It’s that time of year for the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix circuit is setup ready for the four day racing event.

I just got back from a long weekend in Melbourne, where I took the rare opportunity to ride my brother’s mountain bike around the Formula One street circuit. Rare, not because I got my brother’s bike rideable again, but because its only about one week each year when you can still drive, ride, skate or walk around the actual race circuit with most of the barriers and infrastructure in place. For a brief moment you actually get to experience what it would be like to be one of the Formula One racing drivers going around the track. Even if it is about 200-300 kph slower riding a mountain bike.

On a bike you also can ride around the complete track whereas motorists can only drive around half of the track.

So it makes it safe for families with children to ride or skate around the track. But it’s wise to be extra careful in the areas of the track where motorists are allowed.

It was interesteing to see the pitt straight area restricted to one lane one way traffic with a 20kph speed limit. They’re taking no chances with any rev heads getting carried away.