Pimp My Mallet

Just back from an awesome day at the London Bicycle Film Festival polo tournament, and an amazing performance by The Toffs:

1. BAD polo (London)
2. Netto (Manchester)
3. The Toffs (Oxford)

More details and photos on the way.

Just a reminder that everyone will be down in London tomorrow at the Bicycle Film Festival Polo Tournament so for your sunday polo fix head down to Newington Gardens, near Borough Market (which unfortunately is closed on Sundays). The tournament starts at 11am but we’ll be there all day. This might be your last ever chance to see the current incarnation of The Toffs playing together so don’t miss it!

Bike Blenheim Palace returns on Sunday 4th October, with bike polo taking centre stage!

Five bike polo teams from Oxford, London, Cambridge, and Oakendon will be battling it out in the Town Meets Country Tournament taking place in the historical grounds of Blenheim Palace, culminating in the first ever Oxford v Cambridge varsity match.

There’ll be public try-out sessions between the games, so come along a have a go. We’ll have mallets and bikes to borrow, and it’s all on grass.

Once you’ve had your fill of polo, take time out to watch the Brompton World Championships. Last year Alistair Kay won, beating the former Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras (he wasn’t impressed). And after all that excitement, relax with a leisurely ride around the tranquil grounds of the palace.

Match schedule:

• 10.00am Oxford v London
• 10.20am The Toffs V Cambridge
• 10.40am Oakenden V London
• 11.30 – 12.00 pm Public Polo session
• 12.20pm The Toffs V Oxford
• 12.40pm Cambridge V Oakenden
• 1.00pm London V The Toffs
• 1.30 – 2.00pm Public Polo session
• 2.20pm Oxford V Oakenden
• 2.40pm Cambridge V London
• 3.00pm The Toffs V Oakenden
• 3.30 – 4.00pm Public Polo session
• 4.15pm Oxford V Cambridge (Varsity Trophy)
• 4.40pm Prize giving ceremony

If you’re unsure of how to get here there’s a joint ride organised by Sustrans, CTC and Isis Cyclists leaving from outside the Oxford Campus shop on Broad Street, at 09:30. Save money by buying your entry tickets in advance.

Two polo tournaments on the same day: First is the annual London Bicycle Film Festival tournament on Sunday 27th September. This will be the third time it’s been held. In 2007 there was glorious sunshine, last year there was torrential rain and half the teams stayed in bed. This year… who knows? Oxford should have three teams there if everyone gets their act together.

And for anyone living up North (or who just hates London) Edinburgh are holding The Scottish Inter-City Hard Court Bicycle Polo Tournament on the same day. Bit of a mouthful, but it’s a leisurely 1pm start and if it’s raining in London you can guarantee it’ll be dry up there (and vice-versa).

Too late, you’ve missed it! Seven teams from Europe (including EHBPC winners L’Equipe fom Geneva, and BAD Polo and Malice from London) and 41 teams from the US and Canada battled it out last weekend, with Seattle coming top. Urban Velo have a selection of photos, go there for your hipster fix.

No-one made the trip from Africa or the Middle/Far East, perhaps they’re saving up for the Cycle Messenger World Championships polo tournament in Tokyo.

Taken by the tournament winners L’Equipe. Special appearance by The Toffs at 6:50.

EHBPC London 2009 from Uolmo on Vimeo.

The final results for the European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships.

13th – The Toffs
25th – (tie) Drof Ox Flailer 3
31st – (tie) 3 Less Horse

Well everyone’s back and recovering from an incredible weekend. Unfortunately Three Less Horse and The Drof Ox Flailer Three were knocked out after the first two games, but The Toffs got pretty far…. maybe amongst the top 16 teams in Europe according to the scoreboard. I think. It’s double elimination, (winner’s bracket on the left, loser’s on the right) which makes interpreting the results slightly confusing. Hopefully EHBPC will publish some official results, in the meantime the top three teams in Europe are:

1. l’Equipe Genève (Geneva, Switzerland)
2. Malice International (London, UK)
3. Poloholics Toros (Munich, Germany)

Here’s some highlights from the tournament, courtesy of Cycle Oxford

All three Oxford teams made it through the group stage! Watch tomorrow’s action live online.

Helmets ARE required for this tournament! We need to register between 6 and 8 on the Friday evening in East London. This will be at the retro geek paradise that is Tour de Ville bike shop and there will be a BBQ going on. The tournament is here and the itinerary here

The courts will be 20m x 30m (bigger than the Cowley Marsh court)

Also note the following rules:

- No intentional T-bone’ or charging

- No overly aggressive behavior such as unnecessary elbowing, grabbing, pushing, punching with hands, pushing or kicking with feet, and headbutting

“Like” contact that is allowed:
- Non-aggressive Body to body, mallet to mallet, and bike to bike. Apart from the fouls listed above.
- Contact is only permitted within the play of the ball. Contact away from the play of the ball can result in a penalty.