The Wahoo Element Roam 3 head unit is operational again. Now I have maps and directions off the phone, and the phone off the handlebar. Wilmington, NC.

I still have to tweak it because it’s not talking to me, nor giving me upcoming cues, but I can still follow the arrow along the dashed line — 90% effective is 100% better than what I dealt with the first four days. Wilmington, NC.

The one thing every cyclist hates to see is a ghost bike, the spot marks and commemorates a fatality involving a bike on the road. Wilmington, NC.

If you need a couple of pounds of gator and crawfish (read the signs) for your éttouffée the Atlantic Seafood company in Hampstead, NC is the place for you.

I didn’t realize it was Cinco de Mayo until I saw it was el cinco de mayo. Mexican lunch at Los Primos Restaurant in Hampstead, NC was de rigueur. 

Cinco de Mayo lunch at Lois Primos. Hampstead, MC.

A turn eastward toward the beach brought me to the Surf City Bridge over Topsail Sound. Surf City, NC.

Very laid back beachside pedaling on lightly traveled roads on a mid-spring beach Tuesday. Surf City, NC.

Surf City Beach, the first Carolina beach I see this week that wasn’t socked-in by clouds and rain.

Almost went in for a dip. The bike deferred. Surf City Beach, NC.

Quite a surprise finding this thriving produce stand at the beach. Andrew’s Produce 50 years of farming in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. All produce from their farms. Topsail Beach, NC.

But this is the sign that hooked me… what better on a 75 degree beach day?

8-ounces of homemade peach ice cream made with Andrews Produce own peaches. Burned it all off in 30 minutes. Topsail Beach, NC

North Topsail bridge over Goose Bay on the westward turn away from the beach toward Sneads Ferry, NC.

The apex at Topsail Bridge with the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon line. North Topsail Beach, NC.

47.16 miles later, at tonight’s destination in Sneads Ferry, NC.

Bike has the prime air conditioning spot for the evening. Sneads Ferry, NC.

Hokkaido Ramen and Sushi Bar for dinner.  Opposite ends of the earth for meals today. Sneads Ferry, NC.

Chicken Katsu Don for dinner… a big-ass plate o’ food. Sneads Ferry, NC.

Day 5

Start: Wilmington, NC
Finish: Sneads Ferry, NC
Miles: 47.16

What I’m Reading:

You can rebuild a building. But if attacks on universities become a normal thing, then they can happen in any future stupid war. And this idea is much more destructive than attacking a single building…

— Ali Gorji / ‘”Heartbreaking’: Iranian scientists on losing labs, libraries and liberty” / Nature