[mrkwse]

Just to correct this point for anyone who doesn't follow the sport like the author:

> This F1 fansite claims that cars can get to around 110 km/h (~70 mph) climbing this thing, which we very much did not achieve.

The fansite link is stating that cars will brake to approach the sharp left-hander of turn 1 at 110km/h (~70mph) (site claims 85km/h on the apex), they'll do well in excess of that on the run up (300km/h+ on a flying lap or still comfortably beyond 200km/h from a standing start).

With that out of the way it looks a great way of using a racetrack when cars aren't going around it, and I'll have to see if there's anything similar in the UK as a lot of racetracks will often have very pleasant surrounds and similarly undulating elevations for a bit of a challenge. (Brands Hatch strikes me as having a lot of potential for a particularly pleasant ride)

[InitialLastName]

I have a habit of looking at the calendars of the tracks F1 goes to, just out of curiosity. Many of them have bicycle events in addition to car events, for exactly the reasons you would think (and mentioned): well-maintained roads with no cars, an interesting, undulating course, nice surroundings, and infrastructure for crowds.

As an example, the 2020 UCI Road World championship was centered around the Imola track, and looking at their schedule they frequently have other cycling events.

[giobox]

The UCI Tour of California has been to Laguna Seca too, it was one of my least favorite bike race watching experiences.

Professional road cycling generally has no barriers between spectators and the riders except in key areas or start/finish lines. A race track designed for cars of course has enormous run off areas and view blocking steel safety structures, tire walls for 150mph+ accidents - you don't need these for a bike race. The result is spectators generally sat far, far further away and the atmosphere is IMO much worse for it. I've had far more fun sat at the side of mountain stages with friends and a few beers.

That said, of course it has the advantage you get to see the riders multiple times instead of just once as is case on most point to point stages, but easy access to live streams on phones/tablets makes the race so easy to follow at the roadside anyway.

[jandrese]

On the other hand maybe some separation between the cyclists and spectators isn't a terrible idea? Or at the very least require the spectators to have a least a minimal level of situational awareness.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/27/sport/tour-de-france-crash-in...

[noarchy]

I'm not sure why you'd be getting downvoted. This year's Tour has been off to a very rocky start and fan interference sure hasn't helped.

[Luc]

> I'm not sure why you'd be getting downvoted.

Because it's one of those comments that took 3s to write but would take a lot of effort to properly respond to, because it's 'not even wrong'.

[nradov]

The Clash triathlon series uses NASCAR tracks for their races. The scenery is a bit monotonous for athletes, but the bike courses are very safe and it gives spectators a better view of the action.

https://www.triathlete.com/events/challenge-u-s-splits-with-...

[ProAm]

Aren't NASCAR tracks just ovals?

[gwoplock]

Most are but they sometimes go to others. About a month or 2 ago, NASCAR went to COTA. Some of the pictures in the article are from that race.

[pionar]

A lot of NASCAR tracks also have road courses. Indy, Daytona, Atlanta, a lot of the others.

[sidewndr46]

I don't ride a road bicycle for safety reasons, but I do live in Austin. One of the unexpected benefits of COTA is many bicyclists I've met have praised the bicycling events there. Some large bicycle races even use it as a starting point.

[c0nsumer]

There's a local racetrack here in Waterford, Michigan, US (north of Detroit) which hosts road bike races. It really is a great use, because it's a closed/non-open-to-public route which is generally well paved and free of the usual road debris (gravel, grass, car parts, glass).

Details: https://www.flyingrhinocc.com/flying-rhino-race-series

Bicycle road races are otherwise pretty complicated to put on, because they require a section of road that can be closed (eg: private industrial park / campus), sometimes work done to the road to clean it beforehand, etc. Using a race track has a lot of this done for you.

[danburbridge]

I know that Castle Coombe has regular bicycle races - both criteriums and time trials. Pretty sure many of the circuits do, as its a good way to use the track and get some cash in, as they are often regulated in the number of motor races due to noise issues.

[chedabob]

Oulton Park has opened up to cyclists in the past, but doesn't look like there's anything except a duathlon scheduled for this year.