Blog 186 Starkville to Jasper

12th April

After Columbus I’m on the 82 briefly before continuing on the much quieter 50 which after crossing Alabama's State Line reverts to the 96. It's only numbers but some are unexpectedly 4 land highways with central reservations generously wide enough not to encounter head-ons. Sometimes it's two lane and with no hard shoulder, the worst configuration of conditions for a cyclist. No spare space. Lush, expansive realty with land that slopes down to the road but this road which crosses a swamp with trees submerged to their branches in slow moving water a strong westerly wind pushes me along, hot and sunny, grass in a psychedelic green. Sweet Home Alabama. 

By Millport I grabbed some milk and a honey bun. People are friendlier as soon as they step out of their car MORE(to be discussed)

Nice thick breeze pushes me ever closer to New York. Every few minutes log lorries pass by and it's instructive to note that by slipping down the highway system to a back road like the 96 it is still an important route for local transport and the traffic becomes more personable and kinder. 

The wood mills on the river bank require constant movement of freshly cut down timber the length of a full trailer and not a single driver failed to give me the maximum space. Lower value properties as I get closer to the town. Sliding scale from pristine homes to families who have lost it completely.

The end of the 124 at a junction bordered by a parking area and Tim shed full of cars. Cars are greedy for attention or it could be the driver. I'm gone. Always at the end of the day I am fine then suddenly my emotional resources drain. It's instant. I am fast asleep in three minutes.

Map of the Day