If you took a bit of all the cycling disciplines to make one new discipline, and added a bit of running in the mix too, you would have cyclo-cross (CX).

CX is a mix of road, mountain bike and steeplechase. Races are held on circuits about 3km across a variety of terrain – think sand, mud, stairs, barriers and grass.

The courses usually have climbs and obstacles to navigate throughout the event and you’ll often see cyclists dismount their bikes to run up stairs and steep embankments. CX races are usually held in autumn and winter, which means there is often rain, wind, mud and sometimes even snow.