Pimp My Mallet

Well done Cardiff, winners of the 2010 Bike Blenheim Polo Tournament! Thanks to Bristol, Cardiff, Cherwell School, Cycle Oxford and everyone else from Oxford who braved the rain and made it a great tournament. Here’s a few photos from the day.

The tournament briefing

Blenheim bike polo tournament

Cherwell School

Soggy tweed (it rained a lot)

Blenheim bike polo tournament

The sun makes an appearance over Blenheim Palace

Cardiff, winners of the Bike Blenheim Polo Tournament

Bike Blenheim Bike Polo winners

More photos on Flickr.

A nice set of photos from John Spooner on Flickr. And a few more from road.cc’s pretty extensive coverage of Bike Blenheim Palace.

Don’t forget we’re now playing at 20.15 Wednesday evenings in Curry’s car park, Botley Road.

The team briefing

Months of worrying by Dan and co finally paid off with an excellent day of polo! All the teams made it, the sun was out for most of the tournament, and the combinations of grass and hardcourt rules with a slightly bumpy pitch seemed to even out the teams.

The Toffs v Cambridge

Cambridge put on an amazing show win the tournament, just beating the Oakendon Pedallars (grass specialists). London were third, followed by the two Oxford teams (in our defence two people pulled out at the last minute with the flu… and we had to save our energy for running the tournament… can anyone think of other excuses???).

Public session. A real (horse) polo player joins in.

The public sessions were really popular, and we had at least one real (horse) polo player joining in, as well as a few traditional bike polo players and quite a few post-race Brompton riders.

London v Cambridge

Kids practice session. Reminder for next year: check they can ride one handed before allowing them on the court!

Group Photo

More photos here.

And a quick blast from the past- a photo from last year’s tournament. Is it just me or does everyone look disturbingly young in that photo (as in, more than a year younger).

The polo court at Bike Blenheim Palace is ready for action! See you all tomorrow.

Just 3 days to go until the Town Meets Country Bike Polo Tournament, in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Urban polo teams from Oxford, Cambridge and London and a traditional grass polo team from Oakendon will be battling it out whilst the Brompton World Championships fly by.

They’ll be public sessions at 11.30, 13.30 and 15.30, all equipment supplied. More polo details here.

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.