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Tour
of Somerville History |
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| Ask a
native resident of the small central New Jersey town of Somerville to say
the first thing that comes to mind when you say Memorial Day, and you're
likely to hear "Bike Racing." Each Memorial Day for over 60 years,
they came. They came to watch, to eat, to enjoy... |
Also check out:
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| They
came to Somerville to witness what is known to be the oldest bicycle race
in the United States -- a race rich in history and tradition, regarded as
the most prestigious cycling event in America. They came for the Kugler-Anderson
Memorial Tour of Somerville. |
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How the Tour Started
When professional
bike racer and bike shop owner, Fred Kugler, now universally known as
"Pop," decided to promote a bike race in his hometown of Somerville,
he encountered one problem. New Jersey state law prohibited racing on
highways for prizes, and Somerville's Main Street is State Highway 28.
To bypass this legislation, Kugler then decided to name the race a "tour."
Hence the classic, 50-mile Tour of Somerville was born in May of 1940.
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| Kugler's
son, Furman, a past junior champion and one of the country's most promising
cyclists, won the inaugural Tour of Somerville in 1940 and repeated his
victory in 1941. Carl Anderson, a friend of Kugler's won the Tour in 1942.
World War II suspended the Tour from 1943-1946, and its Memorial Day date
took on a sad irony when Kugler and Anderson were both killed while serving
with the Armed Forces overseas. Resumed in 1947, the Senior Men's race of
the Tour of Somerville was officially renamed the Kugler-Anderson Memorial,
in honor of the two past winners that died for their country. |
The
perpetual tour trophy, "The Cromwell Cup," was donated back
in 1940 by the Canadian government. James Cromwell, US minister to Canada,
was Doris Duke's husband.
Every
conceivable item has been awarded as prizes (along with the coveted trophy).
Household furniture, appliances, carpeting and even a brand new Chevrolet
in 1953 have been given to winners.
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| In
1997, Middle Earth, a non-profit organization with programs benefiting youth,
has taken the lead in promoting the Tour of Somerville. |
A Community Event
Since its inception,
the Tour of Somerville has grown in size and magnitude, attracting the
largest one-day crowd for cycling in the United States. The Tour of Somerville
is free for spectators. Tens of thousands of people gather on the streets
and lawns of Somerville, enjoying the camaraderie of family, friends and
strangers and the entertainment offered along the course.
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| The Tour
of Somerville is a community event that transcends the sport of cycling.
It is not only a bike race, but a festival, a carnival, and a giant family
reunion all in one. Even as the Tour has grown, it has maintained its homegrown,
hometown image. The day's highlights are both the cycling and the opportunity
to show community pride in the town of Somerville. |
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A Prestigious
Race
Known as "The
Kentucky Derby of Cycling,"
the Tour is a race to be won among top national and international Olympians
and professional cyclists. Winning in Somerville bestows an amount
of prestige that few races can boast; it is regarded as "the race
of races," a career maker, the crown jewel of American cycling events.
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| In
a pre-race interview with local press, Irish racer Alan McCormick noted,
"It's such a tradition. To win here is like winning big in Europe.
It's a quick course, a unique race. And we all dream of winning it."
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The Tour is a showcase
for the nation's best cyclists. Before he became famous for winning the
Tour de France, Greg LeMond raced in the Tour of Somerville. The event
is no place for weekend warriors. Cyclists race the tree-lined streets
with speeds averaging up to 40 mph in the feature race, amid the cheers
from the spectators lining the course.
Since 1987, the Tour
weekend has the added attraction of the induction ceremony of the U.S.
Bicycling Hall of Fame. With its formal induction dinner on Sunday night
prior to race day and the introduction of hall of fame inductees on race
day, the Tour has taken on a new significance in the world of cycling.
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| About
Somerville |
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| Somerville,
the county seat, lies in the center of Somerset County, the county with
the tenth highest per capita income in the country. Its location in the
center of New Jersey, provides residents with easy access to both Philadelphia
and New York. This convenient location has attracted many new residents,
both families and corporations. Somerset County is home to AT&T, six
different Johnson & Johnson Companies, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer,
Bristol Meyers-Squibb, Dow Chemical Company, National Starch and Chemical
and many other developing corporations. This
influx of business development has led to a boom in the housing and service
industries. |
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| In the
midst of this bursting corporate environment are still large pockets of
unspoiled rural beauty that give Somerset County its charm. Somerville,
with its tree lined streets and Victorian houses reflects an earlier, quieter
time and makes a perfect setting for community events such as the Tour of
Somerville. |
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