TRABUCO CANYON – For about two square miles, motorcycles lined the roads and filled the parking lots near Cook's Corner – the famed canyon biker bar.

At exactly 12:15 p.m., a 1956 fire engine led a procession of more than 1,000 bikers from Trabuco Canyon along El Toro Road, through Laguna Canyon and north along Pacific Coast Highway to Long Beach in the eighth annual 9/11 Remembrance Ride started by Long Beach Fire Engineer Gary Biggerstaff. This year's ride, with approximately 1,200 bikers, doubled last year. Bikers stopped at lights and politely yielded to vehicles that mixed in along the ride route.

The ride ended in a public ceremony with 343 crosses etched with the names and the stations of the New York City firefighters who perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

This year, Biggerstaff moved the memorial to Marina Vista Park because it has gotten too big to be held at his Belmont Shore home. The memorial included comments by Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell and Long Beach Fire Department Chief Allan Patalano. Chris Howard, a FDNY fireman, whose father, George Howard, a Port Authority Police Officer died in 9/11, gave the keynote address.

"It makes me feel proud," said Biggerstaff, who led the ride. "Each year, more people hear about it. The ones who've come before can't imagine not doing it. It makes me feel very proud to know Americans are banding together as brothers in arms. There's a lot of love out here."

As riders left the canyon bar, people waved and applauded from the roadside. Some waved American flags, others held signs saying, "Never Forget."

In Lake Forest, a fire engine company stood alongside its engine. In Laguna Hills, firefighters stood on top of their engines parked off El Toro Road and waved. At Main Beach in Laguna Beach, firefighters from Laguna Beach Fire stood near Engine 2. In Newport Beach, firefighters also stood on the top of their engine saluting those who passed by.

Charles Lilley of Downey said the public recognition along the way made him feel proud.

"Lots of people look as bikers as mean guys," the 40-year-old oil rig inspector said while riding along El Toro Road. "But we have good hearts."

For Don Marendino, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, joining in the ride was, "just something you do."

The retired urban, search and rescue firefighter from Orange County Fire Authority Station 54 said he will never forget that day.

"Whether it's one or 343, or thousands, you can never forget," he said. "It's the way you respect them."

Coronado Fire Department Captain Jim Blinn came up for the second year from San Diego County.

"This is about honor, respect and tradition for the guys who gave the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "It gives me chills to see the firefighter standing on their trucks along the road."

For Robin Jeans of Lake Forest, the ride was a first. The 49-year-old rode on the back of Chris Bieber's bike.

"This is America and we should respect our land," she said. "I'm more patriotic than ever. We need to band together and show we love our country. You cry more now when you hear the national anthem."