Fund-Raisers Will Be in Hog Heaven

Twenty-five years after they revved up their motorcycles for “Easy Rider,” Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper will ride together again, this time for charity.

The pair are the grand marshals of Love Ride 10, an annual charity event raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

The Love Ride begins at 9:45 a.m. today at Harley-Davidson of Glendale, whose owner, Oliver Shokouh, founded the event.

Shokouh, a friend of Fonda’s, recruited 500 motorcyclists and raised $42,000 for the first ride in 1984. This year he hopes to raise more than $1 million.

More than 15,000 motorcyclists, including celebrities such as Judd Nelson, Dean Cain, Jay Leno and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, are expected to join the 50-mile ride from Glendale to Castaic Lake for an all-day barbecue and concert featuring Dwight Yoakam and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. KLOS deejays Mark and Brian will emcee.

The reunion of Fonda and Hopper is a history-maker of sorts for bikers. “We thought since it’s the 10th anniversary and a landmark year, maybe we ought to try to get Hopper involved,” Shokouh said. “We asked, and he said fine. He hasn’t really ridden a bike since ‘Easy Rider.’ ”

Any motorcyclist who raises at least $40 in donations or pledges for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. can join the Love Ride and party at Castaic Lake. A prize of a 1994 Harley-Davidson Softtail Special goes to the one who raises the most.

Besides raising money for a good cause, Shokouh hopes to dispel the negative image of bikers.

“Bikers may look ominous, with the leather and riding apparel, but they’re really nice people inside,” he says.

Information: the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. at (818) 986-1793.