Robert Downes
Robert (Bob) Downes, has backpacked through more than 70 countries, with destinations ranging from the supercities of the Third World to the heart of the American wilderness.
An ardent bicyclist, he has also ridden or bike-toured countries around the world, including Australia, Croatia, Vietnam, China, India, Sri Lanka, Tuscany, Peru, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, across Europe, England and Ireland and throughout the U.S.
These adventures have contributed to his nonfiction books, "Travels With My Wife," "Biking Northern Michigan," and "Planet Backpacker."
A resident of Traverse City, Michigan, Downes co-founded the Northern Express Weekly, which grew to become the region's largest newsweekly.
Born in 1952, Downes attended Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating in 1976 with a major in journalism and a minor in photography. He is married to Jeannette Wildman, who has a co-authorship credit on "Travels With My Wife."