It’s the oldest cycling race in America – right in Somerville, New Jersey, every Memorial Day for 85 years!
It’s the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling.”
I laid on the ground at turn two and thought all would be good. I put my hand thru the guardrails and aimed the phone up. It scared the crap out of me!
Mr. Local History
There are so many great things to do on the unofficial kickoff to summer. Still, if you live in New Jersey, one of the favorite events you can attend after the Monday morning parade is the Somerville Bike Race, the oldest bike race in the United States.
The Tour of Somerville, established in 1940, is the oldest major bicycle race in the United States. It was founded by Fred “Pop” Kugler, a local bike shop owner in Somerville, New Jersey, to provide his son, Furman Kugler—a national cycling champion—with a competitive race closer to home. The inaugural race attracted 117 riders nationwide, with Furman winning the first two editions in 1940 and 1941. In 1942, Carl Anderson, a close friend of Furman, claimed victory. Both Kugler and Anderson tragically lost their lives during World War II, leading to the race’s suspension from 1943 to 1946. When it resumed in 1947, it was renamed the Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour in their honor.
1940s history of the Tour of Somerville
Started by local bike shop owner Fred “Pop” Kugler, the first 50-mile race through the streets in and around Somerville was held on Memorial Day, May 30, 1940. The event attracted 130 competitors from the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada, and, to Pop’s surprise, 20,000 people showed up to watch his son Furman win the multi-lap race in 2 hrs, 6 minutes, beating Johnny Webber of Milwaukee by two bike lengths. Deemed a “huge” success by cycling clubs, townspeople, and the media, the race was held in 1941, with Furman Kugler winning again, this time wearing the jersey of a National Champion, which he won in Detroit the summer before.
Furman Kugler decided not to ride in 1942, clearing the way for his friend and training partner Carl Anderson of Clifton, NJ, to claim victory. The race was suspended from 1942 until 1947 as a result of World War II, which tragically saw both Kugler and Anderson lose their lives in that conflict. Reinstated in 1947 as the Kugler Anderson Memorial “Tour of Somerville,” the event’s popularity and national status grew with the post-war boom. This set the stage for the first back-to-back winner other than Kugler as Olympian Donald Sheldon of Nutley, NJ, won in 1947 and 1948 before ever-increasing crowds and media coverage. Finally, in 1949, a rider from another state lifted New Jersey riders’ grip on the Cromwell Cup champion’s trophy. In a dramatic field sprint finish in front of the County Courthouse and bleachers packed with cheering spectators, Frank Brilando of Buffalo, NY won, elevating Somerville as a national classic at decade’s end.
One Mile Criterium Course
The Tour of Somerville features a flat, four-corner criterium course that loops through downtown Somerville, New Jersey. The race follows a rectangular route, starting and finishing on West Main Street. It then turns left onto North Bridge Street, then left onto West High Street, and finally left onto Mountain Avenue, returning to West Main Street at Unity Bank. It’s a NASCAR race for bikes—four left turns for a long time and a dash to the finish.
Each course lap is approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) in length. The total distance varies by race category; for example, the Mildred Kugler Women’s Pro Race covers 50 kilometers. The course’s flat terrain and sharp turns make it ideal for high-speed, tactical racing, with cyclists often reaching speeds up to 40 mph.
2023—Just when you think you are safe on the turn, you get right up on the guardrail—CRASH! Scary stuff. Thank goodness they were okay.
This is No Slouch Race – Global Presence/World Famous Cyclists
The Tour of Somerville has attracted numerous renowned cyclists throughout its history, cementing its status as a premier event in American cycling. Notable participants include:
- Greg LeMond: The first American to win the Tour de France, LeMond competed in the Tour of Somerville, highlighting the race’s prestige.
- Eric Heiden: An Olympic gold medalist in speed skating who transitioned to professional cycling, Heiden also raced in Somerville.
- Jonas Carney: A dominant figure in U.S. criterium racing, Carney won the Tour of Somerville multiple times in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Laura Van Gilder: Holding a record five victories at Somerville between 1999 and 2018, Van Gilder is one of the most successful female cyclists in the race’s history.
- Sue Novara: A world track champion, Novara secured four wins in the women’s race during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Davis Phinney: An Olympian and Tour de France stage winner, Phinney’s participation in the 1980s added to the race’s elite roster.
- Steve Bauer: A Canadian cycling legend and Tour de France podium finisher, Bauer competed in Somerville, underscoring its international appeal.
This race has become a significant event in American cycling, often referred to as the “Kentucky Derby of Cycling.” Over the decades, it has showcased numerous legendary cyclists, including national champions and Olympians, and has served as a platform for emerging sports talents. The race features a criterium format—a multi-lap race on a closed circuit—through the streets of downtown Somerville, maintaining its traditional character while adapting to modern cycling trends. Beyond the competition, the Tour of Somerville has evolved into a community-wide celebration, featuring festivities that honor American heroes as part of the Memorial Day tribute.
The Tour of Somerville returns for its annual edition, continuing its legacy as a cherished tradition that blends athletic excellence with community spirit. (Tour of Somerville)
And the food – tons of options. Me… Alfonzo’s sausage peppers, onions, and sauce hits the spot!
