This weekend bicycle enthusiasts can take a long, scenic ride while "Cycling for the Connection" on Saturday, Oct. 29, beginning at 8:15 a.m. at Riverview Park.

The event is sponsored by the Family Connection of SC-Aiken County, a non-profit organization that assists families with special needs children.

The weekend bike ride will feature a Metric Century Loop bike ride, which involves a 65-mile route, in addition to a 25-mile route, according to Connection member Billie Chartier. The bike ride begins and ends at Riverview Park.

Registration for the bicycling fundraiser is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Entry fee includes a T-shirt, door prizes, lunch, rest stops, refreshments and SAG vehicles. In addition, there will be a Holtz T-shirt for the first 100 who register for the event.

"There will be two rest stops," said Chartier. The first is at Republican Baptist Church and the second, for the Metric Century riders, will be at Strom Thurmond Dam. Upon their return to Riverview Park, bikers will be treated to pizza and subs, cookies made by Chartier's husband Alex, and - a first this year - prizes for the first, second and third place winners. Gift baskets have been provided by Gloria Jean's Gourmet Coffee and Andy Jordan has provided merchandise for prizes.

Chartier said the funds raised in the biking event will be used in part to provide respite care for families with special needs children. "We'll be able to bring all our children [not just the special needs child] from 5 to 8 p.m. once a month at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken," said Chartier, who indicated the program will start once volunteers have been trained. "The money will also help with the PAL support group," she said, explaining that group provides information on changes in Medicaid, changes in programs available, budget cuts, referrals, etc.

"We were able to get a bath chair for Audrey," said Chartier of her own special needs child. "Insurance said a bath chair was not 'medically necessary,'" she said.

Family Connection also has a Loaner Closet, which contains needed equipment, like a positioning seat. "We let people use the equipment until their child outgrows it, then it goes back into the Loaner Closet," detailed Chartier.

Signature sponsors for Cycling for the Connection include Fire Mountain, Dr. Deborah A. Ashcraft, North Augusta Sports Commission, Verizon of North Augusta, Aiken Bicycle Club, CH2MHILL, Windsor Jewelers, Osbon's Laundry and Cleaners and Pizza Hut.

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