Monday, July 11, 2011

ISO: New Polo Players

Yesterday at polo we decided we we're going to need a new crop of players soon. We need more than 6 people showing up for polo days. It'd be nice to not have to guess if we'll have enough for a game on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons.

We determined the best way to find new people would be to play some low intensity games and invite the Saint Louis bike folks out. It will be nice to get a group of new folks on the court with each other for some low intensity games. It can be a bit intimidating for a first timer to get thrown on the rink with five people who've been playing for a couple of years.

Since everyone in the world (except Shin) has a Facebook account we decided to start a Saint Louis Bike Polo page. Go to Facebook and "Like" Saint Louis Bike Polo. Suggest that your friends do the same and maybe we'll round up a few fresh recruits.

94 comments:

nick said...

I think we should pick a date in the near future for a Newbie night, or meet STL bike polo night, or whatever we want to call it. Print some fliers, drop/ post them at bike shops / bike friendly places, hand them out during rides etc...

When that night comes have bikes, mallets etc for people to borrow. BBQ, have beer and have a good afternoon/evening. This will bring in some new recruits.

STL BIKE POLO said...

Nick's thoughts are spot on. We will need bikes available for people to borrow.

Patrick, do you still have an extra bike?

Jake, should we use those two yellow bikes to make loaners instead of a cargo/tall bike?

I have a MTB that could be ready for loaner use with just a little bit of work.

-Trent

STL BIKE POLO said...

The New Belgium Urban Assault Ride is on August 21st in Forest Park. There aren't any great spots to play in FP that I can think of.

You guys wanted to play in more visible locations. There will be a lot of people participating in that event. It would be a lot of work to coordinate but might be worth the trouble.

Matt said...

Hey dudes. I'm not sure if any of you have seen or know about the site I have recently created. The general idea is to report on the STL bike community without discrimination. The roadies hate the fixies, the MTN bikers hate the roadies, and everyone hates bike polo. (jokes) You get the idea.


I was actually going to send you a message today to get the scoop on the weekend in COMO so I could post it on the site.


My goal is to get in bed with as many riders from as many groups as I can to show everyone how much shit is actually happening in this city.


That said, I am totally down to help promote polo as much as possible. I think the Facebook page is a really good idea. Also, posting flyers would be helpful, too. Who ever posted the comment about playing in more public places is right. It is a bit on the underground side right now.

I think the biggest problem with polo is that: 1. no one knows that it exists 2. if they do then they have no idea what the hell it really is 3. people may have misconceptionns as to what it takes to get started (i.e. - bikes, mallets....)


I would be down to get together over a beer one night and brainstorm. It would also be cool to see what ideas you have to help me out with the site.

Rose said...

I still have a ton of fliers leftover from last summer, so of anyone wants some of those, let me knorr. I'd also be happy to do another round with updated info/totally new ones.

Other than that, I am on board with newbie night or whatever we do in that respect. Sounds really fun!

Matt, you should come out on wednesday to at least spectate.

Toph A. Loaf said...

i vote for friday night to be newbie night. that gives us vets a chance to hang out, take it easy, give pointers(if we feel so inclined) also.
i really like the idea of tennis courts by the resivoir. its a landmark, thats where a lot of the cycling community is riding around and its right off the stlbiking bike route. people coming home commuting could swing over and at least check it out.
i think we should move more into the city, instead of maplewood. that is where our demographic is going to be.
matt is really good at organizing things also, getting the word out. we might be sitting on a p.r. goldmine here.

STL BIKE POLO said...

We need a volunteer to checkout the situation of those tennis courts at reservoir park. I haven't looked at them in a long time. We need to make sure the lights still work. They are on a timer that you can control. They are switched on with a dial on one of the poles.

Other issues are the large cracks in the surface and the fact that without boards the ball can escape through the fence rather easily. As a new player it isn't absolutely necessary to play on the best court available. Though it is frustrating to spend as much time chasing a ball as it is getting a feel for the game.

Toph A. Loaf said...

i will do that. but trent makes a good point about newbies having to chase the ball around everywhere and possibly falling in the cracks. what about setting boards up somewhere. covered parking garage?

Matt said...

Rose: I can't come out on Wed. night because I have class until 8:30. I race track on thursday nights. Work has me close almost every other night and I'm not out until 10:30 usually. Sundays work for me, though.

-matt

Rose said...

Fair enough! Wednesday was just sooner. (I realize now that my comment sounds like I'm challenging you, when it was actually an invitation. I was at work and hurried. I'm excited for your potential involvement. Hah.)

I actually vote Maplewood for a newbie night (not for the party one...maybe that can be another event?). I know it's really slick and all, but new people are probably not going to play fast enough to get truly Maplewooded (and even if they do, there's the whole slide rather than scrape factor...I always liked that when I was new and fell off my bike constantly). It's also somewhat less sketchy and more centrally located than Mt P, and it would be somewhere that we'd be familiar with. That's at least what I'm thinking, if the Reservoir courts turn out to be lame.

Woooo plans and plans.

Jon Rinehart said...

I have a couple of bikes layin' around I can bring to loan out. Sundays and Wednesdays are getting worse and worse for me. I'll be there this Wednesday though.

Toph A. Loaf said...

you best be there baby j. you best be.
-maplewood is just dandy for newbie night. it is our best court. im gonna start taking pictures more too and someone can post em on the facebook page.

-matt. as a close friend and frequent riding partner(eater of your dust) it is only appropriate that i CHALLENGE you to take it to the limit and do even more fun stuff on your bike. we play till 10 on wed. if youre not too tired after class come and hang out.

Scotty said...

You've got a transplant coming in four weeks; I'm moving to Maryland Heights the first week of August.
Been playing polo here in Tampa, Florida for a couple of years so I'm pretty excited to play with a new group.

I MIGHT have an extra bike (depends if I can makes the move) and I'll have a few mallets for new players to borrow.

We purposely play in the parking garage at the University of South Florida in the hopes of finding new players in a good age demographic. Granted, it was a struggle initially but the university eventually granted us access. We secure tennis courts/roller hockey rinks for tournaments but regular play's at the garage unless we travel to play other cities.

We also support the local bike CO-OP pretty majorly and always have a presence at any alley cats, trick comps or races by playing a little polo for the masses, gives it a bit more credibility and exposure.

See ya soon,
Scotty

Toph A. Loaf said...

good advice. we do have pretty big deal races here a couple times a year. making our presence known at these events cant be bad. look forward to playing with you as well.

matt said...

If you guys play until 10 on Wednesday nights I'll be there. Where will you be this Wednesday?

Also- this thread would be perfect for Facebook. Right?

Rose: I feel no challenge...not until we hit the court, that is....

Anonymous said...

So it seems like the weekly schedule is loose. Is that true? I want to post the times on the site.

Events Coordinator said...

The weekly schedule is NOT loose.

We play Wednesdays at Maplewood around 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

We play Sundays at Mt. Pleasant Park from 2:00 PM until 6:30 PM.

This has been the case for 2 years.

Anonymous said...

when does the season begin and end?

STL BIKE POLO said...

The season is year round weather permitting. Our biggest issue currently is getting enough people to show up to play full games. We need a minimum of 6 to play a game. 10-12 is probably the sweet spot as far as numbers on a particular day/night go. We need more players so that if 4 of us can't make it on a certain night a game can still go on for those who want to play.

Anonymous said...

Cool. I'm going to do my best to help out. I'll be there Wednesday night if the weather doesn't suck.

Anonymous said...

Scheduling is loose... There are always conversations about moving the time and location, and no one shows up on time. All ok with me, but accept that this is a club thing, and not intramural leagues. I show up late too. Being consistent in time and location will help IMO.

I love comin to StL to play polo, but I prefer the "old" Sunday location. I think the smaller court is good for beginners.

Sean

Jon Rinehart said...

ordering a helmet cam tomorrow. Look forward to more polo edits like that one connor made!

Anonymous said...

My scheduling questions are all based off of what I should post on the SpokedSTL calendar. You guys know what is up so just tell me what time, place and other info you want on the calendar of events.

Look forward to tomorrow.

Sr. Events Coordinator said...

We play EVERY Wednesdays at Maplewood around 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

We play EVERY Sundays at Mt. Pleasant Park from 2:00 PM until 6:30 PM.

Please Place these dates on your calender. These times and dates are weather permitting.

The old location lindenwood was a constant struggle for the courts with soccer players and hockey brats. Mt P is the best court in the city.

Missouri Non Profit said...

Missouri Polo non profit?

http://comopolo.com/topics/79-non-profit-organization-status

Anonymous said...

StL bike polo non for profit is in the works. Tatyana did a ton of work to get us to this point. However it's up to us to finish the application process. I need help finishing this.

-Jake-

Anonymous said...

POLO! TONIGHT! 6:00 - 10:00 at MAPLEWOOD!

Anonymous said...

Maplewood probably has puddles.

Anonymous said...

So what if it has puddles? I'll just fall on my ass a bit more. It hasn't been bad but someone should check it out.

QUIT WITH THE NEGATIVE POSTS!
-Jake-

Information said...

I'm out. Working late.

Anonymous said...

So what if it has puddles? I'll just fall on my ass a bit more. It hasn't been bad but someone should check it out.

QUIT WITH THE NEGATIVE POSTS!
-Jake-

Toph A. Loaf said...

maplewood aint got no pudz. come and play polo!

Toph A. Loaf said...

anyone that has lights. bring them please.

Information said...

I had a 20oz Mountain Dew for breakfast. Training.

Toph A. Loaf said...

you should get your shedule changed. then you wont have to train so much.

Information said...

Why would I want to train less?

Lee said...

I'm in for polo tonight.
-Lee

Rose said...

I'm in as well

Anonymous said...

I went home sick from work. I'm gonna crash for a bit and hopefully I will feel aight when I get up. If not, see you Sunday.

Rose said...

Just so everyone knows, the lights over the court turned on just as we were leaving. Looks like we can play after dark again!

Anonymous said...

Jake - let me know what you need help with.

Everyone - I had a blast. I'm hooked. Help me build a polo bike. I have a lot of BMX parts that I bought from Pete Henry a little while back, like crankset and bars. I can use that stuff right? So I need a frameset and wheels....essentially.

Toph A. Loaf said...

bmx stuff is great for polo. i think maybe a few people in the club may be able to dig up some old road frames or something.

Anonymous said...

I have a used SE frame I won from a tournament I could let go for cheap, $20.

Information said...

That thing is priceless!

Toph A. Loaf said...

is that the one than ben nick and lucky won in lexington?

The Archivist said...

Actually, Nick just won it by scoring the most goals out of anyone in the tournament. That is not saying that Lucky and Ben did not contribute.

Information said...

Lucky and I contributed...We contributed by getting the ball to Nick and then getting out of his way. He did the rest. On the classic Dyno Air, no less.

Toph A. Loaf said...

with the double mag. i miss that bike like stlbikepolo misses the kona.

Anonymous said...

MO polo float trip being discussed on comopolo.com

Looks like the 10th or the 24th of September. Who is interested?

Rose said...

I'd be down for the 24th!

Lee said...

Let's Fucking Float!!! I'm in for either.

-Lee

Anonymous said...

The 24th is the day. It might be CHILLY.

Anonymous said...

Dear anonymous, I'd like to take a look at that SE frame. Shoot me an email fixedmatt@gmail.com

Toph A. Loaf said...

my birfday is the 24th. i wanna fucking float!

Anonymous said...

i'm in for polo float trip, great idea! -Patrick

Anonymous said...

I'm in for the float trip, too.

Andrew W.K. said...

PARTY TIP: Better to have partied and puked than not partied at all.

Jon Rinehart said...

float trip would be awesome. Also rose mentioned the idea of a stl bike polo johnson shutins trip. I could drive.

Rose said...

Como is totally invited if we go to the Shut Ins, by the way.

Toph A. Loaf said...

i am terrified of the shut-ins. so..i wanna go.

Anonymous said...

I'm gonna shut you out!

Toph A. Loaf said...

in Canada we call those goose eggs.

Anonymous said...

someone hook me up with a mallet

Jon Rinehart said...

Matt^^^^?

I can loan you one tomorrow.

POLOOOOOOOOO.
TOMORROWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
MT. PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

time?

Anonymous said...

polo is always at 2 on sunday

BJ said...

I'm back in town, I will be there with the grill and working charcoal and some hot dogs. Someone bring a cow to slaughter. Also I've never had a King Dewey. Has anyone marinated a steak in Mountain Dew? Does that sound like a good idea?

STL BIKE HOCKEY!

Toph A. Loaf said...

steak marinated in mountain dew sounds fun its better with STAG. polo is at two in the afternoon on sunday. careful, its gonna be a scorcher!

Rose said...

I'm probably not playing today.

Francis said...

So far I only count 5 people playing today: Me, Matt, Toph, Jon, and BJ. Anybody else? Anchovy? Lee? Jake? Patrick?
Also, can you give me a ride BJ? My parent's station wagon broke down, and it will be very annoying to fit a bike in a ford focus.

-Francis

Toph A. Loaf said...

chovi is in. i beleive jake is on a float trip. i will call patrick. since he does not get text messages....

Lucky said...

About recruiting:

We have Taty at Handlebar and Chip at Atomic who both (last time I talked to them) support us doing demos in the grove during movie nights, street fairs, etc. That's a lot of public exposure, although it did not result in any new players last year.

But, we also made friends with Big Matt, the New Belgium rep, who could tell us about setting aside some parking lot at the Urban Assault for polo demo and pick up games.

Good to see and handful of y'all for that one second I was in town this weekend. I hope I never have to drive to Eureka again, ever.

Information said...

I might show up after the Women's World Cup Final.

Anonymous said...

I'm in for heat training. Jake is gonna try to make it.

Nick

Information said...

Nevermind. I forgot that I took my polo bike apart for dirt crits at Castlewood.

I'll be in attendance on Wednesday.

Jon Rinehart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I said it's hot hot hot!
Tuesday night polo?
Wednesday night polo?
Any takers? Only need 6!

Anonymous said...

I'm out for tonight but I should be able to come tomorrow night. Can't be there until 8:30, though.

Went to the Goodwill Outlet and got a ski pole for 37 cents

Anonymous said...

I need to loan a raw ski pole from someone to compare it to the ti-tubing I'm using. Thanks
Jake

Ps I'm in for tomorrow all damn night!

Toph A. Loaf said...

i could play tonight, and tomorrow night of course.
right now im going to the goodwill outlet.

POLO said...

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Anonymous said...

Obnoxious.

Anonymous said...

Hey fuckers! Let's get to the rink at 6 and play all night! Bring some friends! It'll be radical!
Love ya StL bike polo!
-Jake-

Toph A. Loaf said...

there is nothing more i would love than to go the rink at 6 o clock and play polo under our lights at maplewood! yay!!!!!!!!(i will be there at six. everyone! try to get there as early as you can.)

Anonymous said...

I'll be there at 8:30

Toph A. Loaf said...

i hope everyone checked out the daily puppy today. its a good one.

Anonymous said...

ChrisTOPHER has ADD

Rose said...

I'll be there but probably a little closer to 6:30 or 7.

Sterling the Border Terrier said...

I'm a piece of shit

bj said...

6pm polo i'm there

Did you know? said...

bike polo is my favorite kind of polo

Anonymous said...

i'll be there, though not till closer to 7 -Patrick

Rose said...

I may end up out tonight thanks to a rather obnoxious headache :(

Anonymous said...

http://comopolo.com/topics/77-indiana-invitational

Andrew W.K. said...

PARTY TIP: It's humanly impossible to be sad while doing these three things... head-bangs, high-kicks, and high-fives.