I ride the back roads the farmers travel and I have really enjoyed it. They have been pretty courteous for the most part but on one occasion I had to get off the road for a combine that wanted to be a road hog.

Arkansas is notorious for having bad roads and roads with little to no shoulders, so I don't cycle on major highways very often. The few times I have I rode with an experienced rider and it was pretty exciting. It also boosted my confidence.

I think the more often you do it, the more confident you'll become. Just keep a cell phone with you, personal protection, Road ID, money, nutrition and spare tubes and you should be good to go.