Team Athens had its beginning in 2014 with Eli Conover, an 18 year old young man confined to a wheel chair living at Echoing Meadows. A group of four people decided to form a team that would train and complete the Marion Popcorn 100 bike ride. This team consisted of Anne Wilson, Sean and Connor Hampton and Paul Richard. Thanks to Team Heart & Sole allowing us to use and store the Wike bike trailer in Athens, we began training in April. Every weekend we would go out on a bike ride, gradually increasing our miles. On September 6 we completed the 105 mile journey and Eli went the whole way!

In 2015 we decided to take the next step and form a chapter of Team Heart & Sole in Athens, seeing the wonderful benefits that can come not only to people with disabilities, but also to those who would choose to enter a relationship with them. For this first year we will be using the experience and equipment of Team Heart & Sole in Columbus to enter events in the Athens area. It is our hope to have as beautiful expression of people with and without disabilities joining together to make a difference in our community.

Team Athens cruising along

Team Athens Anne, Eli and Paul

Team Athens giving a little help up the hill

Team Athens at the finish of the Popcorn 100, still smiling