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I. EXTRAORDINARY, ONE OF A KIND ADVENTURES (and discounts) - our kind of Serious fun!
Plus, A COUPLE OF IDEAS FOR THE KIDS THIS SUMMER... We've been combing the planet for some exciting, unique adventures to try this year. Here we list a few of our favorites from the SeriousSports.com site (and they've all agreed to give discounts to SeriousSports visitors).

II. WHERE TO FIND THE GEAR AND GOODS ONLINE - and how to go about it! It's all out there, but where? We tell you where to look and how to get the best deals while spending the least time - it might not be what you expected to hear... From TheOutdoor.com to PerformanceBike.com, we've looked at them all and tell you about the best.

III. SERIOUSSPORTS.COM NEWS - Another Prize Drawing, Old Newsletters Online and More
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I. ----- ONE OF A KIND ADVENTURES - OUT OF THE ORDINARY -----
Plus, a couple of summer ideas for the kids ----

First, let us lay it on the line - we love everything that gets us outdoors and keeps us active. But we also love the excitement of doing something that few people have ever done before, something new or unusual.

Here we mention a few of these unique adventures (discount amounts are listed, just mention SeriousSports.com)...

1) What are Inline Skate Tours? An idea whose time has come! Similar to Bicycle Touring - you roll along while your gear follows in a support van, but instead of sitting on a bike seat, you're cruising on your 'Blades. Zephyr Inline Skating Tours is the first to bring this type of touring to Inline Skating, with trips through California Wine Country, PA Amish Country, Minnesota or the Netherlands. A nice way to see the countryside! (5% discount on domestic trips, 10% discount on international trips).

2) Have you thought about holidays in the Canadian Arctic (or the North Pole)? Why not? Here we've found trips for all levels to remote destinations like Baffin Island (ski-touring, sea kayaking), Greenland (ski-touring), the North Pole! (ski-touring) and more. These are once in a lifetime adventures to remote areas that are generally inaccessible - read about these trips from Canadian Arctic Holidays, and you won't be able to resist going! (5% discount).

3) Epic Trails Cattle Drives are the real thing! On these drives you will live the life of a cowhand on a real ranch in Montana (not the life of a dude on a ranch) - learning to ride herd, throw a lasso, move cattle. Definitely not your typical day at the office. (5% discount)

4) Or Relive the Wagon Trains of yesteryear through the Yellowstone Wilderness with Wagons West on western adventures for the whole family that are a bit less strenuous than some others, but definitely unique (5% discount).

Plus) Want a place to help your children develop a love for the outdoors and adventure this summer? We have two quick suggestions: Outpost Wilderness Adventure offers a number of Summer programs in a number of different sports from rock climbing to mountain biking (5% discount) and Wild Waters Outdoor Center offers Kayak Clinics for Teenagers (5% discount). ------------------------------------------------------

II. ---------- WHERE TO FIND THE GEAR --------------
The major outdoor sports shops and catalogs have embraced the online shopping craze - and you can find everything you need online. Below, we list and rank the best online shopping sites and tell you where to find them.

If you need something in a pinch, know exactly what you want, or want to look at the specials, then these sites will have everything you need. If you don't quite know what you're looking for, want to browse for goods or learn about products, then many of these sites will simply frustrate you.

Our suggestions: visit the sites to a) sign up to receive their paper catalogs, b) browse their online specials, c) sign up for their specials e-mail lists (many of the sites have these) and/or d) check the current price on an item that you know that you want.

A. BICYCLING GEAR:
Two sites duke it out for the best place to find gear and equipment. Visit either one and you'll be glad that you did: Colorado Cyclist and Performance Bicycle Online.

B. CAMPING/ CLIMBING/ BACKCOUNTRY/ OUTDOOR PRODUCTS:
The best shopping site in this category is only available online: TheOutdoor.com. It's the least slick of the bunch, but offers a great selection and very good information.

Coming in a close second is the REI website. This is a beautiful site with excellent product and general camping information. The site's only drawback is that you can't find all of the premier brands (but you can find REI gear! and a few other major names).

L.L. Bean offers a beautiful site and everything else that's included in its catalog - and this is one of the few sites that's actually fun and easy to browse through.

Mountain Gear offers an excellent paper catalog and a very credible website. Look here for some good prices and an excellent selection. But, while they've recently made improvements to their site, it's still a bit difficult to find things here, as the products aren't listed by brand.

Taking up the rear (in this section), Campmor offers a limited selection from their comprehensive catalog, but does offer some online specials. And Sierra Trading Post gave up on the whole thing - all you can do here is order their online catalog (which is worth having).

C. RIVER GEAR: Two sites stand head over shoulders above the rest for river products: Northwest River Supplies, Inc. for whitewater rafting equipment and gear and Nantahala Outdoor Center Outfitter's Store for paddling gear. Both are worth a visit!

D. CLOTHING:
Patagonia has a beautiful site, but their use of frames gets a bit out of control. Only Patagonia gear here, but quite a selection and a lot of information.

III. ---------- SERIOUSSPORTS.COM NEWS --------------
A. Our old newsletters are now online at SeriousSports.com - If you missed our first newsletter with information about finding low-cost online airfare specials, check it out!

B. If you received this newsletter directly from us, then you're enrolled in our next prize drawing (May 30th) - this time for four $50 gift certificates to be used on any of the adventures on SeriousSports.com. Tell your friends to visit the site and register to win!

C. More outfitters, more schools, more guides, more awards, more recognition, more of everything - visit SeriousSports.com regularly to see what else is new and to plan your next adventure. And, tell your friends about us (why not pass on this newsletter?)!

Wishing You Fun and Excitement Throughout the Spring!

Sincerely,

John Elliott,
Founder, SeriousSports.com
E-mail:JElliott@SeriousSports.com

This newsletter is distributed bi-monthly (approximately, if we can). All rights reserved, copyright 1998 by Serious Sports Mktg. LLC.
Visit us on the web at http://www.SeriousSports.com

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