Hey willibord, I agree that the border region about an hour from my house is extremely dangerous, the mountains, the green fields, all them cows, and those two hippies, Ben and Jerry.
I’m not sure where you are talking about, you live in Vermont?
A couple of of years ago, I was in Whitefish MT, near the northern terminus of the American portion of the Great Divide Mountain Cycling Route. The local rag had a long and interesting article about the increase in Border Patrol agents necessary to deal with increased border incursions from Canada, in the wilderness areas of the mountains around Glacier Park. Suspected jihadists , from Canada, there are madrassas in Canada and one of the big cities even has a Muslim mayor.
Not a huge risk but something to keep in mind. It’s possible start from Whitefish if you’re riding the Divide. Better safe than sorry.