Miracle cyclist completes 'mission impossible'

PLETTENBERG BAY - Extreme endurance cyclist Grant Lottering, known as the "miracle cyclist" after he recovered from a near-fatal accident, chose Plettenberg Bay as the start of a cycling "mission impossible" in which he covered more than 800km, including 16 000m of elevation, in 48 hours.

And he did this for a good cause - raising funds for 34 children of Reach for a Dream who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Lottering first launched the series of Im'possible Tours after suffering a near-fatal accident in 2014 in Trento, Italy, and was told he would not be able to cycle again.

He has endured 12 surgeries and overcome cancer while accomplishing what most believe to be impossible for someone with his physical condition.

He described this tour, which he dubbed the Cross Cape Im'possible Dream Tour, as the most demanding of the series.

"Many people have had their livelihoods destroyed and are struggling to find a way out. I aim to conquer this attempt, not only for the 34 Reach for a Dream kids but also for everyone who faces massive challenges going into 2022, especially those who have lost hope. I want the story of my second chance at life and the mountains I have faced and overcome, to inspire and encourage others not to give up. I will face this Im'possible Dream Tour as I want people to dream again, to believe again," Lottering said before he set off to Stellenbosch on the gruelling challenge on 15 January.

Grant Lottering

By the time Lottering had reached Knysna, he had already started experiencing cramps due to high temperatures, but was motivated to pick up the pace during the cooler evenings.

While it was smoother sailing during the night, Lottering almost collided with an aardvark and was also forced to change his route when he found Meiringspoort closed due to flooding.

This meant that he could not take on the Swartberg Pass, one of his favourite stretches of the trip, as access to Prince Albert was also flooded.

Lottering took his first 20-minute nap nearly 36 hours into the journey and did so next to the road. The nap however stood him in good stead as he reached his goal 12 hours later on Monday 17 January.

Endurance cyclists Grant Lottering attempting to complete a more than 800km journey in 48 hours. Photo: Supplied

The Cape Cycle Routes took Lottering through the coastal Garden Route to the arid Klein Karoo, through the Overberg to finish in the Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch.

Reach for a Dream chief executive Julia Sotirianakos said they felt blessed to have Lottering ride for the organisation again this year. "His passion and commitment to fulfill 34 dreams for children fighting the biggest battle of their lives is inspiring. Lottering and our children have so much in common regarding values like tenacity, believing in dreams and being hopeful," she said.

Endurance cyclist Grant Lottering during the more than 800km journey that he completed in 48 hours.