Transitions Optical Announces Sponsorship of 40th Annual RAGBRAI™

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Transitions Optical is pleased to announce that Transitions^® adaptive lenses is an official Friend of RAGBRAI – The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa – the oldest, longest and largest bicycle touring event in the world, now in its 40^th year. Transitions Optical, along with industry partner Oakley, will have a team participating in the ride, as well as an experience area and trial opportunities for all event participants featuring Transitions Optical's family of products, the adaptive technology of which makes them well-suited for the sport of cycling.

Cyclists – professionals and amateurs alike – depend on healthy, quality vision both for optimal performance and for visual clarity and comfort to enjoy all of the sights along the race route.  With such obstacles as varying light conditions, distracting glare which can cause squinting and eye fatigue and ongoing exposure to UV rays, visual ability can be affected without proper eyewear. While participating in the seven-day bike ride across the state of Iowa and averaging 468 miles, TEAM TRANSITIONSOAKLEY will wear limited edition Transitions^® Oakley^® performance sunwear fitted in Oakley frames.

Transitions Optical also had an experience area and opportunities at the RAGBRAI Expo which kicked off the event, on July 21 and at overnight stops throughout the event week, for participants to trial other products from the Transitions family of adaptive eyewear in addition to Transitions performance sunwear, such as Transitions^® everyday lenses, which automatically change from clear indoors to dark outdoors, and Transitions^® XTRActive™ lenses, which are the darkest everyday adaptive lens maintaining a comfortable hint of tint indoors and reaching superior darkness outdoors in changing light conditions.

"The advanced adaptive lens technology available in the Transitions family of products provides enhanced vision for cyclists in all light conditions," said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical.  "Being a Friend of RAGBRAI, along with our partner Oakley, provides a relevant platform for us to share with ride participants how enhanced vision makes for a more vivid experience, both for the sport of cycling and while enjoying the sights along the route and in everyday life."

Continuing its commitment to technology, Transitions adaptive lenses will feature "Innovation Stations" at the ride's overnight stops, which will showcase five innovative biking and accessory products alongside Transitions lenses, which enhance performance and the cycling experience. Cyclists who participate in a Transitions adaptive lenses product trial will be entered to win one of the five featured items in the Innovation Station.

During the overnight stop in Marshalltown on July 25, the Transitions adaptive lenses experience area will feature Chef Kayne Raymond of BBC America's "No Kitchen Required." Chef Kayne will perform a cooking demonstration using local ingredients specific to Marshalltown. He'll also incorporate ingredients with nutritional value for cyclists, including Cardamom, which stimulates metabolism, and fennel, which provides calcium, vitamin C and Iron, as well as ingredients which have eye health benefits, such as corn, kale, squash, and nuts. Chef Kayne is an avid mountain biker, and will share his experience in wearing Transitions Oakley performance sunwear during his time at RAGBRAI.

"We are thrilled to be joining Transitions adaptive lenses for this year's RAGBRAI," said Rob Versteegh, Oakley. "The Transitions adaptive lens technology blended with Oakley frames provides a winning combination for athletes participating in this legendary cycling event."

RAGBRAI began in Sioux City, Iowa on July 22 and finishes in Clinton, Iowa on July 28, 2012. To learn more about Transitions adaptive lenses and Transitions performance sunwear, visit www.transitions.com.

About Transitions Optical, Inc.

Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International.  The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.

Transitions^® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight.  They are clear indoors and at night.  Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change.  Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today.  Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well.

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.