How to get comfortable riding with car traffic (Page 2)

I agree that the key is finding roads that you'll be safe on.  For me those are ones that aren't too busy but do get some traffic, and don't have a lot of places to turn off.  Also, not riding on main roads during rush hour.

I've found that little-traveled roads with lots of houses off them are the worst- the people driving on them aren't used to watching for anyone, much less bikes, and there can be lots of danger from people backing out of driveways and opening doors.

So- a road that's busy enough that drivers pay attention but not so busy that they might turn in front of you.  Easy to find, right?

We've quit riding on roads.  It's mostly because I ride with my kids alot now and I don't want them out there, but I have found I enjoy it more as well.  It requires us to haul the bikes to a dedicated trail, so it ads some time....but it is what it is.  We're lucky enough to have hundreds of miles of trails within 40 minutes of driving.  I realize that's not the case for everyone.  If that's your situation......time and experience is your only hope.  There has been some good advice for you on this thread.

If you think you're going to be riding the same route a lot it's a good idea to take a slow lap to check for any potholes, sewer covers, etc and learn where any pinch points are around turns or where the shoulder gets really thin (bridges, underpasses, etc), that way when you do have traffic going by you, you at least know what to expect from the road for the most part and can even slow down at certain points if it freaks you out.

I ride on rural roads and wear a mirror on my sunglasses.  I keep tabs on cars coming behind me and will watch them to determine if their reaction to me on the road.  I take some precautions to keep myself safe. I don't ride near the white line.  Cars will try to pass you if they think they can squeeze between you and an approaching car in the other lane. 

Never take for granted that the driver behind you is taking your safety as a priority.  I had cars pass me while I had my arm out showing I was turning.  The mirror glasses have saved my life more than once.

I also try to stay off of roads with speeds over 55 MPH.

Ride smart and safe.

Try to be as clear and predictable as possible in your manoeuvers and always stop / go wide when in doubt.

Hook up where/if possible with little groups of other riders for a chat and a draft.

Not much else you can do. If everybody starts riding on trainers to mitigate risks, the situation for road bikers where you live will never improve. 

Here in bicycle-crazy Belgium it's actually mostly the drivers complaining about being bullied by cyclists (riding on roads iso bike lanes, big groups hard to pass, ...). Funny how that works. The other week I saw on the news someone was driving on a bike & local traffic only path along a canal and ended up getting punched and thrown in the water by a group of cyclists. Turns out he was legally driving to his remote home, poor guy. During the interview on the road where the incident happened, as if on cue, some bikers rode by and shouted profanities for partially blocking the road

You've got it, Island Lake.  I am close to Hines Drive but for one thing, some of the younger kids "cruise" that stretch and drive like a-holes.  Secondly, there are so many lights.  Doesn't all that stop and go kill a ride?  It seems like if you're potentially waiting at reds ever mile that's not very good training, right?  That was another question related to my OP, for those of you who do ride with traffic, aren't you stopping much more frequently?  In my mind when I go out for a ride, there's no stopping unless I have an emergency.  Slowing for turns maybe, but no stopping......?