TTT; I can probably match you mile for mile, and then some; - time-trials, road-races (massed-starts as they were once called) and Audax's up to 300km per day, an 'Audax Altitude Award', and long-distance touring in several countries, but you are the first cyclist I have met who appears to think cycling alongside motor-traffic is safe, just as long as you have the "road craft".
Two days ago (on my best bike, an immaculate fully campag. equipped Francesco Moser) riding at 16mph on a wide, empty country road without an adjacent cycle lane I was overtaken by a stupid motor-cyclist doing around 90mph shaving passed me by no more than 12". had I not kept on a straight line, he, his passenger, and I, might all be dead and no amount of "road craft" on my part could have saved us.
Now, where did I put my steady-wheels?