For Immediate Release: June 8, 2004

"Bicycling Comedian" Pedals Through Richmond

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. Along the way he snaps pictures of weird and amusing road signs he encounters – the best of which are featured in his live performances.

He will pedal through Richmond, Va., on Tuesday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 16 on his way to performances in Bridgewater, Va., on June 19.

Snyders is pedaling in from Key West, Fla., on his way up the East Coast to New York City. Richmond is 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, an all-new collection of absurd-but-true humor from everyday life. The book, which is officially released June 23, features more than 200 photographs of funny road signs contributed by Snyders.

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 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.”

After a brief stint in New York City, he will continue pedaling across the country, doing comedy shows and book signings along the way, eventually ending up in Los Angeles in October.

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 16 years.

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