Glendale City Council still adores the Love Ride
Though the city can’tgive the Love Ride, an annual charitable motorcycle event, the same monetary support as in years past, the City Council gave the event a solid endorsement this week.
“It’s great for the local economy. It’s great for the charities,” Mayor Frank Quintero said about the motorcycle caravan that begins at Harley-Davidson of Glendale and continues to Castaic Lake.
Glendale used to give the charitable event $15,000 annually to cover police and other city support. But the money came from the city’s now defunct Redevelopment Agency. Redevelopment ended in February following a state mandate that redirected most of the city’s incrementally higher property taxes to Sacramento.
In the past, the Love Ride, which brings tens of thousands of people from all over the world to Glendale, has supported medical causes. But this year, at the urging of actor and self-described motorcycle enthusiast Robert Patrick, the beneficiary will be the USO, a nonprofit that supports military.
“I think it’s one of the finest organizations, charitable organizations that this country has to offer,” said Patrick, of “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and “True Blood” fame. Patrick and Peter Fonda, of the motorcycle classic “Easy Rider,” are the 29th annual Love Ride’s honorary grand marshals. Jay Leno is set to continue his longtime role as grand marshal.
“You have three veterans sitting up here: one Marine, one Air Force and one Navy,” said Councilman Dave Weaver, of the current council’s military roots. “This is right up our alley.”
The Love Ride, from Harley-Davidson of Glendale to Castaic Lake, is planned for Oct. 21. For more information, visit www.LoveRide.org.