Lachlan Morton Will Cycle Historic Pony Express Route

The cyclist plans to cover the 1,966-mile path in under seven days starting October 5, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Cycling

Lachlan Morton Will Cycle Historic Pony Express Route

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Will Lachlan Morton beat the 1861 Pony Express record of seven days and 17 hours?

Beginning October 5, 2026, cyclist Lachlan Morton will attempt to traverse the 1,966-mile historical Pony Express route from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. He aims to beat the record time of seven days and 17 hours set by mail riders in 1861.

Why it matters

Morton intends to gain a firsthand understanding of the physical and mental endurance required by the original Pony Express riders. His journey honors the 1861 delivery of President Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address, a feat that predated the transcontinental telegraph.

The Pony Express route spans 1,966 miles across seven states, featuring a record delivery time of seven days and 17 hours. Historically, individual riders covered 75 miles per shift, with horse changes occurring every 10 miles.

The players

Lachlan Morton

He is a professional cyclist known for his long-distance endurance challenges and solo ultra-cycling endeavors.

Gus Morton

He is a documentarian and supporter who will assist in logistics for his brother's cross-country ride.

Abraham Lincoln

He was the 16th President of the United States whose inaugural address was famously delivered to California via the Pony Express.

The details

Morton will switch between road, gravel, and mountain bikes to navigate the diverse terrain of the Great Plains, the Rockies, and the Sierra Nevada. His brother, Gus Morton, will document the journey and manage resupply points throughout the trek across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.

The historical relay established its record time in 1861.
Lachlan Morton begins his ride on October 5, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This endurance project contextualizes modern ultra-cycling against 19th-century mail delivery feats, highlighting the evolution of human performance. It bridges the gap between historical relay speed records and the contemporary ability to navigate varied terrain on specialized equipment.

Morton must maintain a pace exceeding the 1861 record of seven days and 17 hours to achieve his goal. His equipment strategy involves switching between three different bicycle types to maximize efficiency across the shifting terrain of the seven states along the route.

The takeaway

This expedition serves as a grueling test of modern endurance against the benchmarks set by historical mail couriers. Readers can appreciate the immense logistical planning required to sustain high-speed travel across nearly 2,000 miles of diverse American landscape.