I'm a tall, somewhat muscular and athletic white male. This lends a degree safety from so many situations on the road. First, and most important, it is extremely unlikely anyone would want to attack me. I don't need to worry about sexual predators either. I get to ride around in a state of veritable bliss. It makes me feel guilty, though.

Even in very rough urban areas, people look at me with astonished bewilderment, as though I were some strange novelty. Out in the country, the bulk of any tour, nobody bears me any animus because of my race. I do worry about being percevied as a progressive in certain areas, areas where there's lost of guns and very little critical thinking, but being clean-shaven and white tends to draw respect more than hatred.

If, for some reason, any altercation were to happen, I have a reasonable expectation the cops will believe me. I pretty much get to go where I want, only worrying about cars, in terms of safety.

I write about this because of the post earlier today, where a woman was accosted and driven off her tour. It's not just women, however. I have black friends from the gym who want to give touring a try, but are literally scared about the country in rural Michigan: areas where Trump supporters and militias are. One of them is a professional boxer (just turned), the other is 250 pounds. All muscle. Since I mostly only see white males solo touring, my guess is I benefit in even more ways than I realize. I was wondering if any others have similar outlooks or anecdotes?