the original hardcourt blog
Polo Guard Now Available!
Sep 9th
Milwaukee Polo Guard Now Available!
I have been lucky enough to be a test rider for this product since August 1st, 2008 and to say the very least, I think it’s incredible! Polo bikes take severe abuse and cheap parts break, but this is one component that I have no doubts will stand up to more abuse than I could ever put it through. And it looks good too!
Some Details
- Made in the USA
- 110 BCD / 35 Tooth
- Available as ALL IN ONE guard/chainring only or crankset
- CNC’d out of 7075 T6 Aluminum
- 1/8″ chain width
- Measures 14mm at its thickest point
- Sugino XD’s in 165 or 170mm in black or silver
- Designed solely for the Sugino XD
- It says “POLOGUARD” right on it!
Available from Ben’s Cycle
And Ben’s Cycle has a new Blog
2008 NACCC Bike Polo People
Sep 9th
No names, no order, no large images, I’m still working on it so give me some more time.
All Photos © Doug D 2008
"doug and robbie"
Sep 8th
doug and robbie, originally uploaded by kev_walsh.
Kevin Walsh took this photo of Robbie and I playing against each other during the second day of play at the NACCC bike polo tournament. In this play Robbie was going for a shot on my goal and I was trying to block the shot. I’m pretty sure I hit the ball away before before he could get the shot off. I know he didn’t score and just after this I was feet from the back wall and moving at a good clip. Locked up the rear brake to swing the ass end around just enough, as I hit the back wall both wheels at the same time, and did so hard enough to pinch flat both front and rear tires. Swapped out bikes but in the end my team, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, lost to his team, That’s What She Said. I like this photo because both our team names are in the picture. That’s What She Said went on to win the whole damn thing. Plus, I don’t see very many pictures of me playing.
Note my bloody hat. In the first day of tournament play I got a mallet to the head from Lee of Dayton by Lee FROM Dayton, big guy, lefty, kind of goof, kind of punk ass, if you see him, take his ass out for me. Twice!
This Just In…
Sep 5th
Grass bike polo is alive and well, in Falun. That’s in Sweden and they call it “cykel polo”.
Ottawa sits on top of N. American bike polo…That’s What She Said!
Sep 2nd
Ottawa Wins NACCC Bike Polo Tournament!!!!
OWN YOU, originally uploaded by Doug D.
Brian, Alexis, and Robbie (That’s What She Said) take the prestigious title of North American Bike Polo Champions at the 2008 Chicago NACCC. Kings of the sport, I respect Ottawa players the most (ever since seeing them win ESPI I in 2005) and they deserve the win, but did not go undefeated. Phillys Mark, Montana, and Alex (Hoagie Rollers) did fight out of the losers bracket to meet That’s What She Said in the final. And that game went up to 4 – 0 Philly!! Then Ottawa brought it back to 4 – 4 !!!! after a few more minutes of top notch play Philly won!!! forcing a Final, Final. This next game started and during most of it I was helping others chase two thieves who stole a bike and bag and ran off. I did get back in time to see Brian score a beautiful game winning goal. Way to go man and congratulations!
I want to thank all of Chicago Bike Polo, everyone who had a hand in this event did a super job. There is no doubt that this was the largest bike polo event to date! And it was excellent!
For me this whole weekend was great, so many friends and new faces. I got to relax in the shade, as Johnny bandaged my head, (thanks Johnny, thanks Lee). Everyone was great to let me take their photo. I think there were only 5 people I missed, out of 34 + teams (please give me some time to work on them, I will post them all). Thanks to Lucky for a personalized custom Mallet (I still need your address). Thanks to the Hunters for giving me a sample of the “Mid-West Red”. Thanks to Wil Mills of La Carrera Cycles for flowing me some clothing. I’m not sure of his name but the mechanic who set up a work shop at the courts, that was very generous thing to have all those spare tubes available for free and lending tools for two days. Just awesome, Thank You.
So Many Sponsors and tons of prizes. If you guys want to take the time to send a thank you to the people who gave products as prizes I think that would be a really good thing! Thanking the small companys that give to the bike polo events can go a long way. I want to list a few of the sponsors.
Waterford Precision Cycles
Milwaukee Bicycle Co.
Seagull Bags
Steelwool
TrackstarNYC
Kozie Prery
DQM
Sonadei
Crumpler Bags
And Many Others….
Results:
2008 North American Bike Polo Champions: “That’s What She Said” (Brian, Alexis, Robbie) Ottawa
2nd Place: “Hoagie Rollers” (Montana, Mark, Alex) Philly
3rd Place: “East Vanier” (Jen, Martin, Pieter) Ottawa/East Van
MVP: (highest goals per game avg.) Drew of Portland
35 teams with players from Ottawa, East Van, Chicago, Milwaukee, Philly, St. Louis, Madison, Seattle, Richmond, Lexington, New York City, Columbia, Minneapolis, DC, Baltimore, Boston, Orlando, Dayton, Portland, and Cleveland. 20 cities!!
2 days, 2 courts. 10 min games in round robin and bracket games up to the semi-finals. 15 min semi. un-timed Final. All games first to 5 points.
More Old Bike Polo In the Media
Aug 27th
