New York, May 24, 2000 - Cyclists looking to ride for a worthy cause -- or just for fun -- can hop on their bikes and join 350 others in the RadioShack Big Ride Across America. Pedaling off June 19th, cyclists from across the country will meet in Seattle to embark on a 48-day bike-a-thon to Washington, D.C., to benefit the American Lung Association (ALA). GORP.com, the leading Internet site dedicated to outdoor recreation and adventure travel, has signed on as a sponsor of this year's event, taking part not only as a company, but also as a community.

A journal of the cross-country experience will be chronicled on www.gorp.com by a team of writers including GORP's cycling expert, Ethan Gelber, the ALA's "Riding Reporter," as well as the GORP cycling team. Pictures, maps, news, messages and memorable moments from the ride will be posted each day on GORP to create an interactive scrapbook of the entire event. Journal entries will document the amazing experiences and personal triumphs of this massive endeavor.

"We believe in the value of getting out and experiencing the thrill of adventure made possible through outdoor recreation," remarked Bill Greer, co-founder of GORP.com. "Recognizing that such experiences deserve our attention, we are proud to support the RadioShack Big Ride Across America and stand behind the efforts of the ALA and its participants."

Ethan Gelber will participate in portions of the ride and help chronicle the coast-to-coast journey for site visitors. Gelber will pedal out of Seattle with the bikers on June 19th, report on the first leg of the journey and rejoin the group on its final leg to Washington, D.C. Through this coverage, fans and family members will be able to trace the path of this 3,250-mile trek and cheer on the cyclists.

In addition, GORP.com is inviting its community to show support in the fight against lung disease by encouraging them to make tax-deductible donations. Interested parties can make donations directly to the American Lung Association through the site, pledging any amount, payable by credit card or personal check. GORP has pledged a minimum of $7,000 to sponsor one rider and will work to identify other riders as the GORP community donates further spots. GORP will select cyclists from a list of qualified candidates. Those interested in making donations or joining the GORP.com cycling team can find more information at http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/biking/bigride/intro2.htm.

"We're optimistic that our participation in this event will encourage our million-plus loyal visitors to support The Big Ride riders," said Greer, "whether that is by offering encouraging emails to the participants, or by monetary support of the cause."

While participants will pedal 3,250 miles, traversing 12 northern states, this cross-country ride will be more than just an athletic challenge or sightseeing tour. It will represent a community on wheels, raising funds and honoring past and present friends suffering from one of the nation's most dreaded diseases. Lung disease is the third-leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of close to 335,000 victims per year. One-in-ten Americans have chronic lung disease, including more than 16 million with emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

This year's group of riders will include people such as Mary P., who completed the 1998 Big Ride after a double lung transplant, and John, who has dedicated his Big Ride to the two sons he lost to immature lung development. Participants also will include avid cyclists who welcome the opportunity to support this worthy cause.

Now in its third consecutive year, the RadioShack Big Ride Across America will raise funds for the ALA's community service, public-health education, and advocacy and research programs. The 1998 and 1999 Big Ride events raised more than $7.5 million for the association.

The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone through programs of education, community service, advocacy, and research. The American Lung Associations activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals and other voluntary contributions. For additional information, visit the American Lung Association Web site at http://www.lungusa.org.

GORP (a.k.a. Great Outdoor Recreation Pages) is the largest and most trafficked Web site dedicated to outdoor recreation and adventure travel. With more than 100,000 pages of content, GORP offers a complete package of authoritative, award-winning content, a large, active community of outdoor enthusiasts and a full-range of e-commerce offerings drawing nearly 11 million pages views per month. Started in 1995, GORP offers a full-service adventure travel booking feature, accessible via the Web or telephone, with more than 35,000 departures in addition to a gear store with more than 180 brands of clothing, footwear and equipment. GORP has been cited by Yahoo!, US News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many others, as the leader in this category and a "Best of the Web" site.

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