Classified Moto - The Minibike Room

Since 2009, Classified Moto has been building unexpected custom bikes for people all over the world. And now, we’ve outfitted our new secret headquarters with six guest rooms that are just as fun and surprising as our bikes. Keep reading for more about Classified, but first, the MINIBIKE ROOM has caught your eye. Let’s talk about it.

We once concocted — with our friends at Rebel Bourbon — a two-day, 100-mile minibike race called THE REBEL 100. 'Twas so epic we decided to dedicate a room to it.

Classified Moto is designed to be a fairly self-sufficient boutique hotel — check yourself in, enjoy the place, check yourself out. That said, we love meeting our visitors and showing them around when it works out. Hit us up by text or email for questions and dining/entertainment suggestions during your stay. There’s a lot to see and do in Richmond if you know where to look.

Our quirky little neighborhood known as Manchester is just across the river from downtown Richmond. Our old secret location was only a half mile away in what is now a bustling residential, retail and restaurant area. Here, ancient grain silos and train tracks sit amongst brand new condos and eateries under the watchful RVA skyline. If you’ve seen our RESTRICTED series, you’ll recognize a lot of the locations.

From Classified Moto, the most convenient way to enjoy the neighborhood and beyond is by car. Our place is on the outer edge of Manchester and the walk to the action is no scenic masterpiece. You can be at any of Richmond’s restaurants or attractions in no time. So when you want to get out in it, hop in your car, stop by Stella’s for some grab & go food, then go hiking, biking, festivaling, clubbing, kayaking or whatever floats your raft.

If you prefer to call an Uber or Lyft, we can give you some suggestions on where to be dropped off for the best experiential bang for your buck. There’s Scott’s Addition if you like breweries, Carytown if you like shopping, The Museum District, Shockoe Bottom, Belle Isle, Brown’s Island… Do your own research or ask us for recommendations. Either way, it’s gonna be fun.

Speaking of biking, Classified Moto is just minutes from the incredible Virginia Capital Trail — a 52-mile scenic paved path from Richmond to Jamestown/Williamsburg, then on to Yorktown if you want the full historic odyssey. People come from all over to ride this thing. Check it out. It’s impressive.

Access codes for both the gate and the building will be provided upon booking, allowing you to enter the property with ease. Parking is available immediately as you enter the gate, making your arrival hassle-free.

The Minibike Room is adorned with amazing photography from that raucous rally, along with the first place trophy lamp. Most significantly, the room serves as the final resting place for the first bike to be retired from the race. It survived less than one full lap before an overzealous soul wiped out, breaking lots of important components. On the bright side, it looks much better than the bikes that completed all 100 miles. Anyway, we thought you’d like looking at it up on the wall.

This cozy race shrine has two luxurious queen beds and all the things you’d expect from a groovy hotel — with an extra helping of two-wheeled history.

Just outside your door is a comfy kitchenette lounge where you can hang with your buddies or plan your next move. And weather permitting, you can enjoy the 40-foot balcony with an unobstructed view of the Richmond skyline, or grill out in the courtyard on the East side of the building.

And when we knock off work, we’ve been known to have impromptu get-togethers in the venue just above the workshop. If there’s nothing listed on the schedule, just hit us up. You probably won’t have to twist our arms.

Now, About Classified Moto
Classified Moto was formed around 2009 when I was still working as an advertising art director and copywriter and caught the bug for designing retro-modern apocalyptic custom bikes. Since then, we’ve sent builds everywhere from Detroit to Dubai, Greece to Green Bay. Shreveport to Sri Lanka (ok, not Sri Lanka yet). We’ve even built a few for celebs and TV & Hollywood, including AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD and a recent Ryan Reynolds/Michael Bay action flick.

The Building
Classified Moto sits in an industrial area of Richmond, Virginia, called Manchester. Built in 1969 as the headquarters for a bridge fabrication company, the building has just undergone a complete re-design and renovation. It now houses the bike workshop, a small event venue, multiple lounges and hangout areas and — of course — six inspired guest rooms.

COMMUNITY AREAS
Outside your hotel room at Classified Moto, you’ll find lots of great common areas to make yourself at home. +++Please note that these areas are designated for overnight guests only. If you are looking to have a gathering that includes more than the guests on your room reservation, we have multiple areas for rent on an hourly basis. Please inquire inquire before booking if you're interested.+++
— MAIN LOBBY. Comfy couches, high ceilings and great lighting straight out of Mad Men.
— UPSTAIRS KITCHENETTE. Shared full-sized fridge with lots of ice. Microwave, coffee/tea and sink. Right next to a chill lounge that overlooks the main lobby. If your second floor room doesn't come with a coffee/tea maker, it's because everything you need is just outside your door. Help yourself!
— UPSTAIRS LOUNGE. Right next to the kitchenette, this lushly appointed gathering spot has a picture window view of down to the main lobby.
— INSIDE BALCONY. Open to the main lobby below, this sweet spot is a great place to start your day in our mid-century masterpiece.

If you’re a fan of the mid-century vibe, Classified Moto is right up your alley. On arrival through the coded access gate, you’ll notice that the exterior of the building has an imposing presence — “elegantly uninviting” was my direction for the architects. Nailed it.

Like our old headquarters (an 1800s mule barn a half mile away) the new HQ is not meant to attract attention from the street. It’s meant to surprise you once inside — like the Bat Cave.

Things to know about what you’re getting into
We’ve gone to great lengths to make the rooms clean, cozy and full of character for a true boutique hotel experience. That said, there are some quirks that the average Four Seasons type might ding us for. Then again, that kind of traveler probably isn’t looking to stay in a working motorcycle shop.

Being a custom bike shop, Classified Moto is appropriately located in an industrial area. There’s a two lane road frequented by big trucks in front of us. There are train tracks behind us. You WILL hear some of this during your stay. We enjoy the hustle, but if you’re looking for ultimate quiet, maybe this isn’t the place.

You might hear us grinding metal or starting up a bike. We try to keep the noise to a minimum, but sometimes duty calls.

Lastly, we have regular get togethers in our venue on Fridays and other random times. Like the bike shop, it’s on the opposite wing of the building from the guest rooms. You might hear some music during certain hours. The venue is available to rent for events, but if it’s not booked and we’re having one of our things, feel free to stop by and hang out. Fun is always had by all. We keep guests posted as to what’s going on, so stay tuned.

Classified Moto is ideally situated to give you access to all Richmond has to offer. If you want to explore without driving, you have plenty of options.

Ride-Sharing Services:
Popular ride-sharing options like Uber and Lyft are readily available in the area for door-to-door service to wherever you’re headed.

Biking:
Richmond is a two-wheeled-friendly city with bike lanes and rental stations nearby. Whether you want to cruise around sightseeing or catch some air on Richmond’s sweet network of mountain bike trails, your pedal-powered adventure awaits. PLUS, our location is only an 11-minute bike ride to the Richmond end of the Virginia Capital Trail — 52 miles of history all the way to the Colonial capital of Williamsburg and on to Jamestown and Yorktown.

Public Transportation:
Express transit: The nearby Pulse Bus Rapid Transit line connects you to major attractions, including the Arts District and the Virginia State Capitol. It’s a quick and efficient way to experience the city’s highlights.
Bus Routes: Just a short walk from our location, you'll find several bus stops serviced by GRTC Transit System. Buses run frequently, providing easy access to downtown Richmond, shopping districts, and cultural hotspots.