Now I'm wondering if they will still have the bike racks in the RV area for X Games or where they just temporary?

The shuttle wait was not too bad--lots of people leaving at the same time in the afternoon, one shuttle filled up but another came in 15 minutes.  However, traffic leaving the track was stop-and-go at times, and the shuttle tried to avoid jams and took a rather circuitous route to get back to Richard Moya Park.  Counting the wait I probably could have biked it faster! :)

It was disappointing that some of shiny new roads leading to the track had no sidewalks, shoulders, or bike lanes.  Also, the free shuttles (looked like old capmetro buses) that looped around the track were always packed and had a looong wait during the afternoon rush.  It's a long walk around the track if you need to get to the other side.  That loop road didn't really have that much traffic on it--if they let attendees use their bikes to get around the track and park near various turns/entrances that would have been excellent.

I wish there were a good route all the way to the track -- but right after Richard Moya Park you hit FM 973, a highway-speed road with one lane each direction, a double-yellow line in the middle, and no shoulders.  The route up to that point is family-friendly, but FM 973 is definitely not.  It's supposed to be redone in the next year or two, but for this year we decided the best option would be to make use of Richard Moya Park, a nice spot to hang out in.  The shuttle route from there to the site is on transit-only lanes, so it should be an easy connection.

Looking forward to the ride!  Come on out!

Chris Riley

As I understand it, the bike parking is at Mora Park, 2-3 miles from the entrance.  The (city? statesman?) site says they will provide "one shuttle every half hour", so this may work or it may collapse.  We will see (I'm trying the shuttle from downtown tomorrow and not using the bike).

I've been to Grand Prix races in Europe.  ALL have bike access to the door and usually free parking.  Austin doesn't.  Further the City (and presumably the county working together) have unilaterally closed about 2-4 square miles to all walking and biking.  So unless you are part of the helicoptor or limo crowd or have one of the on-site spots, you have no way to get there except by bus- regardless of the city's "Bike to the GP" claim.

So the first thing I would hope is that someone without a ticket will circle the outside of the martial law, no-walking/no-bike perimeter to determine how large it is (no city or statesman maps gives an answer) and come back with a map.

Second I'd like to know what happens if you know someone inside- one of the homeowners.  Can they have bike visitors?.  How are the neighbors doing?  Do they get passes to the house? If you live inside the area and buy a ticket are you allowed to walk or bike to the track?  If the answer is yes, can your friends go to your place and do the same?

This system discriminates against bikes.  We want the complaints from the bike community to be so loud and well directed at the city council that the Circuit will be forced to provide parking and a "walk in" option like the European tracks do (part of the track is outside the city but across the street from the entrance is part of Austin).

And are any bikers living inside the perimeter having any problems?

Dave

Bike Austin is organizing rides from One Texas Center at 8:30 & 10:30am Saturday & Sunday (11/17-18), and we've been talking about doing the same route Friday morning.  Anyone in?

Details:
www.austintexas.gov/article/formula-1-bicycle-commuting-guide
www.lobv.org/2012/10/24/bike-austin-to-lead-guided-bike-rides-to-the-circuit-of-the-americas-track/

Chris Riley

*Yes, I do realize(and relish) the irony of getting to a car race via my own power. After all autos are more useful as entertainment than as something practical.