Getting long rides in during CX season

hammerite
hammerite Posts: 3,408
We're coming up to CX season in the next month or so. The CX season isn't a main aim for me, but I like to make a good go of it. Trouble is most races are on Sunday's when I'd usually be getting a long ride in.

I don't really want to be doing a long ride the day before a race, as I'd like to race fresh. Evenings aren't really an option over winter, so what do you do in cross season to keep the long rides up? Or do you not bother?

Ideally I want to hit January with the feeling of being strong, but able to ride comfortably for 3hrs +.