Somerville Bike Race – Oldest Race in America & a Jersey Memorial Day Favorite

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, after the Monday morning parade, one of the favorite events you can attend 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.

The 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, left onto West High Street, left onto Mountain Avenue, and finally returns 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.

If you go, make sure you stop by the Somerville Fire Department on High Street and grab a few hot dogs! It’s for a great cause.

This is No Slouch Race

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 called 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.

For 2025, the Tour of Somerville marks its 80th 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 hits the spot!

See You There!
Bring a Chair!