Why is it so much harder to keep up speed on your bike when you’re in the grass than when you’re on dirt or hard soil?

Question

It feels like the tiny little speck of grass shouldnt bring that much friction. Is there something I’m missing?

In: 2

Answer 1

Each blade of grass needs to be pushed down and moved, which takes a little bit of energy. A bunch takes more energy, so you lose more momentum the taller the grass. Its like breaking a twig is easy, but breaking a bunch of twigs at the same time is harder.