Riding in Sand

[Deleted member 26715]

Out last night I've found a Byway about 6 miles from home, but on one section it turns to very sandy soil, the front wheel just dug in & the bike stopped, I tried several times to get going again, but in the end had to walk about 50-60 yards as it was just impossible to ride. Is there a technique?

 

[Drago]

If it's that deep and loose there's nothing you can do, short of fitting catepillar tracks. Fat bikes are no help when its that bad.

 

[Salty seadog]

The fatter the tyre the better the chance, lower pressure too but not much point masking these changes for 60 yards.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Thanks found that if I dropped to the lowest gear I could just about inch forward but it was like trying to ride up a vertical wall, then the front wheel would dart off at an angle

 

[Cycleops]

As @Drago says. Many of the tracks down here are partly soft sand. My adventure bike with 37c Schwalbe Tyraccos at 50psi can't cope with them.

 

[PeteXXX]

Harlech Beach was hard work, but fun

 

[screenman]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2lAolKEnSFc

 

[Low Gear Guy]

Out last night I've found a Byway about 6 miles from home, but on one section it turns to very sandy soil, the front wheel just dug in & the bike stopped, I tried several times to get going again, but in the end had to walk about 50-60 yards as it was just impossible to ride. Is there a technique?

Get off and walk☹

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Trying to ride through deep grass mowings is very similar, the amount of drag just saps your energy and brings you to a halt very quickly. If I can't punch through short sections of draggy surfaces using momentum I just hop off as I approach and walk it. It's quicker than running out of steam a few yards in then being forced to dismount anyway.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Ride it like Cobbles
Big gear & back in the saddle, letting the front 'wander'

It worked when I raced CX, & some courses (at Schools) routed us through the long-jump pits