Re-posted from TECHburgher. Thanks, Jonathan!

Carlos Urreta and Joe Philipson left on the morning of May 20 from Neptune City, N.J., beginning their cross-country bike ride to convince 1,000 geeks to bike to work. They comprise Real Geeks Ride (RgR), and Pittsburgh is their stop on May 29.

EVENT: Meet the Real Geeks, Carlos and Joe

Friday, May 29th at 2:30PM

at Pittsburgh Technology Council [Map]

Neither are avid cyclists, making their story one about the transition from “geeks” to “geeks with bikes.” According to the RgR Web site, “They hope to inspire (or potentially force) other geeks to change their commuting habits. If these two geeks can make it across the USA, it is foolish to think other geeks cannot at least bike to work.”

Exposed to computers at a young age, Urreta graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in public relations. However, he is a technologist and geek at heart. Urreta lives in Austin, Texas and works full-time on RgR. Philipson discovered computers through his 7th grade teacher. He always craves technology and quickly adapts to new gadgets. Living in Hawaii, Philipson works as a full-time photographer. Together, they will bike almost three months and 3,000 miles, ending Aug. 2 in Seaside, Oregon.

Urreta and Philipson chose to focus on geeks because reaching them is easy with the social media used on the trip. According to the RgR Web site, “A ‘geek’ will be able to relate on a different level when our brightkite accounts are hooked up, and with daily communication from Twitter while on the ride.” In turn, geeks can spread the message of RgR, easing the need to advertise. They also want to fight the stigma of being stationary. “Geeks have taken a strong hit as people who spend all day on the computer. Getting more of them active can help curb that idea.”

Pittsburgh is one of the journey’s 62 stops along the way because of its emerging biking community. Urreta and Philipson will make an appearance at the Pittsburgh Technology Council for a press conference/meet and greet Friday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m.

For more info or to show your support for RgR, visit www.realgeeksride.com