South African cyclist Grant Lottering completed the USA Im’possible Tour in a solo 986km, 51-hour and 40min cycle after three days and nights of continuous cycling.
The Laureus Sport for Good ambassador set off from the picturesque Shaver Lake in the Sierra National Forest in central California on 1 June, venturing over more than 16 mountains and finally reaching the village of Big Bear Lake, north of Los Angeles.
This was Lottering’s first ultra-endurance fundraising ride in the USA. The ride went through the Sequoia National Forest, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles Counties, San Bernardino Mountain range, Lake Arrowhead and ended at Big Bear Lake.
‘Without my support team and sponsors, I would never have finished this ride. It was imperative that I succeed at my first US Im’possible Tour and reward my sponsors, UHSM and Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa, for their continued belief in my fundraising efforts. Failure was simply not an option,’ say Lottering.
Lottering’s journey has not been a smooth one, though. In the 2013 USA Im’possible Tour, he was in a near-fatal accident that led to six surgeries and almost 100 rehabilitation sessions. But he would not be stopped, and was back on the bike in 2014, sharing his story with audiences around the world as he continues to inspire and challenge others to conquer the seemingly impossible.
‘The levels of pain I endured for long periods simply cannot be explained or articulated. At times, everything in me just wanted to stop and lie down. Mentally, I prepared more than ever, which proved invaluable as I used my mental strength and memory of past adversities to push through the pain and shift my focus. I have had so much difficulty to overcome, so many setbacks the past few years, that succeeding in California was very, very personal for me,’ says Lottering.
In August, Grant will be participating in Stage 12 of the Tour de France from Briancon to Alpe d’Huez. It is a 169km ride and this is part of raising money for the Laureus Sport for Good organisation. This challenge will have him ride continuously for about 33 hours with a total distance of 705km and a total elevation gain of 27,100m.
Pictures: Max Sullivan
ALSO READ
