Pimp My Mallet

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.

A few photos from Sunday’s BFF polo tournament. If you’ve got any of The Toffs or the other Oxford teams add them to our Flickr group.

More photos on Flickr here, here and here.

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.

The long dark evenings mean we’ve moved Wednesday practices to 20.15, at the flood-lit Curry’s car park:

We’re still playing Sunday’s at the Marston hard court, but not for the next two weeks:

• Sunday 27 Sep: London Bicycle Film Festival bike polo tournament
• Sunday 4 Oct: Bike Blenheim Palace polo tournament

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).

The final results for the European Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships.

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