Ian encounters technical difficulties in Lexington, KY, gets help from some local Good Samaritans, gets some help from a manufacturer, admits that seeing America at eight miles an hour doesn't always inspire him, notes that he's done 787 miles so far, makes some hard choices about soap, and finally sees some horizon.
Hard slogging for Ian this week, as he has battled rain and hills.
First, he learns a lesson from chocolate.
Then, he passes through Damascus, and enters North Carolina. After a hard slog up Clinch Mountain, his knee acts up and the weather sets in. But Ian persists, and passes into Kentucky, where he plans his next jump.
Ian has made it to Wytheville, VA.
Catch up on week four of his journey here.
And, you can check his map position now on his handy Google map here.
Ian visits the mythical Cookie Lady, who is something of a legend in the cycling community, enroute to the climbing of Raven's Roost. He's now on the downhill side of the Blue Ridge mountains, and waxes philosophical on the road to Foamhenge.
Ian has survived Charlottesville, gotten taunted by old men, and eaten cherries from a roadside stand. Life is good. The Appalachians lie ahead.
Ian Wood has reached Charlottesville, VA; despite troubles with navigation:
Then, Charlottesville did its damndest to try and kill me. The GPS crapped out this morning just outside of Palmyra, so I navigated via map and sextant, but this switchback-ridden city was laid out by drunkards.
Ian deals with the heat.
Ian's office and his struggles with solar panels.
Ian's adventure continues. He's in Virginia, making steady progress along Route 5.
Ian Wood has launched.
UPDATE: More here. The adventure has begun!
Ian is stuck in traffic, but is approaching the starting point . . .
Is today launch day for Ian Wood? We'll see . . .
Ian Wood is getting closer to launch on his expedition . . .
The tricycle ride across America comes one step closer to reality. Huzzah.