Most people wouldn’t dream of riding a bike 3,000 miles across the country. Fewer still would attempt it with over 175,000 feet of climbing. And almost no one would do it without legs. 

But André Kajlich isn’t most people.

In 2017, André made history as the first—and still only—solo handcyclist to complete the legendary Race Across America (RAAM). Over 12 relentless days, he handcycled his way from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, proving not only his endurance, but the power of determination, grit, and community. 

A Life Forever Changed 

André’s journey into endurance sports was forged through trauma and transformation. In 2003, while studying abroad in Prague, he was struck by a subway train after a night out with friends. How he ended up on the tracks remains a mystery—even to him. 

The impact cost him both legs: one amputated above the knee, the other at the hip. 

“When I woke up from the coma and realized I’d lost my legs, I knew my life would never be the same,” he says. “But I also knew I couldn’t let it stop me.” 

He faced this new reality head-on—eventually discovering endurance sports as both a healing path and a proving ground. With the support of CAF, André began rebuilding his body and mind, one revolution at a time. 

A Champion Beyond the Finish Line 

Since then, André has become one of the most accomplished adaptive endurance athletes in the world. He has: 

• Represented Team USA as a Para Triathlete 

• Been named USA’s Para Triathlete of the Year 

• Won the IRONMAN 70.3 and Kona IRONMAN World Championships 

• Completed four Ultraman Triathlons, the only wheelchair athlete to do so 

• Became the first wheelchair athlete to finish Ultraman Canada, Hawaii, and Australia 

• Finished the infamous Brazil135 Ultramarathon 

• And in 2017, became the first solo handcyclist to complete RAAM, covering 3,100 miles in just 12 days 

He recently took on the “Lowest to Highest” challenge—an epic bike and climb from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney—alongside fellow CAF athletes Lucas Onan and Mohamed Lahna. He also competed in the rugged Smoke & Fire 400, a self-supported bikepacking race through the mountains of Idaho. 

What It Took to Finish RAAM 

Training for RAAM was its own epic undertaking. André spent months logging 200–300-mile weekend rides while balancing his full-time work at the University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. The race itself required meticulous planning, especially when it came to sleep, nutrition, and recovery.

His plan? 90 minutes of sleep per night, with quick 30-minute naps when needed. He consumed over 10,000 calories per day, relying on a mix of rice cakes, fruit, peanut butter, and liquid fuel. And then there was the espresso—his not-so-secret weapon.

“I was so excited when La Marzocco gave us a machine for the RV,” he laughs. “A fantastic espresso in the middle of a race feels like a mini vacation—and that could make all the difference.”

André handcycled across the Sierra, Rocky, and Appalachian Mountain ranges, accompanied by a dedicated crew who kept him safe, motivated, and moving forward.

Powered by the CAF Community 

André is a longtime friend of CAF, having participated in the Million Dollar Challenge, Back-to-Back NorCal Cycling Challenge, and countless other events. The CAF community has stood beside him—helping with grants, gear, and camaraderie every step of the way. 

“CAF is where it all started for me,” André says. “They gave me the push, the gear, and the belief I needed when I had none of it. I’ve gained role models, mentors, and fellow wheelies who’ve shared their knowledge and strength with me. None of this would’ve happened without the foundation and its supporters.” 

Keep Moving Forward 

Today, André continues to seek out the edge of what’s possible—not just for himself, but for everyone who lives with a physical challenge. His mantra? “Challenge accepted.” 

“Life isn’t always a willing experience,” he says. “You just have to keep moving forward.”