How to Bike Through Sand

There's no need to avoid riding through patches of sand like a golfer avoids the sand traps. Learn to ride through sand to become a better all-around mountain biker.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Shorts
• Bike Chaing Cleaning Brushes
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Bike Shoes
• Biking Gloves
• Mountain Bikes

1. Downshift to an easier gear when you know a long stretch of sand is approaching.

2. Shift to a higher gear to cruise through short sand sections.

3. Shift your body weight back on your bike seat so that your weight is centered over your rear tire.

4. Stay seated.

5. Pedal the entire way through the sand.

6. Steer by leaning into the turn instead of turning your handlebars.

7. Brake lightly if you must. A hard brake will kill momentum, which is difficult to regain in the sand.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe your bike and all components clean after riding through sand. Sand will stick to any grease and cause quick wear and tear on mountain bikes.
• Mountain biking is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 8/8/2006 I ride on a trail with lots of hills with tight turn and deep sand. I've noticed the more weight I put on the rear tire and off the front tire, the bike is more controllable. This is very difficult to do while sitting, so I come off the seat slightly and put my rear end over the rear tire while almost "pulling" on the handle bars. This seems to work well during high speed turns and downhills with thick sand.

on 3/21/2006 Having wide tires with small tread is the best way to get across. If you don't have that, try finding a previous rider's tracks and ride inside of it. Keep the pedaling smooth. Keep your arms loose on the handlebar to let the bike keep itself in the track. After each pedal stroke, try to bounce up and down to free the tires from sinking into the sand.

on 11/22/2005 Get a high-speed start (for long sand stretches - perhaps 25 feet), lean back, hit the sand in low gear, then lean forward and keep standing.