life


Saturday, March 27, 2010

U of M professor Joel Howell pens book on Washtenaw County bike routes

By Steven Howard, Heritage Newspapers

Long before he wrote the book on bike routes in Washtenaw County, Joel

Howell was an authority on the subject.

While developing his career within both the medical school and history department at the University of Michigan, Howell said he spent much of his free time road biking in the area.

Now 56, Howell said friends and colleagues have often solicited advice from him over the past 25 years on the best places to ride, knowing he had accumulated a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

It was in these solicitations, Howell said, that he got the idea to write "Washtenaw County Bike Rides."

"People would get sent to me and ask me where to ride," he said, prompting him to question: "Why not just turn it into a book?"

After getting approval from the University of Michigan Press, Howell said he began composing the book.

Though Howell said the writing of the book was "something I did in my spare time," he said the text came together rather quickly because all of the research was already in his head.

"The core of the book, I already knew," he said.

Containing 10 primary routes, as well as alternative side trips, the rides in the book cover a wide area.

Many parts of Ann Arbor are covered, with trips north along Dixboro Road and west via Huron River Drive.

Longer rides extend out to Chelsea and Manchester, even reaching East Lansing on one particular jaunt.

Those willing can even follow maps straight to Hell. Hell, Mich., of course.

The route maps connect one-to-another, so as to provide clear paths to cover large geographic areas.

Though riding a bike on any public roadway can be risky, Howell said the routes he has put in the book can be ridden safely with a little bit of personal caution and awareness.

"They're all my favorite rides," he said. "Every one of them I've ridden dozens and dozens of times."

The book includes fact boxes containing tips on how to avoid some of the most common road hazards, such as discourteous drivers and rogue animals.

"I've never been hit by a car," Howell said. "Flat tires -- sure I've had them. You want to be able to deal with a flat."

Howell said it's most important to realize that, as a cyclist, even though you may have the right of way, cars do not always do what you expect them to do.

"Bikes are soft, cars are hard," he said.

Howell said he wrote the book to inspire a new generation of riders because he felt he should return the favor to those who inspired him.

"In part, it's trying to pay back all the people who taught me how to ride," he said.

However, being a physician, Howell said he also hopes the book will help people to generally live a more active lifestyle through cycling.

"The biggest thing I would say is exercise is the key to almost everything," he said. "It's good not just for your physical health, but your mental health, as well."

Howell said all profits from his book will go toward the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society safety fund.

The book costs $12.95 and is available in area bookstores.

Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com.