Barber rookie needs advice on Vintage Days!

FloridaSteve · 04-19-2008, 03:26 PM

Well since I'll be missing my annual trip to Deals Gap this year and The GP at Indy is on my daughters birthday I've decided on Vintage Days at Barber.

Seems like a decent compromise. 3 days in Alabama in October. I'm guessing a few of you here have done it. What's the scoop on this event. What's the riding like in the area. I'm not much of a camper. Are the hotels near enough to the track? Any recommendations? General advice? Things NOT to miss. I'm kinda stoked. Seems like a great event. I've always thought of that museum as Mecca. Any Tips much appreciated!

http://www.barbermuseum.org/vintage/vintage.html

305racer · 04-19-2008, 04:51 PM

You're a pussy if you dont camp!

adsinger · 04-19-2008, 05:21 PM

If you need a motel room, get it now. They sell out early. The track is near Leeds, so look there, and expect to pay a premium.

The event is excellent. There are races, concours, swap meet, etc. Leave at least a half day for the museum.

Riding is OK in the area. Better around Taladega and Cheaha state park if that's anywhere near your route.

One of the featured marques this year is Laverda. I have one but have too much on my plate this year so Barber is out.

alan.

mark1305 · 04-19-2008, 06:32 PM

I have camped at Barber and done the motel thing while there for track days. Camping there is fine. If you motel it, head to the next exit on I 20 east of Leeds for the better places.

FloridaSteve · 04-19-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 305racer

You're a pussy if you dont camp!

Hell George! When I did TBBW I got a room rather than ride 30 miles in 40 degree temps. So yeah, my credintials in the feline world are well established!

Hey are you going? How's the foot?

FloridaSteve · 04-19-2008, 08:13 PM

Other than that thanks much for the advice gents. I'll get after a room this week!

Bigger Al · 04-20-2008, 09:12 AM

If you really want to experience it, then you could buy an Airhead and set it up to race the Airhead Invitational. Think of the stories!

305racer · 04-20-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloridaSteve

Hell George! When I did TBBW I got a room rather than ride 30 miles in 40 degree temps. So yeah, my credintials in the feline world are well established!

Hey are you going? How's the foot?

This is true but at TBBW you shouldnt have ridden a bike no matter what the temp was!
I think if you see our setup youll change your mind about getting a room. We camp next to the scrambles tracks in amongst the million dollar motorhomes and the grumpy ADV riders that have forgotten what it's like to have fun at a race weekend(I guess when you buy a BMKTWM it comes with a 9pm curfew). All the MX/CC/trials guys set up there camp there as well so its 2stroke mayhem come 8am

As for the foot...I'm just shy of 12months and I still cant put any weight on it.

TLtrials · 04-21-2008, 06:58 PM

[quote=305racer]All the MX/CC/trials guys set up there camp there as well so its 2stroke mayhem come 8am

[quote]

YAAAAHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!! 8 am is time to race!

I went the year before last and had a great time. Planning to go back this year. We have stated alternating Mid-Ohio and Barber, going to at least one each year. Barber is a very, very cool place!

FloridaSteve · 04-21-2008, 07:08 PM

Well Damm. 2 strokes at 8am is my kind a wake up call. I'm actually considering camping. Seriously. How soon do I have to grab a spot if I do?

dduelin · 04-19-2008, 07:51 PM

I camped at Oak Mountain State Park for my first visit last year. When you ride in from Fl take 280 across AL. When you get to Childersburg AL on 280 look for 235 (Coosa Pines Dr) to the NE. It runs across the reservation of the Army Ammunition plant. Take Kelly Creek road back to the west and stay on it as it changes name and number finally to 25. These are nice foothill roads that lead up and over a mountain and down into Leeds. Mapquest shows them.

We stayed at Oak Mountain SP which is south to the track. Each morning and afternoon we ran some decent county roads between the park and the track. 119, Grants Mill Road, Montevallo Rd, Liberty Parkway and Rex Lake Rd. Barber enters off Rex Lake Rd. The attraction of course was the track events and the museum so we didn't ride anywhere else but to and from. Barber is worth doing, especially Vintage Days.

04-19-2008, 03:26 PM	#1
FloridaSteve ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville Florida Oddometer: 2,070	Barber rookie needs advice on Vintage Days! Well since I'll be missing my annual trip to Deals Gap this year and The GP at Indy is on my daughters birthday I've decided on Vintage Days at Barber. Seems like a decent compromise. 3 days in Alabama in October. I'm guessing a few of you here have done it. What's the scoop on this event. What's the riding like in the area. I'm not much of a camper. Are the hotels near enough to the track? Any recommendations? General advice? Things NOT to miss. I'm kinda stoked. Seems like a great event. I've always thought of that museum as Mecca. Any Tips much appreciated! http://www.barbermuseum.org/vintage/vintage.html __________________ My Blogs: Higher Resolution Photo Album Motorcycle Photo of the Day 2-Stroke-Biker-Blog

04-19-2008, 04:51 PM	#2
305racer Fossil Rocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2007 Location: ST. AUGUSTINE ,FLORIDUH Oddometer: 466	You're a pussy if you dont camp! __________________ georGe "The world does not need another restored bike."

04-19-2008, 05:21 PM	#3
adsinger Ride fast. Stop often. Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Florida, USA Oddometer: 199	Barber If you need a motel room, get it now. They sell out early. The track is near Leeds, so look there, and expect to pay a premium. The event is excellent. There are races, concours, swap meet, etc. Leave at least a half day for the museum. Riding is OK in the area. Better around Taladega and Cheaha state park if that's anywhere near your route. One of the featured marques this year is Laverda. I have one but have too much on my plate this year so Barber is out. alan.

04-19-2008, 06:32 PM	#4
mark1305 Old Enough To Know Better Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Merritt Island, FL Oddometer: 5,527	I have camped at Barber and done the motel thing while there for track days. Camping there is fine. If you motel it, head to the next exit on I 20 east of Leeds for the better places. __________________ Mark J Merritt Island, FL When a person asks you for advice, they don't want advice. They want corroboration.

04-19-2008, 08:13 PM	#6
FloridaSteve ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville Florida Oddometer: 2,070	Other than that thanks much for the advice gents. I'll get after a room this week! __________________ My Blogs: Higher Resolution Photo Album Motorcycle Photo of the Day 2-Stroke-Biker-Blog

04-20-2008, 09:12 AM	#7
Bigger Al Still a stupid tire guy Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Oddometer: 7,344	If you really want to experience it, then you could buy an Airhead and set it up to race the Airhead Invitational. Think of the stories! __________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

04-21-2008, 06:58 PM	#9
TLtrials Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2007 Location: NW North Carolina Oddometer: 231	[quote=305racer]All the MX/CC/trials guys set up there camp there as well so its 2stroke mayhem come 8am [quote] YAAAAHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!! 8 am is time to race! I went the year before last and had a great time. Planning to go back this year. We have stated alternating Mid-Ohio and Barber, going to at least one each year. Barber is a very, very cool place!

04-21-2008, 07:08 PM	#10
FloridaSteve ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville Florida Oddometer: 2,070	Well Damm. 2 strokes at 8am is my kind a wake up call. I'm actually considering camping. Seriously. How soon do I have to grab a spot if I do? __________________ My Blogs: Higher Resolution Photo Album Motorcycle Photo of the Day 2-Stroke-Biker-Blog

04-19-2008, 07:51 PM	#11
dduelin Oh boy that was close Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Shaft City Oddometer: 969	I camped at Oak Mountain State Park for my first visit last year. When you ride in from Fl take 280 across AL. When you get to Childersburg AL on 280 look for 235 (Coosa Pines Dr) to the NE. It runs across the reservation of the Army Ammunition plant. Take Kelly Creek road back to the west and stay on it as it changes name and number finally to 25. These are nice foothill roads that lead up and over a mountain and down into Leeds. Mapquest shows them. We stayed at Oak Mountain SP which is south to the track. Each morning and afternoon we ran some decent county roads between the park and the track. 119, Grants Mill Road, Montevallo Rd, Liberty Parkway and Rex Lake Rd. Barber enters off Rex Lake Rd. The attraction of course was the track events and the museum so we didn't ride anywhere else but to and from. Barber is worth doing, especially Vintage Days. __________________ Honda ST1300 Honda NC700X Honda CH80 Dave

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