Heavy bikes in and out of sand?

[thehollowmen]

I know it sounds stupid, but a couple of small foot long planks (NON TREATED) are useful if you get stuck. Just shove one under the frount of the wheel, rev, and go.

If you're smooth enough you can pick it up again as you do a loop and go past.

[Nathan]

Putting sticks and other junk under the rear wheel can help. Also try digging out the sand in front of the wheel so that it doesn't have to climp as high to get out.

As already stated, when riding in sand, keep your speed up. Stand up with your weight towards the back to keep the front light. Ride smoothly and try to change direction slowly. The bike will want to wander and do crazy things. Just relax and try to let it find it's own path. The key is being smooth and trusting your bike.

[XP@]

try pushing the bike on to its side a few times, every time you do it the hole will fill up with some sand.

Then do as you are doing, put her in to 2nd and walk her out and learn how to get on when she is moving.

Finally when the day is done and you get home thank your lucky stars that all grease and oil that accumulates on the rear rim is gone and that although the rest of your bike needs a bloody good clean your back wheel is shiny.

[Wolf]

The guys on the XT225 site generally recommend no more than 15psi on sand even for a light bike such as the XT - and from what they've written, even with a light bike and 10psi, it is not a trivial task to ride in sand. One of the blokes rides in sand as his exercise regime - it is that much work even on a light bike he gets a thorough work-out.

Reading the other posts regarding quicksand and Motu's blue sticky stuff, I'd rather try sliding my XT225 out on it's side than a whacking-great F650.

I think I'll stick to small and light...

[warewolf]

Get started any way you can!

One thing I'd add, in terms of how to keep riding, is that you steer with footpeg pressure rather than turning the handlebars.

[chris]

Momentum is your friend, ( here) don't stop!

[Wolf]

try pushing the bike on to its side a few times, every time you do it the hole will fill up with some sand.

An argument for having a bloody light bike if ever I saw one!

Lets see the cagers try to pull that stunt when they're bogged in sand, eh?

Quite a good process for getting out of loose sand, dude.

[XP@]

An argument for having a bloody light bike if ever I saw one!

Lets see the cagers try to pull that stunt when they're bogged in sand, eh?

Quite a good process for getting out of loose sand, dude.

dripping...

yup, and if it's hot don't try it in full road gear. take your jacket off, get your bike ridable, then put your gear back on.

If you are riding your way round africa then your aluminium panniers and the rest of your luggage ain't going to help!

[Wolf]

dripping...

yup, and if it's hot don't try it in full road gear. take your jacket off, get your bike ridable, then put your gear back on.

If you are riding your way round africa then your aluminium panniers and the rest of your luggage ain't going to help!

Mate, if it's hot I won't push the bike on tarmac in full gear! jacket and leggings slung over the handlebars, helmet on lock and plenty of rest stops on the way...

Quick release luggage systems would be the best for the likes of Africa - take your gear off the bike after you've removed the aforementioned jacket...

[cooneyr]

Low tyre pressures and momentum are all good until you slow down for whatever reason. One thing I find helps when trying to accelerate (or start) again is not to give it too much throttle. Pulse the throttle so that there is a little wheel spin then back off the throttle so the wheel can slow down and get close to traction then spin again. Basically pulse the throttle so you "just" have wheel spin. If you just crack the throttle open you may find you just have another hole or you have a lot of pushing to do and the wheel and ground speeds are never the same.

Works great on the pea gravel we have in some riverbeads down here too.

Once you are back ontop with some speed then give it to it.

Cheers
R

[CBobR]

Some great info in this thread, cheers people.

Chris and warewolf, what's on the other side of that sand dune? (Muriwai right?) I think I've been to the top but wasn't keen to go down the inland side incase I got stuck there. Thanks.

[warewolf]

Chris and warewolf, what's on the other side of that sand dune? (Muriwai right?) I think I've been to the top but wasn't keen to go down the inland side incase I got stuck there.

Nup. Over the dune is the bike park. It is downhill about the same as the uphill, then maybe 100m along the flat that is really badly whooped out. Then you're on solid gravel road again.

Muriwai is 16km further south, where we got onto the beach that day.