bbbean 

Which would you rather watch - an hour long mud/snow fest or an hour of racing over hard pack with technical sections/stairs/barriers adding interest?

slcbob

I think you've staked out all four corners of what I previously, mistakenly, assume was a simple CX continuum.

I'm so torn!

burnthesheep

I know which I'd rather race, lol. The hardpack. I don't own multi bikes like a pro, and having to cleanup mudfests every weekend race for amateur season isn't that fun in 25 deg weather in the driveway after a race. Nevermind the averaging like 8mph for a mudfest race, may as well just run cross country event instead of ride a bike.

But, the mud is part of cross so you do it.

But I prefer dirt. Honestly, it's fun when a course gets a good rain but isn't a straight up pig sty. Like still some quick sections, a few slider corners, etc... That's fun.

Same opinion for watching.

bbbean 

I'm with you, but I'm a devoted roadie who does just enough CX to have a passing skillset. It's an excuse to get in some racing with the option to sit up and drink beer in the last lap if I'm not in contention. I can own a fast dry course with my road fitness, but the bona fide CX guys eat my lunch with the introduction of much mud, sand, or tight switchbacks.