How to Mountain Bike Through Sand

Sand is a mountain biker's worst nightmare. There's nothing fun about it. Your momentum plummets to nothing, your wheel slips out--and then you're walking. Bikes just weren't designed to nimbly glide over sandy stretches. While nobody's suggesting mountain biking on the beach, some major mountain biking trails in places like Moab have sandy stretches. Learn some basic technique that will allow you to navigate effectively through sand without getting bogged down.

Instructions

1. Keep steady momentum going into a sandy stretch. If you slow down, you're likely to lose all your momentum and come to a stop. Starting from a stop is extremely difficult in sand.

2. Keep your weight balanced. Sit firmly on your seat to keep weight on your back tire so it doesn't slip out. Crouch a little more drastically and keep a firm grip on your handlebars to keep your front wheel from wobbling back and forth. If you're on an incline, make sure your weight is back to keep that rear wheel moving. On a downhill, keep weight centered and glide down the trail.

3. Keep your eyes ahead and focus on a tight, straight line. Do not allow too much lateral movement from side to side, which could easily cause you to slide out. If there are obstacles, make a gradual move around them as opposed to a sharp turn.

4. Use a low granny gear and continue pedaling at a steady pace. Do not break your pedaling momentum or you're liable to sink and come to a stop. Keep your eyes focused on the end of the sand, if possible, and just grind it out.

5. Pace yourself. For longer stretches of sand or sandy inclines, don't try to muscle it rapidly early on and burn yourself out. Better to keep a slow, steady pace that will keep your momentum going all the way through.

6. Turn gradually. If you are on a winding trail or going into a sandy corner, lean into the turn without turning the handlebars. This will prevent you from sliding and wiping out.

7. Brake lightly, if at all. Braking too rapidly will cause you to slide. If you need to break to check your speed on a downhill, be very gentle on the brakes and tap them just enough to slow your speed.

8. Walk it out if you stop, slide out or sink. Starting in sand is a difficult skill, and it will save you energy to just walk the rest of the sand out.

9. Take a break. Once you're through the sand, take a break if you are tired or winded. Grab a drink and catch your breath.

Tips & Warnings

• Approach sandy corners with caution, particularly on a downhill, as they can cause you to slide out.