bike polo equals not larking

Last night I met one of my potential future roommates... We were talking about our spare time activities and interests- of course I mentioned bike polo. This guy had the nerve to compare bike polo to "larking." 

This is the only similar thing I could find on the Interweb, but I found this comparison to be gravely insulting. It's a medieval role playing game. Let's just say this guy is at the bottom of the list for now. So, what are the game plans for the weekend? (I actually plan on playing!) 

STL Bike Polo Snow Day

Last weekend the polo court was buried under a bunch of snow, and the court under the bridge was wet, so we made the best of the winter weather in St. Louis. We met at the bridge and went over to the water reservoir for some sledding. It didn't take long before a ramp was built and sledders became moving targets for snowballs. There were some pretty wild wrecks, but I don't think anyone was hurt. Next time we'll have to see what happens if beer gets involved.

Who Wants to go on a Road Trip?

January 6th in Milwaukee anyone?

http://www.madbikepolo.org

I think it's time we venture outside of our little polo bubble and see the sights up north. If I see even one "hell yeah" reply I'm goin'. Just one, thats all its gonna take.

Sunday, December 16 -- Game?

Who's ready for some polo? I'm thinking we should plan our triumphant return to our home playing field -- the hockey rink at Mount Pleasant Park. How does 2:00 sound?

Also, you should try to make it to Flamingo Bowl at Washington and 11th Friday night. A few of us will be down there to check it out, and if it sucks, we'll probably end up somewhere else downtown.

Clean Sweep- Sunday Dec 9th @ 12:00

View Larger Map

It seems like everyone is down to help clean under the bridge. I think we should start around noon so we can start playing ASAP. We will need push brooms and maybe a shop vac if some one has one.
The location is 1 block North of Shaw on Thurman. Essentially DeTonty and Thurman

Playing in the mud?

So what's the deal for this Sunday? We can play in the mud again, or on a parking lot (in the rain but we'd have ok traction), or we could play under that overpass and stay dry. We'll just have to sweep it out first to clear out the glass. I could bring some big push brooms if we decided to try that.

Sunday's Game (12-2)

We are planning to play this Sunday around noon. The weather looks like it might be pretty nasty Sunday at that time. So, the game may be moved to an alternate location. Saturday Seth and I will be scouting for a covered place to play. Let us know if you have any ideas. If we don't find anything we'll be sweeping the glass out from underneath the bridge.

If I don't have your number send it to me at trentsturmsATgmailDOTcom so I can keep you updated if there is a change of venue.

Also, three people will be visiting from Chicago this weekend to play polo with us. Lets show them a good time. We'll be going for some type of bike ride Saturday night, probably to drink beers somewhere. If it's raining we'll just drink beers.

Lastly, Get your ass down to Kiener Plaza tonight at 6pm for Critical Mass. We're gonna ride that and then go to Lindsey's art show in the CWE.

These Guys

Would kick our asses.

Dumpster Diving!

Would anyone be interested in coming with me on a dumpster dive ride after dark? I'll be picking up reusable stuff from some bike shops. There's usually lots of good tires and tubes, and occasionally I find good tools, wheels, and just about anything bicycular. (Most of what I pick up will be given out for free at my shop.) I haven't purchased an innertube in about 2 years, but I'm down to my last one.

Bike trailers or big luggage racks would be handy on this.

This Sunday 2:00 - Warm-Ups

Only one more week before a few peeps from Chicago invade the STL for polo. Lets get in a good game this week. Dan, ice that back tomorrow, we need ya out there. Brian is back from Africa and he'll be out on the chick-magnet, and Hans will be trying out his new nalgene bottle mallet. Should be a fun day.

Show up at the park between 2:00 and 3:00 and be ready to play.

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...

Also, There has been discussion of playing polo Friday afternoon. Trent, Jen, Brian, and I created some new mallets and will be looking to try 'em out. Perhaps we can play under the lights at one of the new locations Trent has scouted out. Post if you are down to play, cuz we may just go get some drinks if there is not enough to play.

team (mallet) building exercise

Our mallets are kind of falling apart lately. A few of us have ideas about how to build a better mallet. I think few are also skeptical that it can be done any better. Either way you look at it we need more mallets. I think we are at a point where if we break one more we can't play a full game.

So tomorrow (11/20) we are going to build some mallets. Gather up your drills, dowels, ski poles, etc. and meet at ______________________(TBD) at ____:_____pm. We'll need to be done by 8:00pm. I'm going to the show at the Atomic Cowboy.

More info to come. If you can't make it you need to re-think your dedication to bike polo, not like I didn't give you plenty of advance notice.

No Polo this week

We will be riding cranksgiving on Sunday. No polo.

Ride your bike/collect food for the less fortunate. Sunday - Bike Works - Noon. Bring twenty bucks and a way to carry stuff.

Hey all you Lurkers

For any of you that may be lurking around, checking this site every now and then: quit messin around already. Not sure you wanna crash your bike into a wall while swinging a mallet at mini soccer ball? Well we're sure that you will love it, and you really should trust us. Anyone is welcome to play bike polo here in St. Louis. We don't care what type of bike you ride, just that you're not a jerk. Even if you think you're a jerk, let us make that ruling.

So if you've been lurking we really expect to see you at Mt. Pleasant Park this Sunday at 3:00pm. Just bring a bike, everything else is supplied.

Downtown Bike Polo

Downtown bike polo was a pretty good time. Everyone met at Panama Reds for some food and beer prior to playing. The lot we looked at last Friday proved to be an acceptable spot to play. It was well it and there was no traffic, which is probably the two most important things. The downside of this urban court was that one team had an uphill battle towards the goal, and additionally they faced a multiple foot drop off just past the goal. Thankfully, no one flew over the ledge into the alley. One rule change to note; the court was lined with parking curbs that were difficult to navigate around. In order to keep play going fast, a rule was instituted that allows a player to put their foot on a curb and not have it count as a foot down. Mt. Pleasant is a better court to play at, but this provided a nice change of pace, plus the opportunity to play in the evening. With it getting dark early, I imagine we'll be back downtown to play.

View Larger Map

So I made this map today. It shows possible polo playing locations. We've only tried two of them. Looks like south city is a bike polo hot-bed. Guess where i'll be looking for apartments in the spring?

Map can be edited here if you want

First Downtown Game

We will try to play our first game at night downtown tomorrow. We will start around 6:30 and play until we're thirsty or get kicked out. See you there. If you don't know where there is, email me.

Ahhh... I love the smell of polo in the fall.

The leaves are changing and the air is cooling. Fall is here and bike polo season is on! We've all been waiting for sweater-clad bike polo playing, and it's just about here.

So 3pm on Sunday?

Sunday...?

I'm assuming that there will be no game this Sunday. Correct me if any of this is wrong, but Tony is going to Bodyworlds, Seth will be in Mexico, and Brian is (STILL) injured. I also think Paul has to work (?), meaning the possibility of getting six people together is pretty slim.

Any thoughts?

Who's Playing this week?

Sunday, 3pm, at the polo court. Who will be there?

Bike garage sailing trip

I just got a pair of old milk crates that I can strap on to my bike like saddle bags. Anyone interested in going garage sailing on our bikes, Saturday morning?

BTW, anyone know any good places to go?

3 of you need to go to Milwaukee.

Too bad we didn't know about this a little earlier. They play the game the proper way up there: Hardcourt, mini soccer ball.

Critical Mass?

So, St. Louis is trying to start critical mass rides. We should all help out. Next ride is October 26 at 6:00pm. That's the same night as the FBC Full Moon Fiasco. We usually do a pre-fiasco ride anyway so lets join in on this.

Crit Mass, Fiasco, friday before halloween: this could be the best day of your bike-ridin' life.

check out the links on the right for the critical mass blog.

Open Shop

I'm planning on putting in some time at the shop to build a pair of bikes for some friends who are getting married soon. If anyone wants to come by, hang out, or use the shop, then I'll be there from maybe 7:30 until I feel like leaving. This is at 4001 Cottage ave. See the post "bike building day" on Aug 5th for more details.

There WILL be a game this week

Believe it. Jen and I won't be out of town this weekend. Nobody else is allowed to be doing anything but playing polo this Sunday. Get your bike in good working order, get some rest Saturday night and be ready for a great game. Lets play a little earlier than we have been, it's been gettin dark too early. Everyone, and I mean everyone needs to be at the park at 3:00pm. No lame excuses will be accepted. We need a minimum of 9 people to show up. That way we can play tournament style. RSVP with a comment, although this is mandatory, so be ready to run some laps if you miss out.

2BA 47P

Memorize that license plate number.

While on our way home tonight from polo Jen and I were almost run over by a car with that plate number. We were coming up to a stop light when a car already stopped at the light in front us threw their car into reverse, spun the tires and tried to hit us. The car was about 75ft in front of us and probably up to about 20mph when he reached us. The car struck my leg and our best polo bike. We jumped up onto the curb and were not hurt, but it could have been much worse.

Car was a maroon 90's Cougar like the one above

Mallet-Cam and Sunday's Game

Found this on the Fixed Gear Gallery Forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqB_2NCDDIA

Also, I assume we will plan on playing tomorrow at 5pm. I will actually be there this week, provided I don't over do it tonite.
-Seth

Movie party

The movie is "Dark Star". It's a sci-fi comedy from 1975. Hilarious as long as you know that it's not meant to be serious.
This will be at my apartment this Friday at 7pm. Y'all are invited. I'll have some basic snacks and beverages, but feel free to bring some too, if you want. No alcohol in the house though. Sorry.

POLO WITHDRAWALS

Ok folks it's been over 2 weeks since we played a full game. The weather is awesome and miss the awesomeness that is bike polo. Who can play this weekend. If 5 on Sundays is not a great time, let me know when we should play!

Polo Game, Alley Cat, or Both?

Well folks what's it gonna be?

new mallets

I don't remember who, but I know someone said that had were going to get wood-tipped broomsticks for new mallets. We bought a croquet set, so we'll bring the heads of the mallets, and a drill to put a support screw through them. So the next responsibility is for somebody to bring some screws. I'll look for some around here, but I don't think I have any. See you all tomorrow.

Daniel

Labor Day Game

Let's play some damn polo. How 'bout Monday? Be at the park around 5pm. 3-day weekends rock.

before the fiasco

I was thinking we should meet at the Atomic Cowboy instead of the Royale. Please let me know if you have any objections to this. The AC is closer to Turtle Park and is non-smoking, for reals. And, if you compare this map to Seth's map, you will notice that his house is very close, whatever that means.

daniel


View Larger Map

Labor Day Weekend BBQ Fiesta 2007!

As I mentioned at tonite's game, I will be having a BBQ/Party Saturday September 1st Starting around 4pm. I will supply the booze, however you are welcome to bring your own. I will also supply the hors dourves. If you want to grill you will need to bring your own meat. The party will be at my house 4538 Oakland Ave.
Here is a link to the E-vite.
http://www.evite.com/r?iid=YXCGSEEZDGVZNSJGQWKY&li=iq&src=email

I hope to you guys can come. And don't forget there will be a pinata.
If you have any question you can call me at 314-662-4084.
-Seth


View Larger Map

New Time?

There has been some discussion of moving the scheduled start time for our games to 5:00 (still on Sundays). Will this work out for everyone? I know that a few people already enthusiastically endorsed this change, but I don't want to leave anyone out of the democratic process.

When it starts getting dark earlier, we can obviously schedule accordingly.

Sunday's Game

For Sunday, KSDK.com is currently predicting highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, meaning this Sunday should be our coolest game yet. Trent and I are going to Ohio this weekend to see Trent's sister and her newborn baby, but we are going to be back in time for polo, as long as everyone is okay with it being scheduled a little later than usual. How is 5:00 for you guys?

Watch out ladies, you might not be able to control yourselves around my bike!

fit calculator

Here's the link to the really cool bike fit calculator I was talking about.

The Boiler

Well Sunday is coming up quick, and it's going to be a hot one out there. Do we have enough brave souls for a game this week? Leave a reply and let us know what you think. And don't forget about Brian's generous offer to open his shop to a bunch of polo hooligans on Saturday! (read below)

Bike building day

I know what you're all thinking as I pedal my Murry around the rink: "man, I wish my bike had hideous colors and cost less than my cable housings!" Well here's your opportunity. I'm opening up my shop this Saturday from 1pm until we feel like being done. Come on in and build yourself a polo specific bike. I'll have my sawsall for making short handlebars and any other crazy modifications you want. Or just bring your bike and work on it there as we hang out. Or just hang out. You can get a whole bike here for a $30-$40 donation (depending on the bike) and parts are priced proportionally. We can get a game going in the parking lot if we have enough people, and we can always recruit a few from the neighborhood to play.

For those who don't know, we're a non-profit and any donation of bike parts or money would be gladly accepted. Also I can take stuff on trade, in lieu of donation.

We're located in a church, so no alcohol on the property please. I honestly don't know the street address. (the post office hasn't decided it yet) You can mapquest the 400o block of Cottage ave, and we're on the northwest corner of cottage and Bishop PL Scott.

I think that covers it all. Please RSVP if you're going to be there.

I found this gem on the St. Louis Parks Division website:

"In 1812, the first land was set aside to be used for parks. Gravois Park, at Louisiana and Miami; Laclede Park, Iowa and Gasconade; and Mt. Pleasant Park, Michigan and Dakota, are the first parks created in St. Louis. The land was part of the St. Louis Common."

Game on Sunday 8/5

We're playing at noon this sunday. Post a reply if you'll be there. Bring your bike and some food/drink. Mallets and ball provided. Oh yeah, we play at Mt. Pleasant Park.

poor kids drink water, too

It's been three weeks since we called the parks department, and still the fountain at the park is broken. May I suggest that we all call and remind them?

314-622-4800- re: the drinking fountain (there's only one) at Mt. Pleasant Park in South City.

Google

It has come to my attention that we now show up on Google searches, however, we have one problem. The blog only shows up in a search for "stl" -- so I'm using this post as a place to list a few terms that should help us get more hits.

St. Louis
Saint Louis
Bicycle
Mallet
Mullet (just for fun)

If you guys can think of any other words which need to appear somewhere on this page to get more Google hits, just make your own post or reply to this one!

just like the last presidential election . . .

the winner of the popular vote is not the actual winner.

Early on it looked as though 7:00pm would be the start time for polo this sunday. After a re-count it was determined that we would actually be playing at noon.

Hope you can all live with your decision for the next four years.



p.s. F that poll, I'm never posting one of those again

At least we're not these people...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz0nMx_eFL4

They are better at ball handling than I am, but jeez - I think I'd try to find a better bike polo court :-)

Sunday Night?

I know that all of the votes are not yet in, but it looks like the majority is leaning toward playing a late game Sunday night (around, say, 7?) before riding the FBC Full Moon Fiasco. Who's in?

Next game?

So, Sunday at 2?

week two photos

In lieu of playing tonight, I've added these photos of the matches on 7.15.07. The ball was bigger, the games were faster, and we had more fun.

Daniel

CANCELLED - Wednesday Night Game

The game for tonight is cancelled! We don't have enough for a full game and it's freakin' hot outside.

week one photos

Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy these photos from our first match on 8 July 2007. The game was slow, the ball was tiny, and most of the photos we took were bad. Stay tuned for exciting photos from week two - "The Battle for Seattle."

Daniel

Also, I apologize if the photo formatting is weird. I'm experimenting.

Night Game !

Well ok, it's more of an evening game. It's not like we'll be playing under the lights or anything. Quite a few people will be out of town Sunday, so we're playing a mid-week game instead. Wednesday 7/18 6:30pm.

The mini soccer ball debuted sunday and proved to make for a much quicker game than the street hocky ball. We had some pretty high-scoring games. I believe Paul was awarded the most acrobatic goal prize, and Seth went home proud owner of most graceful crash.

check out these pics shana posted at photobucket

Edited to add date & time, that is helpful stuff to know.

The Sequel

Let's do it again. Game #2 is Sunday 7/15. Post-up to let everyone know who will be there.

inaugural bicycle polo match

We will be having our very first-ever bike polo/BBQ extravaganza this Sunday 7/8 at Mt. Pleasant Park. Show up around 2:00pm and we'll discuss what rules we want to set in place. We'll probably take it easy for awhile since none of us will know what we're doing.

Anyone is welcome to come and participate in this mess that is destined to be spoken of for years to come. If you do come by, don't bring your $3k carbon racing bike, unless you like to ruin expensive things. We'll have six very swanky, custom made bike-polo specific mallets available for your use.

Bring some food, we'll have a grill going for after the match. And bring a cooler full of your favorite refreshment.

Be sure to tell all of your bike-ridin buddies about STL Bike Polo.