Why Most ADV Riders Are Bad at Sand (and How to Stop Being One of Them)

Written by RIDE Adventures | October 31, 2025

ADV riders will climb mountains, cross rivers, and ride for days through remote backcountry but throw in a stretch of deep sand and suddenly everyone forgets how to ride.

Sand has a reputation for being the great equalizer. It doesn’t care how fancy your bike is or how many trail miles you’ve logged. If you’re not doing the right things, it’ll toss you like a rodeo bull.

Here’s why most riders struggle and how to finally fix it.

The Real Problem? It’s Mostly Mental

Before we even talk technique, let’s be honest: most people freak out when they see sand. Their body tenses. They chop the throttle. They death-grip the bars. And just like that, the bike gets squirrelly and down they go.

"Riding sand isn’t just physical. It’s psychological. If your brain screams “this is sketchy!” your body follows."

Mistake #1: Chopping the Throttle

This is the most common sand sin. You hit a patch of soft stuff, feel the bike move, and instinctively roll off the throttle. Boom front end dives, traction disappears, and you’re eating sand.

Fix it: Keep a steady throttle. Momentum is your best friend in sand. The second you let off, your front tire starts digging.

Mistake #2: Sitting Down Too Much

Sitting might feel safer, but it loads the front wheel right where you don’t want weight in soft terrain. A planted front end is more likely to catch, sink, and twist you off the bike.

Fix it: Stand up. Shift your weight slightly back, stay loose in the arms, and let the front end float. You want your bike to move underneath you not the other way around.

Mistake #3: Fighting the Wobble

Your bike will move in sand. That’s normal. But most riders panic when the front end wiggles, and they try to “correct” it by muscling the bars. This just makes things worse.

Fix it: Loosen your grip. Stay light on the bars and heavy on the pegs. Let the bike find its line. Trust the motion.

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Mistake #4: Using Front Brake First

In sand, your front brake is like a trapdoor. Touch it too hard, and it’ll fold your front end instantly. This is especially brutal when you’re already off balance.

Fix it: Rely more on your rear brake to scrub speed. If you must use the front, do it gently and only when you’re upright and stable.

Mistake #5: Going Too Slow

Crawling into sand is the fastest way to struggle. Without momentum, your tire sinks and your balance gets sketchy. Sand rewards commitment, not hesitation.

Fix it: Maintain a light, rolling pace. Don’t race it but don’t tiptoe either. A little speed keeps you on top of the surface instead of buried in it.

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How to Get Better at Sand (Without Hating Life)

Practice in short bursts. Find a sandy section and loop it. The first five times will suck. The sixth will feel a little better.
Drop your tire pressure. A few PSI can make a difference in float and traction. However, it's good to recognize that when on long adventures with varied terrain, the increased potential for pinch flats may not be worth the small benefit you get from lowering your tire pressure.
RIDE with someone experienced. Watch their lines, throttle, and body position. Then copy it.
Use the rear to steer. Gentle throttle input will help the rear wheel “drift” into position rather than fighting turns.

Wrap-Up: Sand Doesn’t Suck—You Just Need to Ride It Right

Look, nobody’s born good at riding sand. But if you stop fighting it and start flowing with it, it becomes way less intimidating and honestly, kind of fun.

The key? Throttle, posture, and trust. Get those three dialed in, and you’ll stop fearing sand and maybe even start enjoying it.

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