Day 4 - June 24 - Magee MS to Newton MS - Expecting thunderstorms that did not materialize

Distance - 70.9 miles (115kms)

Elevation gain - 3166 feet (965 meters) 

Calories burned - 4394 

Average moving speed: 13.5mph (22 kms per hour)  in 5hrs 14minutes of riding

Svitz Index 6.5/10

Weather: 72degF (22C) at 9am with 80% humidity; High temperature was 85F (30C) and the expected thunderstorms around 2pm never happened, though it rained a bit.  After the rain, the humidity dropped, the sun came out, and the temperature rose again.

My original plan to head in a NE direction straight to Newton needed a rethink when I saw multiple forecasts predicting big thunderstorms with heavy rain forecast for the area around 12-2pm.  I decided to instead head east through a few small towns where I could shelter.  In the end, I made it to Bay Springs before the rain and waited it out while enjoying an enormous vanilla milkshake which came in at 1000 calories (and also two orders of fries and a huge Coke). 

While the first 10 miles were on the back county roads of very uneven surfaces and poor patch jobs, I decided to go to the main highways in the interests of time and get to safety before the thunderstorm.  Regardless of which route I took to Newton, it was going to be an up and down day as evidenced by the elevation profile. 

I had 4 encounters with angry aggressive dogs on the backroads, with the score ending dogs 2 to johno 2.

Both dogs that caught up to me snapped away at my ankles but the most surprising development was my conversation with the owner of the last most aggressive dog.  He was leaving his driveway as his dog was attacking me.  As I rode by I asked "is that your dog?'  "yes, sir".   "It's trying to bite my leg'" "oh, sorry about that"  Huh?  No attempt to call the dog off.   It did remind me though of the great scene in one of the Pink Panther movies where Inspector Clouseau is checking into  hotel with a large dog in the lobby.  He asks the innkeeper "does your dog bite?"  "no" is the answer.  At that point, the dog attacks Clouseau, who then says to the innkeeper "You said that your dog does not bite"  "That's not my dog".

As well as the many small Baptist churches often at the top of hills, there are a lot of religious signs.  Two of my favorites 

This seems like a specialized church with potentially a small congregation as this is not exactly 'cowboy country'.

                                

Only a binary choice?  Is there not something in the middle - maybe

like purgatory?

The four small towns that I pass through were not busy as the centers are empty and all have the usual Dollar General on the edge,   Predictably they try to distinguish themselves with Mize promoting its watermelons and the upcoming festival - a huge mound of watermelons at the town's intersection was evidence of its ambition.

The center of Taylorsville has a closed old movie theater; it's better days were a long time ago.

    

                              

The main roads were not terribly bsy but with no shoulders, the large log-hauling trucks, often in convoys of 3 or 4, were intimidating especially with big wind drafts as they passed me.  Almost all drivers went into the opposite lane to pass and a few gave a hooted greeting as I headed north.  Interestingly there were not dogs on the main roads - either they have all been killed or the owners keep them confined.  I'll continue to face the tought choice - back roads with bad surfaces and nasty dogs or main roads with lots of traffic and good surfaces

A new road with a bit of a shoulder before they put in the deep rumble strips which make bike riding there impossible.  The photo also shows the general up and down nature of today's ride.