I did two solo tours when I was younger and had no trouble at all. In my thirties I did a couple of solo motorcycle tours. I didn't just pitch a tent wherever, though. I camped in "official" campgrounds, state parks for the most part - there was just once when I wound up in a stranger's living room on a rainy night, and I honestly don't even remember how I got hooked up with them, most likely asking around the fire station as you mention, but it was totally fine. Some friends of mine in Florida are Warm Showers hosts. They've talked about some of the people they've met that way, how interesting it's been for them, and never mentioned hosting anyone who'd had a bad experience elsewhere.

My first solo tour I count as one of the best experiences of my life. It's self-sufficiency and meditation time like no other. I really had no clue what I was doing, so you'll be way ahead of me. Bought my first helmet a week into that trip, after meeting some other cycle tourists who were wearing them.