REVVED UP FOR LOVE BIKERS BATTLE WEATHER TO BENEFIT CHARITY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

CASTAIC - More than 10,000 leather-clad motorcyclists weathered rain Sunday in the charity Love Ride, but spirits were high, and this year's ride had a pronounced sense of patriotism.

Onlookers waved American flags from freeway overpasses, and some riders had flags flapping in the wind on the backs of their bikes.

``It's a lot more patriotic this year,'' said Lisa McCabe, who drove in from Laughlin, Nev., for the fifth year in a row to ride her bike in what is billed as the largest motorcycle fund-raising event in the world.

``Seeing the firetrucks on the overpasses waving flags at us - that was way cool,'' McCabe said.

Although they were soaked from their journey from Glendale, many riders shed their leather jackets when the rain stopped at Castaic Lake, where a post-ride concert was held.

Police estimate that about 12,000 people rolled into the picnic area by the lake, fewer than in years past and not as many as when the ride started in Glendale. The rain apparently made many riders turn around before completing the course.

The weather was just the latest hitch in the event.

Earlier in the week, the Love Ride's founder, Oliver Shokouh, said he felt that the slumping economy could affect the bottom line.

At the concert, he said that though the final numbers weren't tabulated, he expected a decrease in income from previous years.

``It's down. I don't know how much, but it's down 10 (percent), 15 (percent), 20 percent,'' Shokouh said. ``I'm pleased with the outcome considering the gloomy weather - I was expecting worse.''

When the entertainment started at Castaic Lake, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus and the band Vanilla Fudge, grand marshal Jay Leno, host of NBC's ``Tonight Show,'' joked about the tight security at the event.

``If your name is Mohammad, you're probably going to have a hard time getting in unless your last name is Ali,'' Leno cracked.

Other celebrities on hand were actor Ving Rhames from the movies ``Pulp Fiction'' and ``Con Air,'' as well as Robert Patrick from Fox's ``X-Files'' television show.

The 18th annual Love Ride - a 50-mile motorcycle caravan from Glendale to the Santa Clarita Valley - is expected to raise more than $1 million for 16 charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, with each participant paying a minimum of $50 to join the ride.

At least $100,000 was set aside for different Sept. 11 disaster relief funds.

A New York Port Authority officer was flown in by a friend to accept a check for about $25,000 for the World Trade Center Disaster Survivors' Fund. The money will go directly to the families of 37 Port Authority officers who died and two who are in critical condition.

``I just want to let you guys know,'' Mike Warmrock said, overcome by emotion, ``that people in New York understand and appreciate all the support. They've been treating me like royalty. Jay Leno asked if he could get me a beer.''

Warmrock said he also lost his partner in the terrorist attacks, a man he had known since grammar school.

``He had a 2-year-old boy, and his wife is pregnant,'' Warmrock said. ``We have 71 orphans, which will be 73 since two of the wives are pregnant.''

Los Angeles Councilman Dennis P. Zine, whose district covers the west San Fernando Valley, was instrumental in guaranteeing that at least $100,000 go to Sept. 11 funds.

He appealed to 5th District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to waive Los Angeles County fees for the event, as well as other officials whose districts would be impacted by the ride.

According to Antonovich deputy Conal McNamara, at Zine's urging, Antonovich waived about $12,000 in fees, including permit fees to use the park at Castaic Lake as well as county police, so that money could go to the Sept. 11 funds.

``My focus was to raise as much money as we could,'' Zine - who added that he is the only L.A. City Council member to ride a Harley - said about appealing to local officials to waive fees.

The Love Ride was founded in 1984 by Shokouh to promote a positive image for motorcyclists. The event began with 500 riders and raised $40,000 for MDA.

In 17 years, it has raised nearly $14 million for charities, becoming the largest motorcycle fund-raising event in the world.

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9 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color -- ran in Valley edition only) A patriotic pair fly the biker flag off the end of their Harley-Davidson motorcycle as they ride Sunday down Los Feliz Boulevard in Glendale for the 18th annual Love Ride fund-raiser for 16 charities.

(2 -- 6 -- color -- ran in Valley edition only) Motorcyclists wave, top, as they cruise up the Golden State Freeway toward Castaic Lake in the 18th annual Love Ride. Above, the gloomy weather didn't keep participants from showing off their gleaming chrome on the 50-mile caravan, which started in Glendale. Glen Cheslock of Tarzana shows his support with a wave of Old Glory and a thumbs-up on a Newhall Pass overcrossing, above right. Below right, Love Ride Grand Marshal Jay Leno, host of TV's ``Tonight Show'' and a longtime motorcycle enthusiast, waves to fans and photographers before mounting his hog before the ride begins in Glendale.

John McCoy and David R. Crane/Staff Photographers

(7 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Well protected by leather and denim, motorcyclists shrug off the rain Sunday on the Golden State Freeway through Castaic while participating in the 18th annual Love Ride fund- raiser.

(8 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Love Ride supporters wave to motorcyclists from the Hasley Canyon overpass of the Golden State Freeway in Castaic.

(9 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus performs for Love Ride participants Sunday at the ride's endpoint, Castaic Lake.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer