Chaps Shtick

GLENDALE — Amid a vibrating sea of leather, denim and polished chrome, thousands of motorcyclists roared off to Castaic Lake on Sunday, kicking off the 15th annual Love Ride charity event.

The ride, which raises money for muscular dystrophy causes, is the largest fund-raiser of its kind in the country, but this year the threat of rain kept away many cyclists.

Love Ride officials had expected 20,000 riders--each of whom would pay a minimum of $50 to participate. In all, $1 million was expected to be raised for muscular dystrophy causes.

As of Sunday evening, officials had not determined how many bikers attended, but they believe they fell short of their goal.

Dark skies and wet roads did not, however, dampen the spirits of the eclectic collection of participants, including attorneys, Hells Angels, politicians and celebrities.

“It’s one big family in support of kids in need,” said Las Vegas resident Steve McMillan, as he prepared to participate in his first Love Ride. “It’s just awesome.”

Leading the throng for the 50 miles from Glendale to Castaic was grand marshal Jay Leno, who said he didn’t mind giving up his weekend break from “Tonight Show” hosting duties.

“This isn’t hard work,” said Leno, a longtime Harley enthusiast and motorcycle collector. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Honorary grand marshal Peter Fonda rode a replica of the Captain America chopper he immortalized 30 years ago in the movie “Easy Rider.”

“I can still cross my leg over the tank,” Fonda said.

Also heading up the Hollywood contingent were Nancy Sinatra, John Hurt, Larry Hagman, Ann-Margret and Dan Haggerty, star of “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” series.

In Glendale, before the bikes thundered away, Pat Boone led the crowd in the national anthem.

After arriving at Castaic Lake, the riders were treated to a barbecue and concerts by Steve Miller and George Thorogood. The rain never materialized. Numerous makes of motorcycle were on hand for the event, but the Love Ride has always in particular attracted lovers of Harley-Davidsons. Perhaps that’s because the event was the brainchild of Harley-Davidson of Glendale owner Oliver Shokouh, who first staged it in 1984 with 500 motorcyclists.

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The riders raised $40,000 that first year. Since then, Love Ride events have donated almost $10 million to the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

This year, Harley adherents came from as far as New Zealand and Europe.

Marino Cattanco and brothers Peter and Bernhard Eschmann came from Switzerland. They gazed in wonderment at block after block of Sportsters, Dyna Glides, massive Electra Glides and other Harley-Davidson models in colors ranging from peach to classic black.

The rumbling the collection of bikes made would have registered on any nearby seismographs.

“It’s been very good seeing a lot of the bikes,” said Bernhard Eschmann. “It’s the thing that we all have together.”

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MAKING CONNECTIONS

If Mitzvah ’98 and Love Ride 15 inspire you to do more for your community, the Volunteer Center Assistance League of Southern California can help.

For 47 years, the organization has been referring people of all ages to 3,000 nonprofit organizations that need volunteers, said Joan Kagan, director of volunteer services.

Last year, they referred 50,000 people, including 35,000 who had been ordered by the court to do community service work.

Using a computer matching system, the organization links volunteers with charity work that fits their schedules and interests.

The group may be reached at (818) 908-5128, through e-mail at [email protected] or at https://www.volunteers.org on the Internet.