BIKERS RIDE TO HELP BOY BATTLE DISEASE.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

A convoy of motorcycles thundered from Simi Valley to Newhall on Sunday to raise money for an ill Santa Clarita boy.

About 40 bikers made the 100-mile round trip to help Dylan Foley, 11, who suffers from Hodgkin's lymphoma. The bikers raised between $1,000 and $1,500 for Dylan, said the Rev. Rick Fish, pastor of the Live Ride Church in Simi Valley.

``We want to do what we can to help out,'' Fish said. ``We're constantly doing different activities to raise funds for these different groups.''

The bikers donate money themselves and solicit additional donations from ``everybody we talk to,'' said Dave Johnson, assistant division manager for division 3 of the Modified Motorcycle Association.

But folks generally become more receptive ``once they realize what you're doing,'' Johnson said.

The 40 motorcycles on the highway made their presence known.

``When you stretch them out on the road, that's almost a half a mile of bikes,'' he said.

Many of the riders might have been out for a pleasure ride anyway, so they enjoy the chance to help Dylan, Johnson said.

``It's a worthy cause,'' he said. ``It's a chance to take your bike for a ride on Sunday.''

Fish has participated in a number of motorcycle rides for charity, but this is the first organized by the Live Ride Church.

``We just volunteer to help wherever we can,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO (Ran in Simi Edition only) Motorcycle riders maneuver around a van during Sunday's benefitride, making their way from Simi Valley to Newhall and back.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News