Peter Fonda, Jay Leno, Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy At 25th Annual Love Ride

Ann Murray
Fancast.com

Bikers mingled with celebrities who play bikers on film & TV on Sunday in Los Angeles, at the 25th annual Love Ride, supporting charities like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics. The annual ride-out, which led a 25,000-strong brigade of celebs and bikers from the Harley Davidson store in Glendale to festivities at the Pomona Fairplex, was Grand Marshalled by car and bike aficionado, Jay Leno. Regardless of the early 7am call-time, Leno was easygoing and didn’t seem to mind, saying “I go out riding on Sundays anyways!” The event also featured music by Foo Fighters and ZZ Top.

Peter Fonda was at the event, surrounded by tough-looking biker types who seemed genuinely giddy to see the Easy Rider legend in the flesh. “This guy’s my hero,” said one to Fancast, pointing at the actor. Unfortunately, Fonda was unable to ride his bike out with the rest of the riders. “I haven’t been [on a bike] for almost a year now,” he told us. “I have my ankle fused. Actually, I was supposed to go riding today because I don’t have a back seat. And I wanted to carry my girlfriend in the back, but they gave me a bike with no back seat.” He was excited to be doing this for charity, saying “I’m helping raise money for Love Ride in any way I can.”

Other celebrity attendees also included Robert Patrick (The Unit, Terminator 2, X Files), who was nearly indistinguishable from other intimidating bikers in his tough black leather gear and dark sunglasses. Rockers Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and Duff McKagen (Velvet Revolver) also fit right in with the tough crowd but had their families in tow. Raising the Bar’s Mark-Paul Gosselaar was also in high spirits, telling Fancast “I’m happy to be here, raising money for charity and among friends and just good people.” Samurai Girl and Bone’s Brendan Fehr was there supporting the cause as well, but really looking forward to Foo Fighter’s performance among the backstage crowd.

There were some guests at the event who play both roles in their own lives: that of actor/biker. Theo Rossi, Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Johnny Lewis, Tommy Flanagan and Mark Boone Junior of Sons of Anarchy were around, hanging out in a tough-looking pack just as they do on screen. We sat down with the sons and asked them a few questions about their own experience with bikes. “I rode a little bit,” said Theo. “I had my license, but hadn’t ridden much. After the show I started riding a lot more.” Charlie Hunnam told us he’d done some dirt bike riding in the past. “But I never rode the big Harleys before.” Some of the other cast had a blast mingling with hardcore southern California bikers at the Love Ride event, telling us that they had been stopped at the event by several riders who told them they loved the show.
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The event is expected to generate 7-digit funds for the charities it sponsors.