Claremont Bike Polo...

You have seen a lot of bike racing on these pages lately, but for a change of pace this evening, I thought it was time to check into the local bike polo, something I hadn't done since last year. I won't try to explain bike polo, there are folks who can do a far better job at it than I could. But I can give you my impressions. In its own way bike polo is fast, with short bursts of speed, a lot of stopping and starting. 

Winning is important, the first team to score five times gets the glory. But, it is just as much about having a good time. Drink some beer, talk some talk, and... 

Not everyone is even, there are veterans and newcomers. Doesn't matter, show up having never played a minute and you may just be asked to join in. Equipment is basic - a bike, pretty much anything will do, though gears won't do you any good, there is not time to shift between them. Mallets are often homemade, but you can also buy them online. I don't know of any dedicated courts around here, but a basketball court does fine; the one shown here is at Pitzer College. A couple pairs of cones to mark the goals. Two teams of three riders each. Men, women, does not matter, all you need to be is bold. All set.

When you are looking on, it can look like chaos on wheels. But pay close attention and you will notice a surprising synchronization, as riders turn and pivot in unison, give pursuit, and strike for a goal.

 Bike polo equivalent of a slap shot being served.

 Victory

Synchronicity

I've got some more photos here. And thanks to Joey for talking, you clearly like the game.

The poloists are back...

With apologies to Thin Lizzy:


...Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's Bar and Grill
The drink will flow and blood will spill
And if the boys want to fight, you'd better let them...


The poloists are back in town...


While out for a ride this evening, I could have sworn that I saw someone riding the opposite direction with a bike polo mallet on his back and headed for the colleges. A little while later I went down there myself, but did not see any practice taking place; I haven't heard any chatter, or seen any announcements. So, I came home and checked online and found out from the Bumstead's blog that the Claremont kids were playing down San Diego way a couple weekends ago, confirming that they are indeed back in town. I'll have to check around again on Friday, their other practice night. Here is a pic from the Spring:

and if you did not see it in April, follow this link for a slide show of more.

International Festival / Bike Polo...

I really felt the need to get more than a few miles in so I spun along Baseline to San Dimas and back. Not especially long, but it was somewhat satisfying. With the routine done, the rest of the day was freed up for more interesting things. The three of us rode down to the colleges for the International Festival. A lot of different types of food, music and dance. Put together by students at the colleges, the Fest pulls in a lot of people from the community as well.

Many flowers - in the hair...or on the hats.

Arrive like this group; no parking aggravation.

Jammin'

From there is was time to check into some more bike polo at the Inland Empire beginners tourney. This was the real deal, unlike the practice I watched a week ago. It can get pretty intense at times, but mostly everyone was having fun. Riding, crashing, whacking the ball. For those who do not know the rules, you can not put a foot down; if you do you are out of play for as long as it takes to ride over and touch a post or designated area, depending on how the court is set up. So yes, there is a lot of balancing involved. Dale, at The Velo is ready to form a local team; I might just have to give it a try. Though I will need a proper polo bike. More photos here (slideshow).

An afternoon of bikes...

Riding bikes, watching bikes, talking bikes. One of the best things about Claremont is it's plethora of opportunities for those of us who like to ride. While the Basso took a day of rest, I brought out the big wheels for a spin through the local canyons and across the hillsides of Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. Green grasses rippling across the slopes with the ebb and flow of the breeze. Hypnotic, if you stare too long. Hawk takes flight from a nearby perch to break the trance. Wildflowers adding splashes of color on the fringes. It was mostly a slow ride back down canyon; many families out enjoying the sun and blue sky.

I love old dead trees like this; the kind you see in spooky movies

Cloud patterns

Looks like the Easter Bunny passed this way.

Leg shot, with dirt

Monkey flower

So after my journey to the country, I visited the town. I needed to drop some bills off at the post office, so I cut through the colleges. While doing so I spotted some bike poloists practicing before their evening match. Very cool, and though I have known about the sport for a while, this was the first time to actually see them going at it. I declined an invitation to join them; can't imagine how many times I would fall over if I tried that. You really need some extra special bike handling skills.

Finally, to cap things off, I paid a visit to the Velo; looked at the new stock, talked about this and that. People came and went after minor fixes to their bikes; a new white saddle to match white wheels on a fixie, raise a saddle a smidge on an old French road bike. And now maybe I'll go watch some more bike polo.