My Fat Tire Electric Trike Powers Thru the Sand! Beach Adventure with the Simple Glide E-Trike

Today, we're at South Padre Island, at the very bottom of Texas, and we're going to ride on the beach. So let's ride some waves. Well, we can't actually ride the waves. Hey, we can ride the glide. Let's go. So, something I realized today is just how heavy e-trikes and e-bikes are. It was tough getting them through the soft, powdery sand that's up by the dunes. This part of South Padre Island has walkways across the dunes to the beach, so the only vehicles you'll see out on this part of the beach are beach patrol and emergency vehicles. The sand up close to the dunes is really powdery and soft. If we'd gone several miles down the island, there's a part of the beach where vehicles have access to the beach, so they drive out on it. And so the sand is more packed, and that might have been a better place to go. Too much fun! Come on, Dexter, go! Go! So, as much fun as it is to ride on the beach, remember that you do have your electric bike or trike out in the sand and in the salt water, and the salty air.

So when we leave the beach, we try to make sure that we wash the bikes off. We take the batteries off first just to be on the safe side, and then we'll either stop at like a manual car wash and wash the bikes down to get all the sand and salt off, or as soon as we get home, we'll hose them down then. of fun out here today, riding around at the beach. Had my family out here and all. The Simple Glide e-trike just makes getting around the beach a lot easier and simpler if you've got any kind of mobility issues. So, it's been a lot of fun. And just kind of riding out by the water, or you know, sometimes through the water. Like, oh my gosh! I just got soaked! soaking wet. Oh, well. I hope, though, that you have a chance to get soaked just like I just did and take your simple gliding track down to the beach and get out and have a good time.

If you’re planning a beach ride of your own, here’s what we’ve learned about taking an e-trike on the sand.

Why a Fat Tire Electric Trike Works on the Beach

The Simple Glide in this video rides on 4-inch fat tires. Wider tires spread the trike’s weight over more sand, so they’re less likely to dig in than the narrow tires on a regular bike. Its 750W motor adds the push you need when the sand gets soft, and you can switch between pedal assist and the throttle as the ground changes.

Three wheels help too. You never have to balance, so when the trike slows down in deep sand, you just keep going instead of putting a foot down. That’s a big part of why a beach day is easier on a trike for riders with limited mobility, and why a fat tire tricycle for adults is such a good fit for the sand.

Tips for Riding an E-Trike on Sand

• Look for packed sand. As you saw in the video, the soft, powdery sand near the dunes is the hardest to ride. Firm, damp sand closer to the water, or stretches where vehicles drive, is much easier.
• Keep your momentum. Use a little more pedal assist or the throttle before you reach a soft patch, not once you’re already stuck in it.
• Try not to stop in soft sand. Starting again is the hardest part, so stop where the ground is firm.
• Steer gently. Make wide, smooth turns. Sharp turns in soft sand can bog the front wheel down.
• Watch the tide and the people. Waves, kids and dogs can appear quickly on a busy beach.
• Check the local rules. Some beaches limit e-bikes and e-trikes to certain areas or times, so look up the rules before you go.

After Your Beach Ride

As Dustin mentions, sand, salt water and salty air are hard on any e-trike, so take the battery off before you wash it. Then:

• Rinse off the salt soon, before it has time to sit on the frame and parts.
• Dry the trike with a towel, especially around the chain and brakes.
• Lubricate the chain once it’s dry, since water and sand wash the old lube away.
• Check your brakes and listen for grinding, a sign that sand is still stuck somewhere.
• Store the battery indoors at room temperature while the trike dries.

More Fat Tire Electric Trikes

The Simple Glide Fat Tire 750W Recumbent is one of several fat tire trikes in our lineup. Compare them all in our fat tire electric trike collection.

FAQs

Can you ride an electric trike on sand?

Yes, especially a fat tire model on packed sand. Very soft, dry sand is hard for any trike, so stick to firmer ground near the water when you can.

Do I need fat tires for the beach?

They help a lot. A fat tire electric trike for adults has wider tires that are less likely to sink into the sand than narrow ones, which makes the ride smoother and easier to control.

Is salt water bad for an e-trike?

Salt can cause rust and wear over time, so rinse and dry your trike soon after every beach ride, and keep the battery out of the water.

Can I ride through the waves?

A little splash is part of the fun, but keep the motor and battery out of deep water. Rinse and dry everything when you get home.

Is a fat tire trike a good choice for seniors who love the beach?

For many riders, yes. Three wheels mean no balancing, the throttle helps on soft patches, and a recumbent seat like the Simple Glide’s high-back seat with armrests makes getting on and off easier.