Fender to make custom guitar for Love Ride

Guitar maker Fender has announced a custom design for Love Ride 28, the annual motorcycle fundraiser for autism research.

The event, which returns to Castaic Lake Oct. 23, typically attracts thousands of motorcycle riders and features stunt demonstrations, celebrities, such as Peter Fonda and Jay Leno, and a lot of Harleys.

Organized by Harley-Davidson of Glendale, it’s billed as the largest charity ride in the world.

Fender’s custom Telecaster guitar design will feature the Love Ride 28 logo and be autographed by the event’s featured music artists, Montgomery Gentry, and “other surprise celebrities,” according to an announcement released today.

The guitar will be included in a slate of prizes for participants in the event.

In a statement, Love Ride founder Oliver Shokouh said Fender’s donation “is exactly what the spirit of Love Ride is all about,” citing numerous donors who combine to raise money for Autism Speaks, a national organization that researches and raises awareness about the developmental disorder.

More than 1,000 riders turned out for last year’s event, which was a more scaled down version due to economic woes.

And no, you don’t have to own a Harley to participate.

For more information, visit the event’s website.

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News

Twitter: @jasonwells

Photo: Jay Leno gets a feel for a specially built Harley-Davidison at the Love Ride in Glendale last year. Credit: Tim Berger/Times Community News