Television personality and motor vehicle enthusiast Jay Leno is reprising his role as grand marshal for Love Ride.

Love Ride 29 (though this is actually the 28th time the event has been held after the 2009 event was canceled due to the economic downturn) takes place Oct. 21 at Castaic Lake, Calif. Since 1984, the fundraiser has raised over $24 million for charity.

In the past, the fundraiser has raised money for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics of Southern California. Love Ride 29 will benefit the USO and its veteran programs located in 27 states. Continue Reading »

Peter Fonda, who played Wyatt in the 1969 cult classic, Easy Rider, was in Glendale, CA on Friday to help promote the Blu-Ray release of the film which marks the 40th anniversary.  The movie was scheduled to be shown at the Love Ride event that was canceled this year, instead the film screened at a local Harley-Davidson dealer.

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Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

By and large, motorcyclists are some of the most generous citizens in the world. Riding events all over the world bring in untold millions of dollars for numerous worthy charities.

Keeping with this theme, one hardy Canadian rider is braving the Great White North’s frigid winter temperatures by riding his Harley coast to coast to raise awareness for diabetes, a disease that has seen a rapid explosion of new afflictions.

Michael Cole, 47, began his ride on the East Coast of Canada on January 1, from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Cole is riding his 1995 Harley-Davidson Softail through the bone-chilling Canadian winter, aided by electrically heated riding gear. After having braved incredible -35-degree temperatures across the prairies, Cole, a diabetic himself, is scheduled to arrive on Canada’s West Coast this week. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled at the much warmer weather there!

Fittingly, a sticker on the side of Cole’s Harley reads: “When Hell Freezes Over, I’ll Ride There Too.”

Congrats, Michael! You’re braver than most of us!

For those of you with a generous spirit, please go to Cole’s website and make a donation.

Related Reading: Ride for Diabetes, Love Ride, Guitar Auction.