barber motorsport museum

[starky]

I'm beginning to plan my first long ride of my season Mid - April, with a ride down to Birmingham AL, via Roanoke WV, the Blue Ridge Pkwy ( Asheville NC) etc.
Anyone have any good advice about the Barber museum and area , ie: hotels, restaurants, etc?

Always appreciated.
Starky

[grifscoots]

There are hotels right down the highway from it. I stayed for many hours and all there was to eat was from vending machines, but it was well worth it.

[danbrown]

The last time the wife & I went we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at exit 158 off I-20. we just happened to stumble across a nice steak house at exit 147 off I-20. can't remember the name of it, if it comes to me I'll let you know. Barber motor sports complex is a class act, enjoy

[danR12RT]

Also, check out a motorcycle camping resort called "29 Dreams".

http://www.29dreams.com/

It's 15 minutes from Barber. Great staff, cabins, camping, eat and drink.

[bob_menton]

Grif's reference to vending machines was at the Barber museum itself - plan a short ride into Leeds, or out to nearby I-20, for any food breaks.

Wonderful museum! A minimum of American machines makes it even better, for me. Enjoy.

- Bob

[starky]

Thanks for the quick responses.
I'll hopefully have some time to go into Birmingham as well.
The membership man from BMWMOA that I met at the Toronto Motorcycle show said that there are often races at the Barber speedway which is part of the park complex as I understood it.
I seem to recall that there are some races around that time.

[BamaLT]

Thanks for the quick responses.
I'll hopefully have some time to go into Birmingham as well.
The membership man from BMWMOA that I met at the Toronto Motorcycle show said that there are often races at the Barber speedway which is part of the park complex as I understood it.
I seem to recall that there are some races around that time.

Here is link, yes races listed:

http://www.barbermotorsports.com/

and Spring Training Camp at Ironhorse Lodge as time frame, remember that great prime rib?


www.ironhorsenc.com (http://www.ironhorsenc.com)

[DavidTaylor]

There's a Best Western in Leeds about 5 minutes away, with a Ruby Tuesday's and a Country Crock (good breakfast). Ask the locals about BBQ, as there's plenty of that to be had around there as well. Here's a link to the pics I took when I was there in September 06. I even got to meet and talk with with George Barber himself for about half an hour! He's a really nice guy, and it's a great thing he's done by building the race track and the museum to help preserve and promote the sport.

http://www.davidkari.com/Birmingham.htm

[shadowfever]

Barber is well worth the trip. And yes there is a state of the art racetrack. Check out their website for a list of events. 29 Dreams is nearby and being close to Birmingham you have almost anything you need in the way of accomodations. In October Barber hosts vintage motorcycle racing, a huge swap meet and numerous other events. Really worth checking out.

[katnapinn]

Thanks for the quick responses.
I'll hopefully have some time to go into Birmingham as well.
The membership man from BMWMOA that I met at the Toronto Motorcycle show said that there are often races at the Barber speedway which is part of the park complex as I understood it.
I seem to recall that there are some races around that time.
The AMA Superbike race is April 18 - 20 (Fri-Sun). Hotel rooms are getting hard to find around those dates. Myself and 3 friends are riding out from Austin Tx.We are staying in Trussville.

[starky]

Here is link, yes races listed:

http://www.barbermotorsports.com/

and Spring Training Camp at Ironhorse Lodge as time frame, remember that great prime rib?


www.ironhorsenc.com (http://www.ironhorsenc.com)
I think that the prime rib was possibly one of the best that I have ever had. And the price was definately the best. Even at twice the price it would have been a good deal!

[starky]

There's a Best Western in Leeds about 5 minutes away, with a Ruby Tuesday's and a Country Crock (good breakfast). Ask the locals about BBQ, as there's plenty of that to be had around there as well. Here's a link to the pics I took when I was there in September 06. I even got to meet and talk with with George Barber himself for about half an hour! He's a really nice guy, and it's a great thing he's done by building the race track and the museum to help preserve and promote the sport.

http://www.davidkari.com/Birmingham.htm
Thanks for the link.
You've done a really nice job with your site.
It definately looks very impressive and now all I have to do is wait ... for a few weeks more.