Author Topic: How not to ride in Sand (Read 1827 times)

Mark Hardy · « **on:** October 22, 2006, 06:05:03 pm »

After having to cancel a ride with a friend, I found myself sitting at home on Saturday afternoon with nothing to do.

lets go practice riding in sand. Just up the N7 is a moto-x and quad track (Zone 7), across the road is a wooded area with lots of sandy tracks, this would be my and the bike' christening ride in the sand. Oh and what a christening it would be!!!
Dropped the tyre presure to 1 bar and set off to see what it's all about......
Here some pics of the area..

Everything was going A-OK, 3rd gear and 4500rpm and me and the bike were one. This ain't so bad. So far most off the riding was in a straight line, now it was the time to try some of the corners and berms on the tracks. 1st berm and this happens... :oops: My first fall with the bike

boy did I have a good laugh at myself, going to slowly, not enough throttle and small balls

So to recover from that went looking for some other tracks to ride and found a nice one that good and firm. Time to get the confidence back.....

That track was a bit short, only 500m or so but enough to get cocky again..

So it was back to the sand...

Again things were going A-Ok.........and then fall number two :oops:

You can see how I lost control by the tracks in the sand

Lessons learned, have loads of confidence, going slowly does not work, keep the power on and don't use front brakes in a corner, look up and JUST DO IT

To my bike...sorry I dropped you twice and with practice you will teach me how to ride.... I love my bike

Total...2 hours and 2 falls 30km

chrisB · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:21:04 pm »

Hi mark

Kewl report I must try it myself sand is not my favorite to ride in so practice makes perfect! good stuff

Lootch67 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:27:08 pm »

Nice one Mark! Looking forward to your thread titles "Now THIS is how you ride sand!"

SGB · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2006, 08:32:03 pm »

Mooi man! Thanks for sharing, and yes, the Sand Monster does not lie down without a battle.

What is the gadget on the dash? And tell us what you keep in that red bag on the carrier? :?:

funacide · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2006, 10:00:10 pm »

Hey MArk

Great pics, look forward to lots more.

Thanks for sharing!!

KTM BIGGER · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2006, 02:38:35 am »

Hey Mark,

A tyre change will help with more traction, specially in the front.

Nice picture tho. Lets make a plan to ride sometime out that way when i get home November.

JourneyMan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2006, 07:40:15 am »

Great going Mark!

Only way to learn this skill is to go and do it. Falling down in sand is a gauranteed when you first do it. Still is the case with me. :oops:

Lito · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2006, 08:18:04 am »

hahha Mark Hardy........ now youve discovered my little extra playground! In those berms and between the trees, is where I chased down the quad riders with Hilde on the back and when he saw these two aliens standing up staring down at him, doing 65 plus he shat himself and pulled over for us to pass. Best times of my life!

If you ever want someone to come with you and mebe help out or what have you, call me, feel free. :oops: I dont have a bike no more :oops:

RIP KATOOM!!!!!!!!!

droffarc · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2006, 09:02:52 am »

Quote from: "Mark Hardy"

...

...

Did you go down to the river? The road next to the track entrance - just follow it to the left....

LuckyStriker · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2006, 11:38:52 am »

what are the entrance fees nowadays?

R50 per bike?

wino · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2006, 11:58:05 am »

well, it was a decent christening! looks like a really cool playground

shark_za · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:00:07 pm »

wtg Mark.
The more you ride the easier it becomes.

Lito · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:03:02 pm »

Quote from: "LuckyStriker"

what are the entrance fees nowadays?

R50 per bike?

huge playground

cost

mahala

or some mirrors and skin and bent handlebars if you suck at riding in sand

even if you dont suck at riding in sand...

Kev · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:06:41 pm »

Mark, give your post an upgrade on your ball size. It is not easy reading the sandy terrain with all those shadows. Makes it hard to judge what the lie of the land is. Looks like a nice area to practice though. Wish I had something similar here... sand is not easy, and does take practice. Thanky for shareing... good post! :thumbright:

LuckyStriker · « **Reply #14 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:12:58 pm »

Quote from: "Lito"

huge playground

cost

mahala

I'm not sure that I'm on the same page as you guys
This is not the fenced off track with the tabletop and other jumps we are talking about here hey? ...it too has a few sandy tracks in and around the track but as far as I know you have to pay to use it (I have not ridden there)

Lito · « **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:34:08 pm »

thats the mx thing, and yes you must pay really to use it. myself and CO have done it for free though on the big bikes

the area shown and in question is to the left, where there arent any fences. its a truly large playground and has berms and whoopses and all kinds of crap dug in by riders playing

what a gas....

Clockwork Orange · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:37:39 pm »

Quote from: "LuckyStriker"

Quote from: "Lito"
huge playground

cost

mahala

I'm not sure that I'm on the same page as you guys
This is not the fenced off track with the tabletop and other jumps we are talking about here hey? ...it too has a few sandy tracks in and around the track but as far as I know you have to pay to use it (I have not ridden there)

LS across the road from the Zone 7 MX track is a huge play area. Also next to the actual track is a very tight loop with a mixture of whoops, sand and the odd bit of square edged hard pack. Good practise and lot of fun.

Ama ride ride · « **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2006, 12:55:23 pm »

I am interested to go there. Maybe one of you should take some forum members there. Since Cape Nature chased me and Kaboef away from the sandy playpit at West beach I dont know where to play.

As I understand, next to the road means not next to the N7 (sea side) but next to the tar road that leads away from the N7 to the mx track. Correct?
:?

Lito · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2006, 01:18:58 pm »

Ja lets organise a play day

YOu do it

I think the official road name is VanSchoorsdrif/t

Zone 7 is the possie on the right

THis is just after Franklindale Waste Disposal on your left

Mark Hardy · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2006, 01:24:05 pm »

The play area is.....
Take the N7 towards Malmesbury
Right hand into Van Schoorsdrift Rd
1km up the road
Zone 7 and directly across the road is the playground

Its all free and there is plenty of area to ride in, lots of woops and beep and berms and trees to ride between.

What about we meet this weekend of an hour or two or or four, Saturday or Sunday and have some good laughs while we develope some sand riding skills. I'll bring the beers for after, thirsty work riding there.

Author Topic: How not to ride in Sand (Read 1827 times)

shark_za

Kev