A Chatham native has accomplished a major ultracycling feat by being the third Canadian to finish the grueling Race Across America (RAAM) event, finishing in fifth in the solo category.
Shawn VanGassen, 51, cycled from California to New Jersey this month to raise money for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease that causes abnormal muscle cells to grow in the lungs and other parts of the body.
The race is billed as "the world's toughest bicycle race" and for good reason. It spans roughly 5,000 kilometres, has combined elevation changes of over 5,000 metres, and crosses 13 states.
VanGassen told CK News Today the race was tough, especially through Colorado with all of the mountains. He said he has saddle sores, knee pain, and other various aches and pains and hopes to feel back to normal in a couple of weeks.
He is a former UCC student and currently lives in San Diego, but is still very proud of his Chatham roots.
"This is what built me, this is where I was made, this is what got me started, and what got me to this event," said VanGassen.
VanGassen said he slept no more than three hours a day during the trek and rode an average of nearly 500 kilometres a day.
"Every single year more people climb Everest than finish Race Across America," he said.
He said he couldn't have done any of this without his wonderful team taking such good care of him.
"I could not get my body out of bed the next day. It was the biggest struggle once the switch turned off," VanGassen said.
VanGassen noted he raised $10,000 for LAM during RAAM and hopes to race twice more before the end of the year to raise a total of $50,000.
He hopes to get a Canadian sponsor to help the LAM cause.
VanGassen said he will probably participate in the Race Across America again in 2027.