``The SEAT'' takes the heat in 4-month Africa race.

SEATTLE -- Imagine the pain and numbness you'd experience if you used an ordinary bicycle seat on the world's longest bicycle race. Bicycle enthusiast Joe Mattinson and his wife Edwina started out on the 7,200 mile (11,500 K), four-month Tour d'Afrique 2004 race from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town, South Africa using ordinary bicycle seats.

Most of the more than 30 riders experienced extreme irritation using regular saddles. The combination of the saddles with horns, the heat and difficult road conditions became insufferable. Several riders were chafed raw and had to take time off to ride in the support van.

Part way into the ride near the pyramids outside of Cairo both Joe and Edwina switched to the innovative "The SEAT(R)" from Ergo LLC. "'The SEAT' made all the difference in the world. We actually had a much more comfortable ride after changing since 'The SEAT' is wider and there's no pain-inducing horn," said Mattinson, a Montreal retiree. "After using 'The SEAT' neither of us would trade it for anything." The Mattinsons brought four normal seats with them on the trip and didn't even bother to bring them home.

Traditional saddles have a protruding horn or nose area that forces riders to support themselves on soft tissue and tender organs in the pubic area that is not intended to carry the weight of the body. This cuts off blood circulation to the genitalia causing pain, numbness and even sexual dysfunction.

"The design of 'The SEAT' has also been recognized internationally and has been cited as a healthy alternative to other seats on the market," according to Ergo president and award-winning designer Tom White.

"The SEAT" is in compliance with the recent recommendations set forth in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). That report, which studied possible health hazards among a police bicycle patrol unit, found that localized pressure from traditional bicycle seats with a protruding nose could cause numbness and sexual problems. The report recommended that a bicycle seat without a nose would likely result in less pressure on the perineum and the underlying nerves and blood vessels and would thereby help prevent these symptoms. The design of "The SEAT" is also supported by a study of the Urology Department of the University Medical Center of Cologne, Germany.

"The SEAT" has also been endorsed by physicians, including Dr. Thomas Green, associate clinical professor at the University of Washington and urologist at Swedish Urology Group in Seattle. "This seat makes a lot of sense to me," says Dr. Green. "Prolonged riding on conventional seats can cause compression of the nerves and restricted blood flow, leading to sexual dysfunction and other problems. I see a lot of male and female bicyclists who complain of pain. "The SEAT" eliminates the cause of this pain -- it's a big leap forward." Dr. Gabe Mirkin, a renowned health expert and host of the national radio talk show, the "Dr. Gabe Mirkin Show", also endorses "The SEAT."

Availability

"The SEAT" is available in three models:

--Ultimate -- a Lycra-covered soft gel seat for ultimate, cushioned comfort ($39.98 SRP/USD)

--Classic -- a water-resistant seat molded with a cushion of polyurethane foam for a softer riding experience ($29.98 SRP/USD)

--Endurance -- a firm, all-weather leather-like grained seat with a slightly larger sitting area provides exceptional durability and support ($19.98 SRP/USD)

"The SEAT" weighs less than 14 ounces and comes with a rear "3-M Scotchlite(R) Reflector" for added safety. It is available through bicycle dealers nationwide and through international distributors. The company offers a wide selection of colors for large orders.

About Ergo, LLC

Ergo founder, Tom White, is an inventor and award-winning industrial designer who has received numerous patents in his work designing Boeing cockpits, truck cabins and Rubbermaid industrial products. Ergo was honored by the Northwest Chapter of the Industrial Designers' Society of America for "The SEAT." The company is headquartered in the greater Seattle, Wash. area. For more information, visit www.ergo-theseat.com or call 425-333-6161.

Editor's Note: Color slides of Joe Mattinson's Africa trip and Ergo's "The SEAT" are available by contacting Candy Young, 425-869-8333; e-mail to [e-mail].

"The SEAT" is a registered trademark of Ergo LLC.