Last year, more than 1,100 spectators rode bikes to the Formula 1 races at Circuit of the Americas. On the way to the track, a group of British racing fans stopped to visit with neighborhood volunteers at the crossing at Burleson Road.
Get ready for an influx of international visitors soon when our neighborhood is again part of the bicycle route to the U.S. Grand Prix. The pocket park between Pleasant Valley and Burleson roads is at the halfway point on the 11-mile route, and is a great place for bike commuters to stop for water, directions and a quick break after their climb out of the river valley. But to continue south to the F1 racetrack, they have to cross Burleson between two curves, without a crosswalk.
Please join the Burleson Heights Neighborhood Association (BHNA) and the South East Austin Trails and Greenways Alliance (SEATAG) in creating a more pleasant rest stop and safer crossing for cyclists. We’ve already been working with the Austin Bicycle Program, Austin Parks Department, Austin Police Department, Circuit of the Americas, Bike Austin and local businesses to coordinate this stop — what we need is you!
Watch for cyclists along the bike route to and from the F1 races Friday-Sunday, and come help the neighborhood hand out maps to help riders navigate a tricky section of their route. (Click to enlarge.)
On Nov. 15-17, we can use your help at the street crossing and with handing out free bottled water, granola bars and maps. We also need some supplies and help setting up/taking down our rest stop, signs and lights. Volunteers can work two-hour shifts, and while you’re there, you can have a good time with your neighbors and with F1 spectators from Austin and around the world.
How to volunteer
Use the Hurly-Burly contact form or the signup sheet in Google Docs.
How to donate supplies
Use the contact form if you can provide any of the following:
- Portable table and folding chairs
- Bottled water and ice
Learn more
Find more information on the U.S. Grand Prix and the bike route at the following links:
- Photos of last year’s riders and neighborhood volunteers
- Improved bike lanes on Burleson Road
- Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 racetrack
- Bike route to COTA
- Preliminary F1 schedule
- International F1 site
We hope you can join us!
Update: Despite causing damage in parts of Southeast Austin, the Halloween flood has not altered the bike route to F1. Cyclists can ride from downtown Austin to Richard Moya Park, south of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where they can use a free bike valet service and catch shuttles to COTA.
This site's manager has lived in Burleson Heights since 1996 and uses this blog to share helpful information with neighbors.
The Hurly-Burly 