THE sound of revving engines and the smell of petrol fumes hung over Brighton yesterday as more than 10,000 bikers descended on the city.

Undeterred by rain and wind, the motorcyclists arrived in their droves for the annual Ace Cafe Reunion –rockers, mods and TT riders celebrating two wheels.

The annual event sees bikers from across the world flock to the “spiritual home of bikers” in Madeira Drive.

Organiser Mark Wilsmore said poor weather had reduced the number of locals taking in the spectacle but had not deterred the “foolhardy” dedicated bikers who travel down every year.

He said: “The history going back to 1964 established Brighton as somewhere motorbikers gravitate towards.

“When all the mods and rockers used to come down it started an inextricable link between bikes and Brighton.”

Taking part in the “burn out” were bikers ranging from babies to pensioners and the old feuds between the rival gangs have become firm friendships over the decades.

Mark added: “Some of the older guys are in wheelchairs and can’t get on their bikes but they still come down and join in everything else.

“It’s a big celebration. It really is a reunion. It’s great to see all the old faces and meet up with people you haven’t seen from one year to the next.

“The whole thing starts up in London on the Friday at the cafe, on Saturday there’s a ride into London, then on Sunday the Brighton ride is the grand finale. I really do think this will keep going for ever.

“There are people from all over the world and wherever you go in the motorcycling world, Brighton is renowned for bikers.

“The expression we use as motorcyclists is you have to have a respect for the weather. We just about got away with it this year and most people are pretty well wrapped up.

“There have been years when the sun is shining when the bikes have been lined all along the top [Marine Parade] as well as Madeira Drive.”

Star of the event was TT racer Connor Cummings. Connor had flown over from the Isle of Man and was so desperate to join the legendary ride, he changed his flight home and borrowed a bike to take part. He said: “It’s a nice tame ride compared to what I usually do, but I have never been to Brighton before and everyone talks about it.

“There are more people in this one ride than on the whole of the Isle of Man.

“It’s been good fun.”

Brighton father James Wallin, 37, took his young son to look at the motorbikes.

He said: “As always this was a great event. Even though the weather wasn’t the greatest there seemed to be a really good turnout. The mods seem to get younger every year.

“I’m always impressed by how much care and creativity people put into making their bikes standout. Some of them are genuine works of art. I can’t even be bothered to get one of those nodding dogs for my car, so fair play to them.”