Sand, theres more to it than you think
Sand, NOT JUST FOR BUILDING SANDCASTLES ;)
When I first started racing in Belgium I had never raced on a course with any type of sand section. The sand is for the beach right?... wrong, not when it comes to European racing.
To begin with, I had no idea how to tackle the sand, every course seemed to have a different type of sand or sand sections. Some sand was loose, some compact, deep, shallow, some courses had switchbacks, some sand sections were downhill, some uphill, some at the side of a lake. It was a minefield.
As with anything within the cross, the more you do the better you get. I actually rode pretty well in it from the off, I could use my power to plough through it and though I was far from having a good technique it was ok. Through the years it became one of my strengths, I had spent a lot of time whilst living over there in Belgium training in the sand, most of the woods where I trained had good terrain for it, and I spent a lot of my time whilst riding for Telenet Fidea learning from the guys who seemed to just float through it, whether that be riding or running. I also used to travel to Holland on a Wednesday afternoon to train with some of the best Dutch riders, this is where I learned a lot of skills and that time was worth so much. It really pays to ride with others better than yourself, to push you out your comfort zone and learn new skills, I was surrounded by these amazing cross riders, I couldn't not get improve.
I particularly remember heading over to Koksidje with my team-mate at the time Nicolle Van Opijnene-Leynton, she was used to riding the sand, she had done it for years, and was a great teacher and she wasn’t afraid to tell me of my weaknesses ;) which only made me work harder at them.
A few key things that help when riding through sand. Tyre pressure, this is key. The lower you go the more surface area = more grip. Hit the sections hard and fast. Get in the rut and stay there, the rut brings compact sand which will be easier to ride, use a bigger gear and push through, look up and out at where you’re going, keep your weight back and follow your front wheel. The worst thing you can do is come out that rut because as soon as you do you’ll come to stop and more than likely stack it. If there is a downhill section do not freewheel, pedal and keep your speed.
Keep it simple, go in with speed, keep pedalling, get off before you stop (as with the mud, as soon as you drop below running speed you may as well be running) KEEP YOUR MOMENTUM.
Practice makes progress!
