Go off-road

Winter is cyclo-cross season. Cyclo-cross is hugely popular on the Continent, not least in Belgium and the Netherlands, and while it’s had something of a slow start on these shores, that is quickly changing.

Why? Cyclo-cross is great fun. Sliding around the woods or hacking down a bridleway on a ‘cross bike on a wet day is infinitely more fun that a rain-drenched road ride.

There’s also a packed calendar of local league ‘cross races through the winter if you want to engage your competitive spirit. Don’t worry, ‘cross racing is perhaps the most accessible form of cycle sport and you don’t need a cyclo-cross bike to take part – a mountain bike is just fine at most races. We caught up with two-time national champion Ian Field – Great Britain’s sole representative on the men’s World Cup circuit – to find out his top five ‘cross racing tips.

A cyclo-cross bike is also an increasingly popular addition to many riders’ stable thanks to its inherent versatility. Of course, a knobbly-tyred ‘cross bike is well-suited to tackling the mud that comes with riding off-road in winter but many now accept full mudguards, and often a rear rack, to change their job description from cyclo-cross bike to all-weather commuter or light tourer. Here’s our buyer’s guide.