Happy Veterans Day!

Best Buddies is honored to have the support of our men and women in military service.

Get on your bikes and ride!

Hi gang!

Alright, this post goes out to all you ghosts, goblins, witches, pirates and ninjas! I really hope you had a great weekend and made some time to eat some sweet treats...I know I did! But don't worry, eating loads of candy is FINE when you are cycle-inclined!

On this first Monday of November, take a minute to notice the trees changing colors and the temperature dropping a few degrees (or more! Sorry East coasters!). There is something very special about this time of year, and in my opinion, there is no better way to observe this than by heading out on your bicycle and going for a ride!

Head out down a road you have never ridden before, or stick to your tried and true routes. Ask a friend to head out with you or look into tagging along with a local recreational riding club. If your like me, we are heading in to what I like to call, "over-eatin' season," so get out there now and make some room!

Also, if you find yourself up in the Bay Area and would enjoy a little time on the dirty dirt, head over to the Marin Headlands, just north of the Golden Gate for some hilly but beautiful fire roads and trails. Now is the time to see some incredible changes in the natural environment, and you may even see a coyote or two!

Ok friends, thanks for checking in!

Have good days,

Coach Tim

Remembering a Wonderful Person

Today, Best Buddies employees are taking the day to remember and reflect on the inspiring life of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Her dedication to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the Special Olympics - and influence of the shaping and building of Best Buddies with her son, Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver - guides all of us on a daily basis as we try to make the world a better place. In her honor, we'd like to share a video dedicated to Mrs. Shriver that our friends at Plymouth Rock Studios haves put together.

Find more videos like this on Hollywood East TV


We will continue to celebrate all of Mrs. Shriver's incredible achievements as we get closer to the Audi Best Buddies Challenge Hearst Castle. For more information about this amazing woman, please visit: http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/.

Easy Paced "Get to Know Your Bike" Training Ride

Check it out! On Thursday, July 30th, join Ride Coaches Tim Schneider and Jeremiah Angel for a training ride geared toward the beginners. Folks who are simply interested in finding out some more information about basic bike handling, group ride etiquette, etc. are more than welcome to attend too!

We will be meeting at the Beach Chalet Restaurant on the corner of the Great Hwy and JFK Drive at 5:30 pm. Bike Basics talk will begin shortly there after followed by a 6:00pm ride out. Our route will be short (less than 10 miles) and our speed will be easy. This is a no-drop ride, meaning no one will be left behind! The ride will finish back at the Beach Chalet, so bring some money for tasty post ride beverages!

So grab your helmet and bike and bring your questions and join us!

If you have any questions or to RSVP, please email Tim at: timschneider@bestbuddies.org

See you there!

Happy Hour with the Best Buddies Ride Coaches

Join our Ride Coaches, Jeremiah Angel and Tim Schneider, for an informal gathering at Gordon Biersch Brewery in San Francisco or Palo Alto. These will be a casual social gatherings at the brewery for happy hour and a great chance to meet up with our staff and other riders. Don't forget to invite some of your friends along so that they can learn more about our ride and hopefully join you on the road to the Hearst Castle. We hope to see you there!

San Francisco - Wednesday, July 22
Location - Gordon Biersch Brewery in San Francisco (2 Harrison St. San Francisco, CA 94105)
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm

Palo Alto - Thursday, July 23
Location - Gordon Biersch Brewery in Palo Alto (640 Emerson St. Palo Alto, CA 94301)
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Tour de France

With the biggest race in the cycling world well underway, the 21-stage, 96th Tour de France gives you a few, creative fundraising opportunities.
1. Throw a viewing party for your friends. Have each person donate a small amount ($20 or more) and then watch the pros as they pedal through their three-week journey around France. Be sure to keep an eye out for Hearst Castle alumni riders David Zabriskie and Ryder Hesjedal who will be racing the tour on Team Garmin-Slipstream!

2. Start a friendly pool with friends, family and co-workers, making bets on who will win the whole thing! To make sure this helps you raise funds, let your Ride Coach know your plans, and we can send you some loot for the winners. Everyone chips in $20, which will count as a donation towards your fundraising goal, and the winners will recieve Best Buddies jerseys, riding gloves, etc!

3. Organize a Tour-de-France spin-a-thon. Create a French music playlist to spin to, and take a 20-mile stretch from that day’s course to mimic. Basically, as you are spinning away, the pros are doing the same. Charge an entry fee and sell raffle tickets for people to bet on what the day’s best time will be. Donations go to you, winner wins a Best Buddies jersey.

Ride Coach Jeremiah Angel Recommends: "Overcoming"

Clips from the 2005 documentary, "Overcoming"

Before the 2009 edition of Tour de France starts on Saturday I'd like to recommend searching out a somewhat hard to find, but well worth the effort, 2005 documentary titled "Overcoming." The film is a profound and penetrating insight into the hermetically closed world of professional cycling. With former pro rider, Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis as the protagonist, the documentary follows him and his new Team CSC as they strive for the impossible: to become the world's best and win the 2004 Tour de France. Also notably featured in the documentary is Team CSC rider Bobby Julich, who participated in last year's Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. The film is epic, beautifully shot and gives viewers a unique and personal account of what it's like to participate in the world's toughest sporting event, the Tour de France.

Pictures from Hyannis Port Now Online

We've just finished uploading pictures from our 2009 Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port event to our flickr account. Click here to view our photo set!

It's Registration Time!

Alright all of you fence-sitters...let this be one final final push for you to register for the 2009 Audi Best Buddies Challenge. Yes, there is still 2 and a half months until the ride...and yes, you will still be able to register after Tuesday, but the next 5 days are the last 5 days that anyone will be able to register at our lower, fundraising commitment level of $1,450!


Let me give you a few reasons to register:

1. 100% of your fundraising commitment will got directly back into Best Buddies programs and make a difference in so many people's lives. Best Buddies needs your support more than ever and every donation helps.

2. This is the only 5-star, Highway 1 century ride that will be jam packed with incredible views, a challenging and rewarding route, after-ride festivities that will blow your mind (hot showers, professional massage, gourmet Hearst Castle BBQ, Ciara Concert...I could keep going...), and the certainty that you are doing it all for a fantastic cause.

3. Last Sunday was my (Cate, the ride coach's) birthday...and having you register would be a fantastic belated bday gift! (In fact, let's get 23 new riders/runners/walkers before July in honor of the age I just turned...that would be AWESOME!)

4. What fantastic motivation for summer fitness than to have a big ride/run/walk to be committed to at the very end of the summer?!

After Tuesday, the lowest fundraising level will be $1,700...which is still not too shabby, but why not commit now to $1,450 and then surpass that goal! Click here to begin the registration process. Email hccoach@bestbuddies.org with any questions! Join us and challenge yourself to change lives!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Host a BBQ

Looking for a good way to rally your friends, family and neighbors to support your fundraising efforts? Pick a nice warm weekend and host a BBQ fundraiser! You can cook hot dogs and hamburgers, serve corn, chips and other side dishes, and have people bring their own beverages. You can even ask your local grocery store to donated food or ask local businesses to donate raffle prizes (i.e. gift certificates to spas, the movies or restaurants). We suggest either selling tickets to your BBQ or making a solicitation for donations sometime during the event. Fundraising has never tasted so good! So go on, let the grilling begin and the donations are sure to come!

Speaking of Barbeques, Teams B4 and Team Chateau Julien invite you to attend their barbeques:

Team B4 is hosting their BBQ in Yorba Linda, CA on June 21 and Team Chateau Julien is hosting a series of BBQs on July 4, August 8 and 29. For more information on these events, click here.

This Weekend's Best Buddies Training Rides

Hello Bay Area Riders,

I know this is a little last minute, but I’d like to invite you all to two great training rides just scheduled for this weekend. The weather forecast is looking great for Saturday and Sunday and with under 100-days until our big ride to the Hearst Castle, now is the time to take advantage of your weekends and put some good training miles under your legs. So come on out and meet some of your fellow event participants for two fun and relaxed training rides.

Saturday’s Ride:
Location: Cyclepath Bicycles (337 B Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566)
Time: 8:15 am
Distance: Choice of 43, 20 or 30-mile ride

Join Best Buddies as we team up with KCBS, Channel 5's, Roberta Gonzales and Cyclepath Bicycles in downtown Pleasanton for a great ride around the East Bay. Departing Cyclepath Bicycles at 8:15 am, the ride will be an easy paced 43 miles with several stops for regrouping and turn off points for shorter 20 or 30 mile loops. Cyclepath Bicycles is located at 337 B Main St. (Behind the Bank of America Building), Pleasanton, CA 94566. Following the ride will be a barbeque lunch back at Cyclepath Bicycles! Click here for a detailed route map.

Sunday’s Ride:
Location: Longs Drug Store (3420 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506)
Time: 9:00 am
Distance: 44 miles with an optional 25 mile Mt. Diablo extension.

Team PG&E would like to invite all riders to join in on their second team training ride of the year. Team Captain, Keith Reed, will lead a group on a mostly flat ride through Danville into Livermore Valley at a casual no drop pace. The ride will depart from Longs Drug Store in Danville at 9:00 am. Upon returning from the ride, those who wish to put in some additional miles can continue on for a 25 mile extended ride up Mt. Diablo (2,500 ft of climbing). Click here for a detailed route map.

If you have any questions regarding these rides, please call Jeremiah Angel at 415.379.4729.

Also, future training rides will be posted up on the Training Rides section of our website at least five days in advance. If you are interested in attending future rides, I would highly suggest visiting that section of our website before planning your weekend training. And lastly, if you or your team is interested in leading a weekend training ride please let me know and I’ll work with you to get information about your group ride on our website and in other communications with other Audi Best Buddies Challenge riders.


See you on the road,

Jeremiah Angel
Audi Best Buddies Challenge Coach

Fundraising Tip of the Week: 100 Days Until HC

Hi Everyone! It's been a little while since our last post. We had an extremely successful Hyannis Port Challenge and have been recovering for a week or so. We'll be sharing photos from the event as soon as they come back. Hearst Castle participants...if HC is anywhere near as awesome as HP was, you are in for an unforgettable day!

Now, down to fundraising business. Last Thursday, June 4, marked 100 days until the Hearst Castle ride. Friday, June 12, marks exactly 3 months until HC. Whatever way you want to look at it, September 12 is coming up quickly and before we know it, you'll be coasting down the PCH. In honor of 100 days until the event...err, 94 days...I wanted to share this special letter sample we've drafted for participants to share with donors. Send it out to 10 people, asking for $10, and you've got yourself a quick and easy $100! Happy Fundraising!

Dear (Your Friend’s Name),

100 days from now, I’ll proudly sport my bike shorts and Audi Best Buddies Challenge jersey, and cycle 100 miles from Carmel to San Simeon to support people with intellectual disbilities! And I need your support to get me there!

The Best Buddies Challenge is a one-of-a-kind five-star event, and it benefits a very important organization. Best Buddies is an international non-profit that supports people with intellectual disabilities by providing one-on-one friendships and integrated employment opportunities. In middle schools, high schools, colleges, and businesses across the country people are benefitting because of Best Buddies. Every single dollar that I raise will go directly to this great organization, so you can feel confident that 100% of your donations benefit people with intellectual disabilities! You can learn more about Best Buddies at www.bestbuddies.org.

Please consider making your tax deductible donation today. To kick-off the 100 –day count down to the Audi Best Buddies Challenge, I am committed to raising at least $100 this week- and with your help I know I can exceed that! As I cycle 100 miles along the coast of California, I’ll be thinking of you and your support, and when I cross the finish line on September 12, I’ll know that your donation made each and every mile happen. If you’d like to make a donation to me quickly and easily, visit hcchallenge.org then click on “sponsor participant,” and then search for me. You can also support my participation in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge Ride by sending me a check, written out to Best Buddies. I’ll be sure your donation gets to Best Buddies right away!

Thanks so much! And if you happen to be free 100 days from now, please come out and cheer me on! I’ll need it!

All my best,

Your Name Here

4 Days Until Hyannis Port!!

With the Hyannis Port Challenge just days ago, it’s time to pack your bags and get ready! Do you have what you need?

Don’t forget to bring:

• A positive attitude… you can do this ride! You’ve come so far, and now is the time to celebrate.
• Friendship and good sportsmanship… help and encourage fellow riders, runners, and walkers! If you see someone alone, say hello! This event is all about friendships, so make yourself a new friend along the way.
• Bicycle helmet, gloves, bike shorts and foul weather gear. You never know what the weather will be like in Boston in May…so be prepared! (And if we all bring rain gear, it won’t rain!)
• Extra foods/fluids: energy gels and bars, dried fruits, fig bars, bladder-style drinking systems. We’ll have snacks along the route, but if you have a specific food that works for you, be sure to bring it!
• Equipment/other: tubes, sew-ups, bike pump, quick fills, tire levers, allen wrenches, water bottles, small medical pouch (band-aids, blister block), cycling gloves, sunscreen, cell phone, money, driver license and credit card. We will have bike mechanics and medical support throughout the route, but it always helps to be prepared!
• A change of clothes. There will be hot showers at the finish line, so bring a change of clothes so you can be comfortable for the after party!

Preparation
The following items should be worn:

• Helmet (mandatory)
• Gloves
• Mirror (either on helmet, glasses or handlebar)
• Audi Best Buddies Challenge jersey, T-shirt, windbreaker or clear raingear in bad weather or in diminished light conditions
• Bike shorts are best for comfort and worn without underwear to prevent seam abrasions
• Sturdy shoes: bike shoes are the best for pedaling efficiency

Check out the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port website for more last minute details. See you on Saturday!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: The Big Ask

For Hyannis Port participants, you are down to the final stretch...Congrats and see you soon! For Hearst Castle participants, hopefully you are at least thinking about fundraising. HP participants, this tip is a little bit more for you to do in the next week or so. By now, you've sent emails and follow up emails and you have either passed your goal or are "this close" to it. Now is the time for a big, final push. Look back through the list of people you've reached out to and check to see who has donated. Next, look specifically at the list of those who did not donate. Is there one person on there who you were expecting to donate...possibly a big donation? This is who will be your Big Ask.

Invite this person for a cup of coffee or simply pick up the phone and call this special person to talk a little more about what drew you to participate in the Best Buddies Challenge. What about the Best Buddies mission impacted you most and is worth challenging yourself to ride/walk/run the many miles? Remind this person that you are not raising money for yourself, but instead for all of the people who are impacted by Best Buddies 6 different programs. Now comes the most important part. Ask for a specific amount, and aim high! Sometimes these donors don't know what you need or how much to give. By giving them an actual number, there's a good chance you will have a check being written out to Best Buddies on your behalf. Whether they give what you ask or more/less, that is a (big) donation that you would not have gotten had you not taken the extra time and personal touch to describe exactly what you needed from them.

For ideas of what to say, check out the Best Buddies International website or the Audi Best Buddies Challenge website. We are so excited to have 300+ more participants in this year's Hyannis Port Challenge (and hopefully more late-joiners) than in 2008! Happy Fundraising and enjoy your last pre-Challenge week!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Training and Fundraising in One

As I write this from my Boston office, I am constantly glancing out to window to make sure the sun is still shining. We have been feeling spring-like in Massachusetts for a few weeks now (and I'm sure California is gorgeous too...always). All of this awesome weather makes for the perfect time to organize a training ride to act like a fundraiser. Oh, the joys of multitasking.

Take a Saturday morning and map out a route around your neighborhood or along a bike path near your town. You can use MapMyRide.com to search for routes and map your own rides. You could also check in with a local bike shop to see if you can team up with them for a weekly ride (many shops host rides for their clients). Then invite family, friends, coworkers, etc. to come out and join you for a great morning ride! Ask your supporters to make donations along the route. You will be demonstrating your commitment to training and succeeding in the ride by leading the pack through your ride!

You might even consider hosting a picnic or BBQ after the ride to keep the festivities going. This is a great time to describe what the Audi Best Buddies Challenge is and why you are so excited to do it.

For route ideas, ride materials or any other ideas, don't hesitate to email us at hccoach@ bestbuddies.org. Also, if you would like to lead training rides in your area, let us know! We're always looking for route leaders and new training rides. Happy Fundraising and bring on the summer!

Best Buddies Celebrates Bike-to-Work Day

May is National Bike Month with May 11-15 being Bike-to-Work Week and cities around the country hosting official Bike-to-Work Day events. We'd like to encourage all our Audi Best Buddies Challenge riders, walkers and runs to participate in Bike-to-Work Week and join fellow bike commuters in celebration of pedal power! Boston's official Bike-to-Work Day is on Friday, May 15 and for those of you in the Bay Area of California, our Bike-to-Work Day is on Thursday, May 14.

In San Francisco, our Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle staff is teaming up with our event sponsor, PG&E, to host a downtown "Energizer Station" where commuters can stop by for free coffee, bagels and other breakfast items. Our Energizer Station will be located on Beale Street between Market and Mission from 6:30 - 9:00 am. In addition to breakfast, we will also have lots of other cool give-away items. If you can't make it to our Energizer Station, there are 26 other stations which will be open to bike commuters around the Bay Area. For a detailed listing of all Energizer Stations and more information on the Bay Area's Bike-to-Work Day visit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's website.

ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED: CIARA TO PERFORM AT HEARST CASTLE!!

We are so excited to announce that this year at the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, we will be celebrating at the finish line with an exciting performance from Grammy-winning artist, Ciara!

Ciara, one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People, brings her high-powered sound and energy to this great event! Ciara is best known for hit songs “One Two Step,” “Goodies,” “Like a Boy,” and her latest hit, “Love Sex Magic”. She has collaborated with some of today’s hottest musicians such as Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot, Ludacris and Ne Yo. Bursting onto the music scene in 2004 with her album Goodies, Ciara has evolved into a hit-making, boundary-breaking musician with her just-released (and appropriately titled) third album, Fantasy Ride. Be sure to catch Ciara as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, this Saturday, May 9!

So tune in to SNL for a sneak preview and register for the Challenge if you haven't already done so! It's bound to be an unforgettable day!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: This One is for Moms

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 10, and I'm sure your kids are scrambling to find the perfect bouquet of flowers or your favorite box of chocolate. We might suggest hinting to your children that donations to your Best Buddies Challenge fund are also happily accepted. Not only will your kids be showing how much they love and appreciate you, but they will be helping you support the Best Buddies mission.

A musical greeting card is great, as are the flowers, chocolates, and custom-made noodle necklaces, but a simple donation to your fundraising goal will last a lot longer through the friendships it builds and job opportunities it creates. Thank you for all that you do to support our Best Buddies family, and we can't wait to see you at the event!

For more fundraising tips, email hccoach@bestbuddies.org.

Register a Friend and Get $100 Towards Your Fundraising Commitment!

We are all about promoting friendships at Best Buddies and so this month, we invite you to Challenge Yourself AND a Friend to Change Lives. From May 1 to May 30, when you and a friend register to Ride, Walk or Run in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, you will each receive a $100 credit toward your fundraising goal!

Here's How it Works:

Step 1: Get yourself registered! It’s so easy to do, just click here to get started!

Step 2: Ask a friend or family member to join you! Have them take the first step and register for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle at http://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org/.

Step 3: Let us know who you referred to register and get your $100 Credit! Email HCCoach@bestbuddies.org with your full first and last name, and the name of the friend you referred, so we can make sure you both get your credit.

That's It! You and your friend will be $100 closer to your fundraising commitment while also changing the lives of those living with intellectual disabilities.

For more information, please contact us at HCCoach@bestbuddies.org or call 1-800-718-3536

*$100 Credit will be applied prior to Hearst Castle Event Check-In *Limit of one promotion per person (maximum fundraising credit allowed is $100) *Offer valid for non-sponsor team registrations only *$100 Credit is non-transferable.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: $500 in 9 Days!

You can do a lot of things in 9 days, like take an amazing vacation, sell your house or successfully get yourself on a training regimen. What if I told you that in 9 days, you could easily raise $500? We found this awesome guide to accomplish just that...and I bet you could even raise more!

Here's how:

Day 1 Start by sponsoring yourself for $25
Day 2 Ask two family members to sponsor you for $25 each
Day 3 Ask five friends to contribute $20
Day 4 Ask five co-workers to contribute $10
Day 5 Ask five people from your church/temple for $10
Day 6 Ask five neighbors to contribute $10
Day 7 Ask your boss for a company contribution of $25
Day 8 Ask five local merchants to sponsor you for $20
Day 9 Ask two businesses you frequent for $25 (doctor, dentist etc.)

There you go. $500 easy. And you are only asking 30 people total. With Hyannis Port riders coming up on the one-month-away mark, this easy 9 step plan will help get you to your fundraising commitment! Let us know how this works for you! Email us stories at hccoach@bestbuddies.org!

Our Next Bay Area Training Ride

We hope everyone has enjoyed the great weather in the Bay Area these last few days. What perfect conditions for riding! That being said, we'd like to invite you to join your fellow riders this weekend for a training ride.

Ride Coach Jeremiah Angel will be leading a group ride departing from Golden Gate Park at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 25. Jeremiah will take the group on a ~35 mile ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and around the beautiful Tiburon Peninsula (AKA, The Paradise Loop). Click Here for a detailed look at Saturday's route on MapMyRide.com. Riders can expect an easy to moderate pace over the rolling terrain with a few stops for regrouping along the way.

For more information or to RSVP for this group ride, please email Jeremiah Angel . We can't wait to see you on Saturday!

WHAT: Audi Best Buddies Challenge training ride led by Ride Coach, Jeremiah Angel

WHEN: Saturday, April 25. Ride will depart Golden Gate Park (corner of Transverse & Overlook) at 10:00 am.

WHERE: Golden Gate Park to Tiburon (AKA, The Paradise Loop). Approximately 35-miles.

Please RSVP to Jeremiah as soon as possible to confirm your attendance and receive more details about the ride.

Note: In the case of rain, our training ride will be canceled. All those who RSVP will be notified of any cancelation on Saturday morning.

Have a question? Email JeremiahAngel@bestbuddies.org or call 415.379.4729.

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Use Your Tax Return!

Just a week ago, people all over were scrambling to get their taxes into the Federal and State governments by the April 15 deadline. Now, everyone is eagerly checking their bank accounts to see when that glorious tax return will be happily placed back in our hands (and wallets). While you are gearing up to ask everyone you know to fork over some donations in the name of a great cause, why not set the bar high and make a self-donation...of some (or all) of your tax return?!

Chances are you usually use this money on a purchase you wouldn't otherwise make, but by donating to your Audi Best Buddies Challenge fund, you will inspire your donors to follow your lead and make substantial donations. This might even be the donation that brings you up to the next highest fundraising level (an extra ticket to the party? pass to the VIP post-ride bash?). It's a great way to jumpstart your fundraising and shows your continuing dedication to the Best Buddies mission.

Thank you for your constant support and happy fundraising! Contact us for more fundraising tips at HCCoach@bestbuddies.org.

Awesome Team Event on April 25 in Los Altos, CA

Team FITBuddies is making a huge impact on the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle event! Led by team captain Jen Pleimann, Team FITBuddies is ever-growing and a great example of how to fundraise as a team. Just off the heels of a successful Dine for Dollars, Jen and her team are hosting a big event on April 25!

Here's a little background...A couple of years ago, Jen started a fitness program (appropriately named FIT Buddies) at FIT in Los Altos (where she works) specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She has now organized a team of HC riders to support and continue to raise awareness for the amazing people she works with on a day-to-day basis. Plus, now more people will learn about the great work her gym is doing.

Now for the event. On April 25, members of Jen's team and her fitness programs will come together to spin and compete in the Crossfit Challenge. They are welcoming anyone to stop in, take a spin, compete in a workout, or just enjoy the BBQ, dunk tank and other family activities. The whole day will serve as a great way for more people to learn about Team FITBuddies and how they are participating in the Best Buddies Challenge, as well as to hopefully recruit some new team members.

If you are in there area, stop in and meet this incredible team. If you can't make it, take notes on how to be a successful and inspiring team! Good Luck Team FITBuddies!

WHEN: Saturday, April 25 from 8am - 2pm
WHERE: FIT @ Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos, CA, 600 Fremont Ave.
WHAT: Spin-a-thon, Best Buddies Crossfit Challenge, BBQ, Free Throw Contest, Kids Jump Zone, and more! $5 suggested donation.


Have an event coming up? Tell us about it! Email details to HCCoach@bestbuddies.org and we'll be happy to post them!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Follow Up!

As the fundraising superstar that you are, I'm sure you have drafted an amazing fundraising letter, telling your story as to why you are riding in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge. I'm sure you have also defined a lengthy, solid list of friends, family, colleagues, dentists, dog-walkers, etc. to reach out to. You've send your emails and letters and started recieving information. Great! What a fantastic start! Now, you've also gotten caught up in a big work project, spent weekends running endless errands, hosted a holiday meal for your family and friends, and haven't really thought about your fundraising since hitting send a while ago. Chances are, many of your contacts have forgotten your email too.

It's not that they don't want to donate, but with the hustle and bustle of springtime and life in general, emails and letters that are at once top of mind, often get pushed to the bottom of the pile. That's why it is always a good idea to follow up with your future donors. They will appreciate the reminder and you will see your fundraising jump.

About three to four weeks after sending out your first emails, remind yourself (via your Outlook calendar or Day Planner or Post-It on your fridge - whatever works) to check back in with your friends and family. This is another great chance to describe why you need their support and how appreciative you are that they are in your life. It's a very simple email or phonecall to make and will definitely help you meet and pass your fundraising commitment goal!

For more fundraising tips, look out for our monthly newsletters and tips and never hesitate to send your Rider Coach an email (hccoach@bestbuddies.org). Happy Fundraising!

Boston.com's Favorite New England Bike Rides

Hey Hyannis Port riders - as spring is beginning to show itself and as the Audi Best Buddies Challenge is just about 7 weeks away, now is a great time to be getting out and riding! Training is so crucial to enjoying the event. Sure, you can survive it, but wouldn't it be nice to take in the beautiful scenery on the way to the Cape instead of stressing about your burning glutes and how you just can't seem to catch your breath?

Just in time for your weekend, Boston.com (The Boston Globe's trusty website) has pulled together a collection of its 15 favorite rides around New England. The Cape Cod Ride is a nice preview for the HP Challenge. Check these out and start peddling!

If you have a favorite training ride that didn't make Boston.com's list, TELL US! We are working on some top-secret projects (more details to follow soon) to link together our riders and their favorite routes and would love to get your feedback. So send them along to coach@bestbuddies.org. Happy cycling!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Everyone Loves a Bake Sale

Taking a tip from our elementary school days, we've found that a good, old fashioned bake sale is always a good fundraising tool. Come on, who doesn't love a delicious cupcake for a cause?! When planned and executed well, bake sales can be extremely successful.

Decide on the right location first - is it your work's cafeteria? outside of the grocery store on a beautifully sunny Saturday morning? at a town hall meeting? Once a location is selected, send out invitations to people you know might be near the bake sale, letting them know to stop by, indulge a little, and support an awesome organization.

Next comes the fun part - baking! Decide who is baking what...and stick to it! Having 8 dozen brownies does not a successful bake sale make. Insist on variety ( cookies, cupcakes, breads, brownies, etc. - I could keep going but my mouth is watering just thinking about all of these sweets). A little decoration never hurt either, people are drawn to the brightly colored icing and the sprinkles, so get creative! It is also good to add in some healthier treats, like fruit salad or apples dipped in peanut butter. Also, try to think of what people might enjoy with a cookie - milk, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, juice - these beverages are a nice and easy addition to your already fantastic bake sale.

Make sure that everything is wrapped cleanly - no one wants to buy the dessert that looks mangled and sloppy. Price appropriately. Post flyers around the area to draw more crowds. And voila!

For more tips, check out these great posts:

• http://baking.about.com/cs/hintsandtips/a/bakesales.htm
• http://www.bigredkitchen.com/2008/10/how-to-run-bake-sale.html
• http://www.diylife.com/2008/05/01/how-to-have-a-successful-bake-sale

Now, to get you started, here's the recipe for a Best Buddies Challenge Office Favorite: World Peace Cookies. Originally a product of baker extraordinaire, Dorie Greenspan, we are confident that these should be served at all conflict resolution meeting there is...they will change your life (I really love them). So get baking and with each tablespoon of sugar, remember how amazing it is that you are supporting the Best Buddies mission. Thanks from all of us...and feel free to send some treats our way.

World Peace Cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (11 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chips, or a generous 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips

1. Sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together.

2. Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, the salt and vanilla extract and beat for 2 minutes more.

3. Turn off the mixer. Pour in the dry ingredients, drape a kitchen towel over the stand mixer to protect yourself and your kitchen from flying flour and pulse the mixer at low speed about 5 times, a second or two each time. Take a peek — if there is still a lot of flour on the surface of the dough, pulse a couple of times more; if not, remove the towel. Continuing at low speed, mix for about 30 seconds more, just until the flour disappears into the dough — for the best texture, work the dough as little as possible once the flour is added, and don't be concerned if the dough looks a little crumbly. Toss in the chocolate pieces and mix only to incorporate.

4. Turn the dough out onto a work surface, gather it together and divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, shape the dough into logs that are 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 3 hours. (The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. If you've frozen the dough, you needn't defrost it before baking — just slice the logs into cookies and bake the cookies 1 minute longer.)

Getting Ready to Bake:

5. Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

6. Using a sharp thin knife, slice the logs into rounds that are 1/2 inch thick. (The rounds are likely to crack as you're cutting them — don't be concerned, just squeeze the bits back onto each cookie.) Arrange the rounds on the baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.

7. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 12 minutes — they won't look done, nor will they be firm, but that's just the way they should be. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let the cookies rest until they are only just warm, at which point you can serve them or let them reach room temperature.

Ride Coach Jeremiah Angel Recommends: Weekend Sherpa

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, chances are you've probably heard of Weekend Sherpa. Weekend Sherpa's free weekly e-newsletter provides great suggestions for outdoor activities with which to fill your weekend. Sent every Thursday, their e-newsletters arrive just in time to plan your weekend adventures. From Bay Area biking, hiking and other outdoor activities, their e-newsletter has something for everyone's interests. This week's issue of Weekend Sherpa suggests several great rides in the Bay Area, including one route that starts and finishes at the incredibly delicious Marin French Cheese Factory!

For more information about Weekend Sherpa and to sign up for their weekly e-newsletter visit http://www.weekendsherpa.com/

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Think Outside Your Circle When Forming an Email List

So you've decided to jumpstart your fundraising efforts with an email campaign. Great! Before you can personalize each of your emails, you need to figure out who to email. Mom and Dad, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, your 3 best friends, and a few colleagues...done, right!? Not if you really want to meet that fundraising goal. Remember, it is not your decision to make if someone doesn't want to donate, so what harm can a heartfelt email do? Here are a few people to think about that might not have crossed your mind yet.

Your babysitter, coffeeshop server, dry cleaner, landlord, mail carrier, lawyer, dentist, tutor, etc. These are the people you see everyday and may not have even thought to reach out to. You never know if an acquaintance has a particular tie to the Best Buddies mission, or if they are looking to donate to something. Asking can't hurt and you will probably be surprised at the response you get!

Your long lost hometown and college friends who you have (unfortunately) lost touch with. Oh, the good old days of your youth. Meals in dining halls, cramming for tests until the sun rises, and staying out at the local bars, dancing until your feet hurt...bring back some memories? Remember the people who you were with? When was the last time you spoke with them. This is a great time to give your old friends a quick update on your life, and possibly reconnect to relive some of those great times.

Members of any groups, teams or organizations that you are a part of. From your after-work softball team to your church to your book club, members of these groups are great people to email for donations. They know you in one realm of your life, and share that common intrest, and will probably enjoy learning something new and cool that you are a part of. They will love to support you and the cause you are riding for!

With any email that you write, be sure to spend the entra few minutes to add a personal touch. Throw in a fun memory or compliment how they do so much for the community. These small details (even a simple sentence!) can make a huge difference. Check out the Fundraising Handbook for sample letters/emails to help you get started! Happy emailing!

Don't have a fundraising handbook? No problem. Just email hccoach@bestbuddies.org and we'll get you one right away.

Hurry Up and Register!

DON'T MISS OUT! - EARLY REGISTRATION RATE OF $1,250 EXPIRES TOMORROW!

The Alumni Rate, a special commitment of $1,250, is available for only one more day! The early rate will expire tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, at midnight.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of an experience of a lifetime! The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. This year the five-star ride will take place on Saturday, September 12. The ride is filling up faster than ever, so go ahead and reserve your spot! REGISTER TODAY!

Plymouth Rock Studios Team Video for the ABBC

Here's a great video from one of our ride teams, Plymouth Rock Studios! They describe who they are, why the ride and how they are preparing to make the 100 mile trek from Boston to Cape Cod in May's Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.


Find more videos like this on Hollywood East TV


Videos like this one are great for showing potential donors what they are contributing to because they express the Best Buddies mission so clearly. Thanks for the great work Plymouth Rock Studios! And if you have made any videos about either challenge, or have any great photos, send them our way (hccoach@bestbuddies.com)

Check out more from Plymouth Rock Studio's Website: Hollywood East TV's The Studio.
If you can't see the video above, click here!

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Casual Friday Collection

Once you've begun to fundraise and email responses start to slow down, it's time to get creative! A fun, easy way to rake in the donations at work would be to sponsor Casual Fridays. Speak with your boss first, and ask if you can organize a Casual Dress Friday where jeans are fair game...at the small price of a donation. We recommend you start off by asking people to donate $20 (aim high!) if they want to wear jeans to work. This way, they get to be more comfortable and feel extra good about contributing to your fundraising for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge.

Make sure you publicize your event well, particularly if your company already "celebrates" casual Fridays. Pass around and post flyers, containing the suggested donation amount, and where the money is going. Make sure to include the URL to your MY HQ page too! Send an office-wide email with the same information on Thursday as a reminder. Look to our website if you need any help with the language, or want a breakdown of how each donation will help a Best Buddies program.

When you show up to collect on Friday, be ready to answer questions about your fundraising and training to date (You did a 20 mile ride last weekend! You will surpass your fundraising goal with the donations from Casual Friday!). Bringing candy or homemade baked goods to give to each of your Levis-clad donors might be a nice "thank you" gesture.

We also recommend sending a big thank you email to your office for helping you get closer to your goal! If your Casual Friday is a success, maybe you do it every Friday for a whole month. It's fun and easy, and a great way to connect with your comfortable co-workers.

If you have tried this, or have any other fundraising stories, send them to HCcoach@bestbuddies.org! Happy Fundraising!

Endurance Training Clinic at PV Bicycle Center

Debbie Varon, a Hearst Castle event alumni rider and Specialized employee, will be hosting an endurance training clinic at PV Bicycle Center in Palos Verdes on Sunday, March 29 starting at 5:00 PM. PV Bicycle Center is located at 4B Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

In addition to Debbie's training tips, Best Buddies staff will be on hand to answer questions about our Hearst Castle event and raffle off some cool prizes! PV Bicycle Center is also offering a 15% discount on clothing and accessories for clinic attendees. For more information and to RSVP for this training clinic please email JeremiahAngel@bestbudddies.org.

PV Bicycle Center also hosts two weekly training rides departing from their store which can be used as great training for our Hearst Castle event. The shop's ride schedule is as followed:

SATURDAY SHOP RIDES: 7:00 - advanced ride, 30-40 miles; 8:00 - beginner's ride, 5-10 miles & intermediate ride, 20-25 miles

SUNDAY SHOP RIDE: 7:30 - advanced ride, 25-35 miles.

For more information about these group rides call PV Bicycle Center at 1.888.377.7441

Fundraising Tip of the Week: Host a Happy Hour

With St. Patrick's Day just behind us, we've all had a chance to get to a bar and enjoy a libation or two. It's a great social environment and a great spot for some fundraising. Today's tip is to host a happy hour at your favorite local pub!

Past riders have gone about this differently. Some have worked with the management to see if the bar would donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the Audi Best Buddies Challenge between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Others have worked it out so that they could arrange for and take in the cover charge proceeds between those hours. It might also be good to see if the bar would donate food for you to give away or collect the proceeds from. Door prizes are always fun!

Once you have set up the best time and place for your happy hour, it might be a good idea to print off those business cards we've made for you and collect some additional materials and then set up a table at the event. Here you can explain what you are riding for, and easily rake in some more donations.

Getting people to the happy hour is easy too! Utilizing social networks, like Facebook, make it simple for people to spread the word about upcoming events. Either create an event and send it to all of your friends, send everyone a message about it, or send out a massive email. Make sure to tell people to bring a friend or two. It's that easy!

Hopefully this tip is helpful for you. For more hints and tricks, check back next Wednesday or send us an email at HCcoach@bestbuddies.org.

Join us at the Best Buddies California Festivals of Friendship

We've been so fortunate to have your support and participation in past years, and because of your incredible fundraising efforts, Best Buddies is able to provide programs which help improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through one-to-one friendships and integrated employment opportunities. As an active supporter, we thought you might like to check out Best Buddies' mission in action:

March is Best Buddies Month! In honor of this, Best Buddies California is holding its annual Festivals of Friendship in Berkeley, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego. These events feature activity and vendor booths, celebrity guests, live entertainment, free food and beverages and a spirited one-mile friendship walk.

Join Our Group Ride! Join Hearst Castle Ride Coach, Jeremiah Angel, on a group ride to the Best Buddies Bay Area Festival of Friendship on March 14. Jeremiah will take you on a 1.5 hour easy-to-moderate paced ride through the beautiful Berkeley Hills to the Festival in time for the start of the celebration. This is sure to be a great day where you can combine training for the ride and experience the Best Buddies' mission first-hand!

WHAT: Audi Best Buddies Challenge group ride to the Best Buddies Bay Area Festival of Friendship led by Ride Coach, Jeremiah Angel

WHEN: Saturday, March 14. Ride will depart Sproul Plaza at 10:30 am sharp.

WHERE: University of California, Berkeley, Sproul Plaza, 2490 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720

Please RSVP to JeremiahAngel@bestbuddies.org as soon as possible to confirm your attendance and receive more details about the group ride!

Join Best Buddies at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California

For the third year in a row, Best Buddies is teaming up with the Amgen Tour of California. The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will take place February 14-22. The nine day stage race features world champion riders and world famous teams. Starting this Saturday in Sacramento, the course heads south through the redwoods, winds through scenic wine country and along the coast, for a grand finish in San Diego on Sunday, February 22.

Come out and stop by the Audi Best Buddies Challenge promotional tent located at the finish line at each day of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California! Our staff will be on hand to answer questions about the Hearst Castle event, in addition to great raffles and give-away items!

We look forward to seeing you on the route,

Jeremiah Angel
Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle

Versus footage of last year's "Buddy Up" program at the Amgen Tour of California: