When a few hundred disabled veterans, soldiers and supporters cycle through Oceano during a ride down California’s coast in early October, 400 students from Oceano Elementary School will be waiting to cheer them on.

The cyclists — riding handcycles, recumbents and traditional bikes — are scheduled to ride through San Luis Obispo County on Oct. 6 to 7 as part of Ride 2 Recovery, a program that aims to assist veterans in their mental and physical rehabilitation programs. It provides bikes, technical equipment, clinics and outings for veterans.

More than 200 cyclists, including about 100 from California, will set off Sunday on the Ride 2 Recovery Golden State Challenge, a seven-day, 450-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the California coast.

On Oct. 6, the riders will stop in San Luis Obispo, where they’ll be greeted by Mayor Dave Romero. The riders will continue down the coast past Shell Beach Elementary School, where students there also plan to cheer for them, said Jim DeCecco, a fifth-grade teacher at Oceano Elementary.

Several riders will speak about their experiences to Oceano students during an assembly Oct. 6, said DeCecco, who has coordinated efforts at his school for the past three years with the encouragement of Oceano Elementary Principal Ron Walton.

The next day, the cyclists will pass through Oceano on their way to Solvang. Students plan to hold signs showing their support.

According to the Ride 2 Recovery website, cycling helps to speed up the rehabilitation process and is an activity in which almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate.

For more information, go to www.ride2recovery.com.

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Arroyo Grande’s Recreation Division is looking for people to help plan and build its popular Haunted Maze, which is part of the annual Halloween Carnival. It will be open to the public Oct. 23 to 24.

Volunteers are needed to plan the design, decorate the maze, help set it up and take it down, and work as costumed characters, said Recreation Supervisor John Rogers.

“For Halloween enthusiasts, it’s a lot of fun to help,” he said.

The maze includes a nonfrightening section as well as a more “entertaining” route for those interested in a little extra excitement, Rogers said.

The maze will be located at Elm Street Park, adjacent to the carnival, and open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 and from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24. It costs $2 for unlimited access.

For more information, contact Rogers at 473‑5478.

Cynthia Lambert and Gayle Cuddy write the South County Beat column on alternating Wednesdays.