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.
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.
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:
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 marks its annual appearance, continuing its legacy as a cherished tradition that blends athletic excellence with community spirit.(Tour of Somerville)
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