The Love Ride Sunday, October 25, 2009

(818) 246-5618 or (818) 509-3080

Want to ride with the stars? Well, now you can.

Early each November, tens of thousands of motorcyclists - some average folks, some Hollywood celebrities - turn out astride their custom hogs for the "Love Ride," a 50-mile, star-studded motorcycle caravan, culminating in a public concert and barbecue.

Billed as "The largest one-day motorcycle fundraising event in the world!," the "Love Ride" was first organized back in 1983 to raise money for "Jerry's Kids," the Muscular Dystrophy Association.


The parade's Grand Marshals have included Dennis Hopper & Peter Fonda (the two stars of "Easy Rider," that classic biker film from 1969) and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno (another motorcycle devotee) has been on stage there for several years in a row now.

Other celebrities taking part in recent Love Rides have included singers Bruce Springsteen ("Born To Run"), Dwight Yoakam, and Gunner Nelson (of "Nelson"); actors Lorenzo Lamas (who played a biker in the TV show "Renegade"), Kirstie Allie ("Cheers"), Pamela Anderson Lee (of "Baywatch"), Charlie Sheen ("Young Guns"), John Hurt ("Rob Roy"), Lou Diamond Phillips ("The Big Hit"), Larry Hagman ("Dallas"), Ann-Margret ("Bye Bye Birdie"), and Judd Nelson ("Suddenly Susan"); Mary Hart (of "Entertainment Tonight"), singer Nancy Sinatra, Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner, the members of ZZ Top, Dennis Haskins ('Mr. Belding' on "Saved By The Bell"); Kenny Johnson ('Burner' on "Pensacola Wings of Gold"), radio D.J.'s Mark & Brian, Darren Burrows ('Ed Chigliak' on "Northern Exposure"), Robert Blake ("Baretta"), and even singer Pat Boone. Singer k.d. lang didn't show up in 1997, but on "The Tonight Show" later, she promised Jay Leno that she would absolutely be there for the 1998 ride.

Over 25,000 riders participate in each year's "Love Ride" - an amazing number - raising over one million dollars for the M.D.A. The mix included full-time bikers, "weekend warriors" (who are dentists and accountants the rest of the week), and groups for "mature bikers " (with their slogan "Born to be Mild").

Do you own your own bike? Then you too can ride with the stars next year. But since this is a charity affair, participants must register in advance (before 9 AM on the day of the parade), and must raise a minimum of $60 per person. (Entrants can recruit sponsors to contribute a certain amount for each mile of the drive, or they can simply contribute the total amount themselves).

Prizes, ranging from bandannas to to Harley-Davidson bikes to guitars autographed by B.B. King, are given away to those raising money for the cause. The annual event raises over $1 million for charity (MDA).

In 2009, the 26th annual Love Ride will take place Sunday, October 25, 2009.

In 2008, Jay Leno was once again be the Grand Marshal (no surprise there), and Peter Fonda & Robert Patrick were back as well as Honorary Grand Marshals. Entertainment was provided by The Foo Fighters & ZZ Top.

The ride leaves from Glendale at at 9:00 AM from Harley-Davidson of Glendale. Check-in/sign-up takes place between 6 AM and 9 AM. The entertainment (along with celebrity introductions) usually begins just after noon (at the destination).

The money raised will benefits a number of charities, including the Los Angeles Time's literacy initiative Reading By 9, he Muscular Dystrophy Association, The March of Dimes, and others.

In 2007, Jay, Peter and Robert were back, and it was Gregg Allman providing the entertainment at Pomona.

Important: After years of holding this event in Glendale, followed by a motorcycle ride to Lake Castaic, in 2006 they changed the destination to Pomona! The 20,000 bikers now head from Glendale to the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds ("Fairplex") in Pomona (about 35 miles to the east, a slightly shorter ride than the one to Castaic).

In 2006, Tonight Show host Jay Leno was the Grand Marshal, and actors Peter Fonda and Robert Patrick were honorary Grand Marshals. The Black Crowes and Edgar Winter provided the entertainment at the concert in Castaic, which (along with celebrity introductions) began just after noon.

In 2005, Jay Leno was the Grand Marshal and blues legend B.B. King entertained the crowd. That year, the 22nd annual "Love Ride" saw 20,000 bikers participated in the ride, and they raised $1.45 million for MDA.

In 2004, Jay Leno was again the year's Grand Marshal and actors Peter Fonda and Robert Patrick were honorary Grand Marshals. The headliner for the Castaic concert was the band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The 2003 event featured ZZ Top in concert, with Jay Leno as Grand Marshal, and also featured performances by The Nelson Brothers and former Stray Cat Lee Rocker.

Jay Leno was also the 2002 Grand Marshal. Peter Fonda and Lorenzo Lamas were on hand. That year's concert performers included Sheryl Crow and Mick Fleetwood, plus a pre-race performance by Jefferson Starship. Pat Boone was back - he has sung the National Anthem at the Love Ride now for five years.

In 2001, the Grand Marshal was Jay Leno again, and he was joined by honorary Grand Marshals Robert Patrick ("Terminator II", "The X-Files"), Peter Fonda and Lorenzo Lamas. That year's concert performers include Joe Walsh, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Vanilla Fudge.

In 2000, Jay Leno was the Love Ride's Grand Marshall, with Peter Fonda as honorary grand marshall. Rocker Billy Idol ("White Wedding") was there, as were Larry Hagman, stuntman Robbie Knievel and game show host Chuck Woolery. Entertainment included performances by Steppenwolf ("Born to be Wild"), Blood Sweat & Tears and Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

In 1999, Lorenzo Lamas was the 1999 Grand Marshall, Peter Fonda was on hand, as was actress Lindsay Wagner. Sammy Hagar appeared in concert at Lake Castaic.

The ride/parade starts at 9:00 AM from "Harley-Davidson of Glendale" at 3717 San Fernando Road, Glendale, CA. (near Forest Lawn Glendale) , and then rides about 35 miles east - via the Foothill (134) Freeway - to the LA County Fairgrounds (known as Fairplex) in Pomona, CA. .

At the destination, there is a festival and barbecue (which lasts from 11 AM to 5 PM), featuring an on-stage rock concert with live performances from stars such as the Doobie Brothers, Elvin Bishop, Jackson Browne, Los Lobos, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, the Steve Miller Band Jim Belushi, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Big Brother & The Holding Company.

Phone the hotline at (818) 246-5618 for information about this year's event.

official Love Ride website at: http://www.loveride.org

source: http://www.seeing-stars.com/Meet/LoveRide.shtml