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Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Sign of the Times: Love Ride 26 Canceled
October 31, 2009

This year’s Love Ride, one of the main events of California Bike Week, which took place Oct. 23-25, was canceled.

Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh cited the weak economy as the reason for the cancellation.

“The bottom line is that the Love Ride is a victim of the recession,” said Shokouh in a press release. “We did a very careful analysis over the last several months, and realized that ticket sales weren’t enough to offset costs. Simply put, there would be no money left to help the kids, the sole reason for the Love Ride.”

Founded in 1984, the Love Ride is one of the world’s largest one-day motorcycle charity events and raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and more than a dozen other children’s charities, including Autism Speaks.

“For 25 years, thousands of charity-minded motorcyclists have roared down L.A. freeways behind celebrities like Jay Leno and Peter Fonda in the Love Ride–an annual trek to raise millions of dollars,” wrote Sue Doyle in an article for the Los Angeles Daily News.

Said Shokouh: “2009 is simply not a good year for a charity event.”

On an upbeat note, California Bike Week will still take place.

In place of the Love Ride on Sunday, Oct. 25, there will be an autograph session with actor Peter Fonda and a free movie screening of “Easy Rider” on Friday, Oct. 23 from 4-10 pm.

The screening commemorates the 40th anniversary of Fonda’s starring role in the movie. The event will take place at Harley-Davidson/Buell of Glendale (3717 San Fernando Rd.).

For more information, see the press release from Love Ride officials.