The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: DC

From Best Buddies

A great charity is bringing its signature five-star cycling event to the Washington, DC area with the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington DC.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: DC takes place on October 22 and will feature an amazing route on closed roads in downtown DC, starting and ending at the Washington Monument. Cyclists will get to enjoy the sights that make the Nation’s Capital one of the most beautiful cities in the country, then head out into the scenic landscape of Montgomery County. With 100K and 20 mile cycling options, and a 5K run/walk, there is an event for everyone. Upon completion of your athletic event participants will celebrate their accomplishments with a gourmet lunch at the foot of the Washington Monument and an exclusive concert to cap it all off. Best of all, your participation ensures you are supporting the Best Buddies movement and changing the lives of people with and without IDD. Click here for pictures from last year!\

For more information go to about the Audi Best Buddies Challenge please go to: www.DCchallenge2011.org. Also see below for more info about training rides, shop nights and meet-ups  with this partner – all are welcome!

May 5 – Cinco De Mayo Shop Night at Revolution Cycles Clarendon

May 21 – Kick-off Training ride and Fix a Flat Clinic at Revolution Cycles Clarendon

July 9 – Evening Tour of the Monuments out of Revolution Cycles Crystal City

RSVP to Claire Duffy at: [email protected]

Comments

[Krystal Megan]

This sounds like a really cool opportunity to support a good cause. I immediately sent this to four friends and think we all may have to participate

[Michael H.]

The fundraising requirements are quite steep for most people. It sure seemed like participation was low at the inaugural event last fall (Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge).

I think they may want to reconsider their approach. A larger event with a lower registration fee would result in many more participants. They could still have a fundraising component. For example, the Bike for the Heart event that took place in Oct. 2009 had much lower fundraising minimums, but there was an incentive to obtain sponsors because of the prizes for fundraising.

I got a very funny feeling about this event last year when it was called the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge. The Best Buddies charity is a good cause but the event seemed completely targeted at wealthy individuals only, with repeated emphasis on "luxury" and "pampering" in the promotional materials. It's the same with the "gourmet meal" this year. It doesn't seem to fit with the idea that people are supposed to head out there and bike or run. It's a physical activity/sporting event, not a day spa. Or maybe I missed something? I thought physical exertion was a major aspect of cycling and running.

I don't like criticizing a charity event but I think this event needs to be criticized. I saw a lot of ads last fall but I don't know of anyone that actually participated.