Once you've got the basics down and feel like you can make the bike go basically where you want it's time to concentrate on being as smooth as possible. A common mistake in soft and loose terrain is getting too much weight forward - something that kills momentum and makes intentional direction changes difficult (as opposed to unintentional ones, which become very easy). Getting too far forward tends to crop up as a problem when riding through whooped out or really deep sand. Try standing on the balls of your feet and staying centered - then get on the gas! The more aggressive you are the easier it will be to keep your weight back and the front end light. Experienced riders will often blip the throttle in whoops to keep the front high while skimming from top to top. Don't worry about slowing down in soft terrain because it's easier than you think - just let off the throttle!



Speed is your friend in sand and mud (until it's not, that is, then it's really not your friend). The more things that are spinning the more stable the bike. Higher speeds also allow a bike to ride higher in the loose. A sandy wash that will wear you out at 2 mph will often be as casual as a jaunt down the interstate at around 20. Not only does spinning mass create its own unique form of stability (that tends to keep the bike moving in an easy straight line) but higher speeds allow a bike to ride on top of sand and mud instead of down in it. Just watch out for rocks hiding down there and whoops around corners.



So far we've discussed sand and mud in the same general terms. But not all sand is the same, not all mud is the same and sand and mud are generally not the same at all. Coarse grain granitic sands (like that found in the Mojave) provide good buoyancy and traction and are generally good places to start. Fine grain basaltic sands (like those found in eastern Idaho) can be really difficult - especially after a prolonged dry spell. You'll need to be on your best game.