Towneley Park Hosts Thrilling Round Four of North West Cyclo Cross 2026/27 Season
Towneley Park gave riders a proper cyclo-cross test for round four of this season’s North West Cyclo Cross Association races, without serving up the full October punishment of heavy mud and clogged gears.
Hosted by CDPP, Cycling Development Pendle Partnership, the Burnley venue offered a course that was fast in places, technical in others, and well suited to a full day of racing across the age groups. The weather stayed kind, the mud remained manageable, and the lack of heavy fallen foliage made life easier for riders and mechanics alike.
As with every round, the event relied on far more than the riders on the start line. Organisers, route planners, marshals, volunteers, timekeepers, commissaires, medical staff, sponsors, supporters and many others all helped make the day run smoothly.
A classic October course with fewer of the usual problems
October cyclo-cross often means a battle against thick mud, wet leaves and mechanical trouble. Towneley Park had some of those ingredients, but not enough to overwhelm the racing.
There was mud in the damper sections, especially where the ground held moisture, but it stayed thin and did not become the main story of the day. That allowed riders to carry speed, pick lines and race the course, rather than simply survive it.
One welcome change from previous seasons was the lack of dropped foliage. In past races, fallen leaves have caused problems by blocking front and rear mechs and adding another layer of suffering to already technical riding. This time, riders had fewer of those issues to worry about.
That did not mean the course was easy. The flatter sections included plenty of intricate taped turns and changes of rhythm. Riders had to stay alert, brake cleanly and accelerate out of bends without losing traction.
The wooded section provided the toughest riding. Several short, steep climbs were followed by equally sharp drops, creating a repeat pattern of effort, recovery and bike handling. It rewarded those who could keep momentum and punished small mistakes.
The day began with the youth races
The under 14s and under 16s opened the full-course racing at 10.15am. They took on the same broad challenge as the adult fields, including the more technical terrain and the wooded climbs and descents.
For younger riders, this kind of course offers a valuable test. It asks for more than fitness. Riders need confidence, judgement and the ability to adjust quickly when the ground changes under the tyres.
At 11.05am, the youngest categories set off. Their races stayed on the taped flat area of the course, giving them a contained but still exciting loop. It meant they could experience close racing in a safe, visible part of the venue, with supporters able to follow the action easily.
The older youngsters also used the taped area, but with a shortened visit into the woods. That course choice gave them a taste of the technical character of the full adult route without making the race too demanding.
Veterans and Ladies races kept the afternoon moving
The veterans took to the course at 12.15pm, bringing experienced race craft to the park. On a course with repeated corners, climbs and short drops, calm handling and smart pacing mattered.
Riders had to decide when to attack and when to preserve effort. The flatter sections invited speed, but they also contained enough turns to disrupt rhythm. The wooded section then demanded short bursts of power and clean control on the descents.
The Ladies race followed at 1.30pm, continuing the day’s steady flow of competition. By then, lines had become clearer in some parts of the course, while other areas carried the signs of repeated wheels and footwork.
Cyclo-cross rewards those who can read those changes. A good line on one lap may not be quite as good on the next. The Towneley Park course gave riders plenty to think about from start to finish.
Men and Open riders closed the racing programme
As usual, the Men/Open category was the final race of the day, setting off at 2.45pm. By that point the course had already been churned up in some areas, which added to the challenge.
The later start meant riders faced a route that had been shaped by the day’s earlier racing. Corners were more defined, damp patches more obvious, and the technical parts of the wooded section had seen plenty of traffic.
The format gave the event a familiar and well-paced structure:
Category | Start time | Course notes |
Under 14s and under 16s | 10.15am | Full route |
Youngest categories | 11.05am | Taped flat area |
Older youngsters | 11.05am | Flat area plus shortened wooded section |
Veterans | 12.15pm | Full race course |
Ladies | 1.30pm | Full race course |
Men/Open | 2.45pm | Full race course |
Across the programme, the balance felt right. The youngest riders had space to race in a suitable area, developing riders had a controlled taste of the technical woods, and the senior fields had enough variety to make the course rewarding.
Podiums, prizes and the people behind the race
Podium presentations took place for all age groups, with prizes supplied by sponsors Challenge Tires and Merlin Cycles. Those moments matter. They recognise the riders who reached the front, but they also give the day a shared finish and a reason for families, clubmates and supporters to gather after the racing.
Behind the scenes, CDPP played a central role in hosting the round. The Cycling Development Pendle Partnership is a volunteer organisation made up of members from local cycling clubs and cycling-related groups.
Working with Pendle Council, CDPP promotes cycling in the Pendle area and supports the running and development of the Steven Burke Sports Hub Cycling Circuit and BMX pump track. That local work helps create the kind of cycling culture that makes events like this possible.
A strong round at a well-loved venue
Round four at Towneley Park showed why the venue works so well for cyclo-cross. It can be fast without being simple. It can be technical without becoming unrideable. It can challenge confident racers while still giving younger riders a safe and enjoyable introduction to the sport.
The kind weather helped, but the success of the day came from careful planning and a lot of volunteer effort. From the taped turns on the flatter ground to the climbs and drops in the woods, the course gave each category a fair test.
Most of all, the event showed the strength of the local cyclo-cross scene. Riders raced hard, supporters lined the course, and a large team of organisers and helpers made sure the day could happen.
Towneley Park delivered a fitting fourth round: competitive, well run and full of the small details that make October cyclo-cross such a distinctive part of the cycling calendar.
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