BIKER NEWS: Thousands say farewell to the Love Ride, a biker tradition

BN- The 32nd “Grand Finale” Love Ride went out with a bigger, “badder,” louder rumble at Castaic Lake Sunday, as the Foo Fighters and thousands of bikers turned out to say farewell to a tradition.

They ran out of beer, they ran out of food, but at the end of the day - 32 years after the Love Ride charity fundraiser began - more then $24 million has been raised since 1984 for causes such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

An estimated 25,000 bikers rolled into Castaic Lake for the "Sold Out" event Sunday, leaving latecomers and non-motorcycle motorists to park blocks away and walk.

The hills surrounding the stage at Castaic Lake became packed with thousands who came to the see Foo Foo Fighters perform.

By mid-afternoon, however, hundreds of bikers and Love Ride attendees were leaving the event.

“They ran out of beer,” said one biker walking away from the stage when asked to explain the exodus.

“It was the last Love Ride and it felt like it,” said Michelle Cano as she walked from the event at 3 p.m.

Castaic resident Flo Lawrence explained the situation, saying: “They got such an overwhelming turnout for the Foo Fighters that everything was taxed.

“Instead of 2,500 attending which is what they had last year, they had 25,000 this year,” he said.

“It’s not like they (organizers) didn’t give care,” he said. “They just were overwhelmed by the draw of the Foo Fighters.”

The Grammy award-winning group followed opening bands Social Distortion and American Hitmen, rocking the shoreline of Castaic Lake and its surrounding hills with hit songs such as My Hero, which they dedicated to Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh.

Royal Edward, who drove from Canoga Park to see the Foo Fighters, left while the band was still playing, disappointed in the shortage of food and beer.

“It’s very bad planning,” he said. “Why is everyone leaving? Because they ran out of beer.”

But, while hundreds left, thousands remained to see the Foo Fighters close out their set and cap more than three decades of raising money among the biker culture.

Among the thousands who attended Sunday were comedian and long-time former host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno, and actor Peter Fonda, who starred in the iconic 60’s film, Easy Rider, and who did the first public service announcement for Love Ride.

Sunday’s event raised money specifically for the Wounded Warrior Project which helps thousands of injured military personnel returning home from overseas conflicts and provides assistance to their families.

To get a ticket to the last ever Love Ride required a $45 minimum donation in advance of the show, or $60 at the door.

“Before the Foo Fighters came out, they (organizers) said they were giving refunds for beer tickets,” said attendee Steve Baltin. 

Love Ride organizers have featured some of the biggest names in music to perform over the last 32 years including: Bruce Springsteen, BB King, Jackson Browne, Eric Burdon and Lynard Skynard.

The first Love Ride happened on Nov. 11, 1984, featuring Robbie Krieger & The Doors. It drew 500 people.

Source: http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/143752/