Laugh Strong: Tour de Comedy Rolls into Dayton

“Four comedians ride their bikes into a bar…” Not the set up for a bad joke – the first bicycle comedy tour will stop in Dayton for a show at Riff Raff on the Canal on September 8th. Dean Masello is a New York City-based comic who missed riding his bike. Looking for a way to combine his two loves, he hatched an idea to do a cycling comedy tour. “One of the biggest challenges was finding three other comics that were in good enough shape to pull off over 500 miles in 8 days”. Although he’s lived in New York City for years, Ohio is his home state, which is one of the reasons he arranged the first leg of the tour to run from Cincinnati to Cleveland. “I thought about riding through Pensylvania, but it’s hard enough to ride a car through it. Besides, Ohio is relatively flat.”

Partnering with local cycling advocacy groups for each tour stop, Dean worked with Bike Miami Valley (BMV) to promote a show in Dayton, and provide assistance with local logistics. With the mission to promote, advocate and create all types of cycling opportunities in the region, BMV couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be involved in the first leg of the tour. The recent opening of Riff Raff on the Canal provided a great venue for the tour stop in Dayton. Mike Schmidt has been working hard to get Dayton’s newest club up and running, and was excited to host such an unusual event. “It’s different! I love to support people who are doing something for a cause.”  Riff Raff is new to the local scene, but has already been recognized for serving some of the best tasting wings in the city.

Dean, and his friends Adam Sokol, Christian Polanco and Max Boyajian, will ride into town on the 8th, taking advantage of the extensive network of paved cycling trails in southwestern Ohio. BMV will host a group ride with the four comics starting at 4:30pm. The ride will start at Riff Raff on the Canal, and roll through Dayton to the Wright Cycle Shop and Carillon Park. The comedy ride-along is free, and open to the public.  The ride will be done by 6:00pm, allowing time for riders to clean up and enjoy the menu at Riff Raff.

Working in stand up comedy leads to rough schedules, and leaves very little time for recreation. Dean found an ingenious way to work while getting a little fresh air. “This way, we get to see the country (get new material), promote sustainability (save money), get exercise (not die), and do what we love to do (use standup comedy to self-medicate rather than prescription drugs).”  Dayton has already been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze-level Bike Friendly City.  With the Laugh Strong: Tour de Comedy choosing a stop in Dayton? We’re on the way to Silver.

More Information: http://www.laughstrongcomedy.com/

What: Comedy Show, featuring Dean Masello, Adam Sokol, Christian Polanco, and Max Boyajian.

When: Sunday, September 8, 2013

Comedy Ride-Along 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Show starts at 7:30pm

Where: Riff Raff on the Canal

130 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Tickets: $5 – tickets at door, or https://laughstrongday.eventbrite.com/