More than 200,000 spectators thronged the seafront yesterday to celebrate the biking lifestyle.

As London's Ace Cafe Reunion reached its climax with the Brighton Burn Up, thousands of bikers of all ages brought their machines along.

The crowd stretched solidly from Black Rock to the Palace Pier, along Madeira Drive, as gleaming bikes, bearing famous names such as Triumph and Harley Davidson, took pride of place among the enthusiasts.

There was every vehicle type, from sports bikes, custom-made bikes, street bikes, mini bikes and trikes.

Bikers have congregated at the Ace Cafe in London since the Fifties and Sixties and the reunion is an annual event.

Organisers initially said 80,000 bikes would be participating but Sussex Police said it was less than that.

A police spokesman said: "There were several thousand taking part. One of our units reported escorting a single group of 6,000 into the city.

Certainly thousands of bikers took part but it is difficult to assess how many as there is no official entry when they arrive."

The event has become a must for bikers, many of whom visited the cafe in its heyday before it closed, although it reopened again in 2001.

There were huge tailbacks as the bikers mixed with end-of-season holiday traffic but the jams were not as bad as those after the London-to-Brighton bike ride earlier this year when the city was gridlocked.

Danny Greenyer, 35, who arrived from Southampton with his girlfriend, Anna Griffiths, riding pillion, said: "There have been a few hold-ups. At one point, there was an almost continuous jam from the King Alfred to the Palace Pier, Brighton, but it is worth coming here for the atmosphere."

There was even a religious aspect when the event was blessed by Father Scott Anderson on Brighton seafront.

A huge cheer went up in the crowd for the Teutul family from the hugely successful American Chopper TV series.

Mikey Teutul rode on to Madeira Drive with a film crew, along with Paul Senior who owns American Chopper, and Paul Junior, who designs and customises the bikes.

Nick Brown, 44, a lorry driver from Hastings, on a customised Harley Davidson, said: "This is the busiest I have seen it. Last year, we were told there were more than 50,000, taking part. This year, it could be more."

Keith, 55, known as Cruso, from Southampton, said: "We enjoy coming down to Brighton for the atmosphere and reliving old times at the Ace. We meet up with old friends and check out the bikes and mooch around. It is the celebration of a lifestyle."

John Collier, 49, who lives near Heathrow, arrived on a bright-yellow motorbike.

"It has been a great event - a petrolhead's paradise."

Aidan Forde, 45, from Teddington, who is tattoed head to foot, said: "This a great event. There is always a good crowd here."

Organiser Mark Wilsmore said: "We have got tens of thousands of bikers here. We don't have a clue as to the exact number. We were taken on a roundabout route into Brighton by police to ease jams and I saw country I hadn't seen before. It has been a joy to organise and meet old friends."

Meanwhile, speeds in excess of 150mph were achieved on Brighton seafront as racers descended on Madeira Drive for the centenary Brighton Speed Trials on Saturday.

About 200 cars, including vintage models, and 58 bikes battled it out in various classes to see who could complete the quarter-mile course fastest.

Cars came from all over Europe to take part in the event, which first ran in 1905.

On the day, Craig Mallabone on a Suzuki Hayabusa bike, was fastest, reaching 164mph and completing the course in 9.31 seconds.

He was closely followed by Roger Simmons, who hit 159mph, and finished in the course 9.55 seconds.

On four wheels, Mike Endean, from Guernsey, hit 150mph in a Ford Gould Puma Xtrac, taking 9.45 seconds.

Retired teacher Jim Tiller, 71, from Ringmer, broke the ten-second barrier in his Allard J2, notching up 140mph.

He said: "I am elated. I spend a lot of time working on this car and it seems to have paid off. It has achieved a speed of 197mph in the US on a longer course."

"I was against Mike Endean and he has a fast car. I have been participating in this event for 40 years and enjoy it."

Even the Mayor of Brighton, Bob Carden, had a go in his official mayoral car.

After saying that he hoped the "wonderful" speed trials would continue, he was invited to test the speed of his official seven-seater Seat.

Driven by the Mayor of Newhaven, Robbie Robertson, who sometimes acts as his chauffeur, it reached 61mph.

Toby Frost, 31, son of William Frost, the Shoreham car dealer, who sponsors the event, got to 117mph in his Ferrari FM.

He said: "It is a great day out and a unique event where you meet up with old friends and chat about cars."

One of the biggest cheers was for veteran driver Norman Goodman of the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, participating in the veterans class, for cars built before 1959.

Norman, who was nine when he first attended the Speed Trials, jumped down from the commentary box and straight into his Burette racer, reaching 96mph.

He said: "When the sun is shining and the sea is calm, this event beats the Grand Prix at places like Silverstone."

Organiser Tony Johnston said: "Things went smoothly. We have already been given the go-ahead for next year."

Returning after 50 years was Derek Hardy, 77, from Plymouth. He said: "Little has changed, apart from now it is better organised and the course is shorter.

"It was great to return."