From September, it’s cyclo-cross season, with the first World Cup of the 2015/16 campaign having just taken place in Las Vegas.

But while Wout Van Aert and Sven Nys were going toe-to-toe in Vegas, cyclo-cross is also one of the most accessible forms of bike racing. And anyway, what’s not to love about smashing it around a muddy field for an hour before a well-earned beer and frites? Besides that, cyclo-cross is a great way to maintain your fitness and motivation when the weather turns, with short, sharp rides, rather than the prospect of a cold, soaking wet day in the saddle.

Buyer’s guide: five cyclo-cross essentials

With the racing instantly strung out across the course, there’s no need to worry about getting dropped from the bunch in a cyclo-cross race, plus there are events running every weekend around the country from September onwards. All you need is a bike. Many races will let you enter on a mountain bike, or see it as an excuse to add a ‘cross bike, which can double as a versatile commuter/winter training bike, to your collection.

Buyer’s guide: cyclo-cross bikes

Events such as Rapha’s Super Cross, which returns this autumn in West Yorkshire, offer a fun, entry-level taster of what to expect, while cyclo-cross sportives are becoming increasingly popular. Take a look at the British Cycling website for a full calendar of races.

Tempted? Best get shopping for kit, then – here’s our guide to the cyclo-cross essentials.