I grew up riding in Florida sugar sand, so here is what works for me. If I'm setting up for a fast sand event I will run more compression damping. On my '00 EC 300 I would generally run the forks 4 clicks stiffer and the shock 2 clicks stiffer. Fast sand usually means big fast whoops. I run enduros exclusively anymore, so I tune along the way at resets and free times.
In slower sand events, or events that are less than 15% sand my suspension is tuned to my normal clicker settings.
As for riding the event. The sand is the best brake you have. The front brake is only to be feathered in deep sand. You can stuff it into a turn and bleed off most of your momentum. I try to be on the gas just before I start any turn in deep sand. I keeps the bike's front end from diving. The inside line in turns is rarely the fastest.
Mike Baxter
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