Earlier this month, celebrities, professional athletes and hundreds of riders with and without disabilities joined forces for the fifth annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. Team CSC-Saxo Bank’s Bobby Julich led a CSC team of 35 employees, partners and clients, who together raised more than $47,000 for Best Buddies.

CSC team captain Joe Amato, managing director of CSC’s Global Business Services office in San Francisco, says, “It’s a really unique and rewarding event. Due to our very positive experience last year we easily doubled the size of our team this year including many returning riders.  A ‘century’ ride can be a physical and mental challenge but participating as a team gets you through. It’s great to have CSC support such a worthwhile cause in our community and bring the visibility and fundraising to Best Buddies.”

He adds that Julich’s participation was a highlight and inspiration for the other cyclists. “It was great for our clients and partners to be able to spend some time and talk with Bobby about his experience as a professional rider.”

Participants chose to ride a 100-, 62- or 15-mile course along California’s picturesque Pacific Coast Highway. The day also included a run/walk event, as well as a post-race celebration with pop band “Black Eyed Peas.”

This year’s Challenge raised more than $3.6 million for Best Buddies, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. To learn more and sign up for next year’s race, visit the event’s Web site.