I have an old Jake the snake which is great and a perfect winter bike with guards on but I may try my hand at some CX races this winter so having road wheels and guards on it is a faff if I want to put my CX wheels on to do some off road training.
I had planned to get a “good” bike next spring for sportives and some time trials but now I think I need a “winter bike” 😕 which I really wanted to avoid.

So.. Whats cheap and recommended?

Sounds like you got the winter bike already.
What you need is the cyclocross bike..
Some good deals about on Giant TCX ‘s …

Ribble Audax/winter. Either build a new oen for about £550 or look second-hand for around £300

Or as Mooman said get another CX bike?

Looked at the Ribble winter bike and they seem a bargain. Anyone had experience of them?

Thanks

Yup, Ive got one…

As said, cheap as chips, and bomb proof..

Not the prettiest of things, but great for banging out the wet miles.

Thanks I think I’ll get along and see them.

Not that comfortable either, but is cheap, which at the the end of the day is what a winter bike is all about.

Picked mine up for £250 with no front wheel.

Have a look at Dolan Preffisio and Tifosi CK7 too.

I’m looking too and as well as the Ribble these other two also get good reviews.