Avery Seuter, 20, is on a mission to raise money and awareness for the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile bike and pedestrian path that connects Maine and Florida. He began riding his unicycle along the path in September—leaving from his home in Wells, Maine—and spoke to Upfront from Florida in January, when he had just a few weeks remaining on the journey.
Q: What’s a typical day like on this voyage?
A: I usually ride 20 or 30 miles each day, which can take maybe six hours. If there’s a museum or something interesting along the way, I’ll check it out; I love seeing all the different cities. And at night, I often stay with friends and family, or sometimes I’ll camp.
Q: Have people been welcoming?
A: Yes, when people see the unicycle, they want to know what I’m doing. It’s a good way to make connections.
Q: What’s a memorable moment from your trip?
A: While I was camping during a storm, a stray cat came into my tent. A park ranger later took her to an adoption clinic. A lot of people have given me a place to stay, so it was nice to give the cat somewhere to stay.
Q: What have you learned from this experience?
A: With a bike infrastructure, you get more than just super athletic people using it. I’ve met a lot of people who are outside of my purview normally. You’re going to learn more if you talk to people who don’t have the same experiences as you.
(This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.)