TEAM MARIA set out early Saturday, September 12 on the fundraising bike ride from Carmel through Big Sur to Hearst Castle Beach in support of Best Buddies International, a community for helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

TEAM MARIA exceeded their goal to raise $30,000 for Best Buddies by earning $80,000 in only six weeks.

TEAM MARIA had riders on each of the four distance legs of the race – all riders completed the Challenge. TEAM MARIA includes Capitol insiders: Former Speaker Fabian Nunez; Staff from Dewey Square Group and Lucas Public Affairs and First Lady Maria Shriver's friends, family and staff. 

For more insight on The Audi Best Buddies Challenge and TEAM MARIA, visit Greg Lucas’ blog: http://californiascapitol.com/blog/?p=733. Visit  www.bestbuddies.org to learn more about the benefits of Best Buddies International.  

TEAM MARIA Is already planning for the 2010 Best Buddies Challenge!