For Immediate Release: October 12, 2003

"Bicycling Comedian" Pedals Across Pacific

Comedian Tom Snyders has spent the past 16 years pedaling his fully-loaded touring bicycle to all his stand-up comedy performances. He's cycled more than 123,000 miles and to all 50 states.

He's currently somewhere in the Pacific Ocean pedaling his bike from Hawaii to the mainland. His bike's on a stationary stand on deck of the cruise ship Carnival Spirit, and he's pedaling eight hours a day until the ship reaches Ensenada, Mexico, on Oct. 18.

Snyders' arrival in Hawaii on Sept. 30 was also aboard the Carnival Spirit, with him pedaling his bike on deck the five days from Vancouver to Kahului, Maui. Reaching Hawaii fulfilled a longtime goal of his Forrest Gump-like journey to pedal to all 50 states.

While in Maui, Snyders rode his bicycle 38 miles uphill to the 10,000-foot summit of the volcano Haleakala. Once Snyders arrives in Ensenada, he will pedal the 200 miles to Southern California and remain in the Los Angeles area Oct. 21 -- 29. He will perform at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach.

Snyders' journey and his "Smile America Bicycle Comedy Tour" began in 1987 when he left Las Vegas by bicycle. Since then he's been pedaling the back roads of this country performing at bike events, conferences and comedy clubs.

 In August 2000, Snyders left Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on his bike and pedaled the 6,100 miles to Key West, Fla., encountering 500 miles of isolated gravel roads and six grizzly bears en route. That would've been a lifetime adventure for anyone else, but for Snyders, it was another interesting two months within an incredible, ongoing, 16-year bike trip.

In 1995 Snyders spent four days in a coma and on a respirator at UCLA Medical Center after being hit by a car and dragged 30 feet. "Apparently the driver didn't think I'd had enough yet, so he backed over me," Snyders says. After eight months of physical therapy, Snyders returned to the road with a plate and eight screws in his ankle.

Snyders has also written a screenplay; coincidentally, it's about a comedian who travels by bicycle to all his stand-up comedy performances. "It's Forrest Gump meets Seabiscuit," he jokes.

You won't believe what Snyders has planned next. For more information, contact: bookbikecomedy@aol.com or www.bikecomedy.com.

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It's not just a comedy show, it's an adventure!