For Immediate Release:  Dec. 1, 2004

“Bicycling Comedian” Pedals in for Holiday Shows

Tom Snyders, known as “The Bicycling Comedian,” has returned to Key West to perform a series of special holiday shows Dec. 22 – Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. at the Top of La Concha, 430 Duval St. Tickets are $10, $15 New Year’s Eve. Tickets are available at the door, the hotel front desk and the concierge desk. All shows are appropriate for families. For reservations or more information call: 294-6869.

Snyders has spent the past 17 years pedaling his fully-loaded touring bicycle to all his stand-up comedy performances throughout the United States. He’s cycled more than 129,000 miles and to all 50 states. Along the way he snaps pictures of weird and amusing road signs he encounters on America’s back roads – the best of which are featured in his live performances.

Snyders recently appeared on Good Morning America where he featured National Lampoon’s Big Book of True Facts. This hardcover book, published by Ruggedland Books in New York, features more than 200 photographs of funny road signs contributed by Snyders. Snyders and his bicycle are featured on the cover in front of a road sign on the corner of Simonton and Eaton streets in Key West.

During the first-ever national book tour by bicycle this summer and fall, Snyders performed at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York City and The Comedy and Magic Club in Los Angeles.  He also pedaled from Key West to appearances in Virginia; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Iowa; Wisconsin; Arkansas and Texas. Associated Press Radio featured Tom on 400 radio stations nationwide, and his story and funny road sign photos were recently featured in the National Examiner. “It’s always been a big dream of mine to appear in the tabloids,” Snyders jests.

Snyders’ journey and his never-ending “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 his clean, unique comedy show at bike events, conferences and comedy clubs. Over the years, he’s pedaled onto the set of ten national television shows. In addition to Good Morning America and Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee, he has appeared on Comedy Central and ESPN.

“I’m off the interstate and not going by at 60 miles an hour so I see a lot of strange stuff,” Snyders explains. “Some of it’s incredibly funny, and I always keep my camera loaded and ready.”

On this journey Snyders has also: been attacked by a police dog; pedaled up a mountain in the middle of a raging snow storm; looked a grizzly bear in the eye from 15 feet away; and been run out of town by local police in Georgia.

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.

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