I'm 52 and 6'3" and 195 and used to do criteriums back in the 90's and did my first cross race this past weekend in PA. Did the Nittany Cross cat 1,2,3,4 race. We had a whole different surface to deal with.
Didn't get any chance to practice mounts dismounts and portage because of crappy east coast weather (I know excuses, excuses) I met my goals though, don't crash and finish even though I finished DFL not sure if there were any DNF's. Over the years I've been riding i have done double centurys in 12 hours in 100 degree heat, rainy crappy weather 50 degree hilly centurys and all other manner of self abuse but the hour I spent on my Fuji was the toughest thing I've ever done on a bike and I loved it.