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.

The Capital City Trail also displayed some “Underbelly” action from day one. As soon as I arrived at the Southbank end of the trail, about a dozen burly Crown Casino security guards in black suits were ejecting a very angry Irishman. Then further up Southbank under the bridge was flashing police lights and heaps of people watching a local film production being shot. And who would happen to be one of the actors dressed up as a Victorian cop? Underbelly’s start cop Roger Crosser. Shame I didn’t get a decent pic of him. But got some good shots of the outdoor television shoot.

But I had to ride on as it was already after midday and I had still nearly 39kms to go on this long meandering bike trail. Read more when the review is up later this week. Just after I sort out how best to display all the neat tricks with Google Maps. I’m sure it will be useful for your next bike ride in Melbourne.