The route I picked to go east on this ride was not so busy as to require a super early start, so I left around 4:30AM and headed directly to Lovejoy on backroads that are fairly busy during normal hours. Made it through this bit early and Mount Carmel road which I had figured would be busy but it was actually fine. I stopped early at a QT for a snack and a soda because my first proper DG stop was at mile 90 and even though this day was pretty cool for June, I wanted to be sure I wouldn't run out of water. I wound my way south through the industrial parks near the interstate and this was pleasantly free of any traffic. Found a beaten up but still useable pair of needle nose pliers which I took with me. The remaining miles to the first DG of south Henry subdivisions were uneventful and pretty easy and fun. The weather was really nice and thick clouds mostly blocked the sun and kept the temperature down. Wind was strong from the southeast all morning. Interestingly the humidity was actually pretty low considering it's the first day of June. Just a perfect day for doing a long ride. The bits after the first Dollar General were near Lake Jackson and there were several asshole drivers here. The road was a narrow two lane road but not a highway and on paper looked to be an okay road to ride. And traffic wasn't really all that heavy. Not so little to be able to relax but nothing like some busy roads i've ridden on. I was passed by a giant motorbus pretty close, followed by like 6 cars in a row when I first turned onto Halls Bridge road. Not too far after I was passed by a small box truck very close, like inches, even though there was no oncoming traffic to justify it. I was really shook up after this. He wasn't going very fast(not more than 45) but this would have at the least sent me to the hospital if his huge mirror had struck my shoulder or helmet. I actually think that maybe I was riding low enought that the mirror went clear over my head. Have not had such a close pass in years. Definitely had my radar on and burning the light. And it was obvious he saw me because he did move very slightly to the left and then back over after passing. So it's not like he didn't see me. Just an asshole. As if this weren't enough soon after this I was riding along and a long train of oncoming cars approaches, and one SUV pulls out and begins to pass several vehicles. I waited a bit to see what this person was going to do and then of course had to get off into the grass to get out of the way. There was an oncoming car he was passing into as well. Just crazy. A reminder to pay attention to even oncoming cars. Thankfully the shoulder wasn't a huge dropoff there or I might have been in real trouble. As it was it was easy to avoid but I was REAL pissed at this point and I was screaming into the countryside various obscenities about the stupid uneducated redneck assholes in Butts county. This out of my system after a few minutes I just soldiered on because what else can you do. The remaining miles till I turned off that road were fine but I was extra careful. I was mostly on Stark road heading into Jackson which on paper should have been a much worse road to ride on but it was perfectly fine. I was really glad to get to Jackson and get off it though. I rode a little bypass development road west of Jackson that had been roped off from vehicles, and took a short nature break here. Then I was on glorious gravel for a bit and I was so thrilled. But this didn't last long as I had to ride a bit of highway in to Jenkinsburg. Made another store stop and then headed down another non highway narrow road that might as well have been a highway. It's interesting finding these rural roads that you just can't predict based on looking at the map that they're going to be a major cut through. No issues here although I was ready to get off onto quieter roads. And the wind was still howling from the southeast. I was looking forward to a nice tailwind once I turned around. I trended southwest and crossed the interstate again. Was on some nice gravel roads and some old country subdivisions in Lamar county. Had to get off the bike for a pit bull on the return trip. He wasn't super aggressive but got a bit close to my leg so I played it safe and didn't have any trouble getting away. Haven't had to get off for a dog in awhile. After I rolled into Spalding county I really was truly in rural territory and I saw very few cars from here on out. Lots of gravel once I got to Pike county and I stopped for the last time at the DG on McKinley road at US19. I didn't really eat properly the last 30-50 miles and so I faded a bit. I ate but was doing the thing where I was lazy about it and just didn't take in enough. When I would think about it I would stuff my mouth and my stomach would be full for a bit and I would forget for awhile, cycle repeat. Kept on top of drinking although I got way too much powerade-gatorade this ride. It being early June despite the slow and long ride this was turning into I beat the sunset by several minutes which was very nice. I didn't have any problems with golf carts on the ride in on the paths, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Probably because it was a bit late.