Yeah, I agree with Holly, I've enjoyed your posts Commander.
I also agree with the helmet advice. I've had several significant impacts over the years that resulted in concussion or smashed helmets. I didn't see them coming. What if I didn't have a helmet on. One was while loading an ATV onto the truck, wheel came off the ramp, PUCK! Hard helmet hit into the pavement from 3 feet. Another I hit a cable across a path. That one actually bruised my scalp and knocked me out. Speed was only about 15-20mph. I did a faceplant into sand one time hard enough to fill my mouth and nose and goggles with sand, WITH a full face MX helmet. A friend of mine says it best: "Got a $15 head? Buy a $15 helmet!"
I think my rural Nova Scotian drivers are better than most urban drivers.
Road rage? Around here when they give you the finger it means: "you go first".
Bright colours are better than noise or flames I think. Ah, mirrors, good!
And yup, bicycles are seen in much the same light as a pothole.
As for cops and expectation, I ride this bike on the street:
The orange one, and that is me beside it.
It is the smallest displacement bike in the pack and never the slowest.
I often get pulled over by the cops because it looks and sounds like an MX bike.
They always seemed stunned when I pull off the helmet and they see grey hair.
I'm usually older than the cop these days and they were expecting a teenager.
Sucks to be a teen, I still remember.
Hey, did you know "Roach" comes from the french "Roche" which means "The Rock"
It means steady and solid. A great name to live up to.
Steve