Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

I see your profile pic is of a child! If this is not you but in fact someone you are long-term responsible for I have a few considerations for you:
CX cost money. You need the right kind of bike (I don't really but let's leave that aside). You need the right tyres. CX is not that pricey but there are entry fees plus you need a BC racing licence.
CX is more time intensive than a long road ride even though it's only an hour. You gotta get your bike ready and slightly fret over it as if you get a dumb mechanical that's your hour of fun cut down, possibly significantly. Then you gotta get there which is maybe near a train station, maybe not. You might need to drive or get a lift. Only MTBers drive more than CXers. Then sign in an hour beforehand, talk shit about tyre pressure for at least 30 mins.
Then you race for an hour.
Then you gotta get home, clean your bike (or not). It's 4/5 hours of faff for 60 mins of racing which is generally enjoy retrospectively because racing CX is rewarding but actually really hard.

I'll reiterate it's fun as hell and not nearly as expensive as road racing (though not as cheap as track), but it's a whole afternoon of shenanigans which has positives and negatives depending on your circumstances.

talk shit about tyre pressure for at least 30 mins

This should make the sale alone

I forget what's involved, how hard it is etc. and sign-up every year.

I guess this is how people end up with more than one child?

and you also forgot that the best cyclocross racing accessory is a car

Both are enthusiasm first, consequences second type activities I guess.

Yeah, racing time trials for the last few years has helped me understand the amount of time not racing is involved in racing.

Cheaper to buy and run than a good 'cross bike.

Finishing off my pit bike..

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Awesome tires. And no chain should help prevent build up of mud.

And sweet watts savings with all that friction removed

Love those tyres too, never committed to a set though.. Heard they wear quickly

Chain is a tricky one. The chainring is pretty worn, but the cassette is pretty new. so I need to find a chain in my shed that is just the right amount of worn

There’s an aliexpress TCX Carbon?

This might be the precise upgrade I’m looking for.

What's a decent all-rounder CX tyre?
Looking for something to go on the CX bike for the local trails when they're a bit wet. Not going to be racing on it so shouldn't need full mud tryes.

WTB Nano

Vittoria Terreno Wet or Mix (which @leggy_blonde swears by).

Challenge grifos? Definitely not Spec Terra/Tracer they are dog shit

If anyone is racing at ardingly this weekend, you may need to factor in the London to Brighton bike ride

https://road.cc/content/news/no-bikes-allowed-southern-or-thameslink-trains-sunday-286347

Thanks for tyre suggestions. I've tried the Nanos before and didn’t like them much but I’ll take a look at the Vittorias and the Grifos.

Now I just need to remember what gearing I ran on the SSCX last time I rode it.

Entry for Canada heights just opened.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/249532/Challenge-Tires-London-and-South-East-CX-League---Round-02

Yeah, Terreno Mix, or maybe a Wet on the front.

The high end Grifos are a race tyre, and the cheap ones are rubbish.

Ditto this, the Vittorias are also very tough.
I train a lot on hard, chalky flinty ground and I'm yet to slash a sidewall

I train a lot

Better back that up with results then.

very good looking

will you stop my pocket money otherwise #crossdad

I've got some brand new 105 ano silver/grey 36/46 110bcd cx chainrings and bolts surplus to requirements if anyone needs a drivetrain spruce up £25 posted?