Some 20,000 motorcyclists turned out in Glendale on Sunday to join Love Ride 16, a 50-mile caravan to Castaic Lake which organizers hope raised $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Reading by 9 literacy program.

When the Love Ride was started 16 years ago by Oliver Shokouh, owner of Glendale Harley Davidson, it featured just 250 motorcyclists, but it has grown into the largest motorcycling fund-raising event in the world.

Actors Lorenzo Lamas and Peter Fonda served as grand marshals, and participants enjoyed a concert featuring Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas at Castaic Lake. Other celebrity riders were actors Larry Hagman and Lindsay Wagner.

Kathy and Russ Mills, who own a used-car lot in Leona Valley, were enjoying their fourth Love Ride together. Their first ride in 1995 was also their first date.

``We call it the `In Love Ride,' said Kathy Mills, who rides in the Liberty Sidecar on the couple's Harley Davidson bike.

``Rather than buying a Winnebago, we bought this,'' Russ Mills said.

Kathy Mills was happy to see that in addition to the Muscular Dystrophy Association the ride now also benefits the Reading by 9 literacy program.

``I think supporting literacy programs is really important. Too many people can't read,'' Mills said.

Phyllis Gunther, a court reporter from Riverside, came clad in leather chaps and a shirt, bandanna and necklace, all featuring a skull and crossbones theme.

``It's fun to just people watch and see all the bikes,'' said Gunther, who rides on the back of her boyfriend's Harley Davidson Fatboy motorcycle. ``It's a good group of people and it's a good cause.''

Maria Cabanilla, a 47-year-old grandmother of seven from Palm Desert, said fund raisers like Love Ride help dispel outlaw stereotypes about bikers.

``We're trying to change the image,'' Cabanilla said.

As the the last group of bikers revved their engines before heading out to Castaic, Tony Ardito explained why he drove 600 miles from his home near Sacramento to be in Love Ride.

``We want to hear the thunder, man,'' Ardito said.