For Immediate Release: December 15, 2003

"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. 4 at 9 p.m. at the Top of La Concha, 430 Duval St. Tickets are $10, $15 New Year's Eve. All shows are appropriate for families.

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

This fall he finally pedaled to that elusive 50^th state -- Hawaii. Since he can't cycle on water, he did it aboard the Carnival Spirit cruise ship. He placed his bike on a stationary stand on deck and pedaled eight hours a day as the ship headed for Maui. Reaching Hawaii fulfilled a longtime goal of Snyders' Forrest Gump-like journey to pedal to all 50 states. "I've been telling people for years that I would be the first person to ride my bike to Hawaii and no one believed me," Snyders jokes.

While in Maui, Snyders rode his bicycle 38 miles uphill to the 10,000-foot summit of the volcano Haleakala. "Everyone else was taking a van to the top and then coasting down on their bikes," Snyders explains. "I was the only one crazy enough to pedal a bike loaded with 100-pounds of packs to the top before enjoying the free ride back down. Maybe they had the right idea because that climb nearly killed me!"

His other adventures of 2003 included: pedaling to and performing at comedy clubs from New York City (Caroline's on Broadway) to Los Angeles (Comedy and Magic Club). He also pedaled through the Panama Canal, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.

Snyders unique, clean comedy show combines his trademark funny road signs from the back roads of America with his outrageous travel stories. Approximately 200 of these funny road signs will be featured in National Lampoon's "True Facts" book that will be published in June. 

"I see a lot of strange stuff on the road and some of it is incredibly funny," Snyders says. "By watching my show, the audience saves 16 years on the road by bicycle."

Snyders has made nine national television appearances along the way, including three on "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee." He's also appeared on Comedy Central and ESPN. He's been a featured performer at the "Just For Laughs" International Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada.

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