Yeah, now I mainly just use side roads, and during daylight hours. Weird things happen at night.
Exactly, I ride about 1000 miles a year. Usually in short 5-10 mile rides. I actually will ride on sidewalks, avoiding even the bike lane. Whenever I choose a road, it is with little traffic. I use grade school walking rules. I often ride at incoming traffic, and duck off or cross back over. I am VERY cognizant that drivers hate me. I hate me too, if I were a driver. Those who bike are mostly A-holes. Thinking they own the road, at 10mph on back roads. The few who “highball” it training for the STP...Seattle to Portland ride, are highly cognizant of being safe. The mass number of riders though, are entitled ...well... you know.