AIDA LOVE CRASH

By Harley Davidson
Staff Writer

Through wind, rain and oil slicked highways, thousands of bikers braved the conditions Monday, roaring north on Interstate 5 to participate in Love Ride 18 at Columbia Lake.
Benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Reading by 9, various September 11 relief funds and about ten other charities, Love Ride 18, the largest motorcycle fundraising event in the world, flourished on Veterans Day.
Officials estimated that of the 20,000 bikers expected to participate in the event, between 10,000 and 12,000 riders actually toughed it out and rode from Fulton to Columbia. Event officials expect Love Ride to raise more than $1 million for charity.
Jay Leno, late night talk-show host and grand marshal of the event, congratulated attendees for their tenacity.
"Margaritas, slippery roads and motorcycles - good combination," Leno said.
Leno's Love Ride monologue set the tone for the event and stressed goodwill and patriotism among participants.
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