Shawn’s love for cycling began in his childhood. “I used to dream of being a world-class cyclist,” he recalls. “I would read BMX Action, Mountain Bike Action, and Velo Cycling News. I’d cut out pictures of pros from those magazines and tape them on my bedroom walls. I read everything I could about what the pros were doing—both on and off the bike.” Shawn went a step further to immerse himself in the sport, recording races, watching them in slow motion, and studying pedal strokes, rider positions, and how athletes reacted in different situations. “I applied that same approach to help my son develop his skills,” he explains. 

Shawn Adamski’s cycling journey began in Michigan, where he started BMX racing at a young age. After an injury prematurely ended his college soccer career, he returned to his first love—cycling. He quickly became a competitive force on the NORBA Mountain Bike Circuit, and his pursuit of strength, speed, and endurance eventually led him to road racing in 1995, when he joined Antoons Bike Shop team in Michigan. 

Shawn's commitment to pushing his limits has driven him to compete in some of the toughest endurance events in the cycling world. He has participated in the National 24-Hour Road Race four times, with his best performance covering an impressive 375 miles in 24 hours solo. In addition to his road racing accomplishments, Shawn has competed in legendary endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Moab and 24 Hours of Snowshoe, West Virginia. His versatility as an athlete extends beyond road racing—he has participated in Downhill and Dual Slalom Mountain Bike races, Gravel Races, Xterra events, and even ran Off-Road Trail Marathons. 

While Shawn’s achievements on the bike are impressive, his true passion lies in inspiring and mentoring the next generation of cyclists. His dedication to his son, Kash Adamski, has been a driving force behind Kash’s success. Under Shawn’s guidance, Kash has won four USA National Track Cycling Championships and set two USA National Pursuit Records. Kash now races for the Hot Tubes Development / INEOS Grenadiers U18 team. When asked about his greatest joy in competitive cycling, Shawn says, “Watching younger racers develop the skills to drop the hammer on the competition.” Shawn is also deeply involved in mentoring U23 riders at the Cleveland Cycling Academy, where he shares his knowledge and passion with the next wave of emerging cyclists. 

Shawn’s mentorship goes beyond offering advice. “I had great mentors who did the same for me,” Shawn says. “One mentor made me do sitting and standing efforts for hours. At the time, I didn’t understand it, and I wasn’t a fan. But I quickly realized that the things you dislike the most will make you mentally stronger and faster.” 

For Shawn, cycling is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. “Cycling is a true test of perseverance and mental capacity,” he says. “It demands grit, mental discipline, and the relentless pursuit of growth.” He’s honored to serve as the Talent Scout for the Cleveland Cycling Academy. He is also one of the U23 Mentors. He’s also racing on the CCA Master’s Team, where he continues to help shape the future of cycling.