From time to time we'd like to put the spotlight on some of the many volunteers who work hard and make a big difference for cyclists in Houston. At this time we'd like to recognize Howard Pool.

If there is anybody who can rival Howard Poole for length and quality of commitment to the Houston bicycling scene, I'll eat my bike shorts. Howard was bicycling in Houston when streetcars still ruled the road. As a youngster he would hang on to the Harrisburg Boulevard streetcars (while on his bike) for a quick ride into town. Now he's happy to ride the Harrisburg-Sunset Rail to Trail without any help.

Howard was there for the formation of HABA, TWTA, and the Houston Bicycle Club. An August 4, 1964 article in The Daily Tribune of Bay City, Texas reports on a Pool family vacation: with his wife Mary and their nine- and four-year old daughters, they covered over 200 miles in almost week long bicycling trip on three 3-gear Sears "pedaling-machines":

"And every Bay Citian and Matagorda Countian whose path they crossed -- even for a moment -- probably enjoyed their happy approach to life and their adventurous spirit in their hobby of riding a bicycle 40 miles a day for fun, when most of us these hot days complain about having to go such a distance in our air-conditioned automobile."

But Howard has not only "been there", he's worked to inform kids and adults about bicycle safety, fought for bicycle rights and pushed for new facilities. He's staffed countless bike rodeos and formation tables at community events. He has been a tireless watchdog during the building of important Bikeway segments: regularly visiting and photographing the White Oak Bayou trail construction, or chasing scofflaw motorists off the Harrisburg Rail-to-Trail. He's met with city officials and health and safety groups to advance bicycling access and safety. He is a whirlwind of activity at the moonlight ramble, from hauling an industrial light, thousands of t-shirts and supplies in his overburdened pick-up truck to accounting for all the cash until the sun comes up. Counting cash stems from his taking on the position of Treasurer for HABA "on temporary basis" about five years ago. He's also a fixture at the MS150, having either ridden or volunteered in it since 1987.

In addition to helping out on the bicycling scene, Howard is an active volunteer at South Main Baptist Church ("'just' 15-20 hours a week," he says), and with his wife Mary enjoys international folk dancing and traveling around the world. No doubt making friends and bicycle converts wherever he goes.