I'm your neighbor also. I have never experienced any of this. I tend to ride in rural Missouri, and rural Illinois. I've never had anything thrown at me. Last summer I rode over the Big Dam Bridge and through Little Rock a bit. I also did a few "touristy" things there. I have to say that Little Rock is absolutely the friendliest city I have ever been in! I'm not kidding. Everywhere I went it was the same friendly, helpful attitude. Part of what made me go back for the Tour de Pumpkin in Russellville, AR. Same thing. I enjoyed the heck out of my trips down there.