"Comedian's Bold Endeavor: Cycling Cross-Country on a BMX Bike Proves Challenging"
Hopping on two wheels and pushing boundaries:
That's what Sebastian Fowler, a 31-year-old comedian, decided to do in 2025. Instead of the typical cross-country journey, he embarked on an unconventional journey pedaling across America on a BMX bike. He began his adventure in San Diego, California, and aimed to reach New York City, NY. But Sebastian isn't in it for the ride or the fitness; he's doing it to make people laugh, all while raising funds for a meaningful cause.
"You might think I'm insane. But when I set my sights on riding from coast to coast, I figured it was about 3,000 miles. So, I rode my bike downtown from my house in Ocean Beach to downtown San Diego. That was about 10 miles. And I thought, if I do that 300 times, that's the whole trip. And that's the mentality I went into this with," Sebastian explains with a chuckle.
He set off on February 25th, 2025, wearing Vans Slip-On Damn Daniel Sk8 Pros, and began his eastward journey along Interstate 8. With 25 x 9 gearing on a 20-inch BMX bike loaded with 27 kilograms of gear, the journey was no walk in the park.
"No one's ever done this trip on a BMX bike. No one's ever gone coast to coast [on a BMX bike]. And there's a good reason for that-because it's a terrible idea and it's really hard," Sebastian says.
His friends didn't believe he'd make it, creating a betting pool of over $1,000 that he wouldn't last. But Sebastian was determined to prove them wrong.
On May 15th, Sebastian pedaled into New York City, after an 80-day, 3,333-mile journey. He may just have become the first person to cover the United States coast-to-coast on a BMX bike.
Finding the Laugh in Life
Sebastian is no stranger to pushing boundaries. He's been watching Joe Rogan for a long time, who always encourages comedians to hit the road and test their jokes in front of new audiences. So, Sebastian decided to do just that, riding his bike to perform on his favorite show, Kill Tony.
Kill Tony is a live comedy podcast and show that airs every Monday night at Joe Rogan's comedy club, The Comedy Mothership, in Austin, Texas. With over 200 amateur comedians signing up for a chance to perform one minute of comedy in front of a live audience and a celebrity panel, it wasn't easy for Sebastian to snag a spot.
Determined to make it to Austin, Sebastian began ramping up his daily distance, going from an average of 60 kilometers per day to 100 to 160 kilometers. On the night of March 30th, he was just 150 kilometers away from his goal when encountering a terrifying obstacle – a group of mountain lions.
"I pulled my knife out and just started screaming like a madman. It was a primal sense I didn't know existed, but I was terrified since I knew once my bike light and headlamp died, their eyes were a lot better than mine. So, I called the cops," Sebastian remembers.
Two squad cars escorted him to a secure location, a 7-Eleven convenience store five kilometers away. Tired, with no data on his phone, Sebastian slept behind a dumpster, just grateful to be safe.
The next day, Sebastian rode 110 kilometers and made it to Austin just in time to sign up for Kill Tony. To his surprise, he was selected to perform.
"It was probably one of the greatest days of my life. Not only did I get to perform comedy on my favorite show, the episode also aired on Netflix," Sebastian says, still in awe.
Pedaling Towards a Greater Purpose
While Sebastian's original motivation for the coast-to-coast trip was rooted in personal ambition, the journey quickly became about something greater – inspiring others. Before leaving San Diego, he created a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising enough money to purchase 100 Sunday BMX bikes for kids.
As Sebastian explains, "When I was 14, my Dad passed away, and without my BMX bike, there isn't a chance I would be the man I am today." He hopes that by providing kids with their own bikes, he can help them express themselves and find their own way, just as his bike helped him.
As of the latest updates, Sebastian successfully completed his cross-country ride. He's since performed in Phoenix, Tucson, Austin, and Nashville, with his final stop planned at New York City's The Stand. But his journey doesn't end with his destination; he continues to fundraise for the kids on his GoFundMe page, determined to make a difference in their lives.
"Never let anyone tell you that you can't do it. If you have an idea and give 110% to that idea – and believe in it with all your heart – then anything is possible. There's nothing you can't do," Sebastian says, encouraging others to chase after their own goals, too.
- Despite the challenging nature of his journey, Sebastian Fowler's coast-to-coast bike ride on a BMX bike serves not only as a personal accomplishment but also as a means to inspire others, especially children, as he aims to provide 100 Sunday BMX bikes for kids.
- Embracing his comedic spirit, Sebastian Fowler intends to use his success in pedaling across America on a BMX bike as a platform to entertain, devoting his upcoming performances in cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Austin, and Nashville to raising funds for the GoFundMe project thatwill eventually enable underprivileged children to own their own BMX bikes.
