LIVE TO RIDE-The Comstocks, Steve Sr., Laura and Steve Jr. (on bike) gather around the family Harley-Davidson. Steve Jr. (inset) takes the hog for a cruise around the neighborhood. Amid all the photos of Steve Comstock to be displayed next week at a fundraiser held in his honor will be one of him as a baby, resting atop his father's beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

The picture of Comstock in dia- pers will undoubtedly embarrass the 23-year-old Hodgkin's sufferer to no end, but to his dad, Steve Sr., it's a special image that marks the beginning of his son's lifelong love affair with riding road hogs.

"Before Stevie was walking, he was on motorcycles," his dad said.

Riding Harleys is something the young man shares with his entire family. His father, Steve Sr.; mother, Laura; and his brother, Christopher, 21, all en- joy the thrill of these powerful two-wheeled machines.

Freedom on the open road has held special meaning for the Thou- sand Oaks residents and their friends since August 2000.

That's the month young Comstock, then 17, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, right be- fore his senior year at Thousand Oaks High School.

Despite the grueling medical treatments, Stevie-as his fam- ily and friends know him-con- tinued his education in a modi- fied program at Conejo Valley High School.

"He was able to graduate with his class and attend the cer- emony," Laura said. "We were very proud of him."

Now riders like Stevie, many of them from Simi Valley, are pull- ing together to help his family by holding a fundraiser Sun., Oct. 1 at the Chuy's West restaurant at 1397 E. Los Angeles Ave.

The event, which will take place from 1 to 7 p.m., is being or- ganized by Simi Valley residents and fellow Harley enthusiasts Kathy and Brent Radley, who've been on several long-distance rides with the Comstocks. The close- knit group has looked after one another in good times and bad.

According to Frank Hender- son, owner of Chuy's West, his res- taurant will sell tickets for a tri-tip dinner. All of the proceeds will be tallied and 40 percent will be given directly to the Comstock family to help offset Stevie's staggering medical bills. There will also be raffle held and cold brewskies will be availible, Kathy said.

Kathy, who is also getting help from Fred and Debbie Hottenroth as well as Jennifer Cera, said she expects many area bikers, as well as other friends and supporters of Stevie, to be in attendance.

"They're actually going to tape off the parking lot and three live bands have signed on to play," Kathy said. "This is going to be a huge thing."

The last-minute organizing of the fundraiser has meant a great deal to Laura and Steve Sr., who've suffered enormously over the past year.

"A lot of people I have known for a long time have gone com- pletely out of their way for us, and all I can say is 'God bless them,'" Stevie's father said.

Since his diagnosis, Stevie has been through the entire gamut of treatments. He spent many days sleeping in his bedroom, too weak to get up after chemotherapy.

The treatments, including a bone marrow transplant, have failed to halt the progression of the disease. With no more options, Stevie entered hospice care two months ago.

Even so, the young man wasn't about to leave his Harley idling or hang up his black leather jacket.

"If he can get up and do some- thing with his life, he will," his mother said.

The opportunity to get back on the road came when Stevie's hos- pice caregiver and her husband donated an RV for him to use for two weeks.

Before you can say "Born to Be Wild," Stevie was on the road again. Four of his childhood bud- dies accompanied him on a trip this month to Colorado. "Stevie loves to travel and his friends all took off from work to be with him," his father said.

When he returns, he can look forward to a party with more than 200 friends and live music.