What an incredible weekend!
I can't begin to tell you all what a great weekend the Best Buddies weekend was. It was more than we could have ever expected. Yes, the ride was great, the weather was perfect, the bbq, the concert, the VIP parties, all outstanding.
Friday evening's VIP party at Chateau Julien was full of surprises. I was able to meet the new sponsors from CSC and some of the folks from T-Mobile. Spent a while visiting with Lars Mendelson who just rode in the Tour de France. Great guy! Had dinner with Alan White and his girlfriend Robin Swen. We sat with Greg German (Ally McBeal co-star) and his girlfriend. Rob Lowe and his family were also at the reception as was Clint Eastwood and his wife. Maria thanked Clint for becoming involved and for his support in coming years.
The ride started Saturday morning at 7am with the pros (Zabriskie, Mendelson, Mercyx, Olsen and others leading the way. I rode most of the first 10 miles with Anthony Shriver and his daughter. After that I rode most of the way with the Oxy team, Alan, the Dudics, Patricio, Senator Rodney Ellis from Houston and others off and on. Everyone was having a great time. Of course the big hill at Big Sur was just as formitable as last year. I did feel a little better riding it though.
I did get to ride with Dave Zabriskie for about a second and a half as he flew past me trying to catch the front group. From what I was told, Joe Peterson and Kevin McNulty of TeamOxy and Race Across America record holders pulled the 10 racing guys for the first 45 miles. Kevin finished with the first group in 5 hours and Joe finished 3 minutes behind them after having to stop for several minutes for treatment of a back spasm. The top 10 did not include Mercyx, Zabriskie and all. They rode with the team riders.
The last several miles of the ride were just as beautiful as last year with the elephant seals along the beaches and the beautiful view of the lighthouse. It was great to welcome in the other TeamOxy riders. Everyone had a great time no matter what distance they rode.
The BBQ was excellent. TeamOxy was presented with the trophy for being the top fundraising team in the history of Best Buddies events. Carl Lewis presented me with the trophy as all of our riders were recognized in front of the Governor. The buddies from the Taft TIL program were also recognized as was Alan White who raised nearly $40,000, giving several thousand to TIL students for their fundraising and ride. I was introduced as Co-Chairman for the 2008 ride. We finished the evening with a VIP party at the Castle and a quick swim in the Neptune Pool. Governor Crist from Florida made an appearance at the party and Anthony invited Trevor Lucken and his dad Doug which was really special. Trevor raised $4600 all by himself. He's a freshman in the TIL program this year.
Like I said, what a great event. We wrapped everything up with breakfast at Moonstone Landing with Mark Lewis and Aaron Gershenberg from Silicon Valley Bank.
Can hardly wait for next year! More photos to come in the coming days......
Friday evening's VIP party at Chateau Julien was full of surprises. I was able to meet the new sponsors from CSC and some of the folks from T-Mobile. Spent a while visiting with Lars Mendelson who just rode in the Tour de France. Great guy! Had dinner with Alan White and his girlfriend Robin Swen. We sat with Greg German (Ally McBeal co-star) and his girlfriend. Rob Lowe and his family were also at the reception as was Clint Eastwood and his wife. Maria thanked Clint for becoming involved and for his support in coming years.
The ride started Saturday morning at 7am with the pros (Zabriskie, Mendelson, Mercyx, Olsen and others leading the way. I rode most of the first 10 miles with Anthony Shriver and his daughter. After that I rode most of the way with the Oxy team, Alan, the Dudics, Patricio, Senator Rodney Ellis from Houston and others off and on. Everyone was having a great time. Of course the big hill at Big Sur was just as formitable as last year. I did feel a little better riding it though.
I did get to ride with Dave Zabriskie for about a second and a half as he flew past me trying to catch the front group. From what I was told, Joe Peterson and Kevin McNulty of TeamOxy and Race Across America record holders pulled the 10 racing guys for the first 45 miles. Kevin finished with the first group in 5 hours and Joe finished 3 minutes behind them after having to stop for several minutes for treatment of a back spasm. The top 10 did not include Mercyx, Zabriskie and all. They rode with the team riders.
The last several miles of the ride were just as beautiful as last year with the elephant seals along the beaches and the beautiful view of the lighthouse. It was great to welcome in the other TeamOxy riders. Everyone had a great time no matter what distance they rode.
The BBQ was excellent. TeamOxy was presented with the trophy for being the top fundraising team in the history of Best Buddies events. Carl Lewis presented me with the trophy as all of our riders were recognized in front of the Governor. The buddies from the Taft TIL program were also recognized as was Alan White who raised nearly $40,000, giving several thousand to TIL students for their fundraising and ride. I was introduced as Co-Chairman for the 2008 ride. We finished the evening with a VIP party at the Castle and a quick swim in the Neptune Pool. Governor Crist from Florida made an appearance at the party and Anthony invited Trevor Lucken and his dad Doug which was really special. Trevor raised $4600 all by himself. He's a freshman in the TIL program this year.
Like I said, what a great event. We wrapped everything up with breakfast at Moonstone Landing with Mark Lewis and Aaron Gershenberg from Silicon Valley Bank.
Can hardly wait for next year! More photos to come in the coming days......
5 comments:
Glad you had a great weekend...and what a great cause! Can't wait to see more photos!
You said you were going to post more photos. Haven't seen any more since this blog. Maybe you're busy. Are they coming soon?
Great Blog Bill....I heard about the BB ride but did not know it was that great. What is their website address?
Thanks for the info Bill. I want to sign up....where do i go?
Those interested in riding in the Best Buddies Challenge - Hearst Castle can register at www.bestbuddieschallenge.org or click on the link from this page.
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