Economy scrubs LA Love Ride biker rally

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Los Angeles Love Ride say they had to cancel this year's charity motorcycle rally due to a sharp drop in registrations and sponsorships.

The Love Ride has routinely drawn thousands of riders and a bevy of corporate sponsors and celebrities who have teamed up to raise $22 million for charities, but the 2009 event fell victim to the economy, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Registration for this month's ride was off 40 percent from 2008 and sponsors have either cut back their contributions or dropped out altogether, the newspaper said.

There will be a get-together at a Glendale, Calif., Harley-Davidson dealership Oct. 23, the report said. Actor Peter Fonda will be on hand for a 40th anniversary screening of his biker classic "Easy Rider."