Lachlan Morton (EF Education-EasyPost) was looking for another big test of endurance after last year's "Alto Tour de France," but Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian disaster that followed inspired him to use his efforts to raise money for the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund

Last year, the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund was established in the United States.

Last year, Morton raised over £500,000 for the World Cycling Relief Fund during the Alto Tour, and he plans to complete another epic ride this season. He and his Ukrainian teammate Mark Padun were in Spain preparing to race the Gran Camino when news of the invasion broke.

"Having a teammate directly affected by it made me feel closer to home. I found it difficult to focus on preparing for the race when something so serious was happening in the world."

"I'm basically an optimistic person, but there's been very little to get excited about in the last few weeks. I can't get my head around it. In a way, it's surreal. Even when I watch the news, it's so much grim news that I feel like I have to step away from it because it's so grim."

The Russian bombs had fallen on a suzerain state very close to Europe, and after consulting a map, Morton decided that he could drive all the way to the border at once.

He leaves Munich, Germany, on Saturday and runs 1,063 kilometers to the Ukrainian border. He expects it to take about 40 hours to complete the race and hopes to raise $50,000 for Ukrainian refugees.

"Wow, you can do all this in one ride," he said. ' That was my idea. I am not an overly political person. I'm not an expert. I was just trying to do what I know and get the cycling community to help."

The UN estimates that 3 million Ukrainians left the country because of the invasion, and 1.9 million fled to Poland. An additional 1.85 million people are displaced within Ukraine.

"My idea is to emphasize the fact that war is not a distant problem. Conflicts are all over the world within cycling distance. And it is about trying to raise as much money as possible to help those who are displaced."

Morton's bike ride will take him from Germany into the Czech Republic, through Poland, and across the border between Korchowa, Poland and Krakovec, Ukraine. Morton's ride can be seen here (opens in new tab).

"There is almost a sense of separation, as if somewhere far away, something far away and terrible is happening. But the reality is not. So I hope that cycling that distance and interacting with people along the way will help solidify reality a bit more."

Padun said he still has family and friends in Ukraine and feels helpless.

"Honestly, I don't know what people should do. I don't even know what I can do personally. I am aware that there is still a war going on in my country, so it's hard for me to focus completely," he said. [What the Ukrainian people need is to stop the war. But what Lachlan is doing is a good thing. The more people who talk about this, the better. It's also great that he is raising money for Ukrainian refugees."

The Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund is managed by GlobalGiving and directly benefits refugees with shelter, food, water, healthcare, and psychological support.

EF Education First, Cannondale, and Rapha have donated a combined $100,000 to the relief fund; click here to learn more about GlobalGiving's Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund and to donate (opens in new tab).