‍I left early enough that the entirety of Atlanta was in the dark and this allowed me to sail through almost every intersection. Dawn broke as I was heading across the Chattahoochee on Johnson Ferry road. Saw what I think was a fox cross the road. There wasn't too much traffic just before 6 and I felt pretty safe despite the 6 lanes. The road by the river with a bike lane was totally deserted and went fast. I ended up just taking the main highway after that to downtown Roswell which included a little climb and also was 6 lanes but this wasn't a problem either. After downtown Roswell went by and I rode further north the roads lost their extra width and were busier as the sun came up. I was on some really good back roads mostly but had to connect with other busier roads. Even did a couple gravel roads. The whole countryside through here was basically a duplicate of Buckhead but even more spread out. Around mile 70 I did my last couple of Atlanta sprawl roads and passed some gas stations and by this point I figure I was out of the metro and was in rural north Georgia finally. From here I was on gravel and paved roads that were very hilly and curvy and I had a lot of fun. Pretty deserted as well. I dipped briefly in the Chattahoochee national forest and did a couple of fun gravel roads near Nimblewill baptist church and Bull mountain. Soon after I emerged and was coming close to my first stop, I encountered a private gate on a road I had planned to take. I was still feeling good so I also explored a side dead end and then bypassed the gate easily on parallel roads. Because I was curious I went down the other end to see where it was gated as well. Soon after this I stopped at a dollar general just north of Dahlonega. I loaded up here because my next stop was in 60 miles in Clayton. Next to the store was a Unitarian church and as I rode by there was a procession of little girls dressed in white dresses walking on a path towards their parents. May picture day I suppose. After this was a succession of back roads that were much busier than I expected, all the way through Cleveland and until pretty much when I crossed the Chattahoochee river again and I was again back on deserted roads. Cars were courteous in general and I had a really gusty tailwind. But I was glad for it to be over once I was in Habersham county. I was feeling pretty good and did a couple longer climbs the last of which, Low Gap, was paved and quite long from what I'm used to, did sap my energy a bit and I after this I rode beside Seed lake on a mostly flat road pretty slowly although I had a strong head crosswind Next was a series of busier that I would have expected roads leading to Tiger and Clayton. Last day of school plus holiday weekend plus the start of the tourist season. Plus a lovely day. I was in need of mostly fluids by the time I got to Clayton so I grabbed a couple sodas and a Powerade from a gas station and headed off on Warwoman road. The traffic died once I got out of town quickly and I felt like I was in familiar territory. I felt pretty good although the extra efforts I had put in on all those little busy connectors both early and in the middle of the ride added up. But the caffeine from the soda picked me up and I rode up 28 slowly but easily. The Clear Creek climb was also slow and steep but no problem at all. I should mention that early on the climb up 28 there was a guy in an SUV who was concerned for my safety on that road and told me to be careful. I thanked him and he rode away. Only I went by him a bit later at a pull off and he subsequently rode up to me to say he was concerned and that he was going to follow me up through the next bits. I politely told him thanks but I was fine and thankfully he did leave me alone after this. Very strange. I decided to add a bit and divert off the main roads to go through Highlands on back streets. The descent down the highway was pretty deserted right at sunset and was beautiful and thrilling as always. Other than one of my rear wheel bearings making noise as it dies slowly and my tire or wheel being a bit out of round, mechanically everything was good. As for me I felt good the whole ride. 👏 144.38 new miles Completed 25% of Rabun County 🏘 Completed 25% of Harland Terrace 🏘 Completed 25% of Ivan Hill 🏘 Completed 25% of West Manor -- From Wandrer