Biking Northern Michigan: The Best Safest Routes in the Lower Peninsula

Packed with funny stories, cycling tips, history and dining recommendations, Biking Northern Michigan will have you ready to ride one of the top cycling destinations in the world.

The book includes more than 35 bike routes and 56 maps and illustrations in and around Traverse City, Petoskey and the Mackinac Straits in northwestern lower Michigan.

When it comes to cycling, Michigan is at or near the top of the list in America with 109 rail-trail conversions totaling 1,311 miles.

Blessed with an abundance of rail trails and quiet cycling routes, Northern Michigan is also rich with forests, wildlife, beaches, lakes, quiet roads and some of the state's best cuisine, wineries and brewpubs.

Veteran cyclist and traveler Bob Downes guides you down the region's 'best and safest bike' routes, including:

Getting the most out of Traverse City's TART Trail system and Petoskey's Wheelway Trail.

Epic rides to the Mackinac Straits from Gaylord, Harbor Springs and Alpena.

Beaver Island and Mackinac Island. The backroads of Benzie and Leelanau counties.

The best rides around the big inland lakes: Crystal Lake, Glen Lake, Torch Lake, Walloon Lake, Lake Charlevoix and much more!

I love cycling and have had the pleasure of biking in Peru, China, Croatia, Tuscany, Spain, the Pacific Northwest, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, England and more than 1,000 miles across continental Europe. But mile-for-mile nothing beats Northern Michigan as the best bicycling destination in the world.

We've got it all -- more than 1,000 miles of scenic trails and quiet roads, artsty & fun beach towns, lovely lakes & forests and a superb dining scene -- but even better -- a safe cycling experience that will have you loving life on two wheels.

I've personally ridden every route in "Biking Northern Michigan," some of them hundreds of times, going back to my days as a triathlete cycling 50-100 miles every weekend. Only routes that I've certified as safe as well as interesting and fun have been included inBiking Northern Michigan.

Robert Downes is also the author of "Planet Backpacker" and "Travels With My Wife," both about backpacking around the world.