The trials, tribulations and success of the Love Ride seem to have come full circle. They may not have raised the kind of money this year as they have in years past, but they held a masterly organized event packed with the most amazingly talented guest stars hitting the stage from start to finish. The riders truly got their money’s worth this year, and the price was down to $60. The day felt reminiscent of years gone by where the combination of motorcycles, sunshine, old friends, food and entertainment just felt comfortable.
I actually got to the event late, because the day before the event, they upped the starting time to accommodate a celebrity guest. Huh? What guest holds that kind of weight? I’ll tell you who………Katey Segal, and she won the heart and respect of everyone there. Not only is she a great actress on TV’s most popular motorcycle program SOA, but she is beautiful, and funny…….and the woman can SING! And her music selection was stellar moody oldies that the crowd sang along with word for word. She opened the event like no other person ever has. She drew people up to the stage and made everyone there feel like they were a part of something special.
The group “The Forest Rangers with Katey Segal” includes the singer and songwriter for the “Sons of Anarchy” soundtrack and theme song, and he performed as well as Audra mae, who sings a hauntingly beautiful “Forever Young” on the soundtrack. Something about a bowl full of aging bikers appreciating life that makes you FEEL forever young…………….at least on the inside!
One of the hosts on stage had the audience raise their hand if they had been to the Love Ride at least 5 years……….10 years, 15…20……25. I realized not too many hands were up when he pointed at me and said, “Lady……you are starting to show your age!” But it’s true. I have been coming to the Love Ride nearly as long as there has been a Love Ride. I remember it being small and intimate, I remember it growing out of control in popularity and getting impossible to find a place to park and then it took forever to walk just to get in the front gate. I remember not being able to find a place to sit in the grassy knoll because the people were that thick. But bigger isn’t always better, and sometimes less is more.
The 30th annual Love Ride could not have gone much smoother. I got in on the tail end of the morning press conference just in time to catch Jay Leno, Lorenzo Lamas, Emillio Rivera and his beautiful wife Yadi, Rusty Coones and his beautiful wife K.O, and the “Bold and the Beautiful” boys Ron Moss and Winsor Harmon all scampering out to their bikes for the 50 mile ride up to Castaic Lake.
The ride was slow………..and orderly……………and safe. As a woman that has been long time known for being less than slow, orderly and safe, I have to say it was a very good thing. The police escorts did a fantastic job. It is just plain not that easy to keep that many people with that many different………..riding styles……together and sane! It couldn’t have been a more beautiful sunny, warm October day. Returning as Grand Marshal, Jay Leno was in his usual rare and funny form. He introduced all of the honorees and celebs, the royal Davidson family, Harley Dealers from all over the country, and military representing USO, which is what this year’s funds benefitted. USO offers assistance to deployed troops and their families. If you are interested in supporting our troops, you can do so at www.uso.org.
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The Victor McLaglen Motor Corp Stunt and Drill team was there to perform their difficult stunts that they somehow do in a tight area, on lumpy dirt, and still…….they make it look effortless and easy. These guys must really put in long hours to develop that kind of skill……………and TRUST!!!
Jackson Browne took the stage looking every bit as cool as he did three decades ago, and sounding every bit as clear. I just love his music, and was singing and dancing like a lunatic, and I swear it was all over in three songs! He didn’t even sing “Stay………..just a little bit longer”. So when I started screaming “Stay” at the top of my lungs, he just looked right at me, laughed and said I can’t. So I wandered off to see what was happening backstage, and out and about……….not really sure if the concert was over……….? It was too short!
I walked down to the crystal blue lake and looked back at all of the interesting people enjoying the day. It was nice to actually be able to find your friends and enjoy some lunch and conversations. It was a mellow and relaxing atmosphere, and I was just enjoying people watching……….
Until…………..FOO Fighters in the house! And then it was a sea of wild hair and rock and roll madness well into the afternoon. Dave Grohl sets the bar high for the epitome of a Rock Star. They played good old fashioned rock & roll biker tunes, and the crowd sang and danced and laughed and lounged. It was a most perfect end to a most perfect day. What a fabulous surprise having so much great talent take the stage all day long! Although I really wanted to hear Jackson Browne sing “Stay”. I did leave before the music ended…………..oh man, if he had only sang “Stay”, I SO would have! Look forward to the much continued success of this ride!
I’m Betsy, and you can learn more about me at:
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