Mountain biking in soft sand requires advanced maneuvering skills. Soft sand will increase the rolling resistance of your tires making even the simplest of maneuvers difficult. San Francisco Mountain Biking states that wet, sandy trails are often hard packed and easier to ride. Always clean your mountain bike after riding on a wet sand trail.
Tires
Recreational mountain bike tires can easily sink into a dry sand trail. When sandy trails get wet, the knobby tread of the recreational tires provides adequate grip. Contrary to popular belief, mud tires do not function well on wet sand trails. The large protruding tread of the mud tires will increase your rolling resistance while decreasing your speed. According to MTO Bikes, mountain bike tires with a hard tread compound function best on wet sand trails.
Brakes
Wet sand trails allow you to reach top speeds on your mountain bike. Mountain bikes made for riding on hard-packed trails generally feature a high-powered brake system. Conventional cantilever brakes will cause your tires to slide across the sandy trail. According to ABC of Mountain Biking, hydraulic disc brakes offer increased stopping power. Hydraulic disc brakes feature a number of fluid-driven pistons. To prevent slide outs while riding on wet sand trails, equip your mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes.
Riding Techniques
When mountain biking on wet sand trails, you will need to stay alert at all times. If you need to slow your momentum, squeeze the handbrake levers with a fluid motion. Pulling the brake levers abruptly will cause you to skid across the trail. Shift your body weight to maintain a balanced stance while navigating the turns of the trail. Web Mountain Bikes recommends keeping your weight on the back of the saddle to prevent your front wheel from digging into the sand.
Cleaning Procedures
Prevent rust from forming on your mountain bike with the proper cleaning techniques. Spray water over the frame of your mountain bike to wash away any sand or dirt particles. Use a toothbrush to clean the hard to reach areas of your mountain bike frame. With warm water and soap, scrub your mountain bike from the handlebars to the saddle. Rinse the bike with a water hose. Dry your mountain bike using a cotton cloth or towel.
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