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SEEING SOUND

To celebrate the launch of our latest limited edition capsule collection, we ask Lachlan Morton how he uses music for motivation on his long-distance rides.

A few years ago, Lachlan Morton was known as a promising Aussie stage racer with a bright future in the professional peloton ahead of him. These days, he’s known for endurance exploits of a different kind. Having always had an up-and-down relationship with life in the WorldTour, Lachlan has reinvented himself and entered long-distance cycling legend.

In the space of three whirlwind seasons, he’s mixed it with the mountain bikers at the Leadville 100, climbed Yorkshire’s Three Peaks on his cross bike and dissected the deserts of southern Spain in an ultra-endurance race, all while competing on the WorldTour.

But more recently, it has been his long-distance exploits that have generated column inches around the world. Lachlan’s record-breaking ride at the 2020 GBDuro and Alt Tour adventure last summer have seen him push the boundaries of what’s possible. And on each of these rides, you’ll notice that the amicable Australian is never without one key accessory: his earphones.

No matter where he’s riding, music is an important source of inspiration for Lachlan. To celebrate the launch of the Seeing Sound collection – created with Lachlan and inspired by his playlists – we caught up to find out what he listens to and when to keep the pedals turning on his longest rides.

Tell us about a time where music really helped you through a tough moment on the bike.

GBDuro was the first time I realised the power of music on my mood. I could feel a direct correlation between what was coming through my earphones and my motivation to pedal. There were certain songs I could lean on when that motivation wore really thin. There were songs I couldn’t listen to for the duration of the trip, but happily blast once I was home. On the first night when the going was slow and I was totally out of my element I left one song on repeat for three hours. It became a comfort, like a blanket. The song reminded me of a time when I had no problems. It carried me through when I’m sure I otherwise would have lost it. From here I used music to enhance the majority of my riding experiences.



What about when you were younger?

When I was a kid I was terrified of riding the velodrome. Where I lived we didn't have a track and when we'd make the five hour drive to race on the Olympic velodrome in Sydney the anxiety would build from the moment we left. I wanted to race, I wanted to win, but I was terrified of the steep banks and their wooden surface. I'd burn a CD, curate a specific playlist of twelve tracks that would put me in a place where I felt comfortable to attack the steep banking. I called them psyche up CDs but in reality they were just songs that made me feel like I was at home. Those tracks had a powerful impact on my mood. They allowed me to do things I otherwise wouldn't have.

So have you always listened to music on the bike?

Not always. It wasn’t until I was 11 or 12 that I first took music on the road. I crammed my Discman in my back pocket and did my best to avoid the potholes on my home roads so the burnt CD I was listening to wouldn't skip. The dark mornings of training transformed from a mostly lonely experience into a chance to explore new sounds. The familiar surroundings took on a new light and I began to look forward to the time alone with my earphones in. Now I always prefer music. The only silence I like is when riding with someone you know well enough that you feel no need to fill a lul in a conversation. That or running water. If there’s running water I'll often take out my headphones.



What kind of stuff do you listen to when you know you've got a ride cracked and you just need to finish the last few kms?

Something new. I think this is the best time to introduce music you haven’t heard. The mood is great, your mind is clear and you are open to listening to it properly. Maybe it doesn’t work and that’s fine, because at this moment I’m not depending on it. Sometimes it hits just right and makes its way into tomorrow’s playlist.

And finally, what about podcasts? Who do you recommend?

Hamish and Andy. They are an Australian duo who talk shit better than anyone. I want to be a fly on the wall for a funny conversation. That’s it. I listen to Up and Vanished when there is a new season but I try to keep the heavy stuff for when I’m off the bike.

LACHLAN’S PLAYLIST

“This is a playlist I created for riding. There’s a wide variety to cover all moods and emotions. Some are uplifting, some make me sad, some are guilty pleasures and many take me to different time periods in my life or represent specific moments. My taste in music has had two main influences.

“When I was younger almost everything I listened to was introduced to me by my older brother Angus. Now, my wife Rachel influences the majority of what makes its way into my headphones. I imagine it only makes sense to me but I hope you get time to throw this on shuffle and head out for a long pedal.”



Joan, I’m Disappearing - City Calm Down
Territory - The Blaze
Humiliation - The National
Easy Easy - King Krule
Paper Trails - DARKSIDE
The End - The Doors
Clair de Lune - Flight facilities
Worried Shoes - Daniel Johnston
Under The Milky Way - The Church
IMY2 - Drake
Blinded By The Lights - The Streets
Song To Siren - This Mortal Coil
Station Wagon - Shame
Glue - Bicep
September Song - Agnes Obel
Hold You Forever - Aero Manyelo
Come To Life - Kanye West
Little Habits - Petey
Lord Let It Rain On Me - Spiritualized
L'Amour Et La Violence - Sébastien Tellier