REI TO SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CYCLOCROSS IN RESTON VIRGINIA

America’s Outdoors Store Teams-Up with America’s Fastest-Growing Outdoor Sport

Press Contact Information: Verge MAC Cyclocross Series

Ken Getchell, Media Director: kenmacpr@yahoo.com; 610-397-1950

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 16, 2007; Conshohocken, PA, USA: REI has been formerly announced as the title sponsor for the International Women’s division of the “Capital Cross Classic presented by The Bike Lane” in Reston Virginia on December 2. The Capital Cross Classic is an internationally-ranked cyclocross bicycle race and the season finale for the world-famous Verge MAC Series. The Washington DC area races will be held RAIN-OR-SHINE at Lake Fairfax Park, located just outside the Beltway, from 9:00 in the morning until approximately 3:30 in the afternoon. The event benefits “Trips for Kids” and there is no admission or parking charge to watch the event. For a full schedule of the day’s events, see below.

Cyclocross is the fastest-growing outdoor sport in America. Taking place in the Fall and Winter, cyclocross is a type of bicycle race that combines the speed and beauty of bicycle road racing with the technique and ruggedness of mountain biking. The short, spectator-friendly courses are designed frequently include obstacles that require the racers to carry their bikes for short distances. “It sounds silly,” says race announcer Ken Getchell, “but it’s really exciting to watch. And it’s certainly no sillier than carrying around a bag of sticks and using them to hit a little white ball into a hole.”

The “REI Classic” for the Elite Women powered by SRAM will be the first of two internationally-ranked races and will start at 1:30pm. The REI Classic will be preceded by several Pro-Am races and followed by the International Men’s race at 2:30. REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its more than 3 million active members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, outdoor fitness, paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. As an active supporter of the communities in which it does business, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

For more information on the Capital Cross Classic, see http://www.potomacvelo.com/CapitalCrossClassic.htm or call (703) 725-9576. (Media inquiries, please call Ken Getchell at 61-397-1950)

Schedule, Capital Cross Classic, December 2, 2007

9:00 am Amateur Race, Novices and SupaFAN.com Juniors

10:00 am Amateur Race, age 35+ and 55+

11:00 am Domestic Race, Men

12:15 pm Domestic Race, Elite Masters

1:00 pm FREE Kid’s Race

1:30 pm International Race:

The REI Classic for “The Elite Women powered by SRAM”

2:30 pm International Race:

“The Elite International Men powered by SRAM”

-0-