How to Ride Through Deep Sand on a Mountain Bike (Without Getting Stuck)
Sand can kill your momentum fast if you’re not ready for it. In this quick guide, I break down the key things that help me ride through deep, loose sand—like staying seated, finding the right line, and keeping steady pedal pressure.
6/29/20251 min read
Riding Through Deep Sand on a Mountain Bike
Riding through deep sand can be one of the trickiest things you'll come across on a trail—especially if you're not used to it. Sand sucks your momentum, can throw off your balance, and sometimes feels like pedaling in place. But with the right mindset and technique, you can get through it smoothly.
One of the biggest things that helps is keeping your momentum up. If you slow down too much, you'll sink and get stuck. That doesn't mean full sprint mode, but you want to be moving forward consistently.
Stay relaxed on the bars, keep your arms a little loose, and avoid over-correcting when your front tire starts to wander. That's normal in sand—don't fight it too hard or you'll tip over.
I usually stay seated and pedal smoothly, almost like grinding it out. Standing can make the rear tire spin more, and in sand that usually means you're going nowhere fast.
Also, try to pick the straightest, most packed-down line if possible. If there's a spot that looks like it's been ridden or walked over a lot, it’ll usually be a bit firmer.
If there's a slight uphill—like a small mound—you'll want to pedal a little harder beforehand and carry some speed into it. It's all about maintaining momentum.
I don’t ride sand all the time, but when I do, these are the things that help me get through it without getting stuck or frustrated. Try a few of these tips next time you hit a sandy patch and see what works best for you.