No experience with cross racing or mounts/dismounts, but the 42x17 is considered a manageable *road* gear. You will still need to power your starts, which will either take strength or eventually build it, lol.

It might be worth getting a 16T (harder) or more likely an 18T or 19T (easier) cog depending on how difficult or manageable the gearing feels for you. You can usually bump a cog up or down 1 tooth without changing the chain. Surly cogs are supposed to be very high quality and they make cogs in 19T.

you can't go less than 16T in rear cogs, so if you find the bike lacking in power, you'll want to add a larger 46 or 48 chainring in front. (Three teeth in front = one rear tooth in rear). But with cross riding I don't expect this'll happen.