Well, here's another item that warms the cog-gles of my heart. Bike polo? Yes, bike polo. I can't believe I didn't remember that this exists, since 1891, in fact.
Here's a photo of a cycle polo match at Eastleigh, 1938 (source: Guardian UK).
In addition to global competitions, the US version is going strong. San Francisco also has its own league.
According to SF Bike Polo, Hard court polo can be found Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Jose Coronado Park (21st & Shotwell), 7pm-10pm, with grass games on Tuesday afternoons.
Among the renovations at Dolores Park in San Francisco, one of the tennis courts or areas near there is going to be converted to a bike polo court. For now, they use the tennis courts.
Mike Shriver (who took the two cool color photos, among many, many others) told me that three San Francisco teams are playing in the World Championship tournament this weekend in Seattle.
While it looks like a lot of fun, something about crashing into other players, or flipping over if a mallet got caught between the spokes, leaves me knowing I'll remain an observant fan, but not a participant.
If you're feeling daring, join the Facebook group to find out where to play.
Here's a video from 2007 of New yorkers getting into the game.
1 comment:
thanks jim for the great story on sf bike polo (and the sport overall). yeah, helmets and shin guards are must-wear gear, and the mallets are totally D-I-Y, but the players are an amazing group of individuals (men and women alike). those who come by just to watch are encouraged to heckle, socialize and enjoy.
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