I think the comments about dying are a bit excessive. I am not going to cross Siberia. In western Europe i think it's difficult to be in the middle of nowhere if you don't look for it. I agree that it would be more tricky and uncomfortable than in spring or summer, but I can do it the slowest I need. Yes, and problaby it is a good idea to "practise" a little bit before.
And about of seeing people on internet that did it, I meant that I searched for experiences of other people(in hitchwiki for example), and tried to inform myself all I can. I think it is also the goal of forums like this. That doesn't mean that I will do something just because I saw it on internet.