Charity Events - Audi Best Buddies Challenge : Hearst Castle - anyone done this ride?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
scottsalot
05-03-09, 09:57 PM
Has anyone done this ride?

I'm thinking about signing up for this charity event - www.bestbuddieschallenge.org (http://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org)

It looks pretty fun; 100 miles down the PCH from Carmel, CA to San Simeon, CA and it ends at the amazing Hearst Castle. There seems to be a lot of celebrities there and unlike most rides they have a great finish line meal and amazing music - this year it's Foreigner (how bad ass would that be?)

Anyway, it looks great but I'm just wondering if anyone has done it and has any advice (?)

natashhole
05-28-09, 09:40 PM
DO IT!!! I work for Best Buddies but also participated in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port on the Cape in MA last year. I've seen it from both the employee and participant perspective and can honestly say that it is a phenomenal experience. Celebrities, lots of freebees, delicious food, etc. I've heard that the Hearst Castle Ride is really difficult but also really beautiful. One thing to be aware of, though, is the fundraising commitment - you are locked into raising a certain amount of money depending on when you sign up, and if you don't turn in all the money 1 month after the race is over, your credit card gets auto-charged the difference. But it really is a fantastic charity (I've worked there for almost 6 years), the Hearst Castle ride is especially celebrity studded... BB's founder, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, is the brother of Maria Shriver... At the Hyannis Port Ride last year I bumped into Carl Lewis who also sits on the Best Buddies Board of Directors.

Hope this helps!