Well if high school football is all the rage get a custom jersey witht he local high school teams mascot and name printed. At least they will see right away you are a local and might think twice before tossing something at ya. Here is Sunnyvale CA I ride on a road with about 1000 other people. If anyhting like that took place there would be a riot for sure.

Gun in small of back holster.

Tell them that you just saw a deer running the other direction. Maybe they'll turn around ...

Since moving is out-of-the-question, then I would consider:

Get a cell phone that takes photos, and become proficient at taking pictures and sending them to a specified email address really quickly. Later on, you can send the pictures to the police, start a website that posts the offenders all to see, etc.

I also like the idea of dressing like you had a DUI. Bike shorts under some baggys, jacket, etc. Easier to do in the cooler months, but it is worth a shot.

I also think this is why so many people only mountain bike in such areas. But they also have to avoid the woods during hunting season...

I appreciate all the suggestions, keep them coming. As for being a cycling ambassador and trying to get people in the local community, I'm defintely trying to do that. While I do posess a pistol of my own, I really don't want to have to carry in the small of my back while I'm on the road bike. I do carry a cell phone, I have called the cops before, I should become proficient at taking pictures and sending them out while on the bike. Lately I've just been riding the mountain bike from home with "baggies" and on the stretches of roads I frequent to get to the trails I haen't been bothered. So I've got the flag, POW/MIA, Pen State and Blaze orange jerseys to choose from. When off the bike I'm usually quite adept at blending in with the locals when I want to. My wife and I also are small busineess owners in the community, so I don't really want to make enemies if I can help it.

A little hijacking here...
I have to ask... I drive 476 at times to get to Philly from the Wilkes-Barre area...

Is Slatington near the spot where the homes are built around the huge mounds of what looks like slate piled up? I know the Wyoming Valley was coal mining, and Bethlehem and Allentown were steel towns. What industry was going on in that area north of Allentown back in the industrial revolution?

Yep, you got it. There was slate mining on my property into the 1950s, they made slate shingles and chalkboards. Now there's very little industry there. There was Zinc mining a few miles up the road in Palmerton.

Here is a thought, Keep your bike at your buisness when you are working, that way people will see it and hopefully recognise that you are the nut they see on the bike, and be less likely to run you over at next passing.

also to add the the Jersey list, one of my personal favorites...

I do actually keep my bike out in the open sometimes so customers will see it, we own a plant nursery/iris farm so I have a fair number of people stopping by lately to pick up their iris plants. I've had a few people ask me about cycling and if it was me they saw out on the road. Good idea.
I like the idea of the armed forces jerseys, my wife says it would be disrespectful for me to wear because I've never been in the service. Hmmm...

Actually I ordered the primal wear Army Strong jersey a couple of weeks ago. Today was the first day I didn't wear it, and a stupid red pick up with a gun rack and confederate flag cursed at me for "being too left" of the road.

Holy cow. I might just have to pick that up. This or one of the American flag jerseys.

Move 15 miles so you can ride out your door onto the velodrome. Seriously, I would kill to live that close to a track! We used to drive 4 hours to the track.

My two cents:
Wearing a different jersey is not the answer. That's like changing the color of your tutu. Wear a T-shirt like normal people; design won't much matter.. Wear jeans if it's not too hot or shorts if it is. Heck, buy some overalls and try it like that. Ride a mountain bike, not a road bike. A tall bike might work okay, for that matter. Hang a sign on your bike that says "Taters fer sale" or whatever it is you raise, with a phone number.

I don't think It is disrespectful to wear an armed forces jersey. Our troops need to know that we civilians support and respect them, and wearing a jersey even though you are not in that (or any) military branch still shows respect and application for the men and women that are.

besides, It is one of the best looking jerseys I have seen.

Snow_canuck: Get that british car out of my American picture!

This thread gets the award for funniest thread of the month.

. . . and the month just started; still it's going to be hard to beat.

I've spent a good amount of time in the Poconos. I'd be willing to bet that if you called the police, the same guy from the pick-up truck would show up... just in uniform this time.

Get a Lance Armstrong mask.

Those recommending taking cell phone pics, calling cops, issuing tickets, etc., If it's as bad as the OP says it is, what's to keep frontier justice from solving the problem one quiet evening?

Headline: Activist Cyclist Found Dead In Ditch
Cause of death still undetermined.

An effort of that sort from a lone cyclist would be dangerous in that setting, in my opinion. Riding with at least one other cyclist would be safer if you're gonna go attracting attention in that jungle setting. Works in the hood.

A positive approach would be to write letters of concern to respected or responsible members of the community, including sheriffs, editors, pastors, school principles. Giving talks at schools, libraries, churches. In other words, not Critical Mass methodology, which may work in large numbers, in an urban setting, where you can all look out for one another.

if anything, i think wearing the army jersey shows your support, it doesnt matter if you were in the forces or not.

How about a Skoal ring on the back of your cycling shorts

Well I guess you can call me a redneck. I have been in the Army for 20 years.......I support, remember and pray for POW's, I love and support the American Flag, and don't appreciate Canadians posting pic's demeaning and degrading to Americans. I like NASCAR, and dip Copenhagen............The people that give me the least amount of room are the Metrosexuals in their BMW's or Mercedes. I think if you are going to wear any of the above Jerseys you should do it for pride, not to keep rednecks from hassling you when you ride.

Edit: Should have checked the date.