Riding on soft sand.

[Keith Oates]

I've only recently started doing regular off road rides with a group of MTB riders and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However I've had two offs, whilst clipped in, during that time and on both occasions it's been caused by losing the front wheel in soft sand. Does anybody have some guidance on how to deal with soft sand to stop the front wheel from sliding away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[marzjennings]

Some advice here from a sandy part of the world... http://www.dreamride.com/sandskills.html

For me, I unweight the front wheel, aim straight and just go for it. If I have to turn I lean the bike in the direction I want to go, more skiing than cycling.

 

[lukesdad]

Use a bigger gear than you normally would, putting drive thru the rear wheel will lighten the front end, run fat tyres at low pressures, are you using tubeless ?

 

[VamP]

Embrace falling off, it's all part of the fun. Deep sand is the most difficult of surfaces, google some Koksijde footage that will show you even pros who train specifically in sand, cannot keep upright all the time. Also really harsh on your drivetrain.

As lukesdad says, grind, lean back, go as soft as you can... but be ready to fall off too. At least it's a soft landing.

 

[fossyant]

Made the mistake of riding across the dunes in N Wales on my MTB with the family. Got back and all bikes needed major TLC to get rid of the sand from the drive chains. Never again.

 

[Keith Oates]

Thanks for the replies I will try them and see if I can become more proficient in the sand. It happened again last Sunday during a 100 Km ride and there is one section of about 4 Km that goes through the trails in a Rubber Tree plantation. Most of the trails are firm but they have short, 10 to 20 metre sections, of soft sand., so it looks as if stopping and adjusting the tyre pressure and seat height are two of things to get correct before entering the plantation.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keith Oates]

Use a bigger gear than you normally would, putting drive thru the rear wheel will lighten the front end, run fat tyres at low pressures, are you using tubeless ?

No I'm not using tubeless, does that make a difference? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VamP]

Made the mistake of riding across the dunes in N Wales on my MTB with the family. Got back and all bikes needed major TLC to get rid of the sand from the drive chains. Never again.

The mechanics of pro cyclocrossers reckon that one race on sand (say Koksijde) does both bikes drivetrains in. I do a lot of sandy riding near where I live and the chain lifespan is in the hundreds rather than thousands of miles.

 

[lukesdad]

No I'm not using tubeless, does that make a difference? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can ride at lower pressures without getting pinch punctures.

 

[Keith Oates]

Thanks LD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!