’s name in their attempts to gatekeep the route and the sport

[@joshibbett]

I’m pretty certain Mike would be very pleased to see a time like this on the Divide, so I agree a fantastic performance and well deserved.

[@peterwilson3250]

Was it a support crew? Or was it a film crew?

[@brianmccluskey4893]

He did NOT have a support crew! It was a film crew. Big difference.

[@ClockCutter]

He might have set some Banff to Antelope Wells record, but he did not set the Tour Divide record.

[@chasingbirds3073]

Yes, he did.

[@chasingbirds3073]

Yes, he did.

[@ellerybice3787]

The most pervasive Comment, So Ya! " absolutely brilliant 😵‍💫

[@rneillmojo]

He was set for an excellent go. Even with koko or the northern Flathead, he would have likely set a new record

[@dustinphillips2855]

Does anyone know what the support crew does? How much support is he getting, if any, and if he isn't getting any support what is their purpose?

[@chasingbirds3073]

It's a film crew, not a support crew.

[@stevenhadcroft5113]

So who decides if it is a FKT?? He had a film crew, not a support crew as far as I know. He used a spoke to climb off the bike and change gears. I think he rode 900m without a functioning rear derailleur. I for one, and i know many other will agree he should get the FKT.

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

Drinking that pickle juice ... yeah ... I done that one and don't know what pickles magic is but it works as boy do cramps suck!

[@gobears6487]

wonder if it's the vinegar 🤔

[@mgrant6607]

213 miles and 15.3k feet of climbing a day .... for 12 1/2 days. OMG.

[@sometimesoonfan]

Not to be rude but what is the point of doing the trail fast as possible.?

[@samuelthompson5094]

What is the point in competitive sport at all?

[@Morat104]

Is a film crew the same thing as a support crew? I was under the impression he wasn’t taking help from them besides social interaction

[@Bertie..]

Social interaction is the biggest support one can get to stay motivated. He is a blight to all those that struggle alone.

[@Morat104]

@@Bertie.. doesn’t take away from his accomplishment though. Such a feat! Well done Lachlan and great video Josh!

[@wchu702]

@@Bertie.. Lachlan has the FKT.

[@chasingbirds3073]

​​@@Bertie..a blight? Really? Lighten up Francis. Lachlan has the fkt.

[@johnfrancisnelson]

So dotwatchers that go out and say hi, have a conversation with riders are giving support too??

[@oldenburgermitrad]

This is really fast af. But you should change the video title in "unofficial" record as you mentioned. Riding without any support crew is much harder i guess.

[@larrywhite8590]

He didn't have a support crew, they had a video crew that did some filming at times. Personally I find the whole FKT debate a bit tiresome, and if he had managed to go an hour or so better sure, but a day and a half? This deserves recognition.

[@joshibbett]

Correct sorry I should have said film crew not support crew in the intro, pretty bad faux pas on my part

[@branes2000]

@@larrywhite8590 Well, yeah, but 7:07.

[@gobears6487]

@@branes2000exactly... that and doing a different route (obvs not his fault but still...)

[@larrywhite8590]

@@branes2000 sure and this is different than getting a coffee anywhere on the route? No one towed him uphill or got him a new derailleur or swapped bikes when it was muddy. It was noted in the video that the record was set during perfect conditions. Again lopping off 36 hours under less than perfect conditions deserves recognition.

[@IDRock]

Support crew? From what I understand he had a film crew not a support crew. It still disqualifies him from the technical FKT but whatevers. He even forwent a meal with his Mum to stay as true to the spirit of the event. Dude is boss

[@CartoonPhysics]

Did Lachan have a support crew or not? You claim this at 0.45 but some of the other comments here contradict this. I think it's one of the most important details about this new record.

[@blutch222]

He had a camera crew. Camera crews are considered as support, as it may help as a moral booster to see friendly faces from time to time. Lael got a lot of flack for this on the same route a few years ago. Purists say that for a record to stand, you were truly alone the entire time.

[@gobears6487]

@@blutch222concur!

[@joshibbett]

He had a media crew who were filming and he was in contact with them throughout… so probably a little misleading on my part saying support crew. But support crew, film crew or not it’s a hell of a ride and deserves some kudos

[@VeloObscura]

Weird setup with the support vehicle... There's a photo there where he's sat on the back of the support truck and obviously "receiving support," but he's also carrying his own gear. I guess the usual options would be to either go fully self-supported OR go fully supported and have the vehicle carry all your gear - but he's somewhere in the middle? Weird setup, but as usual; Insane performance from Lachy.

[@trivial5067]

I think that photo is maybe from the very start before he took off? I guess we will know exactly what the setup was when the video is released. He leans more toward self supported I would have thought. I bet there was a spare RD or a spare bike in that film car to tempt him!

[@oscardot]

Well apparently his rear derailleur that was previously broken just magically started working.

[@ryanfrahm9953]

@@oscardotI read he jammed a spoke in and it let him shift manually through 3 gears. He had to stop to shift it for 900 km or so.

[@wchu702]

@@oscardot You keep clinging to that.

[@chasingbirds3073]

​@@oscardotwithout evidence your claim is worthless.

[@arcoulant87]

"unofficial" record epic ride I guess to be official you need to start at the grand depart. Chapeau.

[@MrClimberdave]

the film crew is what makes it "unofficial."

[@davidp7414]

You need to be fully self supported to get the record

[@rneillmojo]

Additionally fire reroutes negate a record run

[@coreyreeder3549]

Oh snap!

[@MarlowWhere]

He was definitely carrying more, not less, than most riders even by his own admission.

[@stevelindley2041]

This is not a record. Its not even an unofficial record. Its a solo event and he had a crew with him all the way. Its that simple. Plus it is 70km short of Mike Halls distance. To get the record he needs to fit all the criterea. He may be good enough to get the record. But I doubt he will try again.

[@jamesmac-p7h]

Its not the record as you well know Josh. Please change the title.

[@johnshannon]

Mike rode 2,713 miles and followed the rules. Lachlan rode 2,569 miles and did not follow the rules.

[@bourgeonnierfamilly8445]

Au delà du fait qu'il ai battus ou non le record , je trouve dommage que des professionnels ce lance dans des approches compétitive de l'ultra cyclisme. On répète souvent que la magie de ces compétitions ou challenge, résidence dans le fait qu'il n'y a rien à gagner. Ce qui préserve l'esprit de ces épreuves. Mais si un pro rider ,ce lance dans ce genre d'épreuves. Il est payé par son équipe pour faire cela. Si en plus des média le suive . Ou est l'équité avec monsieur et madame tout le monde ? Qui ce sont préparé au mieux en conjuguant entraînement avec leur travail...

[@fantasticini]

It's pronounced Locklan

[@carols912]

Sorry, but Mike Hall's record cannot be bettered because the track and conditions are different. When referring to the improved record, it should be said that he did it on this year's track, without any connection to Mike Hall's record.

[@tednruth453]

Nothing to be sorry about, Mike's record stands. Lachy's ride was a supported effort, as stated at the beginning of the vid.

[@joshibbett]

Mike had better conditions for his record, no peanut butter mud etc. Plus as Mike said... records are made to be broken.

[@timguthrie5583]

Sorry. You cannot compare his effort to anyone unsupported. The difference is gigantic.

[@cameronhoward703]

Please stop

[@jamesbrittain9564]

In my opinion, any rider who sets a record that is outside of the 'Grand Depart' timeline should have an asterisk next to their time. There's something uniquely challenging about departing on the 2nd Friday in June that isn't entirely replicated at other times of the year. Just an opinion :)

[@bikeski970]

I mean, he didn't ride the right route and didn't follow the rules, so it's not a record. it is impressive, though.

[@philipjohnson8444]

He finally found something he could beat Keegan Swenson at.

[@wchu702]

Yeah but Peter Stetina still finished 4th.

[@jarjar3143]

Stop lying liar ! He had the record fully self supported .

[@puremana]

Obviously very impressive ride by him but I think this whole thing is kind of ridiculous. Why didn't compete with others fairly in the Tour Divide? How is this a Tour Divide record when he did what seems like 200km less from detours than the regular course? Just seems like a pure PR stunt.

[@TheNWaite]

Mmmmmm.... He rode 42 km less than Mike Hall and the ''official'' route as it was back when the record was set. The ''PR Stunt '' as you call it has raised over 25k for charity. Theres 25,000 reasons to do it in the format he did. I am guessing not many who do the race raise even close to that.

[@erics9214]

Yeah, supported ride, not really the point. Much like the "European Gravel Championship" completely missing the point of gravel riding. (It was a slightly extended Strada Bianchi that you could ride on a light road bike with narrow tires, which is what all the pros did.) I guess it is a time, if that is all you care about. Yes, Lachlan is a strong rider, and he can go fast. But how much of Mike Hall or Sofiane Sehili's time was spent resupplying, getting water, etc. that is necessary to support yourself? Then there is the different time of year, so Lachlan was not dealing with as much cold weather or rain as often happens at the beginning. And, Mike Hall may have had unusually good conditions. It is a feat. It just isn't riding the Divide as the race has been defined or in the way that the previous records were set. However, one of things I would agree with his approach is that there should be minimum sleep times per night, for the safety of the riders.

[@philipk4475]

It was not supported, it was just filmed. Did you even watch the vid?

[@erics9214]

@@philipk4475 You say potato... He had a truck following him and at one point in the vid he is sitting on the tailgate and appears to be getting snacks and water. Lael Wilcox, after a similar controversy about having a film crew follow her, dropped out a couple of years ago. Part of the difficulty of the race is the psychology of being in some pretty remote places with only yourself to rely on. Even if he wasn't getting direct aid, it's completely different to know a push of his locator beacon will get his buddies in a truck there within a hour. Have you ever done the ride? I have, twice.

[@fantasticini]

It's pronounced Lock-lan

[@veloaa-montreal6924]

If you ask me, to suggest that he's beaten any record is basically like a RAAM rider trying to claim the Trans-Am record. It's not the same thing.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

Great achievement but not an official record. So yeah. Not really a record

[@Bertie..]

The problem is he chose to flout the rules. He is just a bandit and should be treated accordingly.

[@chasingbirds3073]

You are an id#@t and should be treated accordingly.

[@andrewpalmer2195]

To me it seems to be a bit in bad taste for Lachlan and efprocycling to “break” the late great Mike Hall’s record by riding a time trial… if it had been in the actual race then fair enough.

[@b00mski]

he rode it to raise funds for Adventure for All charity. They raised $21K so far and counting.

[@keepingtherubberdown5715]

There are no rules on how to break the record or any of them.. So, not in bad taste. It was when it fit in his schedule.

[@andrewpalmer2195]

It’s just really me being unrealistic hoping that Mike Hall’s record would never be broken. It would have been this year if bad weather hadn’t set in… so probably will be next year.

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Yes thats what i think, its more of an unofficial supported record with a camera crew that must make a huge difference to mind and motivation, I guess he also gets to choose a favourable weather window. The official record should only be during the race unsupported . Hes obviously done a great thing and raised tons for charity , but its unfair to relate to the tour divide race , its more of a time trial. Ps I'm assuming Mike Halls record was during a race event ? 😂

[@joshibbett]

As Mike said once… records are made to be broken.

[@LarryGraham7]

There's no new record, he cheated!

[@project182r3]

Like many others, I don’t recognise this record. Long live Mike Hall.

[@chasingbirds3073]

Mile Hall is dead.

[@project182r3]

@@chasingbirds3073so is your brain.

[@Bikesnbuttertarts]

The time stamp combo of 2112 is cool. Neil Peart was an avid cyclist :) Lachlan and Neil both masters of their craft.🚵 🥢