Day 49: Alexandria to Natchez Mississippi

Today's ride was 76 miles long. We started early just before 8 AM in order to beat the heat. The most scenic part of the ride was the early part where my route took me on a bike path (to Dennis'es chagrin) and through old neighborhoods with red brick roads...

Despite the early start it was sweltering hot and I was drenched in sweat pretty much most of the ride. I drank about a liter of water every hour but even so was a bit dehydrated when the ride was over.

Here's me taking a photo (camera is mounted on bike) of the black river...pretty comical..

It was great riding over the Mississippi River and pulling into Natchez. However, the most exciting part of the ride was outrunning a German Shepherd that seemed intent on ending the HAA journey.

. Here's a short video of the chase...This was the worst one yet...How people can leave a dangerous dog like this loose is beyond me..

It was a frightening experience. My power meters shows I ramped to over 1,000 watts but it wasn't until I got to 25 MPH that he stopped gaining on me. Dennis did his best to scare him off honking the horn but that seemed to do little to dissuade him...

Once that was over it was pretty much easy cruising to Mississipi...

Crossing the Mississipi river 

Entering Natchez

Got to have the photo by the billboard...