He’s battled breakdowns, wintry weather already and a few other technical difficulties, but Kenneth Moore is undeterred.
Moore passed through Iola Monday on his cross-country trek from Maryland to New Mexico, where he is headed to visit his ailing brother.
All of his belongings were strapped to a small trailer he’s towing on his bicycle.
Without a vehicle, Moore eschewed seeking a flight “because of COVID.”
And his companion, an 8-year-old pit bull mix named Raven, is prohibited from riding buses, so Moore decided to make his trip a different kind of journey.
He set out from Maryland on July 11, with Raven in tow.
“Raven’s my wonder dog,’’ he joked. As in, “I wonder why I didn’t get a cat.”
The technical difficulties slowed his pace considerably. His original trike and trailer unit began falling apart in eastern Ohio, Moore explained.
A resident there helped him do some quick repairs.
By the time Moore reached western Ohio, however, it was the trike’s turn to break down.
Moore was gifted a baby stroller large enough to hold all of his belongings.
He used that unit until a friendly encounter led somebody to donate $500, enough for Moore to buy a new Roadmaster bike, tent and other essentials.
He travels until he tires, then either finds a roadside park to pitch his tent, or if somebody is so inclined to donate, he’ll hole up in a hotel.
“Most everybody I’ve met has been very friendly,” Moore said, including a Buddhist monk he met in Pennsylvania that first blessed his trip, then decided to donate $100 for his effort.
“Couldn’t believe it,” he laughed, before adding, “that’s been my favorite part. Meeting the people.”
