CHARITABLE CHOPPERS BIKERS RAISE BIG BUCKS DURING 19TH LOVE RIDE.Byline: Susan Abram and Bhavna Mistry Staff WritersMore than 20,000 Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, motorcycle riders rolled out of Glendale on Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
``It's a gorgeous day,'' said Annet Peairs, a spokeswoman for the event, which started at Harley-Davidson of Glendale and thundered up the Golden State Freeway The Golden State Freeway is a north-south freeway running through Kern County and Los Angeles County, California. Originally built as U.S. Highway 99, it was re-signed as Interstate 5 in 1964. to Castaic Lake Castaic Lake is a lake on Castaic Creek formed by Castaic Dam, in northwestern Los Angeles County, California, near the town of Castaic. The 323,700 acre foot lake (399,000,000 m³) is the terminus of the West Branch of the California Aqueduct, though some comes from the 154 mi² to the cheers of spectators atop a gauntlet of overpasses. ``We're blessed the sun came out for the Love Ride,'' Peairs said. Grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. Jay Leno Jay Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an Emmy-winning American comedian, writer who is best known as the current host of NBC television's long-running variety and talk program The Tonight Show. Biography Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York. of NBC's ``Tonight Show'' led the motorcade out after hosting a short pre-ride show where he introduced other celebrity riders, including Lorenzo Lamas, Larry Hagman, Sally Kirkland For Sally Kirkland the Vogue & Life editor, see, see . Sally Kirkland (born October 31, 1944) is an American actress. Biography Early life Born in New York City, she is the goddaughter of the late actress Shelley Winters. , Dwight Yoakam, Sheila E., and Dan Haggerty Dan Haggerty (b. November 19, 1941 in Hollywood, California) was the burly, bearded star of TV's "Grizzly Adams". He was born in Hollywood, growing up amidst the Southern California bodybuilding lifestyle. . Peter Fonda served as honorary grand marshal. Leather-clad officials were also on hand, including Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LeBonge, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, and Glendale City Councilmen David Weaver and Gus Gomez. The normally placid Castaic Lake Recreation Area was transformed Sunday into a rumbling maze of motorcycle riders and rock 'n' rollers. The classic band Jefferson Starship rocked the Glendale launch site while Mick Fleetwood and Friends, and Sheryl Crow performed at Castaic Lake. ``I've been doing this ride since it first started,'' said the ``Easy Rider'' himself, Fonda, before slipping out the back gate to make the 50-mile trek to Castaic. ``I think it's great, and it's a fun way to raise money.'' The Love Ride began with 600 riders in 1984 to raise money, and according to founder Oliver Shokouh, to highlight the kinder, gentler side of motorcyclists. Now billed as the world's largest one-day charity motorcycle ride, proceeds from a $50 minimum entrance fee go toward the Muscular Dystrophy Association The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an organization founded in 1950 which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals as well as other charities. Riders Sunday were expected to raise $1.2 million. Riders of all ages, from all walks of life, said they participate for the camaraderie, the love of riding and for a good cause. Nurse Marsha Middleton of Rosemond said she started riding her 1999 customized Vulcan in May and couldn't wait to head out for her first Love Ride. Like most, she was happy that the weather had cleared. Last year, rain pounded on the riders, and the event was a more sober affair because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. ``We rode in last night from the Antelope Valley, and it was raining,'' Middleton, 46, said. Other first time riders said they wanted to share the experience friends had been telling them about for years. ``I've been in other rides, but this is my first time here,'' said Palmdale resident Abel Fernandez. ``Any excuse is good when you get to ride.'' West Covina resident George Suri said he was participating because he could relate to the charity the ride was benefiting. ``I had polio when I was a kid in Cuba,'' he said, before straddling strad·dle v. strad·dled, strad·dling, strad·dles v.tr. 1. a. To stand or sit with a leg on each side of; bestride: straddle a horse. b. his Harley. ``I'm doing this for the muscular dystrophy muscular dystrophy (dĭs`trōfē), any of several inherited diseases characterized by progressive wasting of the skeletal muscles. There are five main forms of the disease. charity.'' Mark Rush of Rancho Santa Margarita sported a Bikers for Christ patch on his denim jacket. He said the positive event shatters the misconceptions many have of bikers. ``It's a great atmosphere and a wonderful thing for a good cause,'' said Kenny Merrill, 36, of Van Nuys, wearing a black leather jacket with an orange Harley logo and a straw cowboy hat. ``It's good to see everyone come together for mutual benefit.'' Mark Martucci, 47, of Canyon Country said he enjoyed seeing familiar faces at the Love Rides. ``It's a good time to get out and relax,'' said Martucci, who came to the event with friend John Hill, 43 of Castaic. CAPTION(S): 6 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Actor Dan Haggerty and his son ride with 20,000 motorcyclists during Sunday's Love Ride. John McCoy/Staff Photographer (2 -- 3 -- color) Singer Sheryl Crow, left, performs Sunday at the Love Ride, where thousands of bikers, including Mark Shaffer, at right with his dog Bandit bandit: see brigandage. , came out to raise funds for charity. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News (4 -- 6) At top, some of the estimated 20,000 riders rock out to the sounds of Jefferson Starship at the start of Sunday's Love Ride. At left, a slew of riders make their way to Castaic Lake during the 19th annual event. Above, actors, from left, Larry Hagman, Sally Kirkland, Lorenzo Lamas and Dan Haggerty hang out in the VIP area before joining other bikers for the start of the charitable ride along San Fernando Boulevard in Glendale. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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