Do you need good shoulder strength for going off road?

[Grendel]

The reason I ask is that I plan to take my 600 Transalp across Salisbury plane at some point but my right shoulder is still fairly weak and unstable since the bike accident in June and it cant take a lot a weight or pulling through it but its ok for everyday commute to work on the road.

[AlanH]

I'd say yes - and be very careful if your shoulder is far from 100%. The shoulder is a very complicated joint so if you wrench it and make it worse, you could be in for a very lengthy and painful recovery. If you can't take weight or pulling through the shoulder, going off-road may be too much for now - something to save for later.

I've got a bit of an interesting shoulder from an old injury 10 years ago. I found the plain okay on the @ apart from when hitting hidden boulders and ruts in the deeper puddles, some of the bigger potholes and the odd unplanned excursion . I wouldn't describe my shoulder as at all unstable now but it was still sore after the ride and some of the jolts were borderline unpleasant.

If you take it easy you may be okay but if I were you I'd get lots of physio time and regain strength and stability in the joint before subjecting it to an off-road hammering.

[Snaphappy]

How many press ups can you do?

dont over exert your shoulder and take it easy to start off with and you should be fine just dont go mad and regret it later

[Paul-S]

Try a local sports physio or if you know any rugby coaches they will sort your shoulder out properly, probably quicker and without further injury

[moon]

make sure there's somebody with you who can pick your bike up & who knows about your shoulder (so he doesn't just sit there laughing whilst you struggle...) Never been on tha plain but my (limited) off road experience is that thighs & legs take more of a beating the arms & shoulders.

[sean]

normally my arms and shoulders are the sorest part of me!!!!!

[jasonbc]

Originally Posted by Grendel

The reason I ask is that I plan to take my 600 Transalp across Salisbury plane at some point but my right shoulder is still fairly weak and unstable since the bike accident in June and it cant take a lot a weight or pulling through it but its ok for everyday commute to work on the road.

Fore arms, arms shoulders, stomach, legs it will all ache after a good offroading session but good physical strength is needed especially for picking the bike up when it's on the deck

[Mudwiz]

You can learn to ride to support a weak joint, but training it up is advisable.