It was becoming hotter in central Florida. Summer was rapidly approaching, and soon temperatures would be in the high 90s and triple digits, marking you as one of the “really committed to motorcycling” group if you were out riding. My wife Kim was off on an adventure of her own, so I had a little more than a week to get myself into some mischief while she was away.
In the winter, we live in south central Florida, and frankly, the riding here is less than stellar. Until you get north of Orlando, the roads are straight, long, and often heavily traveled. Add in summer heat, and let’s say that wearing ATGATT is a test of endurance.
But summer hadn’t arrived yet, and while the temps were going to be in the 90s, I had a severe urge to get in a road trip of some sort while Kim was away. Then it struck me. I had never been to the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Leeds, Alabama. Created by George Barber, who recently passed away, the facility opened to the public in 1994. Situated on over 880 acres, the museum is the largest of its kind in the world. Not only does the site house the museum, but it also features a racetrack that hosts multiple racing and private events throughout the year.
IndyCar, Grand-Am, Vintage Racing, American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA), and MotoAmerica hold events here. The facility also serves as the home of the Porsche Track Experience and has hosted the Keith Code California Superbike School and the Yamaha Champions Riding School…