During its heyday, California’s Love Ride attracted more than 20,000 motorcyclists and was capable of raising $1,000,000 for charities over the course of one weekend. Having enthusiasts like Jay Leno and musical lineups like ZZ Top and the Foo Fighters helped bring riders in from around SoCal and beyond. Organizations like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics of Southern California were the beneficiaries of the yearly event and over the course of 25 years, the Love Ride raised over $22 million for charity. Until 2009, when the realities of a struggling economy came crashing down on event organizer and Harley-Davidson of Glendale owner, Glen Shokouh. Low ticket sales, a decreasing number of participating vendors and declining sponsorships forced Shokouh to make the difficult decision to pull the plug on the event in 2009.
 
But being the magnanimous guy that he is, Shokouh refused to let this hold him down for long as he recently announced that the Love Ride is scheduled to return in 2011. Shokouh is even planning on holding a Love Ride 26 ½ at his Glendale H-D dealership this year on October 24, 2010. The 2010 event won’t include a ‘Ride’ as it returns to its roots as a ‘Biker’s Carnival’ similar to the celebration that started it all way back in 1981.
 
“The economy remains in flux, and although there are some positive signs, we want to make sure both the Love Ride and the Love Ride Foundation are on solid ground before we continue our mission, which is to raise money for children’s charities and those less fortunate in our community,” Shokouh said. “We’re excited, and at the same time, humbled by the response from the community at-large to bring the Love Ride back as soon as possible. Meetings have been slated for the Love Ride Board of Directors and other community leaders. We are meeting to outline a new game plan for the ride. As a stopgap this year, our Love Ride 26 1/2 Biker’s Carnival will be held at Glendale Harley on the day usually reserved for the Love Ride. With this biker’s carnival, we’re going retro.”
 
Something tells me that Love Ride 26 ½ might not have the dunk tank, softball toss, and target shooting that the original 1981 gathering did. And I don’t know if Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs, the 1981 headliners, are available but I’ll bet it will feature live music and BBQ similar to the original celebration.

Shokouh and the Love Ride still have the goal of “improving the quality of life for those less fortunate” and are accepting donations throughout the year through the sale of Love Ride merchandise and via the Love Ride Biker’s Carnival to be held this October.

For more information on the Love Ride and Love Ride Foundation, go to www.loveride.org  or contact Oliver Shokouh at oliver@loveride.org.