The Ace Cafe - Home of the Cafe Racer Revolution
With the fast pace of the technological world we live in, it is hard for today's youth to imagine the raw thrill of the cafe racer scene. For those who are longing for a simpler time, when the throb of a racing motor was the pulse of a new generation, the cafe racer lifestyle evokes an image of the original rock and roll diner, the Ace Cafe. It all began back in 1938, when the relatively new automotive industry led to the establishment of the roadside diner. First opened to cater to the nascent trucking industry, the Ace Cafe soon attracted the motorcycle club scene. The cafe racer tradition was born when these youthful and exuberant bikers took to the road, staging wild races from one roadside cafe to another across the countryside. The cafe racer was the rebel of the time, throwing off the oppression of the last generation in favor of the freedom of the road. Because the Ace Cafe was one of the only places that the local youth could gather to listen to rock and roll music, the cafe became a cultural icon in its own time. Although the tradition of cafe racing died out, the legacy lives on.
What happened to the cafe racer scene? The rock cafe and the cafe racing culture were enextricably intertwined with early rock 'n' roll. When the first wave of rock music gave way to the music of the '70s and a new social consciousness, the Ace Cafe closed its doors - but not forever.
Who organized the first Ace Cafe reunion ride? The cafe racer enthusiast Mark Wilsmore organized the first Reunion Ride in 1993. The Ride was successful, and so well-attended that it has since evolved into an yearly event. The Ride was the inspiration for a film, "An Ace Day," which has become the theme of the annual ride.
When was the Ace Cafe rebuilt? In 2001, Mr. Wilsmore realized a dream when he reopened the Ace Cafe London at its original site. The Cafe has become a destination for bikers and rockers from all over the world, who flock to London to visit the home of the original cafe racer scene.
What is happening today at the Ace Cafe? Today, the cafe racer mecca has become a destination of choice for the biker world and beyond. Those nostalgic for simpler times come to experience the aura that has never been lost. Biker rallies, charity rides, and rock and roll events take place on a regular basis here.
Where can I get more information about the Ace Cafe? For the generation that lived through this era and for those who were born too late, visiting the Ace Cafe is the experience of a lifetime. For information on the cafe racer legend, visit our website - the full history and current happenings are available online.
