Only a few minutes' ride from the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, you can experience one of the great motorcycling roads of the Southeastern United States. Some motorcyclists have lately begun referring to the winding, mountainous road as the "Copperhead," as this section of Alabama Highway 25 truly snakes its way over the twin peaks of Double Oak Mountain, from Leeds to the town of Vincent. The highway is scenic at lower speeds, offering places to stop and soak up the scenery, yet with a slight twist of the wrist, it can become quite technically challenging. Many bikes have gone down in the switchbacks and hairpins, usually due to riders' failure to properly consider their own limitations.

We Alabama motorcyclists have been riding this road extensively for many years, and today there is more reason than ever for you to make a point of including it in your plans while in the area.

29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort is not so much a stop on the way through the area as it is a destination. Once you relax at 29 Dreams, you will not likely be in a hurry to get to anywhere else. If you have been to the other motorcycle-oriented campgrounds or restaurants in the Southeast, I don't believe you will present any of them as superior to 29 Dreams in any category.

29 is all about customer service and comfort. Owners Tim and Kathy Langley, he a former U.S. Marine and software engineer, she a registered nurse from New Jersey, make it their business to see that everyone is well taken care of, from the air-conditioned, relaxed environment of the main lodge with its plush couches, pool table and delicious food, to the on-site clothing store and the motorcycle repair facility.

The idea for the resort was hatched in the year 2000, when some of the members of the Floribama Riders sportbike club were taking a break on the side of Highway 25 under a huge oak tree. The adjacent land, including an old barn, was for sale, and two of the guys started talking about how great it would be to build a facility there, designed specifically for the enjoyment of motorcyclists. Two days later, Tim Langley and his friend were signing the deal to buy the land.

The name "29 Dreams" was one of several that were considered. Tim's first choice was "One Down, Four Up," and "The Apex" was also on the short list. His business partner favored "29 Dreams," because the number 29 seemed to keep coincidentally appearing in his life. The tract of land was supposed to be thirty acres, and when the deal to buy it was being finalized, the real-estate agent came into the room with some bad news: there were only 29.7 acres. The name was decided upon at that moment.

The old barn was torn down, and the rustic, weathered planks were used as paneling inside a new building, which was to become the main lodge. Rental cabins and a top-notch bathhouse were built, and improved campsites were added. The kitchen was not yet operational when 29's doors first opened, and there are those of us who remember buying a soft drink from a young fellow who was manning a cooler full of ice and a small box of snack crackers.

Tim's business partner decided in 2002 to sell his interest to Tim, and go back to his regular job with its steady paycheck. Tim and Kathy now had to shoulder all the responsibilities of the business, but now also had complete control of its direction.

The business grew steadily, and is now a private club with nearly 14,000 members.

To become a member, you must ride a motorcycle, period. The reason for keeping it a private club is simple: 29 Dreams is for motorcyclists only. If they cared only about making money, Tim and Kathy could open the place to the public, become simply the local bar or nightclub, and stay packed all the time. Don't worry, folks; this is never going to happen. The resort has a clearly defined mission: to be the motorcyclist's equivalent of a country club. As Tim Langley puts it,

"Where do golfers go at the end of their golfing day? To the Nineteenth Hole. Where do scuba divers go at the end of their day of diving? To the lounge at the marina. Where do pilots go at the end of their flights? To the Airport Lounge. Now, where do motorcyclists go after their day of riding? This is YOUR club!"

If you are just looking for a biker bar, folks, this ain't it. There are plenty of those to be found. Although 29 boasts a fully stocked bar, rude, obnoxious behavior is not tolerated here.

This is a place where a lady can get up from her tent during the night to visit the facilities, and not have to bother waking her husband to escort her. Speaking of those facilities, 29 Dreams has five private, locking, spotlessly clean restrooms, each with a shower, a commode, a lavatory and a mirror. Everything you need is provided when you stay here.

You may choose which level of comfort you desire when making your plans to stay at 29. They offer air-conditioned private cabins, as well as improved campsites, plus something they call the Getaway Package, which is a campsite with a tent already set up, including sleeping bags and pads. Want cold drinks on ice waiting in your tent? Call ahead, and all you have to do is show up; everything is already done for you.

There is a free bike wash, a free laundry facility, a free live band on the weekends, and lots of free smiles and good attitudes to go around.

The food at 29 is made with only the freshest and best ingredients. No discount-store-brand hamburger meat in your burger here, folks, it's lean angus beef. The lettuce and bacon are the most expensive available, and everything shows a touch of extra care. Yankee though she may be, Kathy Langley has definitely made a contribution to Southern culture with her awesome chicken salad recipe! Sundays offer a special treat, a nice breakfast buffet to get your ride started right. Gourmet coffee, anyone?

For your convenience, the Moto-Shop repair facility has recently opened on the grounds, making this the most fun of all possible places to have your bike serviced. Have a cold drink in one of the rocking chairs on the shady porch, or sit at one of the picnic tables and listen to the Jeff Gailey Band, while your oil is being changed or your tires replaced.

The Biker Barn, also on the grounds, offers clothing, leather jackets and saddlebags, helmets, and even hand-crafted jewelry. Something to please almost anyone. On a hot afternoon, it's also an oasis!

The atmosphere at 29 Dreams is country casual, and every motorcyclist is welcome, from the chopper guys, to the American and Japanese cruisers, to the young guns on rocket-powered sportbikes. The driving areas in the park are all gravel, and they will stay that way. This is intentional, not only to prevent back-tire burnouts and sportbike hooliganism, but also to keep the ambient heat down and to create less opportunity for broken glass to occur.

I cannot stress enough how well you, as a member or guest, will be treated at 29 Dreams. The service is always very friendly, due to the staff's commitment to excellence. During my research for this article, I saw the place where Tim posts the comment cards sent back by overnight guests, which are normally not seen by anyone besides the employees. The responding guests were unanimous in their words of praise and appreciation for a job well done. This surely has an effect on the level of pride taken by the employees, and it shows.

Another nice touch: in the event that something is not to your liking, there is a suggestion box beside the loft stairs, where you may anonymously make your concerns known. Tim, Kathy and the staff want this place to always be a source of pleasure for you. As a member, so do I.

There are more cabins to come over the course of the next year, and a motorcycle consignment shop as well. The next few years offer even bigger surprises, and it looks like it will only keep getting better.

To most of you Birmingham-area riders, I am "preaching to the choir," I realize. To anyone who hasn't experienced the beautiful Highway 25 and 29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort, go ahead. Treat yourself. As their slogan says, it's a state of mind. I'll meet you there!

Joe Cool