London Fixed-gear and Single-speed SJS Cycles

A few people had complain about the difficulty that is follow all the polo threads and how to get involve in polo, so this is my attempt to put some light into this matter

To get involve the best thing is come down to the court where we are playing that day, there is not a fix rule for that, the best thing is to read the threads, but this is a good guide to star with


monday - WeLo
North side of Hurlingham Park (thread)
map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...7&z=14&iwloc=A

tuesday -
Mitchison (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...02331&t=h&z=19
Broadway ( thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...,0.001165&z=20

wednesday - Southpolo, Location is weather dependent so check the thread, is the same for the three places
Peckham (thead)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...02331&t=h&z=19
Newington (thead)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...01165&t=h&z=20


thursday -
Mitchison (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...02331&t=h&z=19
Broadway (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...,0.001165&z=20
WeLo / Bayonne (thread)
map - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&so...00858&t=h&z=20

friday- no polo

saturday-
Mitchison (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...02331&t=h&z=19
Downham (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...,0.002331&z=19

sunday -
Downham (thread)
map: http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=...,0.002331&z=19



If you don´t know just post in ANY polo thread and in 15min someone will answer you where are going to be games today. All the courts


don´t worry about the mallet, some people have a spare ones or if not someone will let you one for a few games. If you get more involve you can get your own with a ski pole from the bay and some pipe from a roadwork.

the bike, the best thing to star is to play with your onw bike as it fit you perfectly, you will not be the fastes but at least you will be used to it. The ideal is to have a bike dedicated to polo tahn you don´t mind to get a bit fuck. Ideal is something a bit smaller than your normal size and with no much rake in the fork, also the gear ratio has to be smaller than in a normal bike, between 40" and 50" should be ok. Disk wheels are also normal but not a must

Balls, no worrie to star with, a lot of people have and there is always one around
Beers, always good to bring some but this is common sense, me thinks.
Rules, don't worry about it now, as many sport the best way to learn the rules is playing, if not you will be reading a lot of things that could not make too much sense

And that is the most important stuff, I think, but in case you have any question just ask, all the polo whores check the polo categorie of the forum constantly, someone will answer you quick.

Tips bike set-up and mallets:

Have a look at the polo bikes thread... and the upgrades (its a good way to see a set-up of a polo bike). There's also a few mallets in the photos. Light is good, strong is good...capped mallets adds weight :( but also adds accuracy. Also a good tip... try making several lengths... id recommend 91cm-110 and test what works with your set-up. Oh and head width try anything from about 100mm to 150mm. Another thing... make a spare or at least keep a spare pole and head laying around. Mallets are born to break.

This are some DO'S and DONT'S that Ray has write up, thanks Raymond

""its a funny one with do's and dont depends how you play...

When you first start off you will often find your self in the way and that the ball moves around you and you cant get hold of it. Its a good thing to watch a few games and size up people moves/runs. I think that this is fundamental to keeping the game flowing. T-boning is not acceptable but obstruction and slowing players down is a great way to start playing polo.
Then mastering the mallet... this can take a while as mallet length/bike setup/gearing all play a part in getting better at polo... various iterations of these set-ups will have you playing a lot better. (not really answering but useful non the less)

Reseting goals is important... likes skoots has pointed out in the past, polo is about manners and etiquette is key too.

Everything else is kinda learnt on court.

Marlon im sure youll be fine youve watched a few games know a everyone there (pretty much) just come by with your bike. Dos and donts are found out pretty quickly.

- if you need bits and bobs for your bike put it out there on the polo bike upgrades thread im sure the crew can accelerate your build... i have bars, grips, pedals, seat post 27.2 brake caliper short drop, lever... and other bits.""

bloody hell

edit: sorry just saw loads of html type shit everywhere. Might just be my computer

WHAT no polo on mondays and fridays

monday - hangover
friday - get pissed

nice one rik.

dicki you down for the NYDTIT?

right, anyone interested in a newbie polo night? maybe do it once a month? mostly for newbies only, maybe a few veteran players can show up to give tips?

just come to any of the evenings... you might stuggle to get everyone together if you do a polo night.

like the first post shows... lots of nights, all friendly, and lots of equipment.

actually teddy come play in the NYDTIT tourney....its going to be a complete mix of skills and people.

hey im trying to be a bit inclusive. ive talked to lots of people who wanna play but are nervous about showing up and playing with the big boys...

teddy...name them and i will kill their first born.

Do it, Teddy. Start your own games. That's exactly what a bunch of us did over the summer. Whether it helped with skills, I don't know. Certainly helped with confidence though.

What is your policy on age discrimination ?

youre too old! ;) and you suck!

Thats what I feel, bloody kids...

ha you not come up for a game before up east way have you?

you in for the NYD tourney?

Thanks Rik.

They shouldn't be. None of the 'big boys' will be rough with new players, in fact they will actively encourage new players. I definitely want to play with more new players/players of all abilities. And definitely more girls please :)

Its a struggle to get even one evening a week away from the family.
Will try harder next year.

@growup...good stuff!


Hops,

I think my friend pols maybe up for a swing or 2 in the new year and sol is gonna get her polo bike together, tika is keen too!

Sol! Is your bike stiiiiiiiill not finished? ;)

+1

Rik, excellent post.

Just wanted to add, there are a bunch of spare mallets and enough balls. Just ask in the loaner mallets thread.

If anyone has any questions about polo that they don't want to ask publicly, you can always PM me, Mike[trampsparadise] or Ray (shinscar) or almost any of the other LHBPA members. We are all willing to give our time to help new players get started.

Right guys and girls?

^^^ it has a use!

i'm in. we'll need mallets though....willing to trade beers for mallet use.
snooch.

Most of us 'big boys' only started playing in the last 6 months. We all know that dogsballs is a former semi-pro, but the large part of the rest of us are still training to be amateurs.

nah, been trying to pass a driving test ( controversial, i know hehe), so i've been doing that most evenings

Aim is to get that bike done when i return to uk in the new year. Bring on the girls games!

Good lookin' out, Rik.

I'm going to start bringing two or three mallets to each game. Ray carries two mallets too and others are starting to. Two each is a good goal so we can always have enough mallets. Fools that want to play just need to bring a bike.

Nice one Rik! I always have a spare mallet or two with me. I know, a far drop from the 7/8 I used to drag down to brick lane every sunday! (most of you don't remember that though...)

I have nearly a dozen mallet heads cut between 6 and 5 inches long. All you need to do is smooth the ends a bit on the pavement, drill a hole in the centers and attach a pole. Donations of beer is accepted in trade.

I also have a few balls, mostly the softer/cold weather ones if anybody wants to trade for beers I usually have a couple spare in my bag.

Nice thread rik. And as a south polo devotee, you are always welcome to come and play with us, i'm constantly badgering my friends, (cyclists or not) to turn up. The best way to get good quick is at the deep end. Lots of newbs started in SL without ever having picked up a mallet and are very good now, but what horatio said is also very valid. Where we play in newinton and peckham there is plenty of space for 2 games at a time, you just need to turn up and stick your hand out to be shaked.

.

I'm brand new to the site but really keen to get involved in some bike polo. I'm a complete begginner, can someone suggest a south London meeting I can come along to to introduce myself and hopefully have a go? I don't have a bike but have read that some people are keen to lend out a bike...

at the moment we are playing in Newington Court (check the fisrt post for the map) wednesday around 7. just come along and say hi, people are open and friendly, you will not have any problems to borrow a bike and a mallet

As someone who had their first game last wednesday I can back up that people are very open and friendly... Really enjoyed myself.

yep, wednesday's at 7. Come along, i'd gladly let you borrow my bike/mallet for a couple of games so you can see how you like it.

south London is the official home of London bike polo. FACT!

eh? Thought that was Brick Lane, but yes, South Polo RULES!

Fixed

Couldn't be more wrong Bill!

South London polo is about the polo, Brick Lane is about the posing.

Get out of it, Hops. I have never set eyes on such a posse of preening peacocks in all my life.

ha ^

I'll be there! look forward to meeting some of you

TBF souths is very nice good place to learn how to play, the courts really good and probably one of the most central of courts... definitely going to be great to play there over the summer and if you can get your first proper game down there with BAD polo you'll do alright for yourself.

bill you can be such a dinkus sometimes. I shake my head with your misdirection.

Its the aging process.
I know I know.

I'll be a Virgin no more come Sunday!

Nice one Rik!

...now back to the Polo!

Welcome to the fun/horror show!

Welcome White Flower!

Here's everything you need to know:

tomasito put that away.

Gah not even a cunt mention.

Essential polo knowledge.