For Immediate Release: June 3, 2004

Comedian Begins “Book Tour By Bicycle”
Arrives in NYC from Key West

Comedian Tom Snyders has spent the past 17 years pedaling his fully-loaded touring bicycle to all his stand-up comedy performances. He’s cycled more than 124,000 miles and to all 50 states. Now he’s added another dimension to his tour – promoting National Lampoon’s newest book by bicycle!

Snyders, known as “The Bicycling Comedian,” will arrive in New York City on Friday, after pedaling up the coast from Key West, Fla. He will perform his unique one-man comedy show at Caroline’s comedy club, 1626 Broadway, on Tues., July 6 at 9:30 p.m. and Mon., July 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Caroline’s one of many stops Snyders will make on what he’s calling “the first-ever book tour by bicycle.” He’s promoting National Lampoon’s Big Book of True Facts this summer and fall. The hardcover book, which was officially released June 23, features more than 200 photographs of funny road signs contributed by Snyders. The all-new collection of absurd-but-true humor from everyday life also includes funny news stories, headlines and advertisements. Snyders and his bicycle are featured on the cover.

Snyders left Key West, Fla., by bicycle on June 2, making stops for performances and book signings at Bike Virginia, Cycle Across Maryland and Shelly’s Back Room in Washington, DC. After a brief stint in New York City, he will continue pedaling across the country, eventually ending up in Los Angeles in October.

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, one-man comedy show at bike events, conferences and comedy clubs. Along the way he snaps pictures of weird and amusing road signs he encounters. He now has a collection of more than 7,000 images – the very best of which are featured in his live performances and now the National Lampoon book.

“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.”

Over the years, he’s also pedaled onto the set of nine national television shows, including three appearances on Live With Regis & Kathie Lee. He’s also appeared on Comedy Central and ESPN.

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; been run out of town by local police in Georgia; and tried to figure out how to possibly have a steady relationship while on the road for 17 years.

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