I've been thinking about trying cyclocross this season and would like to hear from anyone with Vancouver-area experience.

I looked at the Cycling BC website and saw the 2010 calendar, the BC Cup series, the Ins and Outs FAQ and all that. But I still have questions.

How newbie-friendly are the BC races?
Is registration always same-day?
Can you show up with your MTB and expect to ride in the Citizen section?
How early do you go in order to pre-ride the course?
Can you pre-ride the course if you're not planning to enter the race?
Are there any 'cross practice rides or clinics in the Fraser Valley area?

All answers are appreciated and in case my screen name has you worried, I'm not planning to ride my folder.