Grant Lottering to attempt the impossible in 2016: A solo, non-stop, 1 000km cycle challenge through the French Alps in under 48 hours
“When life takes a turn for the worse, you have a decision to make – do something with it or it will do something to you,” says Grant Lottering, South African survivor, speaker, ultra-endurance cyclist and Laureus Sport for Good Ambassador. In 2016, he will continue his mission to live life without limits by attempting his third Im’Possible Tour.
The Im’possible Tour III will see Lottering attempt a solo, non-stop, 1 000km ultra-endurance cycle through the French Alps. The challenge? To cover the route, which includes 20 alpine mountains and 20 000 metres of climbing, in under 48 hours –riding continuously for two days and two nights!
Lottering founded the first of his annual Im’Possible Tours in 2013 after suffering a near-fatal accident during a world championship preparation race in Trento, Italy, when he entered a wet corner at over 60 km/h and crashed straight into a rock embankment. His heart stopped beating and he was unconscious by the time the medical team arrived.
Miraculously, he survived, but suffered extensive injuries, including multiple fractures all over his body, a crushed right shoulder, collapsed lungs and thorax, internal bleeding, and ruptured arteries. The extent of his injuries was such that surgeons in Italy and South Africa told him it was highly unlikely, if not impossible, that he would ever be able to ride again. Lottering refused to accept this prognosis, and, despite his injuries, decided he would return to the Alps in one year to finish the race that almost claimed his life.
Described as ‘a remarkable and astounding recovery’, Lottering got back on the bike in February 2014 after six surgeries and over 100 rehabilitation sessions. In July 2014, only 11 months since his accident, Lottering returned to the French/Italian Alps and successfully completed his first Im’possible Tour – an attempt that medical professionals claimed would be impossible. Lottering finished the 174km La Marmotte Sportive on the summit of the famous Alpe d’Huez mountain in the French Alps. The tour was aptly titled, ‘From Death to the Top of the Alps in One Year’. Not only did Lottering defy the doctors’ prognoses and accomplish the ‘impossible,’ he also raised over R100 000 for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport to nurture and develop underprivileged youth in their communities.
After successfully completing this feat, Lottering said: “I did this because since I died on 21 July 2013 and miraculously survived, I live my life without limits. To believe we can accomplish levels of success considered to be impossible, we have to believe we are possible. We have to have that inner conviction and protect it at all cost from doubt, negativity and limits set by others’ opinions. We have to look to tomorrow, set goals, plan and focus on accomplishing that goal.”
This was just the beginning of Lottering’s commitment to inspiring and challenging audiences to reach beyond their limits and accomplish the impossible. In August 2015, Lottering became the first South African to complete a solo, non-stop, 418km ultra-endurance ride through the French Alps in only 19 hours 31 minutes. Again, Lottering used the attempt to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
Lottering has subsequently become known as “the Miracle Man” and “Mr Im’possible”. Following numerous requests and interest from local and international corporate organisations and conference organisers, he started sharing his remarkable journey with audiences world-wide, including the Springbok Rugby team.
Watch Lottering’s 2015 Im’Possible Tour video:
To book Grant Lottering at your next conference or management/staff workshop, visit www.grantlottering.com or follow Grant Lottering on Facebook: www.facebook.com/grant.lottering21713 or Twitter: www.twitter.com/@MGLottering.
