Photo: WSHS Special Ed student Anslee Fraser with GA supportive racers Rondeau and Teague
By Valerie Sliker, courtesy Wagener Monthly
Former WSHS Special Education teacher Valerie Steen, now teaching at White Knoll, returned to Wagener to support her beloved Making Others Believe (MOB) Club as they provided a rest stop for the 31st Annual Aiken to Ride Fundraiser for the Special Olympics that was held on September 11, 2016.
Steen remains actively involved with the South Carolina Special Olympics Area 15 which covers Aiken, Edgefield and Saluda counties and was excited to be back with the MOB crew to distribute snacks and drinks for the 200 bicycle riders who come from all over the United States to ride through beautiful Aiken County in support of the Special Olympics held at Midland Valley High School each spring.
Aiken to Ride offers four different routes, all of which begin and end at Odell Weeks Recreational Center, and is a qualifying event for other races. The Century route is 102 miles with a 1625’ climb. The Metric route is 67.5 miles with a 1967’ climb. The 37-mile loop has only a 686’ climb and the 27-mile route consists of a 460’ climb. One rider was surprised to find himself at the Wagener stop. He had missed the turn-off for the 37-mile loop and was now doing the 67-mile route. The routes weave among horse farms and rural communities including New Holland, Wagener, Williston and Windsor.
Anslee Fraser, a special education student at WSHS, joins the MOB club at the Wagener stop each year to cheer on the riders. She was excited this year to see one of last year’s riders, Stace Rondeau recognize her as he coasted in and gave her a big hug.