For Immediate Release:  Aug. 10, 2004

“Bicycling Comedian” Pedals to Wichita Falls

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 125,000 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.

His next stop is Wichita Falls, Tex., where he will perform his one-man comedy show at the Hotter N’ Hell Hundred on Thursday, Aug. 26 through Saturday, Aug. 28. The performances will be held in the theater at the Multi-Purpose Events Center (MPEC), 1000 Fifth St. Showtimes are: Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 and 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $7, available at the door.

Snyders, known as “The Bicycling Comedian,” will arrive at the performance by bicycle, pedaling in from Chicago. Wichita Falls is one of many stops he 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, 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 in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York City, Iowa, Wisconsin and Arkansas. He will eventually end 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 comedy show at bike events, conferences and comedy clubs. Along the way he snaps pictures of funny 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 pedaled onto the set of ten national television shows, including appearances on Good Morning America and Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee. He’s also appeared on Comedy Central and ESPN and he’s been a featured performer at the “Just For Laughs” International Comedy Festival in Montreal.

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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