Managed to get off at a decent time and didn't take any extra warm clothes because the temperature was in the mid fifties. No wind to speak of. I found more traffic than I would have thought at 5:30 on 34 but it was manageable. I found my way through Newnan fine but forgot to turn at Corinth road and accidentally kept going up and over the railroad bridge, because I was focusing on the cars around. I was already flirting around with my longest ride ever with no mistakes or route errors, and I began to think of ways to shortcut the route a bit. In the end I really didn't take any shortcuts after all, other than one that bypassed a little bit of highway in Lagrange by heading up a 4x4 cut in the right of way to the dead end. The country between Newnan and Lagrange was quiet, and I enjoyed the sound of the birds waking up as the sun rose. By the time I arrived in Lagrange, the day had well and truly started and I saw several people out walking(and cycling) through the quiet neighborhoods that I rode through. More quiet (paved) country roads through Troup county to West Point, where I had to ride highway 29 for a bit, but it wasn't that busy and had a decent shoulder. I cut through R Shaefer Heard park so I could ride Fuller road to bypass some of the highway, and even though it wasn't in the plan I decided to take the parallel trail instead of the road. Didn't last long but it was good to see it again, it's been awhile since i've ridden there. West Point was fully awake and I rode by a Saturday morning little league game, and stopped at the Dollar General by the river to stock up on supplies and fluids because the next stop was almost in Auburn. I crossed the river with another cyclist heavily laden with a huge backpack on the sidewalk beside me. Next I rode through quiet neighborhood streets through the rest of Georgia and on through the town of Lanett. It's definitely seen better days, even with the Kia plant and associated buisinesses that have brought jobs to the area. I guess most people would rather just build new than fix up an old mill house in a dense neighborhood. Plus it's Alabama. After the city limits going west through Chambers county the country starts abruptly, with pastures and forest dominating. The terrain was hilly and the west wind had started up a bit and I just took it easy. Eventually I reached a gravel road which I was glad of. I love riding in Chambers county, it's just excellent riding. The roads on this ride were in very well maintained condition, especially here. Lots of gravel but not too much, and few holes. I didn't really see any cars till I got on some pavement on the way into Waverly. I reminisced about the Standard Deluxe gravel race that I did in the rain in fall a few years ago. There were lots of well kept old houses in Waverly, too many to take pictures of and in any case I had made a firm agreement with myself on this ride that I would make an effort to keep my stopped time to a minimum because of the long route I had ahead of me. So this meant limited exploring. I continued on and eventually found some great gravel in Lee county as well. I was looking forward to a promised(google streetview) old steel truss bridge over Sougahatchee creek. Just before the bridge I rode the little path beside the creek that locals had beaten down when enjoying the swimming hole. I expected to find people there but I was totally alone. Despite it being a rather warm day(low eighties) and early afternoon. Finally rode across the bridge and it was of 2019 vintage, two very wide lanes with a concrete top. Next item of interest was getting cold fluids and some new more interesting food than what I was munching on. I was feeling pretty good and had kept my drinking up well and had plenty of water left but I was looking forward to a coke. I rode through the old town center of Loachapoka, and then used some gravel roads paralleling the highway on the other side of the railroad to get to the Dollar General. I stocked up well here and it was my largest store purchase of the day. I rolled away quickly as there was no place in the shade. Upon some reflection I ultimately decided to take my planned route to cut through a park via a back entrance of dubious legality. It was an unmarked gravel road with no signs, so a good start. I rolled right past a nice house, no worries. Then another couple, including a rather large house where the gravel I was on terminated. Thankfully no one was outside or I might've lost my nerve. But I knew there was a pretty good heatmap signature here, and I just kept going straight, into the woods, and I was basically in the park. There wasn't a gate or anything. It was like a back service entrance and thus had a right of way. Once I got there I found a nice wide gravel path and saw a couple people walking. Just then it occured to me that I hadn't really researched the park if cycling was allowed or not. So I decided not to dawdle(even though there were some nice covered benches and shade everywhere) and get it over with. I looked carefully at the ground each time i came upon a recently wet spot to see if I could spot any bike tracks, but i never saw any which worried me further. Utlimately I never did have to pass anyone even though I saw several groups, they were always off the path I was on. Success. I rolled into Auburn quickly and rode right through the campus around the enormous stadium and on through a street right through the middle which included a pedestrianized section. It was lovely. Lots of shade and everything in walking distance. There were only a few families walking around and a couple of college aged runners. The way out of town was pretty nice, with many miles of bike lanes, and in any case traffic wasn't bad anyway. The side street I took on the run into and through Opelika was busy. Which didn't make sense as there was a parallel highway RIGHT THERE one block north. Seriously people. In any case people were very courteous, almost too much so. I was trying to take it easy of course, but I find it hard when there's a car behind that won't go around me. I decided not to stop for a fast food fix and just continue on to stop in West Point as I felt great and had more than enough supplies. Opelika on to Valley and Lanett was pretty deserted as I rode through overbuilt and underused industrial park roads(these are almost always decent places to ride if ridden off rush hour times). Made it back across the river into Georgia with no issue, and made another store stop at the gas station at the south end of Kia parkway. I was feeling really good and actually decided to ride up a service road in between the road and I-85 that led to a cell tower. The recent tornado outbreak had completely toppled it over and lay in ruins all over the hill. There had been erected a really tiny temporary replacement. I finished off a snack here and took care of a bit of nature's business as well. Despite being so close to each highway, I was completely hidden by the pines and brush. I rolled away and through the remainder of Troup county in the cloudy evening. I was thankful for the respite from the sun and for the day to begin to cool off finally. I was not really hot at any point but I definitely prefer the temperature cooler than it was in the middle of the day. Going to have to get used to it though(summer is much worse). I made my final store stop by I-185 at a gas station. Left my Mr. Pibb on the ice machine outside where I had parked my bike, after only a few sips. I only realized this after I was a couple miles down the road. As I approached the railroad(CSX Lineville sub) at Big Springs the gates went down as I rolled up and I heard the whistle blow. So I stood and watched a very long train head south towards Manchester, mostly tank and box cars with a DPU in the middle. Upon review, I only stopped 4 minutes and 24 seconds, but it definitely felt longer. Right after crossing the tracks I turned onto a series of wonderful gravel roads that led to the forgotten railroad town of Stovall. There were a couple of abandoned brick buildings by the tracks, and a grand church that had several cars parked beside. I rode on through the edge of Greenville in the fading twilight. Passed a large gathering at a house that had dozens of people outside playing and chatting, music in the background, with cars parked beside the road for a hundred yards in each direction. Took Rocky Mount road north towards Coweta as the sun went down. Heard the whippoorwills crooning beside me in the forest as the light faded. Then it darkened completely and I finally had to turn on my light to see. I passed the gas station at Luthersville road which was still open(and still in business, both surprising), and decided I had enough supplies to make it to Sharpsburg at least. Rolled onto the gravel which was lumpy and in the state I was in, a little bit painful as I was beginning to chafe. I had dutifully applied chamois butter throughout the day but alas it was a long ride. So I stood on the pedals for a lot of this section. Reached Coweta at Nixon road and saw that it is in the process of being widened and paved where several houses are. Probably paving it to the Meriwether county line. So it was all full of holes from the heavy equipment and I was glad to get to the brand new pavement of Al Roberts road. As I rode on by Elder's Mill, I looked over and saw a gaggle of people gathered at the foot of the falls over the dam, lit by the headlights of a truck. Probably teenagers. I rode by the open gate and wondered if they had permission or were just sneakily enjoying a good time. The way through Turin and Sharpsburg was pretty deserted which i was happy about. I still felt good but was ready to be home. Lower Fayetteville wasn't too bad either. I got passed by two or three sets of cars but they all were very courteous. As were basically all cars on this ride. I have been having good luck with this lately, perhaps it's due to my dedication to keeping my Garmin radar burning at all times?(I have two that I switch out and charge one with a portable battery at all times) It's been the best piece of technology i've ever invested in for riding. Even 54 wasn't busy past 10pm at night, and I made it to the two path bridges without issue and rolled home finally. My new longest ride by .3 miles!