Georgia Polar Bear Run - Seventh Running

[Geo4]

Polar Bear Run VII
Saturday, December 30, 2006

From Alfa to 240-Z, they’ll all be at the 7th Annual Georgia Polar Bear Run on the last Saturday of 2006.

The Polar Bear Run has become the premier winter driving event in the Southeast. All enthusiast marques and spectators alike are encouraged to participate. Make plans to experience this spectacular day on the road. Last year, 99 cars showed up to participate - we're expecting more this time.

This is not a parade, nor a race, but a leisurely driving tour that gets dozens of classic cars on the road at the same time. All cars receive detailed directions, and are encouraged to travel at the driver’s own comfort level. It won’t matter if you’re in an MGTC or a Ferrari Daytona – you set your own pace.

This year’s destination is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum near Birmingham, Alabama (www.barbermuseum.org).

The Museum houses one of the finest collections of Vintage motorcycles that you are ever likely to see, as well as nice assortment of classic sports cars.
Admission will be discounted for the Polar Bear group. Bring lots of friends and join us for another unforgettable motoring experience!

The fun begins in Newnan, GA at the Coweta Crossing Shopping Center. Take I-85 south of Atlanta to Exit 47, then follow Hwy. 34 west to Millard Farmer Blvd (34 Bypass) and look for Publix. The drivers’ meeting will begin at 9:00 AM, with departure shortly after that.

There are lots of breakfast places near the start – both take-out and sit-down. Arrive early so that you can enjoy the cars and people that make this event so special. Don’t forget your camera - over 100 special interest cars from almost every auto-producing nation will be on hand to participate.

There will be a lunch stop on the route, and we should arrive at the Museum in time to tour the collection and be back in the Atlanta area before dark.

If you're coming from out of town, there are at least 5 of the major motels at the Interstate exit in Newnan: Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Motel 6, LaQuinta, and Best Western. We had a number of groups from the Carolinas and Tennessee come in on Friday night for last year's event.

Post your questions and comments in this thread. Look for updates online at www.GaTriumph.com.

The founder of this event is an Alfa Romeo owner, and doesn't want to be in a minority - let's turn out a record number of Alfas for this one!!!

[alfaaugie]

I plan to be a part of the polar bear run driving my 1993 red alfa spider. Want to make sure we have alfa representation at this event as a member of the Atlanta AROC Club.
See you in Dec !

augie:

[Geo4]

Great news Augie. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

We had almost a dozen Alfas on our 3rd event back in 2002 - I don't think we had that many combined at the other 5, although there were 5 last year, including mine.

I haven't joined the AROC yet - I just got my Spider last December, and I'm heavily involved in the Triumph club in Georgia. I'm hoping to get involved in the Alfa community soon.

Hope to see you at Italian Car Day on Oct. 7. I'll be easy to spot - I have one of the few Alfas that's NOT red!!!

[RedAlfa91]

Geo4 says: "I just got my Spider last December, and I'm heavily involved in the Triumph club in Georgia. I'm hoping to get involved in the Alfa community soon."

I remember meeting you at the April Walter Mitty event at Road Atlanta. I think you have the white Spider, a great color for the car. I have a red '91 Spider with a hardtop.

I will see what is on our calendar for Dec. 30 (my wife keeps it up to date). The Barber Museum is fantastic, a "must see" for any one that loves fast bikes and cars.

[Vivace]

Up here, there is no Alfa driving on December 30, except for the occasional warm spell or period of global warming! There are a few nuts who jump into nearly frozen lakes Jan 1...OW!

Have fun!

[Geo4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vivace Up here, there is no Alfa driving on December 30, except for the occasional warm spell or period of global warming! There are a few nuts who jump into nearly frozen lakes Jan 1...OW! Have fun!

[RedAlfa91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo4 only 5 jumped in the lake the next morning.

[Geo4]

After 5 minutes, it wouldn't make a difference

[Geo4]

Just wanted to bump this up for another reminder.

The route has been laid out and it's really nice. The word from the Alabama clubs is that they're expecting 40 or 50 cars from their side of the border. If all goes according to plan, that will give us some impressive numbers.

Lunch-on-the-way will be in Talladega - if you don't make it to the start, you can join the group there. I believe you will recognize the group when you see it.

If anybody from Georgia (or anywhere else, for that matter) wants information on spending the night in Alabama after the drive, send me a PM or check out the host club's web site: www.GaTriumph.com. I live over 200 miles from the museum, and will probably spend the night to take a more scenic ride back on Sunday - others have expressed the same thoughts.

Hope to see you there.

[Mikes4C1300]

George --

Has a route from Newnan to Leeds been laid out yet? A blast down I-20 would definitely be quickest but the least interesting, probably a non-starter for me.

As Augie and Jim from above will attest, the motorcycle museum at Barber is a must see. Even if you've never been on a bike in your life, if you have the merest scintilla of gearheadedness, this has to be a stop for anyone that lives or visits the southeast.

Mike Hollinger
Atlanta

[il_formaggio]

Looks like fun! Count me in. Plus the starting point is right down the road from me!

[Geo4]

Excellent news from all. Looks like Mike got the sneak preview - the content of the museum is wonderful, and the display of everything is really impressive.

The route is laid out - and the closest we get to I-20 is when we arrive at the Museum. Although, a good number will chose to return to GA on the Interstate - it's about 150 miles from the museum to the 75/85 connector in Atlanta.

Please note that details are on the host club's web site: www.GaTriumph.com. I'm getting ready to post more lodging info for anyone who wants to take a break before heading back to Atlanta. A number of us will be spending the night near Oxford/Anniston, and will have a little back-road trip on Sunday morning - all are free to join us.

If you want to check the route on your maps, we'll leave Newnan on the bypass road, go through Franklin, Wedowee (AL), Lineville, then up toward Talladega. In Talladega, we stop for lunch and meet a large group from Birmingham. After lunch, we'll take some cool back roads to the Museum.

Everyone will get a map, and you'll run at your own pace. I expect to have over 150 cars in tow by the time we reach the museum, and there's no way to keep a group that size together. I will print up plenty of driving instrutions, and may even publish the package prior to the drive for download - that wouldn't be until a few days before the drive.

I'm looking forward to seeing a great group this year. I hope y'all are able to join us!

[alfaaugie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo4 Just wanted to bump this up for another reminder. The route has been laid out and it's really nice. The word from the Alabama clubs is that they're expecting 40 or 50 cars from their side of the border. If all goes according to plan, that will give us some impressive numbers. Lunch-on-the-way will be in Talladega - if you don't make it to the start, you can join the group there. I believe you will recognize the group when you see it. If anybody from Georgia (or anywhere else, for that matter) wants information on spending the night in Alabama after the drive, send me a PM or check out the host club's web site: www.GaTriumph.com. I live over 200 miles from the museum, and will probably spend the night to take a more scenic ride back on Sunday - others have expressed the same thoughts. Hope to see you there.

[Geo4]

Here's the plan for lunch:

We'll reach Talladega about lunch time. I am including a map of all of the restaurants along the route through town. Most of it is fast food and local BBQ. Review the map and stop where you like - some places may be more crowded than others, and some of the BBQ places are stand-up/take-out, but the food is good.

Since every car will have directions, you don't have to wait for anyone to continue on the route. Be advised that there won't be any food or gas available between Talladega and the Barber Museum - there are places before, so you can grab something earlier and drive straight through Talladega if you like. You can also bring your own lunch and stop where you like. I can't recall any proper picnic areas along the route, but the resourceful will manage nicely.

There could realistically be over 300 people rolling through town over the course of an hour or so. It isn't practical (or even possible) to try to sit everyone down at the same time together. Also, with daylight being at a premium, this way will move people along most efficiently. There will be plenty of time for tire-kicking when we arrive at the museum.

The Alabama clubs will be joining us in Talladega. They're meeting at the Community College parking lot, across the street from WalMart. If you miss the start, you can run ahead and catch us there.

We never know what to expect at this run. That's part of the fun. We're all looking forward to an exceptionally cool event!

[tadslc]

Hey,

I live in Birmingham and just found out about this yesterday. I plan on meeting everyone in Talladega for lunch. Does anyone know where they're stopping for lunch?

Look for me in either my grey Giulietta or red Duetto or if the weather isn't great I might bring my '65 Mustang Fastback.

Tad