URL simplification

[eluser]jbads[/eluser]
Hi, Im wondering what my options are here. I am new to Code Igniter, I was just reading about URI routing in the user guide.

My situation is this, I'm developing a site where users can join up and create profiles for themselves and would like to know the best way to give their profile a simplified address.

For example www.mysite.com/profile/username

Reading the routing guide set off a light bulb in my head

ie. could something like this work in routes.php?

$route['profile/$username'] = "blogs/users/$user_id";

It may be a long shot, if so what are my other optons?

Thanks heaps, for any help you may offer
Jake