Orbital Cycling Festival opens today

The Orbital Cycling Festival kicks off today at Goodwood Motor Circuit, West Sussex, and runs all weekend, hosting a range of attractions for all ages and abilities.

A large part of the festival is based around racing. The opening event, for example, is this evening’s Colnago X+1 road race where, after a single mixed start, riders have 45 minutes to complete as many laps as possible.

Tomorrow sees the 30 Second Gaps 20km time trial, the Hurricane 3.8km flying lap, a Sustrans Family Ride and the Isaac Bikes Tactician eliminator race – a devil takes the hindmost format with riders being pulled out at seven drop out points.

There’s a full day of racing on Sunday too, including the Brompton World Champs at midday. Check out the Orbital website for all the details. 

As well as the riding, there will be action from the Animal Action Sports Tour and Rollapaluza plus three cinemas, pedal powered Scalextric, Bike Bingo, reverse steer bikes, a bike quiz and vintage bikes.

The Cognation Pump Track will be hosting workshops for riders of all ages. Matti Hemmings will be both performing and running flatland BMX workshops throughout the weekend.

Over 50 exhibitors will be displaing more than 60 brands in the Paddock Expo, with a mix of established and new brands with specialist retailers for women, kids and riders with disabilities. 

There will be balance bikes, kids bikes, Go-Ride training, pump track workshops, BMX workshops and most of the races have categories for Youth and Junior riders from 13 years.

Orbital charges an entry fee then races are extra. Day passes are priced from £8 per day while under 13s get in free.

The Orbital Cycling Festival is open today (Friday, 26 July) from 4pm until 8pm. It’s then open from 6am until 8pm on Saturday, and 6am until 5pm on Sunday.

For all the info go to the Orbital Cycling Festival website.