Alessia - Never Ride Alone

and Dune season is finally here! The dunes are an exhilarating riding scene for 4x4 drivers. Sand is one of the most fun and enjoyable surfaces for any vehicle, but riding in the sand is a little different from riding on flat ground. If you make the wrong move, your vehicle can roll sideways, downhill, get swept away with the tide, or sink in quicksand. Here are some tips that will help you stay safe and master sand riding like a pro!

When riding the dunes, make sure you keep your momentum to a balance. Try to keep the momentum going uphill but not too much because too much RPM can damage your vehicle. If you are climbing a steep dune, try to gain some speed and drive up without turning until you reach the top. If you are going back down a dune, do not turn your vehicle sideways unless you want to flip over. If you are driving with other riders, follow the person that is in front of you because that rider has packed the sand down for you so his tracks are a firmer surface. It will make riding the dunes so much easier.

When riding the dunes, avoid rapid acceleration and quick braking. Riders get so excited riding the dunes that they immediately accelerate trying to take off, but it will actually slow you down. Instead of moving forward, you will dig your wheels into a hole. If you brake quickly, you will also cause a mound in front of your vehicle and it will take longer to take off. You should glide to stop if possible and park facing downhill to help with takeoff.

If for any reason you get your UTV stuck do not panic, we are here to help. Although it is tempting to floor the gas when you get stuck, this will only make it harder to get out because you are digging yourself into the sand even more. It is better to ease yourself in reverse and use your compacted tracks to back up. If you cannot reverse yourself out, ask a friend or fellow rider to help you push, pull you with a snatch strap or winch you out.

A good rule of thumb when riding the sand dunes is to never ride alone.